new to wood arrows.

[Jackpine Boyz]

So I am ready to delve into the world of wood arrows.  I shoot 58# r/d longbow with 200 spine arrow (30" draw).  My questions are

1. what is a good source to learn how to shoot them safely?  I know there are certain ways to orientate the arrow so it doesn't go through your hand if it were to splinter while shooting, which would be nice to avoid.

2. I also have about 50 arrows I received from a friend that will fit one of my 3 bows but they are at least 10 years old.  IS there anything special about using these when I inspect them?  Or just make sure there are no flaws and let em rip?  I would like to use them for stump shooting.

[J. Holden]

I'm no expert but I've made a few dozen in my time shooting and have even killed a deer with them.

Your first question is a good one.  Although I don't know how relevant it is with todays nocks.  I believe that theory came from the days of self nocks.  With plastic nocks I think it's not as big a concern as before.  That being sai I mount all my nocks so the grain is running horizontal as compared to the string.  Make sense?

And secondly the 50 arrows you have from your friend.  I would inspect them closely, maybe flex them gently to see if any splinters raise.  If theyre matched to your bow I'd say let 'em rip and have fun.

I'm sure some others with more knowledge will come along here.  Hope you have fun with the journey.

-Jeremy  

[crazynate]

Just remember if your going to shoot those older arrows to replace the nocks with new ones. Even if they look ok and they are that old they're worth replacing. I have seen many of those older nocks break and cause a dry fire. No bow is worth risking to a simple thing like a nock. And for the condition of the arrow trust your gut. If they are straight and have no cracks or splinters go for it. But for me I  do t risk it with the older ones any more.

[elkken]

Nocks are not that easy to replace on wood arrows and ten years is NOT old. I have wood arrows that are thirty years old that I still shoot. Just give them a good inspection and try a light twist to make sure they are still glued on well.

As to your first question if you are making arrows from shafts the string groove in the nock goes cross grain to the shaft.

[FlintNSteel]

I have never had a wood (or any other material) arrow break in flight in nearly 50 years of shooting them.  As others mentioned, just check your shafts before a shooting session or if you think one hit another one hard in the group.  

I orient the grain as the previous posters said...nock groove cross grain, and I agree this is a hold-over from self-nocks, but it also provides consistency, IMO.  I don't think it has anything to do with safety.

I know a few people that have an almost paranoid fear of a shaft breaking on release and being driven through their hand.  I'm not saying it cannot happen, but worrying about it is akin to worrying about being struck by lightning.

Mike

[Deno]

All great  tips above.  I'll add one.

 Make sure the nocks on all 50 arrows fit your string correctly. Too loose or too snug causes problems.

Deno

[Jackpine Boyz]

Thanks for all the advice. I'll start using them selectively.   For unmarked arrows is there a way to check spine?  If there is a good site or a reputable dealer of wood arrows let me know.  I plan on taking a trip down to the footed shaft one day to do some shopping but they are about 2 hours away.

[NY Yankee]

"IF" a wood arrow breaks at the shot (which I have never seen), it will most likely fail on the "runouts" or the part of the grain that looks like this (>>>>>). When building an arrow, the fletcher should put the nock on the end that makes the >>>> point away from the archer, or toward the point of the arrow. the reasoning is, if the arrow splits, the "side" of the arrow should, hopefully, slide past your hand instead of dig in and pierce your hand. Like I said, good, undamaged arrows, rarely ever break. Look, there are several pics on the net of guys with carbon arrows in their hand. How many are there with wood arrows like that? I have never seen one. YOU MUST CHECK YOUR ARROWS AND EQUIPMENT FOR SAFETY!! THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES HERE!