length of over spined arrows

[b.glass]

I got some Carbon Express Heritage 250's from TRA over the weekend. I want heavy arrows so I got the 11.0 gpi even though they are spined for 55-65 lbs. bows and my bow is 47 lbs., with the intent of cutting them long and putting extra weight up front to lower the spine. Does anyone have a rule of thumb for guessing where to start on a length. To start at 32 in. a start taking off a half inch at a time sounds pretty tedious! I want atleast 550 gr. arrows so I will have to put weight tubes in also. My draw is 26 in. I plan to use atleast 175 gr. on the point.

[James Wrenn]

To use the 250s you will need to leave them real long even with a 175gn point.If you have not made them up yet I would suggest useing a 100gn brass insert in them with the point weight you want and then cutting them back.My guess is unless you are useing a rest you are still going to be around the 29" mark when you get done.jmo For me to shoot them in bows your weight with a 27.5 draw length it takes 225gns on a 29" arrow to shoot. jmo

[East Coast archer]

I have a 25" draw and can use 250's out of my Morrison Cheyenne which is 59# at my draw.  To use the 250's I have to use the 100 grain brass insert, a 175 grain head and leave them 3" long.  They weigh a total of 596 grains.  I found I can use the 150's from the same bow at 25 3/4" long BOP with the brass insert and point and they weigh 575 grains.

[JRY309]

There is no really rule of thumb to guess at in tuning carbons.Is your bow 47# at your draw length or is it at 28"? If it is at 28" you would be pulling roughly 41# to 42#,that is light weight for a CE 250.But 250 I think are going to be too stiff for your bow,you may not have to cut them at all.I would start at full length and start adding weight from there to see how they shoot.I think a 150 would be stiff but a better choice to start with.It may be tedious to trim alittle at a time but that would be what is required to tune carbons and trimming carbons the spine increases more rapidly then a point weight change.I think with the weight you'll need to tune the 250's to a mid 40# bow you may end up with an arrow over 600 grs. without adding weight tubes.What size arrows are you shooting now?And what kind of bow do you have recurve or longbow?Is your bow cut to center or past also?

[b.glass]

I shoot 47lbs at 26 in. I shoot a longbow cut slightly past center. My arrows now are 28" from the throat of the nock to the base of the point. Including the point they are almost 29 1/2 ". They are Cabela's Outfitter shafts spined for 45-60lbs and they weight 550 gr. I haven't been able to find them in their catalog lately. Bass Pro Shops had some too, but I can't find them there either. I have read alot about low poundage bows and I understand that arrows have to be pretty long to get them heavy enough. There was a really good article in TBM a few years ago. Also I got some 200 & 250 gr. field pts. from TRA. If I decide I need one of them the challenge will be to get a Broadhead heavy enough. I would like to try Grizzlies but I have trouble getting a broadhead razor sharp.

[Greg Skinner]

I've tried both 150s and 250s out of a variety of bows that range from 51# to 57# @ 27 inches.  My arrows are cut to about 29 3/4 and I use 160 grain head with 100 grain steel adapter.  The bows over 53# that are cut close to centershot handle the 250s fine. Anything of less draw weight and/or not cut to center does much better with the 150s.  Even with the 150s my total arrow weight is substantially over 600 grains.  From the way you describe your setup my experience would lean toward the 150s.  My Shrew is about 51# at 27inches and likes the 150s cut 28 1/2 to back of point with a 160 grain head and 100 grain steel adaptor (total arrow weight about 585gr).  That's the closest I have to your set up.