What does old Bear Metric Hunter 8.5mm arrow translate to today?

[Mark McKnight]

I just made my first homemade bow out of osage orange. I tried several different arrows on it that I happened to have and a couple old Bear aluminum arrows shoot the best. The say Bear Metric Hunter 8.5mm on them. They also have an on them (made by Easton?). They are probably from the 1970's or 80's. Would anyone know what these markings translates to? Thanks.

[JimB]

I read where someone said they were the equivalent to 2117's.

[Blackhawk]

Like other shafts, the spine changes with length and point weight, but JimB is on the right track.

I recall a chart showing the 8.5mm translates to 55/65# at 28", 50/60# at 29", 45/55# at 30", 45/50# at 31".  

They're good arrows being similar to xx75 and somewhat stronger than the 8.5mm magnums which were pretty brittle.

[Mark McKnight]

Thanks Guys. I appreciate the help.
Mark McKnight

[M60gunner]

Same as X7 shafting. That was my favorite shaft for hunting back in 70's. I still have some I made up for Elk back in the 90's. You know, Bear TD, Bear arrows, Bear Razorheads. All good stuff.

[nek4me]

The reference section of Shooting the Stickbow lists the same length/weight ranges as Blackhawk and in the same section for standard aluminum shafts it list:

28"
55  2016
60  2016 2114
65  2114 2018

So 8.5mm appears to be one notch below 2117.