Spine test kit help - Critter Getter

[dkforge]

Hi guys I picked up a used Great Northern Critter Getter at Denton. 62#@28 I draw 29". I ordered a spine test kit from one of the big arrow company's to try to zero in on a spine. I got a kit that has 60-65, 65-70, 70-75 and 75-80. I also have arrows in 55-60 from another bow I shoot.

I am shooting with 125gr. field points. My problem is I can not seem to identify which arrow shoots best. For a range of arrows spined from 55-80# I would think there would at least be one that you would say "well that one isn't flying very well" but it is not the case. I am shooting from close (10yards) to far (25 yards) and I can't find a winner.

Any suggestions on what to try differently?
Thanks for your help.

[LongStick64]

Are you shooting the arrows without fletching ??

Just shooting fletched arrows you will have a hard time to judge the flight.

[dkforge]

Yes the test kit came with fletching so that is how I am shooting. So I guess you are saying I should remove the fletching and give it a try?

[Hermon]

Are you saying that none of them fly good, or that all of them fly good?

[cahaba]

I would get someone to stand behind me and look at the flight. Also shoot some 40 yard shots and see if you can find a winner.

[Orion]

Most bows, including Critter Gitters (I've had a few of them) will shoot a fairly wide range of arrows well, particularly woodies.  If you strip the feathers off of them, you might find one that flies marginally better than the others.  You might also just break them on the target. Most folks who shoot woodies don't bare shaft, they just find an arrow that shoots good and shoot it.

In my experience, you're usually a little better off if you overspine rather than underspine, i.e.,t he overspined arrow will be a little more forgiving, you can add a little more point weight without affecting arrow flight, etc., thus the 70-75 or 75-80  would be my choice. If I had to pick one of those, it would be the 70-75.  Good luck.

[Todd Greenwald]

I have a GN Critter Gitter 64" 64#@28.  I shoot arrows spined from 56# to 77# and they fly beautifully in good groups.  However I shoot mostly carbons in the .400 spine 30inches long with 175-250 point wieght and they fly great! I also shoot AD Trads with the same results.

[dkforge]

Thanks for all of the replies. Hermon they all fly very well and group tightly. I LOVE this bow.

[SlowBowinMO]

Put a big Snuffer or similar head on them, that'll sort the players from the pretenders.

[fishone]

I also have a Critter Gitter. I find that is easy to find the right spined arrows. I am wondering if nocking pt. on the string is too low or high causing the arrow to hit the shelf, causing it not to fly good. You also might want to check the brace height. I shoot mine at 5/8" nocking pt (I shoot 3 under) and 6 3/4" brace height bop. Good luck!

[Steelhead]

Critter Gitters are not cut to center.So you need an arrow that is gonna clear the sight window with little interferance.

I am gonna guess the 70-75 would be a good choice or the 75-80.Because of the poundage being 65#s at your 29 inch draw and you will probably need an arrow cut to 30 inches with a broadhead attached.Also you will be shooting a FF string I assume?The 30" arrow length,FF string,shooting a broadhead and your draw length should require some stiffer spine than someone with a 27-28 inch draw who might do well with the 60-65 or 65-70.

[Steelhead]

Critter Gitters are not cut to center.So you need an arrow that is gonna clear the sight window with little interferance.

I am gonna guess the 70-75 would be a good choice or the 75-80.Because of the poundage being 65#s at your 29 inch draw.Instead 0f 65 at 28" which requires less spine stiffness and you will probably need an arrow cut to 30 inches with a broadhead attached.The extra length on the arrow will weaken the spine of the arrow.when compared to a 28 inch arrow.Also you will be shooting a FF string I assume?The 30" arrow length,FF string,shooting a broadhead and your draw length should require some stiffer spine than someone with a 27-28 inch draw who might do well with the 60-65 or 65-70.

[m midd]

I have a 64" 63# @28" Critter Gitter, I shoot it a  lot.
I shoot 55-60 cedar with 160 gr heads. Also 2020 legacys with 175gr head. So pretty much arrows from 55-65 with 125gr-175gr heads

[Fletcher]

Shoot the fletched shafts thru paper from about 6 feet and you will see which one is coming off the bow the cleanest.  My CG likes an arrow that is underspined a bit:  50 lb draw, 28" arrow with 200 gr point = 49 lb spine.  Shoots bullet holes in the paper.