need help choosing wood arrow length and Spine

[Riverrat43]

I need some help in arrow selection. Here’s what I’m working with.
Bear Montana  45@28 Montana Flemish 14 strand string
160 Grain field tips because I want to shoot 165 gr Tree Sharks
3 Rivers Arrow Test Kit B
Blue = 45-50
Red = 50-55
White = 55-60
Orange arrows are from Suzanne St Charles several years ago for my BW recurve (43#). I think they are 55-60 but not sure.


Pictures are from a target shot at 17 yds. One pic sort of dead on, one pic from above angle.
All of the arrows are full length except one of the blue and the two Orange. They are cut to 29.
Is there any insight to be gained from the pictures? I’m so new at this I can’t tell where to go from here. All advice will be greatly appreciated.

[Kelly]

First off, what is your true draw? That is found out by you concentrating on shooting and somebody is watching you telling how much arrow is hanging out front.

If you measure your draw length when only drawing the bow for draw length purposes you will most likely be overdrawing.

After we know your true draw we can further help you. Right now I would say all of them are grouping together. How is the flight?

[Kelly]

Oh arrow length is based upon true draw length, them most add 1/2” to 1 1/2”.

[Riverrat43]

Measured my draw by having a friend mark the arrow for me. Came to 28.5 so I added an inch for the point. The blue 29 inch 45-50 is cut at 29.5 and so are the unknown orange ones. The rest are 31.3. Flight is fairly straight with the 55-60 and the 60 65 having a very slight knock right look. Didn't photo the 60-65 but it sure flies pretty straight.

[Kelly]

I'm sorry but drawing an arrow back to have someone mark it is probably not your true draw because all you were thinking about was how far do I draw this. My guess is your true draw is less than 28.5.

Now how does a 29" arrow get cut at 29.5", was that the length before you put the point taper on? If so, usually the point taper is at least 3/4 to 1 inch long? Measure that 29" arrow from the inside of nock string groove to the back of field point.

[Kelly]

One other thing we will need to know is what material is that flemish string made from, B-50/55 or fastflite like D-97?

I own two Montanas so am very familiar with them. My draw is 3/4' less than my recurves because of the grip.

[Wudstix]

All the advice above is good.  I try to keep it simple, for me.  Draw length 27 3/8" add @3/4-1" for broadhead, add 5# for 0ver 28".  Add 5# for high performance bow, with fast flight string.  Add 5# for broadhead over 160 grains.  So that is about 15# of spine to the 62-67# bows.  Approximately, that is 70-75# with tapered wood arrows.  This has worked for me, but your mileage may very based on type of release used.  I shoot American Leather gloves and a nylon face Death Adder tab for hunting.  These poundage increases may be less with lower poundage bows, I have no experience below 60# or so.  Again these results are all with tapered shafts.
 

[Riverrat43]

Thanks to you guys for the help. Think I'm gonna have to wait for some help to video and to advise me how much arrow is sticking out when I shoot. So far, I think the 55-60 is shooting straightest, but it is really close to all of the others. The only thing for sure is the blue arrow I cut to 29.5 inches before I glued the point on seems to be consistently 4-6 inches left of the others in the group. Thought I'd see more nock right or nock left in the different weights, in the target. but there is little difference. All pretty much straight. So, do I keep them all full length? OH..the string is D97 and the brace height is 7 inches. Super quiet. Had it at 8 inches at first but was a bit twangy. Now about all you hear is the thud when the arrow hits. Rose City Archery spine chart shows 50-55 and 55-60 @29 to be the suggested selection for my numbers. Should I cut one of each( I have two of each)  1/4 inch at the time and look for results?

[Kelly]

That  blue arrow that you cut to 29.5", then put a taper on to install point, correct? Then that arrow is 28.5" BOP, back of point measurement, which is what we all talk about as far as length of wood shafts.

So if your true draw is 28.5" then you should not have any arrow sticking out front except the field point?

Don't go cutting anything till you know your true draw?

[Kelly]

Are you by chance going to the Tennessee Classic shoot this weekend? If so, I'll be there and can help you figure things out.

[Riverrat43]

LOL..No I won't cut anything. Wish I could go but I can't this weekend. Thanks so much for offering to help though.

[Wudstix]

Got it rocking?
 

[Riverrat43]

Not yet. Gonna do some video to determine true draw length and arrow flight as was suggested. Then I'll go from there.