Gang

Need some help please. I'm working on tuning a Stalker Wolverine shooting 51#@29". I'm working with Safari Tuff Taipan and Kobra shafts in 400 and 350. Playing with multiple head/insert/collar combos ranging from 275 to 315.

I just replaced the shelf velcro this morning and have not shot a single fletched arrow off the shelf and am getting some wear already on the outside of the rest. Picture attached.

Can anyone tell me what might be causing this weird contact for a bare shaft?

I shoot split finger and my nick point or at 1/2".

Thanks!

I would guess that either your nock point is too low or you're getting some shelf bounce as a result of pressing down with your index finger on the top of the shaft at full draw when you release the arrow.

How does bare shaft arrow flight look so far?

Both shafts still a bit weak and consistently nock high from 12-15 yards. Thanks!

Neither of those shafts should be weak. I think your arrow is bouncing off the shelf, porposing and fishtailing, yielding a false weak. I'd start by checking the brace height.  If it's too low, it can cause either of those problems.  If it's where it shoud be, raise your nock point, as McDave suggests. Of course, it could also be a form issue.   

Check out this video, very helpful.

Another good reference for arrow shaft tuning, scroll down to bare shaft testing.

https://www.fenderarchery.com/blogs/archery-info/basic-tuning

Thanks for the help guys! I was really beginning to doubt myself, so I picked up my Black Widow and my Tall Tines, perfect bare shaft flight and fletched arrow flight out of both.

The limbs on the Stalker are a brand-new set of carbon limbs from South. Going to call him tomorrow and see if he can help me out. I experience the same nock high, weak arrow flight at 5-10 yards with a 500/400/350 Safari Tuff shaft using varying head and insert weights centered around a 200-grain field point. 

If I'm interpreting the photo correctly, it looks like there is wear on the wood as well as the arrow rest.  That's a pretty severe reaction to a bare shaft, in my experience.  However, it is occurring in exactly the same place that I usually get wear from my lower hen feather on a fletched arrow.