Newbie question

[jwbharper]

I was talking to a guy at Cabela's about arrow length. He told me that trad archers prefer an arrow to stick out 4-5 inches past the riser since a longer arrow helps stabilze the flight.
How ever, the ad for one of the sponsors above has the picture of a guy shooting trad with the arrow just barely past the riser.

Does the Cabela's guy speak truth?

Thanks all.
If it matters for arrow length I am 6 foot, have a 28-29 draw and am shooting on a Fred Bear "Black Bear" #40

[ncsaknech1ydh]

Hi John: I wouldn't put much weight in the 4-5 inches past the riser statement.

I could be wrong, but I have watched many form shooting videos of tradgang members on this site and none have been close to to that much arrow sticking out.

It should have nothing to do with how much arrow is sticking out in my opinion, and all to do with the correct spine of arrow for the weight you are shooting combined with the weight of field point / Broadhead you are shooting to get perfect arrow flight and as close to perfection in the proper tuned arrow to the bow you are shooting.

If you are shooting 28 to 29 inches my bet is if you go to a traditional pro shop and get the correct spined arrow for your bow (which, take it from me will save you much time and agony!)with the weight head you want to shoot you will be somewhere around an inch of arrow sticking out past your riser give or take a half inch.

Just my opinion. DK.

[jwbharper]

Thanks DK. Good to know!

[mrpenguin]

Ideally the best arrow should only stick out an 1 or 2.  My personal experience is that the longer the arrow, the worse it shoots because the spine is actually too stiff for the bow.  Tuning is a combination of choosing the right spine, length, tip weight and shaft diameter for your shooting style.  I draw 28" and find my arrows shoot best if they are 29" BOP.

No offense to the guy you talked to, but I bet he does not shoot traditional equipment.

[jwbharper]

Your right Erik and I should have mentioned that, he did say that he did not shoot trad, he shoots a compound.
What does BOP mean?

[S.C. Hunter]

I cut my arrows to 1.5-2.0" past riser

[L. E. Carroll]

"BOP" is a term used in measuring arrow lenght refering to "Back of the Point".. when measuring and having arrows made, you measure from the deepest part of the nock notch to where the arrow taper starts for the point [ if wood arrows are to be made] if carbon of Alum the BOP its the spot that the arrows are cut [on the tip end] and the insert for the point is glued in,, resulting in the back of the point being at this point when the head is screwed in.. Hope that makes some sense for you.

Gene  

[jwbharper]

Thanks Gene, that makes a lot of sense. I am new to archery so I am still trying to figure all the terms out.

[Cal bow]

This site is great for obtaining information, but I would also suggest going to a range and talking with the shooters. I have not gone to a range where the trad folks where not more than willing to help another archer.

[JRY309]

I like an 1" or 2" past the riser with wood or aluminum because there are many more available spines to choose.With carbon arrows I let my bareshaft tuning determine their final length

[ishoot4thrills]

It matters not how much your arrow sticks out past your bow at full draw. The only thing that matters is that your arrow is the correct spine and that may mean you need a longer arrow to get it right.

Also, arrow length is very important to gap shooters because the longer the arrow, the shorter the distance for point-on aiming. Gap shooters need arrows to all be the same length in order to achieve consistency in aiming. So, once they find an ideal arrow length that is the correct spine, they stick with that arrow length.

But, basically, it's all about the spine. When you get it right, it doesn't matter if your arrow sticks out a foot or just an inch, as long as you get great arrow flight.

[broketooth]

what doug said

[Rob DiStefano]

no matter what, that cabela feller doesn't have a clue about archery, no matter what kinda popular bow is in question.

first and foremost, find your draw length.  this may take some time and assumes your have decent form.  when at full draw, your draw length is from the depth of the nock to the forward most point on the arrow shelf.  now add 1/2" to 1" and you've got yer arrow length ... it could be longer, but more than 2" past yer holding length is a waste.  

if your draw length changes, as it probably will IF yer a newbie, your arrows should be adjusted for length as well.

this may also be of some assistance -  trad archery/bowhunting for newbies

[jwbharper]

thanks guys for the advise, I really appreciate it. I searched some other threads for prefered arrows and I saw some good talk about Big Jim blems. I was thinking that would be a good inexpensive way to start...does any one diagree?

[Rob DiStefano]

since the arrow is far more important than the bow, the only arrow shaft types a newbie should be using are alum or carbon - stay away from wood, as wood arrows will not stay as consistent as the synthetic materials will.  this will rule out a bad, mismatched arrow as a reason for missing, and emphasize more consistent form work on your part (human error).

[seabass]

my draw length is 26".my cedar arrows are 27" bop.4 to 5" i feel is to much.good luck this season,steve

[jwbharper]

Rob,
Thanks for the link to the article, that was a great read for me and quite helpful.

John