Arrow contact on very edge of shelf normal?

[Westkyhunter]

Hey guys I've noticed my arrows/ fletchings contact the very edge or corner of the shelf consistently. This is on three different bows. I've checked and adjusted everything over and over. I'm a right hand shooter. Seems as though the arrow is flexing like it should but is making contact. Usually not noticeable but the wear is consistent in the exact same place on each bow. I finally tried five inch feathers and had zero luck with clearance. It got really bad. Finally tried two fletch and they fly beautifully. Grabbed some four inch three fletch arrows to shoot this evening and once again the arrows were kicking around and I noticed the same wear pattern in the same place on a new to me bow. I shot several bareshafts through it too. They flew good out to twenty yards and impacted straight. My groups aren't bad however I normally only shoot one or two arrows and retrieve rather than shooting a bunch at a time. I thought it might be my release but the wear spot is so consistent. Anyone else seen this? Is it normal?

[AZ_Longbow]

Prety sure its normal.

[smokin joe]

When I have had that situation, the cause was that the arrow was a tad stiff and/or the nock height was a bit low. Remember that adding fletching to an arrow stiffens it and increases the size of the back end of the arrow by the height of the fetching. Because of this, it is best if the bare shaft is a bit weak and a bit nock high to allow for the stiffness and clearance once the shaft is fletched. Experiment a little and you will find the exact amount of bare shaft weakness and nock high that your rig needs for the best fletched arrow flight.

[Orion]

In addition to what Smokin says, you could be running brace heights that are too low.  That will also cause the arrow to contact the shelf.

[The Whittler]

If you are shooting right wing try shooting cock feather in.

[Westkyhunter]

When I bare shaft I try and get a slightly weak bare shaft. I got that info from here.lol I shoot three under and shoot 5/8" nock height. I've adjusted up to 3/4" and down to level and the contact and flight is way worse when I go higher or lower. I also shoot torwards the higher end of brace height too but I've adjusted lower and higher when tuning. I have a big head and fat face and noticed when I shot a lot at my normal anchor point high on my cheek when I got tired I'd get sloppy on settling in too.lol That was with 28 3/4" draw. Now I anchor lower touching the corner of my mouth every time. Seems my release is better and consistency is as well. I just thought it was odd for this to happen on each bow. I've never noticed anyone else's bows showing this. Heck maybe I am still over spined. The setup I've been shooting the most is a bear Montana 50# @28" drawn 28 3/4" with gt trads cut to 29 3/4" with 200gr point weight. Thanks for the suggestions. I'll keep tinkering although she's down for maintenance. I put some snake skins on her tonight. Hope they turn out!

[Westkyhunter]

Oops forgot to add they're 35/55 spine.

[Westkyhunter]

I just read the post on nocking points. It never occurred to me my mocks could be slipping!! I shoot one nock point on my bows and nock under it. If they're sliding down upon release I could see it causing issues. I just never thought about it before. Some of my nocks snap on but do have a slightly larger throat. That's where I'll start next. That's what I love about this forum: ) thanks everyone.

[NBK]

I have the same issue on most of my longbows even when I know I'm shooting a proper spine and/or even a weak shaft.  
It doesn't happen on every shot and, for me, it's a release issue.  If I torque the string, the bow, or have a slight collapse/pluck I get more outer edge shelf wear.  Like you, it happens the most if I've been shooting a lot and am fatigued.