Spine starting point for EFOC

[buckyllama]

Hi all, this is my first post here.  I've been lurking for a while and am consistently impressed by the level of knowledge and discussion.  

Anyway, I'm looking for a good starting point regarding spine.  I am shooting a 50# Samick Sage recurve, pulling to 27 - 27.5".  I am planning to shoot ICS Bowhunters and would like to go toward the EFOC end of the spectrum.  250 - 300gr on the front as a starting point.  I figure I'll tune it up with field points / inserts and then select a broadhead to match the weight.  I'd also like to experiment with skinny strings as I am already set up to make them from shooting compounds.  

Stu Miller's calculator shows me a little underspined with a 400 and pretty close with a 340.  That seems awfully stiff even with the extra point weight, I mean, that's what I shoot out of a modern 300fps+ compound!

What would you select in my case?

Thanks!

[RM81]

I doubt you will be underspined with a 400.  I have a bow around 50#, draw just under 28 with a 500 spine and 225 up front.  Arrow length is 29 1/8.  I think you'll be ok with a 500, or maybe a 400 if you leave it a little long and go up to 300 grn on the front.  I think the 340 will be way too stiff.  Just my opinion though.

[SlowBowinMO]

I concur.  I find with my EFOC set ups the calculator says I'm way underspined, but I'm not and the proof is in the bare shafting.

The .400's should be perfect for the point weights you want to shoot, be sure to start long and cut very slowly as you tune.

[JimB]

I find the same thing.Stu's can be a good tool but when you get into high FOC,it isn't accurate and shows way weak with setups that are tuned.

To be honest,you are getting into highly technical waters and you will get a lot of advice form some who haven't done it.

It takes about two spine groups heavier than normal to start with and tons of front end weight.The problem is,unless you start out with very light,stiff shafts,like 6.-something grains per inch,you will end up with an arrow 700-800 grs.Most people wouldn't be happy with that.

It is hard to imagine how much point weight it takes.

If you haven't gotten very well versed at tuning a lot of different arrow setups,to where it is second nature,I would stick with standard FOC arrows in the 9-10 grains per pound finished weight.That is enough to keep your brain busy.Stu should be able to get you in the ball park with those but you still need to tune to make sure it is right for you.