3D bow set up

[Bob Moran]

I attended the KY TradFest and had a blast and want to set up a bow for 3D shooting.  I have a Roy Hall Cherokee 38# R/D and have ordered 1816 aluminum arrows and planned to use 100 gr points.  However, after browsing the web I'm wondering if I should go to a lighter point or different arrow or what?  Thought that this was the best place to get some guidance from more experience shooters, so whatcha' think?  Thanks

[BOWMARKS]

If your a hunter Why Not your normal set up???

[reddogge]

That arrow will work with that bow providing you draw around 28". If you leave the arrow at 30" with 100 grain points or leave it at 31" with 75 gr points they will be will within the 10-10.5 gr per pound range. I'd bare shaft them first before cutting.

Maybe Bob is like me and shoots a little lighter in 3-D so as not to trash his joints shooting a couple hundred arrows/day like we do. I shoot 45# in 3-D and 50-55# hunting but same riser/different limbs. I get real twitchy shooting 55# all day myself.

[BAK]

I shoot a 48# Trad Tech Titan with Easton Micro light arrows of 315 grains which works out to 6.5 grains per pound.

[Flying Dutchman]

I always shoot with wood for 3D. I found out that the most important for 3D is the FOC. Due to the dustances you shoot. You don't want to use a high Foc here, but you want to stay somewhere between the 9 to 10%.
A 5/16 wooden arrow with a 100 graisn fieldpoint will give you that.

[legends1]

Another thing to consider is some organizations or club shoots require wood shafts for longbows.

[BAK]

What I'd point out too Bob is that for 3D your goal is the best accuracy you can get at distances beyond what you normally might be comfortable hunting at.

3D isn't hunting, it's target shooting.

[Bob Moran]

Thanks for all the input.  To answer some of your questions, while I have a new 55# Tomahawk longbow for hunting, I have this beautiful 38# and thought it would be a good 3D bow.  My other bows are older Bear recurves and I'd rather not shoot them as much as I expect to be doing with 3D.  Reddogge hit the nail on the head- I'm pushing 70 and don't see the sense in wearing myself out with the heavier bow.  I'll check the foc and keep within Dutchman's recommendation.  BAK is right- 3D is not hunting and there is no way I'd shoot at game at some of the ranges I saw a KY TradFest.  But, its great practice and I was amazed at how difficult it was to correctly estimate the range to those huge elk and moose targets.

[Traxx]

Bob,
You do whats right for you.Nobody else is drawin that bow for you.

[Dan Adair]

I hunt with a 60# set of limbs on my Schafer, and arrows that go 540 grains.

My 3D setup was supposed to be the lightest arrow that would spine on my new 52# limbs.  Right now I'm shooting Goldtips 5575's that weigh 520 grains.  :(

Oh well...

3D shoots and flyfishing are what get me through the spring/early summer.  I will always believe that 3D shoots do more for the bowhunter than anything else.  It's a reality check for most of us.  It makes most of us push the limit and take shots we normally wouldn't.  Competition breeds excellence.