Catching up......Tackle questions

[wapitirod]

I've been out of traditional archery for quite a while but I'm jumping in with both feet this year.  I've been hunting with handguns the past few years since having back, neck, shoulder and wrist surgeries but when I pulled out my recurves earlier this year I was shooting as good as ever and the heavy bows were actually easier to draw than I remember.  I have noticed it seems like things have changed since I was last into bowhunting and I had a couple of questions.  I'll first cover my equipment, I'm shooting a 72# Brack Drifter and a 66# Wes Wallace Stealth.  I have a 30.5" draw so if I remember correctly that means I'm drawing roughly 81 and 75#.  Both bows have flemish dacron strings and I'm shooting 31" 2317 Easton XX75's and Bear Razorheads without the bleeders so that makes them 140gr.  I figure I'll use what I have and then possibly upgrade when I need new tackle.  

The first question I have is how big of a pain is it to get carbons to shoot right out of a recurve.  The only carbons I ever used were about 8yrs ago out of a Hoyt compound.  The reading I've done talks about having to install different weight sleeves to get them tuned.  I like to keep things simple so if I can't just throw an arrow on with only basic adjustments to get it shooting I'm not interested.

The second thing is my broadhead choice.  When I was hunting with recurves before it seems like most broadheads were 125 to 150gr but now I'm seeing some of you use broadheads in the 200-300gr range.  Are you seeing any real advantages to going that heavy over the 140's I'm using?

Next, I bought a couple of the wool fletching covers from 3 Rivers since both my bows have bow quivers.  I found that they were damaging my feathers, am I doing something wrong or is that just to be expected?

I'm sure I'll think of more stuff as I get deeper back into my traditional shooting.  My season starts the 24th and I'll be hunting blacktails and Roosevelt elk.  I've taken Rockies and Cascade bulls with archery tackly but never the Rosie.  I've killed them with rifle and handgun so I'm looking forward to trying to get my first with a recurve.  I've already decided that I'm not going to hold out for a buck or bow because I know I need to re build my confidence in my equipment.  Thanks ahead of time for any help you can give me.
Rod

[Grizzbear]

Enjoy

[wapitirod]

Thanks but I would sure appreciat input on the tackle questions I have.  Like I said I've been away from traditional tackle in ernest for 15yrs so I know alot of things change and opinions are formed.  I'm also wondering if there is a major difference between my old Razorheads and some of the new 2 blade coc broadheads.

[Oregon Okie]

well someone will be along shortly with actual helpful info but I'll put in a few cents.
Don't know about the wool covers.
The "latest greatest" in the last few years is working toward high FOC numbers. That is weight front of center. There is a big research study that has shown greater penetration with high FOC among other factors. So that has led to the very heavy weight on the tips such as 2-300 plus of tip weight with light shafts...usually carbon. There are lots of people still shooting 125-150 and like you they are flying well etc. Many have gone looking for FOC and end up with heavier tips. Shooting the weight of bows you are it would mean a VERY stiff carbon loaded up. Also with the long draw. For example I am shooting 54lbs at 31 inches and shoot a .300 spine shaft with 245 total weight. That is barely considered high FOC at 19% (not going into all that FOC calculations etc but you can search for that) but as you said if you don't want to tinker too much that pretty much what it is. Also alot of trad guys are shooting total arrow weights around 550 gr and up compared to compound guys shooting lighter arrows.
The advantage comes from the inertia of a heavy projectile over a light one along with some apparent benefits from FOC but if you are shooting and your arrows are flying well and they aren't light as a feather which they shouldn't be with a 2317 you are gonna kill stuff.
TONS of guys shoot carbons... there is a calculator available... search for Stu's spine calculator.. that can get you close. then it's a matter of just shooting different weight tips until you get it dialed in.
ok, i'll stop there and see if any knowledgeable people add to, or correct me.
edit your title to say... catchin up...tackle questions and see if you get more bites?? just a thought.

[wapitirod]

Thanks and I tried your suggestion.

[Orion]

Wapiti: Your estimated draw weights might be a pound or two high, but maybe not.  Depends on whether the bows stack much at your draw length.  Since they don't feel heavy to you, no need to worry about it.

In addition to the quest for greater FOC that Oregon mentioned, in a lot of cases, it's just necessary to put a lot of weight on the front of carbon shafts to soften the dynamic spine enough get them to fly right. Also to increase overall arrow weight to a hunting weight of 500-600 grains. A lot of bare shaft carbons weigh 250 to 300 grains.  

It would be more of a pain to get carbons to fly right for you than shooting your current arrows. You would likely have to add insert weight, and probably play around with broadhead and/or adaptor weight.  Not really difficult, but it does involve some trial and error and buying different weight components until you find out what works best for you.  Of course, you already know what works good for you in aluminums.  You certainly don't need to make the change to increase performance.  Your current set up will blow through anything on the North American continent.  

I don't use fletching covers, but if I did, they wouldn't be made of wool.  Too heavy.  The feathers ends move a lot when the bow is shot and will damage themselves on the heavy fabric.  To ameliorate the problem, keep the wool loose fitting.

I wouldn't use fleece either.  Collects water and blocks the wind, and a good wind can play havoc with your aiming.  I'd look for a cheesecloth/camo netting material.  Provides the camo needed, it's light, and a breeze can blow through it without messing up your hold.  Not going to protect the fletches from rain though, which can be a problem where you'll be hunting Rosevelts. Good luck.