I was curious how you guys and gals index your vanes for the best vane clearance. I index my nocks, so cock feather is out. Is this the best way or would cock feather( or hen feather if you prefer ) be better placed in and down toward the crease of the shelf?

Thanks for your advice,

Dennis

You'll have as much clearance with cock feather out as in the first picture as any other way.  Many, though, play with it to find what they like the best.

Thanks, Moebow. Can you explain cut to center? I have seen posts where the member says the bow is cut 1/8" ( or some measurement ) from center. I am not sure what that means.

Ya, the center line of the bow through the grip is center.  Many bowyers especially those making recurves will cut the sight window to the center line or past the center line.  Long bow makers don't usually cut to center (some do).  Most however cut to short of the center line by an 1/8 or 1/4 inch.  That depth of cut affects the spine requirements of the arrow.  The bowyer is the best place to get this information but you can measure or estimate it too.  If you ask the bowyer, ask if the measurement he gives you is with or without the strike plate material.  This can be a sensitive measurement when it comes to getting properly spined arrows for your bow.

Thanks a bunch, moebow.

I sometimes shoot cock feather in and get great flight.

beetlebailey,

When you say cock feather in, do you mean 90 degrees to the top of the limb? Opposite of the standard way show, cock feather out?

Thanks for the tip. BTW: my brother lives in Charleston, SC. We get down there a lot. I am planning to hunt there sometime, hopefully. It's a beautiful state!!

He means, take the arrow in the first pick off the string and turn it 180 degress and nock it, this is now nocked- cock feather in. some people find that this shoots better.

personally , i think if you have correctly tuned your arrow to your bow, you won't get any fletch contact due to the archer's paradox that an arrow goes thru as it's shot.

Gotcha, Smallwood. I understand the paradox and know know what he meant now. Thanks a bunch!

I have a buddy that shoots cock feather in and shoots great. I tried it a couple of times and it works great.