Need help: Zwickeys seem to plane

[amicus]

Im getting ready for my hunt and fletched up a bunch of new arrows. Im shooting bemans ICS 400 with 250 grains up front. I bareshafted my previous arrows with this weight and they fly perfect and hit hard. The only difference with the new arrows is the color of fletching. Since I only have a few days I started practicing with my Zwickey broadheads (eskimos). Im using 4 x 4" feathers, with field points they fly great. I had been practicing with the same set up but was using red feathers, my new batch of arrows are fletch with bright green feathers. I started shooting and it seems that every once in a while one of the arrows will plane and go off to the side or drop down. Its not always the same arrow. Sometimes it shoots perfect and sometimes it seems to plane. Im not sure whats going on. Could it be my fletching, maybe I need to go to 5"? What do you think? I have spinned tested them and they seem fine. I really want to take of this. Need your thoughts and advise. Thanks. Gilbert

[Brian Stewart]

I'm far from an expert, but I can tell you this: I shoot 4 X 4" fletch with Zwickey Deltas and they fly perfectly every time.  I also shoot off an elevated rest...

Brian

[amicus]

I forgot to mention that I was using a new ts plus string. I check the brace before use, maybe its strecthing while I shoot causing the arrow to act funny every once in a while. I guess I should use my old string and see how they fly.

[Mr.Magoo]

Eskimos are usually fairly "plane proof".  You may be getting a bad release now and again.  Check your brace height and double check to make sure your heads are straight (if you're just spinning them on their point on a table etc ... that won't necessarily catch a crooked point.)

[zilla]

I have shot Eskimos for years.  They always fly good and to the same point of impact as my field tips.. Both out of my recurve and my old wheel bow.

[Charlie Lamb]

Try them with the old string and report back!!

[ChuckC]

I think you stated some important facts.  It doesn't happen all the time.  It is not always the same arrow. Otherwise they fly great.

I am guessing it is more you than your set up.    However.....I am also guessing that 4-4" fletch may be marginal and a larger fletch profile MIGHT make up for any "shooter" error, making them always fly acceptably.
Try it and find out !  
ChuckC

[amicus]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the feed back. Im thinking its the string or me. Will try the old string and give you an update. I check the arrows on a spinner and they seem fine. Almost every arrow has a very slight wobble to it, evan with out the broadhead. Should it spin perfect, not even the slightest bit of wobble? Gilbert

[Ray Hammond]

4 4 inch fletch equals 16 inches of surface...3 five inch equals 15 inches of surface. Not real convinced that fletching has anything to do with your problem.

The fact that it doesnt happen with the same arrows, doesnt happen all the time are clues that it is operator-induced error, rather than hardware.

[Shakes.602]

If ALL else Fails, Go Back to The Feather Colors You had when They Shot Great!! Just a Thought.  

[xia_emperor]

a planing arrow = not tuned correctly.

[eagle24]

I've shot eskimos with 3-4" fletch and they flew like darts.  I don't have a clue, but am interested in what the experts say.

[Bonebuster]

Bow torque or string torque could cause this. Or...

Are you shooting at a small target and being pre-occupied with missing and losing the arrow. Or possibly "peeking" around the bow at the instant you shoot to watch the arrow fly.

I know I sometimes a "peek" to try and get a better look at my arrow while in flight. This causes crappy flight.

Many possibles, many cures... good luck.

[BobW]

Bonebuster (and others) likely got it.  You are so focused on seeing your arrow that you are doing something different than your normal actions.  Grab a bunch of arrows (old and new) and don't pay attention to which one you are shooting.  Focus on the target, and forget about everything else.  Right now, something is in your head that is messing you up.

"Back to Basics" time.

[amicus]

I shot for about an hour yesterday with the same set up; focusing on my form and release. I made sure the brace height was always the same on the new string and what do you know, 100% better. I never saw what I thought was planning. Looking back, the new string played a role in some of the bad shots. I started with 7 1/4 brace and after shooting it would be 6 1/4. Yesterday, the brace height did not move. The new bright lime green feathers just made my bad shots seem like it was plaining. I feel a lot better about the whole thing. I really appreciated everyones imput. You guys are the best. Thank you. Gilbert