I hope I'm not  

I have some carbon shafts coming in tomorrow and can't decide if offset or helical would be best for arrow flight.  Right now I'm just using target points but want to just be able to switch to broadheads as painlessly as possible.  I've searched pages and pages of threads and even checked out Dr. Ashby's reports for some guidance but still can't come to a conclusion.

I think a poll would give me a better idea (but since I can't figure out how to do that, this will do)...what's your fletching setup for hunting: offset or helical?

Thanks for your input!

A good spin will help stabilize the broadhead and reduce the chance for wind planing. Get them spinning in whatever way works best for you.

Guy

Helical works for me.  The more the better, especially if you have a less than smooth release on a consistent basis like I do.  Just seems to help the arrow recover faster from the paradox with a big broadhead on the business end.  With field points you won't be able to notice the difference.  Broadheads will magnify things like a rough release, and minor tuning issues.  That is why I shoot 5" feathers fletched with a helical.  Have fun tuning!

Put as much helical as your jig will allow.

Offset straights will work, but I much prefer helical.  If you have the helical clamp, you might as well use it.

I would say fletch an arrow up with each(left,right,and straight) and put the BH's on and see what works for you.No use doing a dozen one way to find out you don't like it.I prefer the helical, I feel it shoots best 5" feathers for me.

It depends on how heavy your arrows are.Big feathers with a lot of twist does not hurt heavy arrows at hunting ranges.The same feathers on a light weight shaft will be like a boat anchor on the back at longer distances.I usually match fletching to arrow weight and what kind of bow I am shooting.I use everything from 5.5 on heavy wood arrows and when shooting from all wood or selfbows to 3 1.5" feathers on some of my carbons being shot from a bow with a rest.With Ashby arrow weights you could use a whole turkey and it would not matter.      :D

Either helical or a straight/offset should work just fine to stabilize your broadheads.
Remember, this will work if you have done your part of tuning your setup to the best of your ability.
And being an ethical bowhunter, always test shoot your bh arrows to make sure they are flying good before hunting with them.

I use a left wing with a 5.5" helical fletch and my broadheads fly better than my field points. My practice arrows fly fine but when I put on hunting heads they really fly good.

Thanks for the advice guys.  I've only been using 4" parabolics and they seem great with target points.  I'll pick up some broadheads soon and tune and see.  Although, I'll have to try out some bigger feathers to compare.

The only downside to helical I've read is the huge WHOOSH as they fly through the air that might give the animal a heads up...anyone experience this?

QuoteOriginally posted by s_mcflurry:


The only downside to helical I've read is the huge WHOOSH as they fly through the air that might give the animal a heads up...anyone experience this?

None of the deer I've shot objected! I usually use 5" shield cut feathers on 510 grain carbon arrows. The only time I've noticed any noise was after I'd dinged up a fletch. New helicals don't seem to make any noise.

Helical at hunting ranges. I like 5" parabolics.

Helical on all my arrows.  I like to know that I am getting good fletch control on my arrows.

I've been using 4" parabolic with slight helical on 55-75 GT's and getting great flight from my HH 57#.  The big Ace 200 grainers (plus 100 grain brass insert and 100 grain steel adaptor)gives enough weight up front to require only minimal fletching guidance.  With field points I use 3" parabolic. Just one more advantage of EFOC.

I use as much helical as my Bitz will put on 4" feathers. My arrows are only 27.5 inches long but a 3-feather helical set-up puts my 100 grain Stingers under my field tips (I shoot the broadhead before I shoot the field tips). Off-set would accomplish the same thing.  Like others have said. You must start with a well-tuned shaft and components. The better these fit your bow and your shooting process, the less important the feathered end of your arrow will be.

My experence with longbows is to fletch one helical and one offset and have someone stand behind a tree or barn and listen to each as you shoot each one by them. Take the quiter one and mount your broadhead on it and if it shoots great, select that fletch(helical or offset). Ken

Pay close attention to Smallwood's advice!!!

The shafts are here!  Exciting times ahead (I actually like tuning...nothing more satisfying than all the work resulting in beautiful arrow flight)!  Thanks again to all for the input.  I'll go with helical but will have to play with 4" or 5" feathers.

Now to start a thread about which broadhead is the best...

...or not.

If your shooting carbons, 4" 3-fletch will stabilize just fine.
You could also use 5" 3-fletch if you wanted to or...
Then there is 4" 90degree 4-fletch, my favorite.
To each his own    :D