beginner's arrow selection

[Todd Robbins]

I'm just geting into traditional archery and have a couple questions about arrows.  I have a 47#@28" recurve that is 58" long.  I'm sommwhat short of funds, but got a couple of Bass Pro gift cards for Christmas, so that's where I need to get my arrows from.  Can someone point me in the right direction as to which arrows to buy for hunting and target shooting for the best price? From studying Dr. Ashby's testing, I'd like to be able to have most of the arrow weight towards the point.  I understand about arrow spine, but the aluminum and carbon arrows I see at Bass Pro don't have that figure.  Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

Todd

[Stumpkiller]

Sorry, I'm a cedar tosser - but I'll give you a free bump to the top so a tin or soot arrer expert can find you.

[reddogge]

I did a little homework for you and although Bass Pro offers dozens of arrows and shafts only one came with feathers, the Redhead Carbon Maxx with 4" feathers in only two models 2000 and 3000.  I don't know what these numbers relate to in spine either and Stu's calulator doesn't list them.

All of the other arrows have vanes and they would have to be shot off of a raised rest and are more difficult to tune.  Bass Pro only offers arrows in very stiff spines to cater to the compound crowd so for that reason I'd say forget Bass Pro for your arrows and use your gift cards for something else.  Buy your arrows from a sponsor here that caters to tradional shooters.

The arrow is the heart and soul of your bow/arrow combination and if you get it wrong you will never get the full benefit of a good flying arrow that hits where you look.

[cyred4d]

What is your draw length. That will make a huge difference in what is recommended.

[$bowhunter$]

for the price i like the easton gamegetters. you can shoot vanes with a stickbow so dont let anyone convince u otherwise. i shot vanes when i started to learn how to shoot. i now use feathers but there not mandatory. vanes for a beginner are tougher and last longer. cause ill tell ya this if your starting out chance are youll be diggin in the grass to find arrows. so basically get what you can just check the spine. btw i suggest you get full length arrows for increased weight and as you get better your draw could change.


steven

[RM81]

You can still get your arrows from bass pro.  You may just have to refletch them with feathers to get better flight off the shelf.  The have some Beman bare shafts in 400 spine that may work if you load up the weight on the front.  What is your actual draw length?
To be honest.  Those prices are kinda high and I think you will find other arrows just as good and a better price elsewhere.  But if you must use the giftcard, I'd look at the Beman ICS Hunter Carbon Shafts in the 400 spine.  And like reddogge said, it does look like all their arrows are targeted towards compound shooters.

[Todd Robbins]

I draw just a hair under 29" (I'm a big, long armed guy).  I'd like to shoot feathers and intend to eventually shoot wood arrows.  I was just hoping to find something to get started with.  Of course I can find something else to use the gift cards on, it'll just take a little while to gather the funds to buy arrows elsewhere.

Thanks very much for the help!  I might look at the Beeman shafts and have the vanes replaced with feathers.  I actually know someone who could help me with that.

Thanks again!

[cyred4d]

The Beemans will be awfully stiff unless you leave them full length and add a lot of weight up front.

[Bowwild]

I couldn't find the Beeman Hunter 400 in Stu's Calculator. So I used the "generic" carbon 400 size.

If your bow is 47#@28" it will likely be 50#@29". If the window is cut 1/8" past centershot. And if you use a B50 (dacron rather than Fast Flight) string.

If you cut your arrow at 30" (inch longer than draw-min.)If you have 3, 5" feathers, a 9 grain nock, 20 grain inssert and a 150 grain broadhead.

Stu's Calculator says the 400 should be very good for you.  The arrow will weigh 486 grains.

Like others have said, the 400 is pretty stiff for a 50# draw weight. That's why you have to put a 150 grain broadhead on it but that's not a heavy head for a lot of people.

If your bow is cut more or less past centershot or if your bow is suited for FF and you use FF string, that will also affect this set-up.

Personally, I'd buy other things you need (field tips, broadheads, glove, armguard, silencers, bow case, bow quiver, etc. all of which can be done at Bass Pro (but not very well).Then I'd buy Beman MFX Classics for a heavier arrow and more traditional look.  Of course there are many trad arrow providers who sponsor this site.

You've already found the fine folks at Bass Pro probably don't know that Traditional is supposed to be capitalized and spoken reverantly!

Good luck!

[Bowwild]

The reason I said "not very well" at Bass Pro is that I too have a gift card I was given by a friend at Christmas. I went to Bass Pro twice yesterday as I was traveling to and from another place. Try as I might I couldn't find anything in the archery I needed so I left with the gift card intact.  I wish Schafer, Widow, Rose Oak, or others would accept it!