Thunderchild and Buffalo Tuning and how much does fetching stiffen a shaft?

[Haydenj7]

Thunderchild and buffalo setup.

I am a long time bow hunter but new to trad. Firstly let me say my dealings with Big Jim have been an absolute pleasure. It goes without saying he is a craftsman.

I have been fortunate enough to buy a couple of very sweet bows - Thunderchild 53@29 and a buffalo 52@29. My form is pretty good, but being new to trad impacts consistency in release which effects arrow flight. 

I have started with SBD strings on both bows, axis 400 trads 100gr insert  2 inch footing and 125gr tips, and cut incrementally to 29.5inches Carbon to carbon for good flight. Once I fletched with 3x5 shield cut I did some paper tuning and had to up the point weight to 175gr for good flight.  Note I swapped cats whiskers over to a small puff ball prior to paper tuning which I think added a little speed.

I am surprised that i would require an additional 50gr up front to balance out the stiffening effect of fetching. Is this unusual to have to up point weight so much at this stage?

I am happy with the result as my arrows have come in about 605gr with 53lbs which is 11.4grp and 22% FOC...and It seems that both bows like the same arrow too which is great.

I am now ready to make up a dozen and plan to keep 275gr upfront as per my paper tune. I have some Broadheads in the post and hope to test their flight out soon.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

[Alexander Traditional]

I have a three piece buffalo that is 54@28 and have some 5575 which I think are 400 spine. I have them cut to 29" and I draw right at 28" I have 300 grains up front on them,and I'm getting good flight. The Thunderchild I have is 53@28 and it's looking like I could shoot the same set up,but I haven't messed with this bow as much.

I'll say that I have some 3555 also which are 500 spine and they are cut right at 28" They are shooting 225 grains and seemed easier to get them where I wanted them.

I think you could go down in spine or if you wanted to make those arrows work you will have to increase your tip weight quite a bit. You could leave your arrow full length and play with tip weight a bit to. A lot of guys leave full length and cut down in increments and use the bare shaft method,but I don't use it.