Big Fletching

[Pine]

So about a year ago I was at the archery shop shooting . The owner knew that I was having trouble finding 105# cedar arrows and came up to me with some cedars fletched with 5 1/2" parabolic feathers . I was shooting my 60# recurve and he said to try these arrows . They shot just fine . No fishtailing at all . He then he told me they were 85# spine . I was very surprised . He explained to me that the 5 1/2" parabolic feathers stabilized the arrow quickly and would be just fine for hunting as long as the shot was further than 10 feet .
So have any of you had any experience with this ?
I have been thinking of trying this only because I still have a hard time finding 105# cedars and I don't like hard wood .

[Zbone]

Been shooting 5-12" high back shields for years and about the only cut I use on a broadheaded hunting arrow now...

[Orion]

The more fletch, the more quickly it stabilizes (and slows down) the arrow.  Of course, a well tuned arrow that leaves the bow with less flexing is better than compensating with a lot of fletch, thoughthe latter does work.

Why are you shooting 105# cedars out of a 60# bow?  Are you sure they are 105#.  Aside from Sweetland forgewoods, I've never seen standard size cedars make that weight.  

Even with a fast flite string, and cut to or past center shelf, something in the 80-85# range should work.  Could also build out the arrow plate to accommodate lighter spined shafts.

[Pine]

I have always shot about 10# heavy , G Fread Asbell has the same problem . My 50# likes 75-80# spine , just what I have learned to live with .
My 60#der can shoot a 105# bare shaft like a laser .

[Terry Lightle]

Have been shooting 5 1/2 inch tall shields for 30 years at least.When it is really cold and been out there a long time I want all the help I can get when I turn one loose.And my bow is shooting a bare shaft great .Terry

[monterey]

I shoot 5.5 high backs of various shapes with good results. Once I tried some 7" really high backs out of a 45" LB.  would not tune.  Eventually I cut them to 5.5" and they flew beautifully.  My conclusion was that you can try to push too much feather through the window.

[Tradcat]

I just finished an experiment and testing (4)x 5" parabolics against (3)x 5 1/2" high back shields. 20" of stabilizing feather against 16.5". I found that even if I plucked the string, the arrows were flying true with the high back shields. I am shooting 3 under and am amazed at how well the arrows are flying. Like a Payton Manning spiral ! I am shooting a 64" Robertson Purist 54# @ 26". CE Heritage 150's with 250 grains up front. Bare shafts and fletched arrows( 3 x 5 1/2" high backs) are grouping from 18 yards ! I think I'm tuned !

[Firstlight]

Event thous I bare shaft test, etc and get my shafts tuned to the bow, I still shoot 5 1/2 fletch, shield cuts.  I like the look and I like to see them fly.  Nice arch to them :>)

I know I could shoot 3 or 4 inch but I will stay with 5 1/2 as I like everything about them.

I also know if I have a poor release that the extra fletch will only help.