I have some 400 spine GT XT Traditionals. They are cut at 29”. I am shooting a bow that is 52@28” and feel like I’m not getting enough penetration and occasionally having an arrow “kick” right out of the boat before I?t straightens out. I’m shooting 125gr tips and broadheads.

Should i add brass inserts? Consider a new arrow?

Anything helps as I’m trying to find the best arrow to hunt with and want to make sure i am getting proper penetration for a clean kill.

Thanks!

400s are in my opinion, way too stiff. Even without knowing the center cut of your bow, you’re going to need a lot more than 125 up front.

MP

You'd probably have to shoot 360 up front.

Learn how to tune - www.acsbows.com/bowtuning.html

Click 'download printable version'. THe broadhead tuning is towards the end.

Bowmania

So you're shooting from a boat?

More front end weight, sounds like your arrow is to stiff.

400 def., 29" arrow and 125 head equates to about a 65 to 70 pound spine. Yes, if you want to use them you need about 250 to 300 grains out front.

Otherwise, .500s would be much more appropriate. But you'd still need about 225 grains up front. That would give you a nice finished arrow weight and tune. Though I'd actually try them a bit longer.

Adding front end weight is not always the answer for a stiff carbon arrow.It will depend on a lot of variables,like how is the riser cut,your draw length and more?I tried tuning a stiff carbon already cut to 29" and it was showing stiff.It got worse the more weight I added trying to weaken the spine.It was bouncing off the riser instead of flexing around it giving me a false reading.It would not tune no matter how much weight I added up front.If you have a riser cut past center it is possible to tune it? I did tune the same spine arrow to that bow but started with a full length arrow and it ended up about 2" longer.

Not boat. That was a typo. I?t was supposed to say “bow”.

I would say new arrow.

Stu'd calculator doesn't list the GT XT, but a Beeman ICS Bowhunter 400 with 125 comes out at about #83 spine.

MFX Classic, #82; Generic Carbon, #83; Easton Excel, Epic, Powerflight.. all right around #83. PSE Power Weave 400 comes out at 107 - don't ask me why.

So... since you can't make 'em any longer than they already are....

First thing is leave carbon arrows full length until tuning. Do everything else to tune your set up, and then if necessary only cut one arrow 1/2" at a time until arrow flight is perfect. You are shooting too stiff an arrow IMHO.

First thing is leave carbon arrows full length until tuning. Do everything else to tune your set up, and then if necessary only cut one arrow 1/2" at a time until arrow flight is perfect. You are shooting too stiff an arrow IMHO.

Duh. Got ahead of myself there...

But according to Stu... if your bow is on par with a Howatt Hunter, you should expect to need about 225 up front... and there are those here who are adamant that the calculator always has people shooting way too stiff.

What's your DL?

Assuming you're getting a full 28" AMO, a 29" 2018 should be right on the money for good recurve with a FF string; my arms are a bit shorter, so I do better with a 2016, especially with my old Howatt that has a B- 50 on it...

Calculator says I can use 29" 500s + 125 out of my Howatt; REALLY depends on degree of centershot, though... LB marked same poundage will probably need 175 just to get the calculator to say I'm in range...

Personally I'd recommend dumping the carbons and going with something you don't have to load up front, cut minute lengths off at a time to get good flight, etc. Aluminum or wood would be my choice. Aluminum is really easy to work with and not as finicky with point weights and lengths. I'd suggest 2016's w/ 125g heads. If you wanna go with a heavier head, step up to a 2018.

I agree, too stiff for your draw. You can load the front up but better to get a lighter spine. Good luck. >>>----> Ken

Thanks everyone for the advice. I was misinformed when I bought these.

I would love to have a nice set of all three eventually.

Sounds like I should go with 500 spine full length and 100gr insert on top of my 125 point/broadhead for carbons.

Or.....just go buy some .600's, cut them 29", screw in some 125 gr, points and be done with it.

You don't have to do all that cutting foolishness on carbons, folks just do.

fdp, that arrow would weigh aprox. 370 Grains, not much for a 52# bow.

I don't think you want to use full length 500s with and extra 100 grains in the front. Most of my bows in the 45-50# range will shoot a 500 cut 29 with a 145 gr. point quite well. They all have low stretch strings. If you load the front with additional weight you may have to build out the sideplate to get good flight.

I agree with Phil.I have GT Ferguson sig 500 and they shoot fine from my 54Lb bow without extra weight.

Fin, I'm betting you bought them from a proshop. DON'T buy there, they know nothing about archery, only compounds.

Bowmania

“Thanks everyone for the advice. I was misinformed when I bought these.”

+1 on what Bowmania said....

Only place to get worse advice than a compound specialty shop is a big box store. :p

+2 on what Bowmania said, I actually met a young Woman who was sold 500 spine arrows for a 25# Samick Sage, the arrows were not made yet, so I told Her to call and cancel the purchase. I sold her Six 700 spine arrows and a SBD string for 20 Bucks, ( the string was new, cost me $25 or so). They shot great, I did tell her that if she ordered new arrows to try 800 spine.

So what I am gathering I definitely should go with a 500 spine arrow. After that it’s up to me to tweak and figure out what length and weight I need up front.

Thanks everyone for the tips so far.

don't be afraid to try 600's also

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