Tuning around a broadhead.

[ncsaknech1ydh]

This may be a bit of a wierd question, but here it goes.

I am going to be experimenting with flight characteristics of the Grizzly El Grande heads, I ordered 6 of the 160 and 6 of the 200 grain heads, I also ordered both 75 and 100 grain premium steel adapters, I also have carbon express arrows in 150, 250, and 350 so I can try a number of combos as my goal will be to get a combo that flys perfectly.

Part of my problem is that I draw a bit over 32 inches which is pretty much full length on the arrows, so I do not have the option of trimming arrow lenght to increase stiffness in the spine of the arrow.

I shoot a few different bows, which are from 50 to 56 pounds at my 32"+ draw length. I have been shooting the old bear razorheads for years and they fly well out of these bows using a full length 250 with 3 5" left helical shield fletching. I use pink tracers all the time and have never been satisfied with their flight in a slight wind as they always fishtale, maybe thats just the way it is, not sure, but it would be nice to come up with a heavier combo that the wind would not affect so much. Also in all honesty if my release is not perfect on a calm day, there has always been some fishtale, so my present set up is not very forgiving, in my opinion.

I read a post on here several weeks ago about FOC which I have always known about but have never messed with other than what I am now shooting, so I thought what the heck, I'm gonna give a few 100 grain inserts a try just for fun, and the idea that throwing a bunch of weight on the front is gonna make it fly better, or make anythng fly true for that matter sure didn't work for me, the arrows went all over the place!  

So I am a bit concerned when I try these heavier broadheads as to if I can get them to fly perfectly.

What options would be recommended other than the broadhead/insert/arrow combos to change the spine and front end weight that I have listed above would you guys have?

The bears I am now shooting scale out at around 144 to 151 grains.

Hopefully I'll find that one of the combos I try will fly like magic, but commen sense tells me that might not be the case. Just trying to prepare before I get all this stuff in the mail! Thanks for any input. DK.

[chopx2]

Based on what you describe, you will need a stiffer shaft than what you use on the bear BHs. With that long of a draw length you will be best off starting with the stiffest arrow you got and then 'spine it down' with progressively heavier BH/Insert combinations. You can even use some bird shot to add weight a couple grains at a time.

Make sure you bareshaft tune and I highly recommend that you use the group/planing method O.L. Adcock recommends. Let me know if you need a link to it.

You can build out your side plate to make the arrow act stiffer if you need to tweak the spine up. You can use a toothpick to test with since it is easily removed.

[BobCo 1965]

Actually, I bet you do find the correct combo. You have a wide variety to choose from. One piece of advice that I will give is not to try to tune once you become fatigued. Just a slight change in form will through things off for you. I also have a long draw and usually do not trim down shafts. Don't discount the 350's that you have as being underspined. Give them a good try. Personally I use shafts that many people have told me are underspined on paper only to find out they are correct for me.

[ncsaknech1ydh]

That is some very good advice chopx2, just the kind of stuff I am looking for. I'm not sure but I think the 350's are the stiffest that company makes, I'll have to check that out, building out the rest to make the arrow act stiffer is good knowledge to have.

I would really like to go with the 200 grain heads as they of coarse are thicker and tougher, but worry I won't be able to make em fly, this info will really help.

I have bearshafted my arrows in the past, but would like to take a look at that site.

Also could you explain how to use the birdshot and make it stick in the front of the arrow? That is something I have not heard of before.

Thanks Much. DK.

[JimB]

bowmaker.net is the site.Go to the tuning part.

You can fine tune the weight by adding lead shot inside the cavity of the 75 or 100 gr steel inserts and there is still room in the Grizzly ferrule for some more.You can put a drop of superglue on the shot to hold it in place.After I determine my exact point weight,I weigh the broadhead and adaptor and fine tune with some lead shot till they all weigh the same.#6 lead shot weighs app. 2grs per pellet.A 100 gr adaptor will take 8 pellets/16 grs.I have melted lead and the 100 gr adaptor will take 28 grs that way.Again,you can put some additional pellet ahead of the adapter.

I usually sharpen my Grizzlies at least to the point where the bevel is well established as this removes some weight.Then I know app. the final broadhead weight and can add my adaptor and fine tune with lead from there.