choosing the correct arrow?

[Clem]

Last week I was out rabbit, (snowshoe hare) hunting and lost/bent all of my 2016's I had with me. My friend lent me some of his 2219's and they flew very well out of my bow. I shoot a 52lb Hill style longbow at 28". My 2016's were cut to 28 1/2" with 125 grain points, and flew well. My friends 2219's were cut to 29" with 125 grain tips. Both arrows shot very well, no percieved wobble in flight, and at 20 yards the 2219's were shooting where I was looking. I really liked how quiet the 2219's were shooitng. My question is this, why are the 2219's shooting so well? according to everyone who I have talked to they are supposed to be way to stiff. All the charts I've looked at say they are way to stiff. Anybody have any answers for me. I'd sure like to shoot the 2219's if I could, they sure are quieter and more durable. It does'nt take much to bend those 2016's! Thanks for the help!

[JRY309]

I too would say they are way overspined especially for a Hill style bow.Hill style bows are not cut to center,but you say they flew good.But were they hitting where you are looking? I would try some testing on targets compared to a 2016.I might try some 2018's and alittle longer,they are alittle tougher or even some carbons.They flew good with fletching but how would they fly bare?And they were most likely 100 grains heavier then the 2016's.2219's just seem way too stiff for a 52# Hill style bow.

[Jerry Jeffer]

Yep. I shoot arrows that many say are way over spined for my bow. Guess what? They fly great. Depends on your set up and how forgiving your bow is. If I'm not shooting well (form) then I notice my arrows flying all over, but when I use good form, my (2216 w/ 150gr head out of my 56# @30.5") arrows are dead on with out irradic flight. Go figure. It's like rocket science to me.

[Taiga Recurve]

I just picked up some 3555 gold tip traditional shafts up on ****. They are uncut, I put 4" of hard wood dowel behind the insert with 125gr field points. I shoot a 62 # @ 28" recurve. It seems like I am getting erratic arrow flight out of these. Could these arrows be under spined for my bow? If so, would taking an 1" or 1 1/2" off of them stiffen them up enough. If not, what suggestions would you have for me?

Thanks for your help

[McDave]

Dear Taiga,

I would suggest you take a feather duster and duct tape it to the nock end of the arrow.  Probably this will eliminate most of your wobbles.  (I'm sorry, I assume you're joking; I don't see how that setup would ever work!)

[Molson]

Clem,  

I would say it's the extra weight of those 2219's that make it seem like it's flying so well.  Those Hill bows definitely like a heavy arrow.  Why not try adding weight tubes to your 2016's to get them up closer to 600 gr.

[Taiga Recurve]

Thanks Dave.

Any other suggestions? I like the Trad Gold Tips, what shaft do you suggest?

[McDave]

Taiga, I also like the Trad Gold Tips.  I shoot a 60 lb @ 28" BW.  I shoot 5575 Gold Tips with 145 grain points, and a 50 grain weight in front and a 20 grain weight in back.  This gives me an overall arrow weight of 540 grains, or just about 9 grains/lb of bow weight, which is ideal for my setup.

So that's why the flip answer, for which I apologize.  I think that 3555's are nowhere near enough arrow for your setup, both in spine and in overall arrow weight.  It could be that if you load up both front and back with supplemental weights, you might get there, but you would probably end up with an arrow with not enough FOC.  In other words, kind of like using the family sedan to pull up tree stumps; probably not the right tool for the job.

[Molson]

Taiga,  I assume you added the hardwood dowel to increase the weight up front?  Uncut those shafts are probably too weak.   You'll just have to cut them down and adjust point weight to see if you can get them to fly.  Just don't let the total arrow weight get to low for your bow. Check out the tuning guide on A&H Archery in the Sponsor List for some help.