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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Mocsin1 on September 17, 2009, 09:23:00 PM

Title: WOW!!! Shooting vanes
Post by: Mocsin1 on September 17, 2009, 09:23:00 PM
I was out shooting this evening and decided to do an experiment. I had won some Blazer vanes at a 3D shoot a couple weeks ago. So I decided to try some out on my recurve. I went in and fletched a couple arrows with Blazer vanes and headed out to the yard. Boy I couldn't believe how good them things shot of the shelf. Flew just as good as feathers. I thought this is just to good to believe. I put on some zwickeys and the Blazers were still hitting center. I love my feathers but I'm glad to something to use when the weather is bad. Just thought you guys might want to try this out.   :eek:    :eek:
Title: Re: WOW!!! Shooting vanes
Post by: George D. Stout on September 17, 2009, 10:08:00 PM
That's okay.  Glad you like them. I like the smell of wet feathers 8^).
Title: Re: WOW!!! Shooting vanes
Post by: Stiks-n-Strings on September 17, 2009, 10:38:00 PM
Yeah I kinda agree with George. But I also say shoot what you like.
As far as feathers, I use the waterproofing powder. works fine for me.
Title: Re: WOW!!! Shooting vanes
Post by: GingivitisKahn on September 18, 2009, 07:34:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by George D. Stout:
That's okay.  Glad you like them. I like the smell of wet feathers 8^).
I think the complete quote is "I love the smell of wet feathers in the morning. Smells like... victory!"
Title: Re: WOW!!! Shooting vanes
Post by: Stone Knife on September 18, 2009, 07:43:00 PM
I like the smell of hot plastic   :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: WOW!!! Shooting vanes
Post by: wihill on September 18, 2009, 08:32:00 PM
Blazers are a real high profile vane - you've got that arrow spined perfectly for them not to smack something on the way around the riser.

If you can use them, keep using them!
Title: Re: WOW!!! Shooting vanes
Post by: sagebrush on September 19, 2009, 05:47:00 PM
I never could get them to fly unless I used an elevated rest. I just use feathers off the shelf and have for decades. Gary
Title: Re: WOW!!! Shooting vanes
Post by: Ringneck on September 19, 2009, 06:55:00 PM
Eichler carries one fletched with a vane for rainy weather. He says the way the arrow paradox is it doen't hit the bow when shot cock vane in.
Title: Re: WOW!!! Shooting vanes
Post by: Kevin Lawler on September 20, 2009, 08:10:00 PM
Maybe for shooting frogs but otherwise I like feathers too.
Title: Re: WOW!!! Shooting vanes
Post by: on September 21, 2009, 12:39:00 PM
I didn't believe it, so I fletched up a couple of aluminum shafts with blazers over the weekend and after tinkering a bit (changing to cock feather up) they flew perfectly out of my Bob Lee TD longbow, off the shelf, even with broadheads! I will not give up feathers, but for wet weather this may be the ticket!
Title: Re: WOW!!! Shooting vanes
Post by: Zbone on September 21, 2009, 09:19:00 PM
What size are these Blazer vanes?
Title: Re: WOW!!! Shooting vanes
Post by: **DONOTDELETE** on September 21, 2009, 09:28:00 PM
There was an article a few years ago by a guy who shot vanes. He had a severly raised nock point if I remember.

I'm going to stick with feathers. I don't hunt in the rain anyway.
Title: Re: WOW!!! Shooting vanes
Post by: Soilarch on September 21, 2009, 09:28:00 PM
Tiny...but very high profile and very rigid by "vane" standards.

2" long by 0.6" high.

When I said farewell to the wheelbow camp they were, and I'm sure still are, the undisputed champ for quite, broadhead-stabilizing, weather impervious fletching.  

Easy to work with too, they just hard and tall so shelf-shooting typically isn't an option.  Perhaps we're proving that wrong?
Title: Re: WOW!!! Shooting vanes
Post by: Mocsin1 on September 21, 2009, 09:54:00 PM
I agree with you all about the feathers. I love the look and forgiveness of feathers and will never quit shooting them. I hate to get them wet in bad weather and I do alot of still hunting on days with drizzling rain. This is what the blazers will be for. I don't want to be held back from hunting on these days because of feathers getting wet. With the rain we been getting this year we will need something.
Title: Re: WOW!!! Shooting vanes
Post by: Mo. Huntin on September 21, 2009, 10:11:00 PM
Got a little off track.
Title: Re: WOW!!! Shooting vanes
Post by: Mo. Huntin on September 21, 2009, 10:17:00 PM
Title: Re: WOW!!! Shooting vanes
Post by: Mocsin1 on September 21, 2009, 10:25:00 PM
Hey brother thats no problem I agree with you. It seems every one in the mags and hunting shows have lost the true meaning of hunting. If its 150 class then wahts the point. I did manage to kill a couple of trophy does last year and a buck that scored 35 and I loved every minute of it.
Title: Re: WOW!!! Shooting vanes
Post by: Steve O on September 21, 2009, 11:01:00 PM
Mo,

Don't worry so much about what other people are shooting and see what works for yourself.  I would look to use exactly the opposite of what 2 of those 3 fellas you pointed out are using...

Anyway, I find the Blazer vanes do an EXCELLENT job guiding 260g Snuffers out of my recurves off a Bear Weatherest.

 (http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/DSC00729.jpg)

 (http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/DSC00727.jpg)

 (http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/DSC00728.jpg)

I've set my bow up to shoot feathers OR vanes so when I am out on an extended trip, I do not have to worry about wet feathers.
Title: Re: WOW!!! Shooting vanes
Post by: Mo. Huntin on September 21, 2009, 11:49:00 PM
:goldtooth:
Title: Re: WOW!!! Shooting vanes
Post by: SteveL on September 22, 2009, 12:07:00 AM
Steve O - is that 120/60 degrees. I shoot most of my recurves with the Bear Weatherest also and would like to experiment a bit.
Title: Re: WOW!!! Shooting vanes
Post by: Olin Rindal on September 22, 2009, 01:02:00 AM
Living where it rains a lot I prefer shooting vanes off a Bear Weatherest. Not saying that a guy can't shoot feathers its just more convenient shooting vanes. I've always shot 4 to 5 inch vanes but I think I will try shorter ones and go to a 4 fletch just for kicks.
Title: Re: WOW!!! Shooting vanes
Post by: Stone Knife on September 22, 2009, 05:27:00 AM
I shoot three four inch vanes off a flipper rest, I'll shoot that combo in the rain or sunshine. Vanes are quiet and cheap and they work great.
Title: Re: WOW!!! Shooting vanes
Post by: Steve O on September 22, 2009, 06:28:00 AM
SteveL,

Yes, 60x120 and I find I get the best clearance with the Blazers this way:

 (http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/DSC07494.jpg)
Title: Re: WOW!!! Shooting vanes
Post by: KentuckyTJ on September 22, 2009, 07:30:00 AM
Hey Steve, did you wife get upset with you when you shot the couch three times?

Great thread, I like the out of the box thinking. I've tried plastic vanes before and I also carry one in my quiver for unexpected showers while on stand.
Title: Re: WOW!!! Shooting vanes
Post by: Jeremy on September 22, 2009, 08:44:00 AM
Most of the fletching clearance issues are with the fletching hitting the shelf, not the riser.  Fletching arrows like SteveO (or shooting cock feather in) nearly eliminates contact with the shelf.

Though I don't currently have any vanes in my quiver, they don't fly any different for me than feathers (I fletch 'em like Steve O)