FEATHERS..4 INCH OR 5 INCH ?

[Florida bowhunter]

I was told 5 inch feathers provide better arrow stability, and broadhead flight... which do you prefer 4 or 5 inch...

[kevsuperg]

It really doesn't make to much difference between 4"- 5". I have arrows with 5.5, 5 and 4" feathers and at hunting distances I can't see any difference.  Shoot what u like .  if I had to choose. I prefer 4" RW just cuz that's what I like

[katman]

search feathers 4 or 5 inch on pow wow, several threads

[Stump73]

I use 5" lw but thats what my arrows have been tuned with so I just dont wanna change what works.

[Zradix]

I use 4x5"

but 4" should be fine.
Just be sure your arrows are tuned..and your b-heads are on straight.

[DaveT1963]

three 5 inch feathers with helical - I'll take the added stability out in the woods, were lots can happen, over the minor speed loss (which is debabable) at reasonable trad hunting range.

[JRY309]

I feel if you tune your arrows well,it doesn't make a big difference.Like said at hunting distances it won't make a big difference.The larger feathers will make more of a difference if you are shooting 25 yds. and longer distances.I've shot 3-5.5",3-5" but my favorite of late is a 4-4" feathers on any arrows I make including Axis/MFX.I shoot 3-4" on my Easton Injexion,very small diameter arrow.

[Scott E]

If I'm running a 4 fletch I like 4 inch feathers if I'm shooting a 3 fletch I go 5 inch.

Personal preference! I prefer 4".

If your arrows are very well tuned you can go smaller. If not, you probably should stick with longer.

Bisch

[DaveT1963]

You can still use three 5" feathers even if your bow is tuned properly.  Truth is I could get by with three 2" inch feathers under ideal conditions if I wanted to..... In gusty winds, under hunting conditions and with the possibility of a bad release or form errors, I just prefer more feather.

[damascusdave]

I only shoot broadhead and arrow combinations that I can bareshaft with at 10 yards...they do not need a lot of fletch and I have used as little as 3X2inch...these days I let a friend do my fletching for me and he likes 3X4 inch left helical

DDave

[R. W. Mackey]

It used to be a bigger problem years ago before everyone
Started front loading there arrows. Most people needed as much fetching as they could get, not any more. If you shoot arrows with a high FOC, you can get by with hardly nothing.
I shoot 3 4" RW feathers and use big Grizzly Kodiak heads.
Great arrow flight in the worst of conditions. I have a friend
Who went all the way down to 3 2" feathers, said why shoot something you don't need, his arrows fly great.
  Another reason for smaller fetching is quietness. The smaller the quieter. Doesn't matter on a lot of game, but if your hunting
Whitetails, makes a huge difference.
RW

[DaveT1963]

RW Mackey - just noticed youa re from Gimer - I graduated a buckeye in 1981..... was back through there a few years back.... sure has grown and changed a lot.

[Sam McMichael]

I have shot both 4" and 5" with good results. I prefer the look of 5" feathers, so that is generally what I use. Don't read too much into what "they" say, but rather try different set ups till you find what works for you. 2" to 6", whatever works best.

[Marshallrobinson]

I use 3 5" and always have. I would like to try 4 4" but I am just never going to I guess.

[fujimo]

three 4" feathers for me-
shoot 3 under using Rick welches shooting techniques.
havent had a problem since i changed, in fact everything has got better!!!

all personal i guess

[gringol]

If you are new to this trad thing and tuning your arrows, I'd go with 5".  It is true that more feather provides better stability.  Once your form is dialed in and your arrows are well tuned to the bow you can go much smaller because at that point the extra stability isn't needed.

[jcprintz]

4 - 4" for me. My arrows never flew any better with 3- 5".

[maineac]

I bare shaft tune my arrows and shoot 3 4".  I have no issues with any broadhead flight. I have two different fletching jigs. One for Left wing and one for right.  The right wing jig puts more helical on the feathers.  I think I can notice a difference in arrow speed and noise.  With high FOC and tuned arrows I like the flight and energy 3 4" slight helical give.  Every one has their own preferences.