starting out right

[thumper2]

hello all,

I've recently started down the archery road after a long gap...thirty years.  that's what happens with a grandson that wants to get into archery.

Oh boy, here we go...

I'm havin a great time, and my grandson has turned out to be a natural archer.  the boy has an eye for the target.

I bought him a Bear starter kit with the standard green glass bow, which I had reservations about.  I'm a big believer in using the best tools, not bargain basement stuff.

that proved to be the case when I took him to our local archery shop, where they have a range.  the young man running the place at the time saw the way my grandson was shooting, and handed him a Martin Rebel, 35lb.

the result?  8 arrows at 12 yds within a paper plate, and a huge grin on a childs face.

that led me to pick up a 52"29 lb recurve off of ****.  that worked out so great I can't tell you, til another family member tried to string it and broke a tip.

We went to a 3D shoot this past weekend, and my boy is looking at used bows, and brings one to me, and practically begs me to buy it.  Bear Kodiak Magnum, 45lb.  i told him he wasn't strong enough to draw the bow.  he proved me wrong on the range about 5 minutes later.  Nail driver.
18 yards, a little more spread, but in the vitals.
So, for a really good price, he's set up again.
we shot the course, and he is averaging 20 yards with fairly good accuracy.

With all that said, my question is this.  I have quite a few 2117 arrows, and had planned to set up a dozen for 3D use for this bow.  I'm wondering now if I should try him on a smaller arrow, and go from there. one of the questions I need to clear up is I recently switched to a 125gr. point, and wonder if I should increase. Also, it appears the boy is drawing about 26 inches average, so I wonder if I should maybe try reducing his arrows to 27".

any thoughts along this line would be greatly appreciated.


Bear Tigercat LH 45lb.
(Now) Bear Kodiak Magnum, RH 45lb.

[McDave]

2117 arrows would be way too stiff for his setup.  I assume the 45# bow is measured at 28"?  If that is true, he is drawing about 40# at 26".  You should try 1816's or 1916's, and see which of those flies best.  Remember that when you cut off length, you are stiffening the arrow.  It is better for him to shoot a 28-29" arrow that is sticking out 2-3" in front of the bow at full draw and is flying straight than a 27" arrow that is wobbling or whacking the side of the bow because it is too stiff.

The best way of determining this, of course, is to bare shaft test the arrows, which will tell you what spine, length, and point will work best.  What you are aiming for, if he is going to use the arrows for targets mainly, is a fairly lightweight arrow that will shoot flat.

For target use, I would try to get an arrow that will fly straight with a 100 grain point.  This may be way off, but I would guess that 1816 arrows cut to 28" with 100 grain points might get him in the ballpark.  If those seem too stiff, you can always increase the point weight to 125 grains.

Again, you would remove the guesswork if you learn to bare shaft tune, which is discussed other places in this forum and on other websites, such as   OL Adcock\\'s website

[thumper2]

Thanks much!  that's a good place to start.
the bow is std 28".

the vendor, which is Big JimsArchery, by the way, did recommend that he use a smaller diameter arrow, and gave me 6 Gold Tip 7595.

Great guy, and his bows are a work of art.  check him out.

appreciate the advice.

[McDave]

Gold Tip 7595 arrows are made for bows in the range of 75 - 95 pounds.  I can't imagine why anyone would give you those arrows to use in a 40# bow!  Gold Tip makes 5575 arrows for use in a 55 - 75 pound bow, 3555 arrows for use in a 35 - 55 pound bow (which might work in your grandson's bow) and 1535 arrows for use in a 15 - 35 pound bow.  The 1535's might also work in your grandson's bow, as sometimes a trad bow will take a weaker spine than the Gold Tip designation.

[thumper2]

Sorry.  misprint on my part.  the arrows are 3555.

they work well.  i'm also looking to reduce cost.  that's the reason for looking at aluminum vice carbon.

whatever it takes to keep that smile on his face is the ultimate goal.

appreciate the feedback.