Shot some Ash today

[moleman]

I went diggin thru my old arrow pile and found a couple of tapered Ash arrows that were spined just right for my 70 LB Hill longbow, and was reminded of how awesome they are. They are tough, fly true and hit like a hammer! If any of you woody shooters are looking to gain a bit of weight in your wood shafts, try some Ash, I think youlle likem.
After today, I think im gonna go back to Ash and trade in my Lodge Pole Pine.  

[Canadabowyer]

I am making up a set of Ash moose arrows for this fall. Tough,heavy and like you said "hit like a hammer".  Bob

[cacciatore]

I have some dozens I was used to shoot in the days. They are really tough shafts and hit like rocks. 20 years old and they look brand new.

[smoke1953]

Just finished a half dozen ash which I shoot exclusively with my Hill style bows. Lov'm..hate'm but don't shoot anything else. Part of the hateing aspect is stated above with only a half dozen made from a dozen starting point. Always a lot to cull.

[donw]

i cannot shoot the heavy weight needed to get the best from an ash shaft...(IMO)

when i was shootin 50#+, i had some and the only complaint i have about them is they were/are difficult to straighten and keep straight.

i never broke one.

[LBR]

Never coould keepp them straight.  Shoot, straighten, shoot, straighten.  Other than that I really liked them.

[smoke1953]

I've found that you will find 10-15% or so that have a hollow pith. you find this during the straightening process where the arrow tends to stay one direction or the other(gummy feel) versus springing back to center. Sometimes this will only occur on one side but need to be tossed or you will be straightening after every shot.

[dnovo]

I made up some real nice ash arrows a few years back. When I shot them I thought " Man, these are the best shooting arrows I've ever had." Next batch of 2 dozen I made up, I used 50% of them for squirrel arrows. They were inconsistent in shooting and wouldn't stay straight.
What was the difference between shafts? I don't know but that soured me on them. Since then I have also moved down in bow weight, so I don't want the weight they come in either.

[wooddamon1]

I think the key to keeping them straight is to be vigilant and keep tweaking until just before sealing. I will cut and taper the nock and point after I get them where I want and then seal with Min-Wax stain/sealer. Check again before the first finish coat goes on to make sure they're good to go and apply and let dry. Most of the 3 dozen I've made that have survived the past few years are still straight. And yes, they thump hard.

[CRS]

I played with a couple dozen  many years ago and echo what has been said in previous posts.

I do not shoot heavy enough poundage bows for the weight, hard to straighten and keep straight.

The good shafts were fantastic, but there were only five out of 24. I have settled on doug fir as my primary wood shaft material.