A few questions

[buckeye_hunter]

Several questions;

1. What causes an arrow to barrel roll during flight.

2. I don't have anything to cut arrows with or a fletching jig so I always order them precut, fletched and tapered to my draw per manufacturer instructions.  I then fool around with point weight and they fly ok, but not perfect.  Is there a better way than this?

3. Do many of you out there tune bare shaft and is there really that much difference?

-Charlie

[Orion]

Any number of things can cause a barrel roll. A bad release, not enough fletching to handle the point, mismatched spine, nocking point too high or too low, usually a combinationof these things.  

The better way is to make your own arrows.  If you're in this for the long haul, it would be wise to get a grain scale, spine tester, fletching jig and a good arrow tapering tool, one that uses a jig and sanding disk.  You can cut arrows with an inexpensive mitre box and a hack saw.  You don't always get what you order in terms of spine and weight, but you'll never know unless you have a grain scale and spine tester to check.  

I do not bare shaft wood arrows.  In part, that's because I already know what spine works for the various bows I shoot.  I've found that most bows, even those not cut to center, will shoot a range of arrow spines well.  Glass laminated bows will shoot arrows spined 10-15# heavier than their weight well.  Selfbows need to be at or below their stated draw weight.  

A lot of bad arrow flight is just caused by a poor/inconsistent release.  I know.  I've been there, done that.  Still do sometimes.  Good luck.

[WidowEater]

you will get a hundered different answers about bareshafting.  some do and some dont and I dont see how it makes any difference as long as your arrow flies good.

I used to do it your way as well but then i just got the fletching jig and started cutting my own with a rigged up arrow saw i made.  it made things a lot easier.  You can tune your spine to the point weight you want by nipping off your arrow a little at a time for precise spine for your draw weight and length.

[GingivitisKahn]

Hey there Charlie.  When we asked about bareshafting woodies before, the *vast* majority said not to bother.  

How are your arms doing?  I remember you were having some issues earlier this year (shoulders or something?) and I'm wondering if maybe that's messing with your form in some way.

[Don Stokes]

Before I tried shooting bare shafts with my wood arrows, I was frustrated by my broadheads often not shooting where my field points did. Since I bare-shafted and got the correct spine, all of my arrows shoot the same, regardless of point type, as long as the point weight is reasonably close. Dan Quillian introduced me to the concept- he believed in it 100%, and my experiences at his urging made me a believer, too.

Feathers cover up plenty of variation in spine, and with field points you can get away with it. But then when you put the broadheads on, the spine has to be right or you'll know it immediately.

I also noticed that my practice groups on the target tightened up when shooting field points with the right arrows. It improved my accuracy all the way around. You get the most out of your bow and your ability when you shoot the right arrows.

If you're going to tune without shooting bare shafts, be sure to shoot your broadheads before you lock in on what you think is the correct spine. The most disconcerting thing I've endured in archery was seeing my broadheads dive into the dirt after having such good flight from my field point arrows. They were actually underspined, even though I was shooting 10# over my draw weight.

[buckeye_hunter]

Kahn,

Good to hear from you! My elbow is feeling much better.  I laid off shooting and working out for about a month and that helped greatly.  I just started shooting again about 3 or 4 days ago. All is well to this point as far as pain goes.

Orion and Widoweater,

We just moved into our new house so I might have a little more room to work on my own arrows and start getting into that end of things a bit more.  I like using wood arrows, they seem much quieter.  I would also like to make my own bow at some point, we'll see.

Thanks for the advice,
Charlie