Arrows fishtailing

[Doublegun]

Shooting a 45#, Ben Pearson “Hunter”, my draw length is ~ 29”. Arrows are 30”, Carbon Express Hunters 250’s with 125 gr. field tips. Arrows are fishtailing to the right but are hitting where I want them to. Any idea why they are doing this?

Thank you,

JDG

[Jim Casto Jr]

Don't know for sure, but I'd like to know the center cut of the riser. IIRC, Carbon Express 250's are .400 spine. (Why do they do that anyway?) My first guess would be those arrows are too stiff with the 125's up front.  You can find out quickly by putting a 175 or 200 up front and see what happens.

[Doublegun]

Yeah, I don’t know why they number them the way they do and I’m trying to figure out if I need to try 150’s or 350’s. Not really interested in spending money on heavier points at this point. I am shooting off a turkey feather rest. The shelf on the bow is flat. I did raise the nock to compensate for the elevated rest.

[Jim Casto Jr]

Well... if you're not willing to change tip weight, I doubt anyone can help you much. 

I'd suggest arrow and bare shaft group tuning at about 20 yards.  You'll find out in short-order if your arrows are weak, stiff, or just right. 

[Doublegun]

Shot the same arrows from my 43# Sky Thunder recurve. No fishtailing. Hard to believe 5#’s will make that difference. So if I’m shooting 250’s, are 150’s or 350’s stiffer than 250’s?

Thanks,

Jay

[Jim Casto Jr]

350's  are stiffer and are .337 spine.

[Doublegun]

So will jumping up to 350’s, with 125’s, eliminate the fishtailing?

[the rifleman]

Try a 150 carbon express.  Id bet you are too stiff now.  You might even need to drop down to a 90.

[Doublegun]

Try a 150 carbon express.  Id bet you are too stiff now.  You might even need to drop down to a 90.

150’s solved the problem. According to my pro, older bows were made of much different materials and that explained why my 48# Pearson wasn’t shooting like my new Sky 43# bow.