Yet another newbie arrow thread...

[swampcrawler]

Alright guys. I'm sure y'all are sick of answering new guy arrow questions, but I've done a reasonable amount of research and just need a few more things answered.

Bow is a Hummingbird R/D longbow, 58@28, and my draw is about 29.5.

I will be building my own arrows. I want to go heavy because my primary game will be hogs. I also want to do wood because I'm a sucker for the romance of it all.

So my plan is to order shafts from Surewood, leave them full length and go with a heavier broad head, using their larger diameter shafts for the extra weight (they are heavier right?) and use a standard shield or parabolic cut 3 fletch.

By questions are, how heavy should I go for the point?
Are the large diameter shafts significantly heavier and is there any reason to avoid them?
Does the style of fletching have much affect on noise or stability?
Is there any big drawback to using a full length shaft other than the requireing more spine?
And of course, what spine range should i look at?

Between drawing over 28, and wanting a heavier point and longer shaft, I'm assuming I should be somewhere around 65-75 lb spined arrows or perhaps more?

I still have plenty of time to figure it out before next October but I'd really like to be in the ballpark for the first batch.

Thanks a ton guys. The experience and generosity on this site really makes the sport so much more accessiible to dimwits like myself!

[kenneth butler]

Wow, a lot of questions. The folks at Surewood are  very good and will set you straight. The only question is what weight head you want to use but they will match ever thing up for you when you give them the information.  Good luck.    Ken

[Pine]

I would seguest that you get a test kit from Surewood Shafts and some heavy field points and test yourself with paper tuning .

[Terry Green]

My take on one concern is the smallest diameter you can use would be better as long as the arrow meets your need....650 Grains would be ideal at your specs....you will get less shaft pinch with a smaller shaft when trying to get through a thick shield....but a 4 blade head can also negate that.

Lots to consider in your quest.....

Either diameter would be benefited with some basic car wax for penetration regardless of the head.

I like for all my arrows to be the same length...so *I* wouldn't want full length....but you might not mind.

I often get close on hogs in the thick stuff I hunt, and have dispatched 2 at close range that charged me....paralyzed both of them....so I like my 5" Four Fletch ...shields or parabolics make no real diff in my experience....cept over all paras are slightly quieter....but not enough to bother the game I hunt with shields.  Main reason for 4 fletch is I want my arrow as stable as I can get it for close shots.

Point weight would be what ever gets you good arrow flight....remember, over all weight of the arrow(say going from 500 to 650 grains) is more important that just FOC...so getting your arrow to 650 with good arrow flight would be the ticket.

Have fun...sounds like you are going to invest some effort into this venture....hope to read about it next fall.

   

[Orion]

I agree with Terry re arrow diameter.  Should be able to get 11/32 shafts plenty heavy and spined heavy enough for what you want. Also no need to leave them longer than necessary for extra weight.  Can just go with a heavier point, on a somewhat shorter shaft, which will give you more FOC as well.

Given your draw length, you'll almost need a full length shaft. I believe Surewood Doug fir shafts are 32 inches long.  The point taper will be an inch, leaving you 31 inches BOP.  That's 1 1/2 inches beyond the back of the bow at a 29 1/2-inch draw length, which is a pretty good length.  

I'll assume that by heavier broad head, you're thinking about something in the 175-200 grain range.  

If you're drawing 29 1/2 inches, you're probably pulling about 62# with that bow.  It's a relatively high performance bow and likely has a low stretch string on it.  Given all these factors, you'll likely need a 11/32 shaft in the 80-85# range.

Would be a good idea for you to decide the arrow weight you want including the point you want to use, before you order your shafts. Supply that info to Surewood, and they'll determine the weight and spines shafts you need.  Good luck.

[swampcrawler]

Thanks guys! The car wax thing I never would have thought of. So it looks like I really need to choose a broad head and go from there.

The Ashby heads look awesome but they're a bit pricey.. maybe Grizzley.

Bad weather for the next few days so I have some time to do broadhead research!