my experience w/ bareshaft tuning

[tallan]

I was on vacation this week and finally got around to trying this bareshaft tuning I've heard so much about.  I've been shooting for 25+ yrs and had never tried it.  This was also my first time with carbon shafts.  This is what I got at 15 yards.
 

And here is what I got after I finished fletching them all up and shot another round into the target.  :mad:  
 

This could get expensive.  :rolleyes:

[Jim/LI]

For a right handed archer, this should indicate that the spine of the arrows is too weak.  In spite of the pattern, I suspect there is another problem.  I have shot bareshaft tests for several years and I have never seen anything that looks like this.  For a 15 yard distance, the variation is much bigger than I have seen.  Also, it appears that the angle of impact is about the same for the fletched and bareshaft arrows.  If the spine is too weak, I would expect to see a significant difference in the impact angle, with the bareshafts pointing to the right.  The group size also indicates a problem.  The bareshaft group is pretty good but for the fletched arrows there is a nasty horizontal spread and there also appears to be considerable variation in the angle of impact for the fletched arrows.  I suspect you have a problem with the fletching not clearing the rest.  With that degree of variation, I think you should be able to detect poor arrow flight.  If you watch carefully or back up to a longer distance, I would bet you will see poor arrow flight and fishtailing for the fletched arrows.  Perhaps it is just the photos, but that fletching looks huge and much bigger than you should need.

[tallan]

Well you're probably right on many fronts.  I shoot big feathers, always have.  I did have a fletch clearance problem that I've taken care of.  I also shortened the shafts some more to stiffen them up.  As for the impact angles, ignore them as my target hangs freely and swings when the arrows strike.  Pretty happy with the flight now but went back to my old habit of tuning the bow to the arrow, not the other way around and believe it or not the brace height and nock point ended up where they always do, no matter what type of shaft I use.
Old habits are hard to break I guess.

[last arrow]

I agree with the fletching clearance issue.  I always had problems shooting the maxifletch.four 4-inch feathers gives me better flight.  Its always been my experience that the bare shaft group is bigger than the fletched group (My form is probably not as consistent as yours).  Also, if the spine of the arrows is as low as they appear, you should see the bare shafts planing to the right during flight, especially at longer distances.

[Stykbowslim]

Jim/LI, you have made some outstanding observations...

Like tallan, I've also been shooting for a lot of years and just recently have been playing with bare shaft tuning. Based on your experience, what to you look for in bare shaft tuning…. Bare shafts grouping with fletched arrows, bare shafts show a little weak, etc.

Thanks for your help….

[overbo]

looks pretty good if the 2 groups where shot at different spots on the target.I would think if the spine was weak you would have more of a nock left on the bareshafts.I see a couple of the bareshafts leaning nock right.That tells me a little stiff.If your fletched arros where shot 4 the center of the target and hit left your arro is to stiff.If you shoot rh.