Smaller feathers = less drag?

[kevshin21]

So I was wondering do smaller feathers like 3" or less help gain notable performance? Because wouldn't bigger feathers have more drag because of the greater surface area and in turn stabilize the arrow but rob it of its speed?

[lpcjon2]

There are different opinions on this for sure.I found that a lower profile feather@4-5" with a 160 gr head fly's faster more accurate and doesn't drop as quick. But a regular cut shield  in the 4-5" with 125 does the same speed(didn't use a chrono just my eye). I used to think 5" high backs were the ones I needed then I tested my own set-ups and found different.JMHO

[Mr.Chuck]

I shoot low profile 5 inch shield cut feathers. The fly like bullets out of my Dorado.  I used to shoot with high-backs and found that they do fly slower by chrono testing.  If your  arrows are tuned to the bow and your style of shooting, I find that I can get away with a three inch feather but prefer 4 inch just for stablization in case I flubb a release! My arrows are all 3 feather fletched. That's what works for me. :-)

[Mike Mecredy]

Yes, the less fleathers you got back there the faster your flight, flatter trajectory as well. It may require a little more tuning, more attention to your release and consistant anchor, but the increase is noticable.  

To really notice the difference with a chrono, you need to have it set far enough away for the feathers to "stand-up" after the initial realease.

Also, straight fletched have a bit more speed as well, but the arrows aren't as stabilized in flight as the helical fletched ones. So form, release and follow through must be flawless if you want to group well using straight fletched arrows.

[rastaman]

Search 1   3 inch feathers  
  Ashby\\'s take on 3 inch fletching

Here are a couple of threads about 3 inch fletching.  Dr. Ashby's thread in particular went in great detail.  For deer hunting,4 x 4inch or 3 x 5 inch works for me.

[PEARL DRUMS]

I use 5 1/2 shields and love them. I have no idea if they are slower, louder or anything else. I just love the way my arrows fly with them, and the best part for me is the ability to see them in flight much easier. Its very important to me to see my arrow every shot. I do shoot 32" javelins so a little extra feather doesnt hurt me.

[reddogge]

I feel the speed gained at 20 yards in negligable but the stabilization of a broadhead at 20 yards is paramount considering the stresses of shooting at game, poor releases, jerking the string, etc.

Why risk a poor shot to gain 10 fps?

[elknutz]

Speed probably not a big deal, but I would think some small benefit in the wind with smaller fletching as well.

[Don Stokes]

I'm with reddogge. If you're shooting broadheads, don't worry about speed, worry about accuracy and stability under hunting conditions. A few fps gained by using small fletching is not worth the possibility of making a poor shot on a worthy game animal.

[JRY309]

For speed and long distance shoot,a small feather wins out.But at normal hunting ranges it won't make a big difference.A larger feather will stablize quicker and better in my opinion.

[Jason R. Wesbrock]

Originally posted by reddogge:
I feel the speed gained at 20 yards in negligable but the stabilization of a broadhead at 20 yards is paramount considering the stresses of shooting at game, poor releases, jerking the string, etc.

Why risk a poor shot to gain 10 fps?

[Gray Buffalo]

What's up with this speed thing???  Stability is what we need.

[Ragnarok Forge]

I shoot 3" 4 fletch which is equivalent to 3 4" fletch for surface area.  They are on an EFOC arrow which shoot like bullets are very forgiving of form and have a lot less wind planing issues in a crosswind.  Your form is a big determinant if small feathers will work for you.  If you have great form they will work great, if your form suffers in hunting conditions then use larger fletch.  Speed is definately not the most important factor in hunting situations.

[30coupe]

Originally posted by Gray Buffalo:
What's up with this speed thing???  Stability is what we need.

Yup!    

 

While a skinny carbon can be tuned to shoot good with a three inch feather, from what I have seen with wood, it is far better to get the arrow behind the point as soon as possible for penetration and consistent accuracy. While the hard spinning 5.5" feather can affect the long shot trajectory with a wood arrow to a degree, at the longer shots, from what I have seen, is easily compensated with practice. I would not mix a low fletch practice session then go hunting with large feathered broadheads on the same day. I need a few shots to get used to any change in the arrow.

[Benny Nganabbarru]

Yep, for me it's all about stability, too. 5.5" shield-cuts do a great job, and I don't have any penetration issues.

[Bill Carlsen]

I am in the bare tuning camp. I have found that if I can get arrows to fly properly without fletching I can get away with less feather than I used to. I have found that four fletch, four inch, 105 X 75 gives me everything I need for any broadhead I want to shoot at 55#. I burn them on the low side so there is less "drag" but plenty of steering capacity if I need it. I suspect that I could get by with 3.5" fletch but trimming them low gives me the looks and flight that seems to suit me.

[Stumpkiller]

On what I've read, been told and observed: the fletching serves to help when things don't go as planned.  A bad release, wind, un-noticed twig, etc.  The fletching gives form stability to the arrow because of the drag at "the light end" and helps it recover to correct flight errors.  

So, yes, you can get away with less fletching when all goes right.  But when your fingers are cold and your shoulders stiff and that one arrow is released . . . isn't a little margin for error something you want?  I sure do.  

Bigger fletching is easier to see, also.  You know where the shot went (and years later I can still close my eyes and visualize EVERY arrow strike I've even had on a deer).  I use yellow or white nocks and hens.

[stalkin4elk]

I notice no difference between 3- 4 inch and 2- 4 inch(180 degree) with r helical from a bearpaw jig with tuned arrows. Wind,bh's,fp's, all the same. Also if I screw up the release it's still a bad shot!    I will say the 2 fletch may be a tad quieter to my damaged hearing.

[Don Stokes]

For the best of both worlds, I shoot bare-shaft matched arrows with decent sized fletching. I like three 5" shields trimmed for quietness. The bare-shaft tuning helps when the fletching gets wet, since less control is needed to still get good flight.