Douglas Fir spine range help.

[Dodger]

I'd like to buy 11/32" (or even 23/64", if it helps) Douglas Fir shafts but having never used wood arrows before I would be grateful if you could recommend an appropriate spine range please. I can buy a test pack or the shafts in the recommended spine but the latter would save me time and money.

It's for a straight limbed longbow, 66" n-t-n, 60# @ 28" and drawn to 29". The arrow strike plate is 1/8" before center and the bow has a 9-strand BCY 450+ string.

My current aluminium arrows (2317) have a back of point length of 30" and have an overall weight of 729 grains or 11.5 GPP. I would prefer not to go below 10 GPP.

BTW, do shafts from different woods deflect differently?

Thanks.

[m midd]

Dodger, i shoot a 64" 63# @28' GN with a D97 string. So our bow specs are pretty close. I shoot 55-60 Douglas fir shafts they are 30.5" long with a 125gr head.  With 3 5" feathers they finish weight right at 600gr.

[Ceb]

I would start with at least a 75-80lb shafts, and if you use a head heavier than 125-135gr, I would bump up to 80-85 shafts if your cutting to 30" BOP.

[Ben Maher]

Dodger ,  I'd go with with 70-75# shafts if using a 125gn head  .

[Dodger]

Thanks a lot for the replies so far but I think I should add that the primary purpose is to get good penetration in ol' Sus scrofa and not target or 3D. Hence, I'd prefer to keep the arrow weight at 10 gpp or above. If you think 9 gpp will work just as effectively, please let me know.

I have some 125 gr. broadheads but do not have field points or blunts yet. Hence, I am open to any pile weight provided I can get the broadheads, blunts and points in the same weight.

Is there an online chart that shows the deflection of douglas fir shafts?

Thanks.

[longbowray]

Order a test kits !

[JCJ]

Dodger:

I shoot a 60# @ 29" Hill style bow and I draw 29". I shoot a 30" to BOP arrow. I shoot Cedar with 125 gr. points and use 68-73# spine. 70-75# would work fine too with 125 gr. points.

JCJ

[Dodger]

Longbowray: Eventually I may just have to order a test kit but getting items cleared by postal customs (everything needs to be imported)takes atleast a month. On top of that, I have to pay shipping + upto 35% in customs duty. If I go the test kit route, I will have to go through the same process once I have decided which spine range to order.

JCJ: With 70-75# I get 9 gpp and 9 % FOC. I'd prefer atleast 10 gpp. As mentioned above I don't have to use the 125 gr. glue on broadheads that I currently have.

However, thanks for your replies. It is appreciated.

[Dodger]

Do POC shaft and Douglas fir shaft deflect the same for any given spine range?

If the answer is yes, then I think I will be able to figure out the spine range I need using the POC deflection chart and Stu's calculator.

Thanks.

[Bjorn]

I have found POC and Fir to be the same deflection; IMO 70/75 should do the trick for you.  Don't forget the pics!

[Dodger]

I have found POC and Fir to be the same deflection.

Super! Now I can get cracking. Thank you!

 

IMO 70/75 should do the trick for you.

Running the numbers on Stu's calculator I can get a tuneable arrow but it's weight per pound of draw weight is below what I am looking for, as is the FOC.

However, I am a neophyte and since you hunt hogs and the obvious (well tuned arrow, sharp broad head and correct shot placement) aside, what in your opinion should be the minimum arrow weight and FOC I should look for when using wood shafts to gain complete penetration on big hogs?

 

Don't forget the pics!

That's another hurdle... Hunting is more or less banned in India. A few states have opened up hunting on hogs but the permission to do so isn't forthcoming. Not for the common man atleast.

Just one of the many reasons I had Nil illegitimi carborundum inscribed on my bow.     :D    

Cheers!

[TIM B]

I agree with spine being very comparable for fir and POC. I have always shot cedar but this year I switched to fir because of availability with 75-80 spines.  
TIM B

[Dodger]

Thank you, Tim. Could you give me the details of your set up?

Thanks.

[Bjorn]

I only shoot wood and have quit thinking about efoc. If you want efoc go to carbon or aluminum; IMO good tuning is more important anyway.
Your finished arrow will be about 600 gns with a 125 head.
I shoot a 50# ACS CX with 75/80 Fir or Cedar with either a 160 or a 175 gn BH-the bow is cut 3/16 past.

[TIM B]

Be glad to Dodger!
I shoot a 69inch SKY longbow that pulls 58lbs at 28.  I pull it 29.5 so it's a little over 60lbs.  I have shot this bow for 20 yrs and I need the 75-80 spine for it to shoot broadheads really well. My arrows are full length and weigh 650gr. I used to shoot 2 blade zwickeys and magnus but switched to the wensell woodsman a year ago.  I like the 3 blade head.  I shot a cow elk last week in Colorado and she only went 40 yards before falling over - it was a double lung shot though.  I also shoot the 5.5 inch shield feathers.  
Hope that helps
TIM B

[Don Stokes]

Dodger, wood arrow shafts can vary in weight by quite a lot within a spine grouping. If you tell your shaft supplier what weight shafts you would like, they might can accommodate you. I agree with those who recommend over 70#, and I'd rather have them too stiff than too weak. I would start on the stiff side and full length and adjust as needed. If they're stiff at full length, you can add point weight. If they're too weak when cut to your minimum length, it's over for that set unless you "detune" your bow a little by building out the side plate or increasing string weight.

[Dodger]

Bjorn, Tim and Don,

Thanks for the additional inputs. I will play with Stu's calculator and see what I can come up with.

Tim, congrats on getting the elk.

Cheers!

[TIM B]

Thank you sir!!
TIM B