arrow selection

[runningbird]

Well I just got my first long bow!  The seller was great and sent me a a couple arrows but they are a little short.  

The bow is a  LH - Bryan Holley Spirit Longbow,  64" and 55@28.  My arrows will be 31" long.  I'm looking for any advice so I can start shooting.  Weight of point recommendations would be helpful also.  Right now I'm just trying to learn to shoot left handed after 30 years of right handed shooting compounds.
Thanks,
Mark

[Rock 'N Bow]

400 spine would be a good start. A field point test kit with points ranging between 125 and 250 grains will allow you to bareshaft or paper tune.

[gonefishing600]

Hey Running Bird, welcome to Traditional archery. After three years of trad, I sold my compound on ****, and havn't looked back.

Before anyone could give you good solid advice, there would be a few question's that would need to be answered.

You have a longbow with a draw weight of 55#@28". Ok what is your draw length?

How your riser is constructed is very important also. Is your riser cut to center, past center, or before center?

The best place to start is to ask your bower what spine he would reccommend. Or, order a test kit, consisting of six arrows cut 1/2" apart.

You will need to decide on how much weight you want up front. It will help alot when tuning your arrows to your bow if you have a target weight. You do this by deciding, weather you are going to be a target shooter, or a hunter. If a hunter, then what are you going to primarily hunt. The rest is common sense.

Once you have the answers to all the above, you will need to know how to make decisions based on that criteria.

Find out the answers, and post them and I'm very sure these guys will steer you in the right direction.

For carbons, I shoot GT Traditional. They are a no non-sense shaft, and as good as they get.

Also, how did you arrive at a 55# longbow? I started out with a 55#@28", and in three months was down to 45 to 48# bows, with 46# being my magic number.

[runningbird]

perfect help!  I can cut and fletch my own arrows. I will follow all this advice.  I'll be out of town for a day or so but will follow up soon has I get back. This is the bow I  bought.  

 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=052232#000000  

 If I draw to full draw with a cloths pin on the arrow to mark the front of the riser, the pin is at 30 3/4 "  I've only had the bow for three days. so I'm just now getting comfortable drawing. I've never shot left handed before so it will take a bit of time to get used to that.

 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=052232#000000

[gonefishing600]

Full length 400, 340 & 300 come in 32" lengths. I would get me a half a dozen of each and various tip weights, and shoot full length bareshaft, until I got dialed in.

Good luck.

[Looper]

I agree, you should get a test kit. I don't think you need 6 of each for testing, though. One or two of each will do. I've found I get more accurate results if I take my time, and shooting the same arrow each time will eliminate any chance of the spine not matching between shafts.

That being said, I shoot a 55@28 r/d bow drawn to 31". I've found that a gt 7595 works really well and gives me a good weight (625-650 grains total weight). I can get the gt 5575s to work, but they end up being too light.

If I was starting from scratch, though, I'd go with some Arrow Dynamics Hammerheads. They are ridiculously easy to tune, have good weight, and are really tough shafts.

[runningbird]

Looper can you tell me what weight point you are using? I will get a test kit but just looking for a starting point.  I will be hunting, only target shooting in the back yard.  I will hunt deer and Javelina.  Possibly elk but it has been 11 years since I've been drawn.

I like the look of the hammerheads, I was hoping to get something that looked like wood and was tough.

With my Compound I shoot ACC's and I have only wrecked 4 arrows since 1997 when I bought 3 dozen. That's my idea of tough.

Thanks for all the help everybody,  

Now looking for a test kit! can't wait to get started.  The shooting bare shaft is a little confusing but I'll give it a try.

[nampook93]

I would have to say maybe shooting 125 gr points out of that. But like others have said get a test kit and try them out. Find what you like and what works well out of your bow.

[runningbird]

I have a few things on order.  I had hoped to shoot a heavy tip but will go with what ever works.  right now I just need some arrows so I can work on my form...again I have never shot left handed so it is a bit of a struggle.

[JamesKerr]

With that draw length I would go with a full lenght 340 spine and play with different tip weights,or you could use an arrow dynamics traditional shaft which is my favorite.