Wood arrow help

[gokartjon]

I am looking to try some wood arrows.
Here are my specs.
52#s, and a little over 30" draw length.
I plan on shooting 160 grain field points as well.
What spine arrows should I be considering?

Thanks,
Jon

[Bud B.]

Hey Jon!

What bow ya shootin'? How close to center cut is it?

 

[gokartjon]

1964 Bear Grizzly
Sorry, should have included that...

[bowslinger]

Jon,

Are you shooting a recurve or longbow?  Fastflight string or Dacron?

A longbow would likely require a slightly weaker arrow.  Fastflight would increase teh spine weight needed.

I would guess 65-70 pounds for longbow or 70-75 range for a recurve, but I am no expert on wood arrows..  What I would recommend is buying a test kit for whatever wood arrows you plan to shoot.  I bought a wood shaft test kit, douglas fir shafts from Surewood shafts.  I believe some of our sponsors sell wood test kits for Port Orford cedar as well.  You can also purchase field point test kits to see what weight tip works with differenly spined arrows.

The test kit may seem like a hassle, but you will be able to find the right arrow for multiple bows.  If you have any friends that shoot trad and may want to consider wood arrows, see if they will split the cost for a test kit.

[Mike Vines]

Where in MI are you from?  If close by, you can try some of mine.

There is a Michigan Bow Hunters rabbit hunt up in Riverdale (Elm Hall) on January 6th if you want to go try out all types of spine ratings.

[gokartjon]

I am in birch run.
I am struggling with arrow spine because a local shop told me 50-55, a guy emailed me and told me 55-60, I called a guy and he told me 60-65, the arrow charts tell me 75-80, and the dynamic spine calculator tells me 85.  I m lost...

[Mike Vines]

Do a search on here in Pow Wow, and find the guy who is shooting the same bow as you, and inquire about his set up.  Most everyone on here is willing to help as much as they can.

[Fletcher]

I'll give it my best SWAG, Jon.  Assuming you are shooting 52 lb at your 30" draw and a 31 BOP arrow, Here's my math:  52 + 5 lb for the Grizzly and 15 lb for the 3" over 28" and another 5 for the 160 gr point = 77 lb.  You should do fine with a 75-79.  Any spine formula is a SWAG.  Differences in shooting styles, bows, etc can all affect what arrow a bow is going to shoot best; that is where the test kit really proves its worth.  If you get a test set, I recommend that you find one where the arrows are individually spined and marked in 2 or 3 lb increments, not just a couple shafts in a few different spine groups.  If the shafts aren't marked you don't really know what spine you are shooting.

Enjoy the journey!  

[gokartjon]

This is where I get confused.... Previously, I was shooting both 2018s and gt5575 traditionals. I was told the GTs were too stiff and the 2018s too week. Then 55-60s were recommended. I bought some 55-60s per recommendations I received. They are not flying the best. It's not a huge deal because they fly well for my son. I will have to try some 75-80s and go from there.

Thanks
Jon

[Green]

Jon - I'd suggest calling or PM'ing one of the sponsor's like Fletcher, Snag, or Magnus about a test kit.  Give them your bow specs and the fact that you want to shoot 160 grains, and let one of them provide you with a test kit.  Doing so will save you both time and money in the long run.

[Ralphie]

50-55# spine wood arrows should be perfect.
Keep the arrow spine just above the draw weight of your bow.
Opinions vary greatly on this topic. And what should be right for YOU, often will not work for the next person.

Call a couple of arrow makers i.e.; Black Rose, Whistling Wind,Rose City, and ask them.

A consensus of opinion should help you decide.

Port Orford Cedar would be my choice of wood. Others will recommend different woods.

good luck !

[Bud B.]

I got magnus (Turkey Flite Traditional) to send me a test kit. I quickly figured out the spine I needed and have a set on order.

All TG sponsors who make their own wooden arrows are tops. Start with one of them.

Fletcher has already responded with great information. I'd start with him.

[elkken]

I would agree with Fletch .... might be just a tad heavy but as Bud says a test kit is a good way to go about this. I have shot many bows in that weight or just above ( 55# ) and 70-75's always worked for me but my draw is not 30" it is 28. Good luck

[magnus]

Fletcher is right in the ballpark. You might have a little fine tuning to do but that's just the nature of the beast.

[Bjorn]

I only shoot wood and use the same formula Fletch does. Get a test kit and start tuning.