New Guy Needs Help!

[archermd26]

Hey all,

Brand new to the forum and trad archery! I shot a borrowed longbow for a weekend, and a week later had sold my compound and all accessories on Craigslist, and purchased a brand new Samick Red Stag TD Recurve. I am officially hooked!

Being new, I have a bunch of questions and stumbled upon this forum, which seems to have a ton of great information. I made the mistake of taking the advice of a local archery shop that mainly sells to compound shooters. Needless to say, I’m pretty sure they set me up with the wrong arrows. Here is what they set me up with:

Bow – 60” Samick Red Stag TD Recurve, 40# @28”
My draw – 27”
Arrows – Carbon Express Heritage 150’s cut to 29” with 100 grain field points
String – Dacron (B50 Maybe?)

I have been shooting this set-up for about 2 weeks, and the arrows seem too stiff, based on the way the arrows have been hitting the target, and some research I have done on the internet. It could definitely be my poor form or a poor release, but it just seems like something is not right with the arrows.

Can anyone provide any advice on this? I checked out a few arrow selection tools, one being from 3Rivers Archery, and it looks like if I want to stick with the Carbon Express Heritage, I should be shooting the 90’s with a 225 grain point, when the arrow is cut to 29”. I could also go with the Gold Tip Traditional 1535’s, with a 200 grain point, with the arrow cut to 29.” I am leaning toward 29” because it’s 2 inches longer than my draw. I am fully aware that arrow length affects spine, which will affect my choice as well. So I guess my questions boil down to this:

1.   What arrows would you recommend for my bow, poundage and draw length?
2.   How short should I cut my arrows? Is 29” too long? Could I go longer? I know that if I keep the shafts a bit longer, I can shoot slightly heavier spines and could get away with heavier arrows that have more flex to them, but I am not sure what the recommended length would be given my draw. Very confused here.

I should also add that my goal is not to compete in target archery. I really enjoy shooting a trad bow, more so than I ever enjoyed my compounds. My sole purpose is to become accurate enough to hunt a variety of game (mostly deer, turkey and bear) and to just have more fun shooting year round.

I’m hoping someone here can help get me started on the right foot. Any and all advice is greatly appreciated! Again, glad to be here and thanks!

[Terry Green]

If u could video yourself from side and overhead and post it on the shooters forum that might help.

[archermd26]

Yes, I will post some video or pictures some time this weekend. Thanks!

Any advice on the arrow selection?

[cahaba]

Those 150s are to stiff. 90s would probably get you there with the right weight up front.Check out AD Trad Lites.
With carbon it's best to start out with your arrows full length to start with and if they are to weak cut them down 1/4" at a time. Also you can play with point/insert weight. A lot of folks shoot carbon full length.

[Richie]

Welcome , you have come to the right place.  

[creekwood]

Originally posted by archermd26:

2.   How short should I cut my arrows? Is 29” too long? Could I go longer?

As long as the arrow is properly tuned to the bow, there is no such thing as "too long". A longer arrow will add weight, which adds to momentum, which is a good thing for penetration on a game animal.

[Naturebatch07]

I would think about getting a fast flight string as well.  I have been shooting the samick sage for about a year and recently made the change from the stock string to a flemish fast flight string.  It feels better.  I am not sure if the the Red Stage is Fast Flight compatible, but I would check into it.

Currently I am shooting 55/75 32 inch Gold tip shafts with a standard insert and 125 up front out of  my 45# samick sage recurve.  I like the way they fly, but I am still learning as well.

[threeunder]

Those 150's are way to stiff.  Definitely drop to 90's at least if you want to stay with Carbon Express.

If I were you, I'd look at the AD X-Light Trads.

I draw 27".  All my arrows are cut to 30".  This allows me focus on changing my spine with tip weight.

By having two or thee different spine arrows and a variety of tip weights you will have what you need when you are ready to move up in draw weight.

My recommendation would be Arrow Dynamics.

Ken

[Terry Green]

If u could video yourself from side and overhead and post it on the shooters forum that might help.

[nineworlds9]

Do the video.  Go for a clean release, follow through!  Some more point weight and a fastflight string should fix you up.

[Stinger]

All of the advice above is spot on.  Don't know where you are in MD, but there is a shop in Mt Airy that has trad gear and one of the older guys there only shoots trad (or it use to be that way a couple years ago).  They generally have a pile of arrows on their range.  You could probably shoot through some of them to see what works.

[Deeter]

  Haha thats funny I did the same thing a month ago.  Sold the compound and switched over to trad and I am having more fun shooting and I love it.  This is a awesome forum.  There are alot of great guys with tons and tons of knowledge.  So dont be afraid to ask a question you will get answers.  All you just got to do is open up and take it in.  From what I leave my arrows uncut and shoot a heavy head.

[archermd26]

First, thanks so much for all of your responses! I ended up ordering some full length Gold Tip Traditional 1535's and a field point test kit. Hopefully I can get the arrows tuned up correctly with my bow.

I also ordered Masters of The Barebow Vol 1 & 2. Hoping this will get me off on the right foot and help me establish a solid form.

Terry Green, I am working on getting some video up on here for some feedback. I shot the video, but realized I don't have a cord to upload it from my camcorder to my computer. So, if I can pick one up this weekend, I will get some video on here ASAP.

I'm sure I will have plenty more questions in the coming weeks. Thanks again to everyone for all of the helpful advice!

[Gump21Bravo]

My advice would be not to worry about arrows and tuning them at the moment.

One word....form.

Focus on that for a while. If go bonkers buying up arrows and field points trying to tune your arrows you will get false readings in arrow flight.

Just my two cents. Take it or leave it.

Welcome to the gang. Enjoy it and have fun.

Also, if your close to Washington dc I would not mind meeting up and shooting a few. Let me know.

Craig

[archermd26]

Hey Craig,

I am about 2 hours north of DC in northern Harford County, close to the Pennsylvania line. I would definitely meet up to shoot a few some time. Any ranges close to you?

I understand your point about not getting too caught up in chasing the perfect arrow. My motivation for trying to get everything tuned correctly is so I will know that my mistakes/bad shots are my fault, and can adjust correctly. I figure it's best to start out with the right equipment and figure it out from there.