Sitka Spruce Shaft length

[snakebit40]

I just got in a dozen Sitka arrow blanks and I'm almost ready to shoot them. I was just wondering what a good starting point for the arrow length is? I shoot a Schafer Silvertip 63@28 and my draw length is 28 inches. 65-70 spine arrows with 3 four inch feathers. This month was my first year anniversary of switching to trad so I'm still new. Let me know if you need additional info. Thanks guys!

[clayton95]

One inch longer than your draw is the normal.  Make sure that you have enough clearances between your fingers and a broadhead tipped arrow at full draw. You could have a friend mark an arrow to the back of the shelf and full draw and then add an inch to that and you should be ok. Hope this helps.

Clayton

[Pat B]

Snakebit, when you buy wood arrows their spine rating is for that shaft at 28". For each inch over 28" you subtract 5# of spine weight and for each inch under 28" you add 5#. This is with a 125 gr head. Heavier heads reduce the spine weight and lighter heads increase it.

[Orion]

You have  that turned around Pat.  Drawing past 28 inches increases the bow weight so one needs to add arrow spine.  Likewise, if one draws less than 28 inches, the bow weight will be less than it's marked at 28 inches and one would reduce arrow spine.

Snakebit: 65-70# should work for your set up, though another 5-10# of spine wouldn't hurt.  A general rule of thumb is to add 5# of spine for a fast flite string; also add 5# of spine for a center cut riser. Your Silvertip may or may not be fast flite compatible, but I believe it is cut to center.

Cutting your shafts to 30 inches before point and nock tapering will give you about an inch overhang past the back of the bow to the point.  Remember, about one inch of that 30 inches is used for the point taper.  A plastic nock will add about 1/8-inch to the shaft's length.  Have fun.

[snakebit40]

Thanks guys! One more question, is 125 grain tip enough for my set up?

[SpankyNeal]

The point weight is fine, but depending upon the weight of the shafts you may be a little light in total arrow weight with the Spruce...they tend to be lighter than cedar. Your going to need a 500gr shaft with those 125's to get to 10ggp. Very easy to do with fir but might be tough to get with spruce IMHO.

[PEARL DRUMS]

My guess is your 5-10#'s short on spine. I had a 54# Robertson Fatal I pulled to 29". I had to shot 70-75's with 125 gr upfront to get good flight.