From: jerseyman
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Date: 26-Jan-15 |
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I recently came across about 1/2 dozen aluminum arrow shafts 2016 and some 2018. Also found a bag of 4" parabolic feathers.I seen some pics.on here where the arrows were fletched with four.Is there any advantage with four feathers as opposied to three.Cleaning out the closet you sometimes find treasures.jerseyman
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From: Smithhammer
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Date: 26-Jan-15 |
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Well, 4 x 4" fletching is a lot of fletching in my opinion. Do people do it? Definitely. But my question whenever I see that much fletching is why? If your arrow truly needs that much, there are probably underlying tuning issues that should be looked at first. A well-tuned arrow needs suprisingly little fletching compared to what many think of as "normal," even with a broadhead.
I shoot 4-fletch, but I find that 3" feathers with that configuration are plenty.
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From: JamesV
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Date: 26-Jan-15 |
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3 4" for me
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From: Foo-E
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Date: 26-Jan-15 |
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I only use 4 and 6 feathers for fun on my flu- flu arrows. I like the 4 better then the 6 for that purpose. I really only did the 6 on 2 arrows cuz my jig has a setting for that. It's a lot of fletching! Fun to shoot though!
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From: JRW
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Date: 26-Jan-15 |
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I shoot 4" four fletch on my hunting arrows and have for many years. They're nice and stable, and I never have to pay attention to which way the arrow is nocked.
For target arrows I used three 3" feathers for 3D and field, and three 4" feathers for indoor paper.
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From: goldentrout_one
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Date: 26-Jan-15 |
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I always use 3 5-inch feathers, but I've often considered trying 4 4-inch feathers. As JRW indicated, you don't have to pay attention to which way the arrow is nocked, you can even use all the same color fletching or use four different colors! And, I think they just look cool. I might just have to give it a try...
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From: swampangel57
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Date: 26-Jan-15 |
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I have some 4"4 fletched arrows - just seen other guys shooting them thought I would give it a try - shot 3D with them killed deer with them - and I can't tell any difference in 4 or 3 fletch - with the right dipping right cresting to me they look good that's about it -
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From: Drewster
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Date: 26-Jan-15 |
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I agree with Smithhammer......4 4" fletching is a waste of good feathers. Tune your arrows folks.
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From: strshotx
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Date: 26-Jan-15 |
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I use to shoot 3-5",but lately do and like the looks of 4-4" at 90.I took a dozen well tuned arrows and fletched 3 with 3-4",3 with 4-4",3 with 3-5" and 3 with 4-5" and they all grouped together at 20 yds.I probably go with 3-4" if I was shooting at longer distances.I have even done 3-2" Blazer vanes on one of my metal riser ILF with a magnetic flipper and plunger.I tune my arrows no matter how I fletch them.It doesn't really matter to me how I fletch them once I have tuned my arrows.
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From: Bowmania
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Date: 26-Jan-15 |
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If you can find a reason to put 4 feathers on a tuned arrow, you'll be the first.
Bowmania
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From: Smithhammer
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Date: 26-Jan-15 |
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If you can find a reason to put 4 feathers on a tuned arrow, you'll be the first.
And what is the reason for putting 3>/i> feathers on an arrow?
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From: SteveD
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Date: 26-Jan-15 |
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I like 4 for many reasons ,one is to upset those who see no reason for 4:)
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From: Tracker7
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Date: 26-Jan-15 |
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Three four inch is the all day everyday feather. Experimenting with two different types of flu flus, looking into tuning for plastic vanes. Recent Rick Barby thread, These arrows from cabelas 3050 29 inch kiddy arrows plastic fletch...I strip the plastic and refletch.....work great out of my samick journey 40 lb.
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From: John-Doc
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Date: 26-Jan-15 |
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I use 3 mostly with my Bitz. Suggest trying two fletch arrows, they fly very well plus stack nicely in quiver or storage box.
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From: Flash
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Date: 26-Jan-15 |
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3 4" feathers for me.
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From: PSUArcher
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Date: 26-Jan-15 |
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My arrows Are tuned as well as anyones, I can bare shafted to 40 yards with no issues. I choose to shoot 4 fletch. There are two reasons why. First, when I shot three feathers, I shot cock feather in. I always had one feather wearing out, so I would always have to be rotating my arrows to get consistent wear. Second, with my four fletch, I never have to pay attention when I am nock in an arrow, whether during hunting or practice. I have arrows fletched with four feathers, some with four micro vanes, and some with four rayzoers.
Plus they look cool sticking in the 10 ring
To many people in this world think that there way is the only way, get off your horses
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From: Big Dog
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Date: 26-Jan-15 |
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4x4.....becaused that's what I was started on 35 years ago.....and they are still way more cool looking than 3 fletch. :o) And yes, my setup is super tuned and I could probably get by with half that fletch. Regards
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From: camodave
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Date: 26-Jan-15 |
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One factor that it seems nobody mentioned is that four fletch is symmetrical meaning you can nock the arrow either way...that also takes away the need for different colour fletch as there is no cock feather...I shoot with some very savvy bowhunters who use nothing else
DDave
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From: Smithhammer
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Date: 26-Jan-15 |
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"One factor that it seems nobody mentioned is that four fletch is symmetrical meaning you can nock the arrow either way."
Bingo.
There's one good reason....
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From: Rooty
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Date: 26-Jan-15 |
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Doesn't matter
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From: Flash
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Date: 26-Jan-15 |
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Not to burst anyone's bubble , but I can shoot cock feather in or out with three fletch. If four is what you like, then more power to ya!
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From: MattG
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Date: 26-Jan-15 |
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one other thing that I've heard is that if you use full length feathers and cut your own is that some people can get 2 4 inch feathers out of a full feather where they can only get 1 5 inch. I agree with the "looks cool" too. I also tend to think that bigger rudders offer basically no meaningful disadvantage (if speed is affected it is negligible). especialy while hunting. On the 3d range we may focus more on form than we manage to when there are horns in front of us. more steering can make up for user error in that case. that said, to each his own mg
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From: oneTone
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Date: 26-Jan-15 |
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I shoot 3 @ 4" and I agree it doesn't matter whether one shoots cfi or cfo. With properly tuned bow and arrows the feathers don't touch the riser ... archer's paradox. I prefer shooting with cock feather in even thought I was trained to nock cfo.
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From: Firstlight
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Date: 27-Jan-15 |
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I'm for whatever you prefer.
If your arrow is tuned and if you like the look and can hit what your looking at, then the number of fletch and their length are kinda a mute point.
I have only ever shot 3 - 5 1/4" fletch and I doubt I'll ever change as there are no good reasons, for me.
And yes, I understand what less fletch can do for me but I don't care about that...
Enjoy.
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From: Oldbowyer
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Date: 27-Jan-15 |
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I prefer the 105x75 four fletch. Just for the simple reason that when your hands are cold and your trying to knock an arrow for a second shot all you have to do is get the arrow on the string below the knocking point. You don't have to take your eyes off of the quarry to make sure your cock feather is right if you can't feel that knock.
With that said though a well tuned arrow does need very little fletching, 2" 3 fletch can work fine for target shooting
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From: TradbowBob
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Date: 27-Jan-15 |
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I have them both ways and like the difference.
The only way you can really tell is to fletch up a few and see what your bow says.
TBB
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From: Pdiddly
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Date: 27-Jan-15 |
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I picked up some four fletched 2213's on the auction site...shot the same as my five inch three fletched...they were 75/105 oriented and do look cool. I used five inch parabolic three fletch for my first few dozen arrows but have now gone to four inch shield three fletch for my next ones...fletching some smaller sizes (1816) so shorter fletch is fine plus the price was right through Rooty! My Bitz will do four fletch so might do some just for fun but think it's just using more fletch for no good purpose.
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From: Tom McCool
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Date: 27-Jan-15 |
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I use 3 5" for no good reason.
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From: longrifle
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Date: 27-Jan-15 |
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I like a 4' four fletch 75x105 shield cut but I also custom chop mine with a lot lower profile and use all the helical I can get to sit on the shafts. Gives me great stability with broadheads and fewer clearance issues.
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From: Smithhammer
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Date: 27-Jan-15 |
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I use 3 5" for no good reason.
You, and many other people. But I'm curious, do you have the same approach to the opposite end of the arrow? Do you just use 125gr. head for no good reason? Do you select a particular length and spine for no good reason?
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From: Tom McCool
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Date: 27-Jan-15 |
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"no good reason" Smithhammer was my way of saying "I think it does not matter if the arrow is tuned properly...just personal preference kinda thing.
So sorry if it came across wrong for somebody to read way too much into it. :)
I like a little humor, I'm just not very good at it. Sorry again my friend.
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From: Smithhammer
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Date: 27-Jan-15 |
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No worries, Tom. Sometimes it can be hard to interpret intent on the 'net, and I figured you were just joking, but at the same time I think you bring up something I have seen quite a bit - that many people spend a fair bit of time tuning everything else on their arrow, and then just slap on 3 x 5" (or whatever), often with a bunch of helical, with no thought.
Personally, I don't believe that fletching "doesn't matter," particularly in the case where one is using more fletching, sometimes significantly more - than the arrow actually requires.
But I also understand that some of us enjoy paying attention to these details, and doing what we can to maximize the arrow's performance, and some of us could care less. There are many different ways to get enjoyment out of all this.
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From: IaHawkeye
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Date: 27-Jan-15 |
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Back when I started, everybody (Trad shooters) used 3-5 1/4". I've shot them for 50+ years, see no reason to change.Lots of stabilization for when the bad release, etc. occurs. Hell, Fred shot them and so it must be the way to go ! We had never heard of bare arrow testing. We fletched our arrows, put field points or BHs on, and had a buddy stand behind and check flight. If it looked good that was it. Problems, we did some tuning until it looked ok. You gotta remember, we didn't have access to all the info people have today, and have had for some time.
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From: Fisher Cat
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Date: 27-Jan-15 |
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Sounds like it might be useful for stabilizing broadheads. Although I'm sure all your broadheads are perfectly tuned, occasionally "stuff" happens; a short draw, bad release and "whatnot." Any one of these things can cause broadheads to plane off course without sufficient drag to keep them stable.
Do any of you have experience with this (using broadheads)? If so, I, d like to hear more about it. Which angle arrangement works best with two blade heads? - John
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From: Firstlight
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Date: 27-Jan-15 |
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TRUEFLIGHT FEATHERS Fletching Guide
What size feathers should I use?
In general, for hunting arrows tipped with broadheads, we have found three 5 inch feathers or four 4 inch feathers work well. Light weight carbon arrows have been successfully fletched with three 4 inch feathers. Due to individual differences in equipment and shooting style, larger feathers may be required. It is also possible that good flight can be achieved with smaller feathers. Test shooting is the best way to decide on any particular set up. It is important to remember that broadheads will need more guidance than field points. It is also extremely important that broadhead equipped arrows fly "dead straight" with no yawing or fishtailing. An arrow that is yawing down range is not only inaccurate, but if it hits game it loses much of its penetration.
I'm right handed, should I use right wing or left wing feathers?
You can successfully shoot either wing. An arrow does not rotate noticeably until it is well clear of the bow. Left wing feathers should be used to rotate the arrow counter clockwise, right wing clockwise (as viewed by the shooter).
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From: Ed Grosko
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Date: 28-Jan-15 |
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So many more birds have to die to use 4 fletch :) My son in law is switching to 4x4. He is the "engineer" of the family and is always going the xtra distance with his equipment. I always try to bring him back to earth by saying; "remember the Indians". But...if you like em' go for it.
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From: Codjigger
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Date: 28-Jan-15 |
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Osr..re your comment on noisy feathers causing animals to jump the string..I think it is the loud twang of the bow that causes them to react..I'm not sure that noisy feathers have much to do with it.I favor banana cuts which I chop at the lowest profile and I do beleive they are fairly noisy. I think one advantage of bigger and bright coloured fletch is that it is easier to mark the hit on an animal. Sandy.
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From: zu!
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Date: 28-Jan-15 |
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4-Fletch for looks. I do have 3 fletch ones too. I did my first arrows in the X-Fighter look.
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From: Codjigger
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Date: 28-Jan-15 |
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Yes osr;that is true regarding the water repellant properties of goose feather vs turkey.watch ducks and geese preening their feathers and what they are doing is taking oil from a pair of glands near their tails and and treating their feathers.When the bird is dead I suppose it does soon wear off.Perhaps the flight feathers which we use for fletching don't get the same treatment. I have plucked a few ducks and geese and when you have removed the feathers you are left with a bird that has this wonderful under layer of down.It is amazing that water never penetrates to it. I have seen sea birds whose feathers are contaminated by oil and they die from exposure once their protective layer is breached.I found a dead gannet last summer and upon examining it I found its feathers were coated with motor oil.I checked its wing feathers with the thought of fletching but they were long and thin and not suitable for such. Sandy.
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From: Codjigger
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Date: 28-Jan-15 |
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A wonderful bird is the pelican...that would be neat.! S.
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From: Hoyt
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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I've been using 3 3" shield cut feathers (Magnus Turkey feathers preferred) on MFX Classic small dia shafts with Simmons Tree Shark broadheads for several yrs. They shoot great.
I'm just not a fan of lots of feather drag on rear end of arrow for nothing.
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From: Smithhammer
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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4 x 3", slight offset, no helical:
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From: Bowmania
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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Here's a picture from my experiments with feather length. The experiment has been posted here - don't know what it was called.
It started because of moose hunt with low poundage - I wanted to get the most out of my arrow/shot. Had been shooting 3 five inch and on occasion 4 five inch for 40 years.
I ran into an Ashby Report 2008 Update 4 as I recall. There was a picture of a heavy broadhead and an arrow with three 2.25 inch feathers. Under the picture it said something like if you have heavy FOC you don't need much guidance in the rear. That make real sense to me. If you have all that weight in the from the rear has to follow.
Long story short. Comparing with the big 160 Snuffer for the point. Through a chrono I got an average of 0 to 1 foot difference in FPS between 3 five inch and 3 two inch feathers. Really no difference at what 3 feet? Maybe 4.
I started to think that there would be a bigger difference down range, so I started shooting the 2 inch with the 5 inch at about 20 yards. Actually, I think I measured it to be 22 yards. I'm a gapper and the difference in impacts was always 3 to 4 inches. To me that's a significant difference.
Now, I know that we're talking number not length, but I suggest it's possible to change number to length. 4X5=20 inches of fletching compared to my 3X2=6. Mind you that was with the big 160 Snuffer which I shot through paper and the paper hole was the same with 5 inch feather and 2 inch. The paper holes were in the original posting. I still have one picture.
Gee, where's that oil can of mine.......... Oh, here it is....
I see in my post before this one, that I have thought of a reason to shoot 4 feathers - YOUR ARROWS ARE NOT TUNED!!!!!!!!!!!
LOL! I actually don't care. The above does not take into account FOC of 12%ish. My arrows were 24.something%. So, I'll admit that as the FOC goes down, you may need more guidance in the rear. I plan on playing with that when it gets warm. I'll probably have to use aluminum.
Years of experience has taught me that if you have a tuned arrow the only reason to shoot 4 fletches is for more noise. Mind you, my ears are old and they can tell the difference.
Gonna have to fill this oil can again.
Bowmania
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From: Smithhammer
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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Interesting info Bowmania, though I can't say that my 4-fletch setup has been any more noisy than various 3-fletch configurations I've used. Noise is generally a by-product of fletching height and uncessary helical, in my experience, regardless of whether its 3x or 4x.
I don't think the real issue is whether one chooses 2, 3, or 4-fletch - they all obviously work (and have, for millenia). At the end of the day, it's just debating preferences, in my opinion.
To me, the real issue is over-fletching, or as I stated above, paying lots of attention to every other aspect of arrow design, and then just slapping on a certain "standard" fletching configuration because it's what everyone else does. Why don't we tune our fletching the same way we tune everything else about our arrows? I have yet to see any compelling info that demonstrates that there is something to be gained from having more fletching than an arrow actually needs.
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From: Bowmania
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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Might as well put this one up again. Read the article - the penetration was better than a compound.
Bowmania
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From: JRW
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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Bruce,
"Interesting info Bowmania, though I can't say that my 4-fletch setup has been any more noisy than various 3-fletch configurations I've used. Noise is generally a by-product of fletching height and uncessary helical, in my experience, regardless of whether its 3x or 4x." "I don't think the real issue is whether one chooses 2, 3, or 4-fletch - they all obviously work (and have, for millenia). At the end of the day, it's just debating preferences, in my opinion."
Correct. I've never noticed any noise problem with three or four fletch, and more importantly, either have the dead animals in my freezer. And you're also right about this really boiling down to personal preference. People tend to use what they use for one simple reason: it works for them. Arguing about things this trivial really seems a bit odd to me.
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From: ahunter55
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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PSUarcher is right on + the experts say your arrow will straighten out faster (the paradox). I've used both 3, 4 & in various lengths.. My 1st deer was 4" 4 fletch in 1958.
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From: mark land
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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I've been shooting all my recent arrows with 4-3in high shield feathers and they shoot great and get the same amount of fletch length as I was with 3-4in feathers, plus I don't have to worry about how I nock them on the string, not that it matters much, just an OCC thing, but the biggest thing was the shorter fletchings did not lay down as much when wet and still shot very well even matted up some. They also are not as obtrusive sticking out of my bow quiver and do not make as much noise when I accidentally brush them against something, plus they just look cool!
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From: Bowmania
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Date: 30-Jan-15 |
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I will admit that the testing I did with 3-5 inch and 4-5 inch feathers had a pretty good helical on them. But the helical was the same in both cases and you could hear the diff with the 4.
I did the testing by shooting through paper at 12 feet and 12 yards. The reason I choose 12 feet is because it was the closest I though I could reasonably get a shot at an animal. That's close!!! With my setup the 2 inch and 5 inch were both "out of paradox" at 12 feet. The reason the I put that in quotes is because in slomo you can see paradox all the way to the target.
Maybe it should have been the big Snuffer ripped a perfect hole. For you Newbes the big Snuffer is 1.5 inches wide and in some cases it's hard to get them to fly straight because of the width. Even hard for me to believe 2 inch feathers would straighten them out in 12 feet.
Bowmania
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From: Tomarctus
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Date: 30-Jan-15 |
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I try to keep 4-fletch on blunts and flu-flus handy mostly for short range and movers, but it doesn't always work out that way.
Lately, I've been goofing around with offset 2-fletch for about a year now and have come to like it.
So far can't really tell any practical flight difference between 5" 2-fletch and most 4" 3-fletched arrows that I also shoot. So Bowmania may be onto something on the conversion to total fletching length.... Anyway I tend to shoot the 5" 2- fletch more just for the sheer novelty of them, and, how they appear to "flutter" as they fly.
I too favor a higher foc, so all-in-all it probably all adds up about the same preference-wise.
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