Archery Accuracy

[Konrad]

Questions:

1. In the never ending quest for the ultimate in archery accuracy, all other things being equal, which is more critical, arrow straightness or uniformity of weight?

It would seem to me that varying weights would produce vertical “stringing” on the target (related to time-of-flight/velocity variations) while shafts with straightness issues (say .006” total indicated run out) would produce more rounded groupings.

2. On any given bow draw weight/draw length, will shafts of a slightly stiffer spine produce better groups than shafts of a slightly weaker spine or will the opposite be true?

Of course, answers submitted will require apt justification for given opinions!

[Swinestalker]

Can't answer your question, however, I have some gt expeditions and the same arrow in gt pro hunters(straighter and more uniform of weight)and cannot tell any difference. It appears I am the weak link!

[njloco]

I shoot different weight arrows that are under spined for my bow, all the time, drives my friends crazy, as I do hit what I'm aiming at.

[ArrowAtomik]

I tend to think straightness is a bit overrated in terms of importance as compared to something like weight (particularly at longer range).  Consider the shaft is anything but straight during the shot.  For the most part it is just a center of mass directed at a target and 0.001" variations are not that important to clearing the riser and continuing that center of mass on its path.  My opinion is that straightness at this level is mainly just something for companies to measure and brag about and justify higher prices for "premium" shafts.

My experience has been slightly weaker spine is more consistent than stiffer spine (if one must choose).  Also consider it is much more likely for one to occasionally short draw than to overdraw.

[Night Wing]

Since weight does affect spine, I let the bow tell me what it likes.

Concerning spine in conjunction with tip weights, my 37# recurve really likes a stiff arrow. It doesn't like a slightly underspined arrow at all.

[mike g]

I would say it's the person useing the bow thats critical....
    Proper form and release....
In one of Mr Hills books, he telles a story about while at a Soot doing a little PR.
    He was talking about spine arrow length etc....To diminstrate his views on this, he walked thru the crowd, taking a couple arrows from most of the people there....
    He then picked a target at a good distance, and proceded to put every arrow on target....

[Steve Kendrot]

I presume your referring to minor variations in shaft weight and not tip weight. shot by anything but a machine, these variations would produce immeasurable results shot by even an expert traditional archer shootin fingers. The ultimate in archery accuracy is a compound and is not why the majority of us shoot traditional. IMHO.

[Jason R. Wesbrock]

1. Weight.

2. It depends on the shooter.

[Gray Buffalo]

We are picking the fly poop out of the pepper again. At 20 yards (hunting range)not much dif.

[Bowwild]

AAAA..CHOOO! Yep.

However, if these are the only two choices, at less than 30 yards out of hunting weight bows, I'll take the different weights and leave the crooked shafts alone.  This is why I can't shoot wood even though I think they are beautiful and fun to make. I can't get em or keep em straight.

[bigbadjon]

Arrow straightness is critical, anyone who says otherwise just isn't a consistent shot to begin with. Weight doesn't effect spine that much but it is important that arrows be matched in spine, exactly if possible. One pound variance in spine is more noticeable than 25 grains of weight.

[Jim Wright]

You can have a bend in a wooden shaft out near the point end without major consequence. Get one back near the nock around the fletching and it's FAR more of a problem.

[lpcjon2]

I agree with Mike G form and release are the most important. then you can add straightness and weight into the calculations.

[GreyGoose]

I think uniformity is key for arrows - meaning straightness, yes, and also spine.  I'd rather be well over or underspined than have appreciable variation.  This way I can work on trying to keep my form (the real challenge :>)  ) consistent.

[wingnut]

"quest for the ultimate in archery accuracy"

matched weight, absolutely straight and matched spine to each other and the bow.  Anything else is searching for mediocre and not even close to ultimate.

Mike

[stujay]

What wingnut said.

[Ben Maher]

I'd say that uniformity in weight is the most important factor to anser question no.1 as it immediately lends itself , IMHO to consistency at bothshort and long range

Question 2? I have seen too mnay archers do well with polar opposites in terms of spine to answer definatively . Finding this out for oneself and for each particular bow and set of arrows is one of the great frustrating joys of archery