Rivercane Arrow Question

[Tommy Leach]

I'm interested in weighting the end of some rivercane arrows and would like to hear from anyone who has done this and how, both successes and failures. I shoot a selfbow @59# and my cane arrows run from 500-575 grains including the point (Bear razorhead). When I make my arrows I plug each end with a hardwood dowel (~2") and epoxy into the shaft. I've been playing with some weights to glue into the forward end (BBs, split shot, heavy gauge wire) but still am lighter than my target weight (650-700 grains).
Thanks - Tommy

[JEFF B]

well if ya keep putting split shot in i dont see a problem why ya should not get them up to weight sounds good to me.if ya epoxy the split shot that also will add a little weight good luck  

[Okie 1]

Tommy, I've been wanting to try the same thing and was thinking of finding a brass rod that would fit in the cane and see if that helps. May be the same as the heavy wire you talked about but may be a little heavier. Maybe Saturday when it warms up I'll get in the shop and try some. I'll let you know.

[Clay Hayes]

lead shot works well.  just cut open a few shot shells and start adding the shot untill all your arrows weigh the same.

I've also cut strips of pewter and put in the ends of the cane before plugging as you described.

ch

[Mechslasher]

weighting your cane with lead will work, but the lead may come loose and start rattling around in the cane.  river cane is a lighter cane, i like sasa bamboo.  it has thicker walls than river cane.  also, you may want to use a foreshaft or longer arrow.  a foreshaft could bring your weight up 50-100gr.

[Pat B]

...or go with a heavier head.
   I'm using hill cane and with a stone head of about 100grs I'm getting 600gr to 650gr for a 29" self arrow. Bambusa is another heavier cane for arrows.     Pat

[Art B]

With the river cane I've used I find it hard to get the higher spines without the point end of the shaft being to large in dia. for a hunting arrow. You add weight up front and you have to account for it in additional spine. You're probably not going to get what you want using river cane.

As Pat mentioned, check out some of the bamboos like Bambusa or Tonkin, or hill cane. Chris mentioned Sasa, you might want to check into that also. It makes a fine shooting arrow but it's dia. is a little to large for my taste. Swicth cane is a little more dense than river cane but I've had problems getting the higher spines also.

What length arrow do you shoot? How wide is your arrow pass Tommy?

ART B

[Aeronut]

I've used #4 lead shot, sinkers, solid solder, lengths of 1/8" welding rod & brazing rod, etc.

I also shoot a 145 grain head.

Dennis