Author Topic: 4.5in Feathers?? (Read 197 times)

Mount Sweetness · « **on:** August 27, 2009, 04:12:00 PM »

My local bowshop does not deal with the standard 5in feathers...

He carries 4.5in, will these do the job?

Advantages and Disadvantages...?

53# recurve, 29in draw, whitetail hunting

OS · « **Reply #1 on:** August 27, 2009, 07:41:00 PM »

I've shot 4 inch feather in a four fletch with great success. You may have to pay closer attention to arrow spine, but I've shot 2117 with 4" 4fletched and 200 gr snuffer up front from my recurve 70#

OS · « **Reply #2 on:** August 27, 2009, 07:42:00 PM »

It should be noted I prefur to shoot 5.5" feathers. As I get older I find them more forgiving.

maineac · « **Reply #3 on:** August 27, 2009, 08:40:00 PM »

I am shooting 4" shield cuts (3). I have worked hard to make sure the arows are spined properly,and have no issues. They are more quite and a little faster than the arrows with five" feathers.

Killdeer · « **Reply #4 on:** August 27, 2009, 08:46:00 PM »

I cut and burn all of mine at 4.5".

Killdeer

john fletch · « **Reply #5 on:** August 28, 2009, 12:31:00 AM »

I make a lot of arrows and for the last several years the full length festhers have been getting shorter and of less quality. Even the grading system is changing now.

Since I cut and burn all from full length, I try to get as much usable as possible.

I have tried and tested for several years now and for the most part I can get a 4.5" and a 3.5" cut from a full length. About 30% will only yield a 3" piece after the 4.5, but I am able to make all that work on target, field and youth arrows. With a helical fletch on my Bitz wheels, I have no performane problems with a 4.5" fletch. I use primarily a shield shape for the classic look and a little more air surface - but those who want a parabolic or banana cut I do as well.

There are still some who hold out for a 5" fletch and that is OK. That seems to be for the folk who have hevay bows, heavy arrows and big points.

I don't do a lot of die cuts because I like the way a full length will glue down and hold better. Then I can also get the pefect fletch match for the whole batch with the Young Burner. Sure it is more fuss, more smoke and more stink - but after 45 years I guess you get used to it !!

Mo. Huntin · « **Reply #6 on:** August 28, 2009, 01:03:00 AM »

You got a couple flyers there Killdeer, just messsin with ya.

Killdeer · « **Reply #7 on:** August 28, 2009, 07:55:00 PM »

Yeah, I increased the distance to ten feet and the group started to open up a little...

Killdeer :D

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