Feather size for 3-D shooting?

[Roy from Pa]

I have always used 5 to 5 1/2 inch high back shield cut feathers on all my wooden arrows, I know they work great for broadheads. But what do you guys shoot for 3-D or practice? I have been thinking about going down to 3 inch feathers for 3-D shoots. I was thinking the shorter feathers would put less drag on my arrows and flatten out the trajectory. Your thoughts?

[madness522]

That would work but why shoot a different arrow for 3D and practice that you aren't going to hunt with?  The only difference in my practice and 3D shoots are the points.  I like to practice with as close to the same set up as I hunt with.

[Bradd]

I don't hunt but I ask a lot of target-type questions.  

The norm (from Rod Jenkins and others) seems to be a faster arrow, flatter trajectory is best for 3D because if means less distance error corrections and calculations.

The distances, up here in Canada, are short (usually no more than about 30 yards), so this year, I am going to try out a 2-3" parabolic for outdoors.  I will use 5" parabolic and a heavier arrow for indoors.

[SHOOTO8S]

Roy...you right less fletching will result in less drag and a little flatter trajectory....however small fletching is best suited for light shafts, heavier wood shafts require more fletch, due to being heavier and more resistant to fletching guidance.

In the end, how well your arrows are tuned and the quality of your form and release dictates how small a fletch will get the job done.

[Frank V]

I shoot the same arrow for 3-D as I do for hunting except for the point. Frank

[Roy from Pa]

Ok thanks guys.

[foamkiller]

Last year I shot Bohning 1.75" shield cut X-vanes. The shot pretty good out of my set up.

[Mark Hedges]

I use 4" para on carbon arrows for 3d.

Mark

[seany916]

I've been shooting with 4" feathers, but then switched to 3".

They seem to fly just as well. But then, I shoot a pretty light arrow. 1816 @28.5" with 110 grains up front for an arrow less than 400gr.

Will be fletching some up with the exact same specs in 3" & 4" next week to see how they fly/distance in back to back shooting.

I'll post the results of my subjective evaluation when I'm done.

[Don Batten]

I shoot 4" for hunting and 3d. I will point out that some trad shoots require a min 4" fletch. Don

[Chris Wilson]

Originally posted by batman:
I shoot 4" for hunting and 3d. I will point out that some trad shoots require a min 4" fletch. Don

I use 4" for both hunting and 3D as well.  I'd like to use smaller for 3D, but IBO rules require at least 4" feathers in the Trad class.

[JRY309]

I used the same feathers 5" and 5.5" and bows I hunted with.I know they used to require at least 4" vanes or feathers in the compound hunter class.