26" draw / spine questions

[longshadow]

You guys with 26" draw, where do you start with arrow spine. I shoot 56# @ 26" longbow not cut to center. I get pretty  good arrow flight from 50-55's but consistently shoot to the left. I tried length from 27" to 28 1/2" and points up to 160gr heads with the 50-55's. I also get shelf and plate wear, should I go down in spine and start with 45-50's I originally thought those would be too weak, but now I am not sure...  The bows I shoot are mild reflex/deflex. JD Berry,GN Critter Gitter and Dwyer original longbow.  Also B-50 bowsting material.     Thanks, Al

[kawika b]

The lighter spine should work better as your bow is not cut to center. When going with carbon keep you arrow on the longer side and tune from there. I draw 25" and shoot 28"-29" arrows with a heavy FOC out of my Brack and ACS CX,,, both 50#.

[SCATTERSHOT]

I have a 26" draw, and that's exactly where I would start. If they are consistently impacting to the left of aim,though, then they are too stiff (for a right handed shooter). Could be another problem, too, but I'd try the lower spined arrows first.

[paradocs]

I'm shooting 57# @ 26" (GN Bushbow).  Arrows are 60-64# 11/32" POC, cut to 26.5", with 200 gr Ace Super Express/Hex blunt/field tip up front.  They fly great, especially the broadheads, but will shoot a bit stiff if I don't quite get to full draw, so I'm on the edge spinewise.  Total arrow weight is 630 gr.

[Chortdraw]

I have a 24-25" draw and shoot 42-45lb bows and shoot 1816. you should try a 1916 to get your bow to tune guite well

[Kevin L.]

I shoot 54-50# with a 26.5" draw and find that the 45-50class cedar w/ 145gr up front to work best with my longbow and flatbow, neither cut to center.

[laddy]

Same 26 and a little draw.  I have a 53lb. bow that shoots 40=45 woods with 125 grain points cut to 27'' bop and a 51 lb. that can shoot sixty lb. spines.  Every bow is different in my experience.  Even two Hill blank bows shoot different arrows one is yew and the other the halfbreed.  How the arrow delivers the cast has alot to do with the spine even if the bows shoot approximately the same speed.  i have found i get by with more tolerance with the woods and I don't need to have them so long.

[Butts2]

53# at my 26.5. I cut my arrows to 28. Tips are 145. 3X ayear I need to change plate and shelf leather. Compressed tapered 55-60 with no target group issues

[JEFF B]

i have a 26 1/2" draw and shoot carbons at 29" off my bob sarells longbow at 45-47 # when i shoot woodies i cut them to 27 1/2" they are spined for 45- 50 with 125grn head and shoot good. i would suggest you try all different lengths of arrows and heads from 125grn upward untill you get the right one that works for you. good luck with that.  

[Ausable]

I have a 26.5 draw and my longbows are around 50#. I do exactly as Ho'nene Jeff, carbons are 29" 35-55 GTs with 250gr up front. W27.5" woodies spined around 45# with 125 head.

[Danny J]

I also have a 26 inch draw. Bow is a 54" Treadway Black Forrest 49@26. Easton Chart shows a 1916. I have bare shafted with 1916's and 2016's. I am getting my best arrrow flight from:

1st. 27.5" 2016 Easton Super Slams  125 grain
2nd. 27.5" 1916 Easton Legacys      100 grain

[bigislandmark]

Aloha Longshadow,

I draw 26 on my SR recurve but at 44lbs. Arrows are cut to 28 inches.

Thanks to da gang here, I found that 33-55 Gold Tips fly like darts. The problem that I had was minimum grains per inch--- recommended 9 grains minimum. Thanks to da gang, they recommended 100gr inserts. With that and 125 grains upfront, I still get beautiful flight and make the minimum grains per inch.

Adding weight upfront will weaken da spine of your arrow and perhaps help correct your spine problem. However I am shooting a recurve with the riser cut to center. I have read that it is more critcal to find the right combination when shooting a longbow, especially with a riser not cut to center.

With cedar or aluminum I don't think you will have any problem making weight grains per inch.

With all da help I've recieved hea, I know that you will find a solution to your problem.

Melekalikimaka and Haolimakahiki Ho!
(Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!)

Mark