What size aluminum arrow shaft would you choose for a 52 lb recurve,non fast flite.28 inch draw.52@ 28".

I shoot a couple of bows the same weight with 27 1/2" to 27 3/4" draw. For me 2016's or 2018's both work good. 2016's 28 12" long, 2018's 29-30" long.

2016-2018

Flyman -

29" 1916, 2013, 2014, maybe 2016, start with 125 up front.

Viper out.

Ok thanks to all and have a great upcoming season.

Ok thanks to all and have a great upcoming season.

Is #52 what it’s marked, or what you’re getting?

For me, personally, net #52 recurve with a 28” arrow and dacron means a 2016 with 125 up front. With 4” parabolics and some helical, I can shoot 1916s or 2018s just as well. With FPs, anyway. Using bigger fletchings, I shot 2018s with broadheads for a LONG time before I figured out they were overspined.

I draw 28” or a touch more with both about that same weight. I find 2117 to be the most versatile.

1820's spine 53lbs. at 28".

Oddly enough when I choose arrows for a bow I decide the length arrow I want to shoot and then shoot arrows of the proper spine to match the draw weight. Seems to work pretty well.

I use 2114 for my 50#-55# bows. I cut my arrows at 29”. I switch points to accommodate the bow weights. I tried 2018 but found them a bit loggey.

Many moons ago i shot Bear 308s out of a 50 pound recurve with Bear heads. 28.75" bop. I think that was a 1916, not sure, too many moons ago.

if cut to center but no more then 1916s with 125 points,, if cut past center 2016

I have a 27"+ draw and can shoot 29", 2016 with 145 tips from my bow. It's a 46# @ 28, and cut just a red hair inside center. And yes, that is with a Dacron string of 12 strands. If I use the low stretch, the 2016 show weak. I have been able to use the 2016 for many bow weights but I also use an elevated rest, not a shelf shooter here.

With a 125 grain head I would choose 1916 or an 1820.

With a 145 grain head then it would be a 2114 or 2016.

All arrows cut to 29".

I choose my arrows the same as fdp. I draw 27" so all of my shafts are cut to 28". I just try three or four spine/head combos to see what the bow likes.

2114's fly better and are lighter than 2016's in my 52-56 lb bows

2114 are also stiffer and may require a longer length as opposed to the 20/64 size. They are great arrows, but I see no advantage to them for short draw guys. They show stiff on my bows when tried at 29".

The 2016 cut at 29" 3 fletch 5"left wing parabolic feathers tipped with 125 grain heads are shooting great.Thanks for all the help guys.

Can’t think of a single reason that those wouldn’t!

Flyman -

Well, glad we go that settled...

Seriously, before you take anyone's advice on arrow selection, you better make sure they tell you:

1. Draw weight @ 28"

2. Draw length

3. Arrow length

4. Head weight

5. Type of bow

6. Type of string

***7. Visual flight or actual (formal) tuning results***

That's why I gave you a range of arrows that will work, or be close enough to tune on MOST bows.

Viper out.

2016's or 2018 depending on point weights I've used both you have to experiment a little shooting each and point weights. No given just a starting reference I think. Your release and type of string as well.

If you are a bowhunter put your broad head on first and see if it flies true, that is all that matters.

Why not look at an Easton chart, or the one from 3 Rivers Archery?

They put them together for a reason and have always been on the money for me.

I'd trust the people who deal with aluminum shafting for a living over the varied opinions you get here.

2016s. Play with tip weight.

Don't go cutting arrows to me its all nonsense man it really is. Most people don't have arrow saws or the time while other have to much time and way to much thought on their hands.

If your draw is 28 and you are going to put a BH another inch or inch and half to 29.5 or even 30. Adjust maybe a little point weight. stick with a set arrow length and adjust not with cutting it. To much spine then go down. Not enough then go up its that simple don't get dragged into what some are telling you to do. Learn the basics and build on that from there you will enjoy this mental game much more and you might even handle your TP a little better if ya have any?

These guys with thinking heavy arrows and heavy heads and cut this and that what for? Average guy can't do this its not within his scope.

Sharp heads handle it all its not the arrow weight or length. Its a sharp head and properly placed shot. Work on all that and keep it simple.

What happened to the days when you got an arrow 28 or 30 and 125 points? Same arrows are out there.

Don't think anything can really trick things up with all this OSC thinking you want the green deal then you better be able to settle for guts. Thats green isn't it. LOL

“Adjust maybe a little point weight. stick with a set arrow length and adjust not with cutting it. To much spine then go down. Not enough then go up its that simple...”

Yeah, well, except that you’ve got it backwards.

Too stiff requires MORE point weight. Too weak requires LESS point weight.

“These guys with thinking heavy arrows and heavy heads and cut this and that what for? Average guy can't do this its not within his scope.”

Whaaaaaaattt??

All it takes to cut an arrow is a pipecutter from Home Depot or the corner hardware store.

I’d agree that sharpness is critical and placement is King, but flying point-on in settled flight ensures good placement and matters (for penetration) at least as much as head design. An awful lot of deer have been killed with poorly tuned arrows, but they did much faster and easier when hit better by a well-tuner shaft.

I don’t recommend bare-shaft tuning any farther than a guy can shoot a good enough group to sort bare shafts from fletched; I tried it myself before I was ready and it was a very expensive exercise in frustration. For most of us, having broadheads that group with FPs to the best of our shooting ability is the best we can do.

But you won’t get anywhere close to Tuned if you don’t understand the basic principles.

2114’s or 2016’s both work for me with 125-145gr tips.

See how confusing it gets here?

Look at 3 Rivers chart. Buy what it says. Enjoy perfect flying arrows. Done.

It really isn't confusing at all. All you do is buy the arrow that is spined correctly for the draw weight and arrow length, centershot measurement and string material you are shooting.

2114's are 62lbs., 2016's are 59lbs.

Confucius say look at arrow/shaft chart !

The 2213s i have work well im fixing to try some 2117 with 150 grain up front.

2117's with 125 up front is to stiff for my 55lb bow , but spot on for my 65 lber. Going with 2018's.

With my Caribows - I prefer 2117s with a 165 shark up front. )18s were too weak didn't try the 2114s

Opinions are like anuses; everybody has one and they all stink.

Vipers, not so much. - lbg

2016 's have been magical for a number of my bows adjusting length, and point weight.

I noticed not many referred to the distance of their shelf to center + or - . It does make a difference.

If your a good enough shot to tell the difference, walk back tuning verifies your 2016's are flying "perfectly".

Sometimes they look good until you screw on a big broadhead like a zwickey delta then they "plane" on you and guys blame the broadhead, when in reality its the arrow.

Fdp. Doesn't your spine change when you shorten the arrows?

The bottom line is to try different sizes for yourself. I have one recurve bow that will shoot 27 1/2" 2016 perfectly with 125 tips..also 145. That bow is a 46# that I draw to just a hair over 27", so I'm pulling 43#. Those arrows should be too stiff. It has an endless loop low stretch string on it and it's cut just a 1/8th inch inside center. Don't take our suggestions as gospel...even your release and whether you use a glove or tab can affect what spine you need.

I do know one thing, the charts that the Mfgr's have are not worth beans!!! Every one seems to be too stiff when I try to use them to select anyway.

2016 or 2018 with 145 on nose.

I like 2117 with about 200 up front at about 29-30” at those weights.

I can shoot 1916`s out of my 53# Groves with 125 gr tips and 28.5-3/4 in draw and they fly like darts. My other Groves at same weight etc wants a 2117 w/125-150 gr tip. Alot depends on cut to center, string type,draw length and the bow.

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