Right or left?

[Captain*Kirk]

I'm a right-handed shooter. The old saw about helical is that right-hand shooters should shoot left helical fletched arrows, and vice-versa so that the fletching will spin the shaft correctly in relation to riser. 3Rivers claims that it doesn't matter because the shaft doesn't begin to spin until the foot of the arrow has cleared the riser entirely and is actually forward of the riser, so shoot whichever floats your boat(with exceptions made to arrows with single-bevel broadheads, of course!)All the arrows I've purchased to date came left-helical fletched, however, based on 3Rivers' assumption, I also bought a Bitzenburger set up for right helical because it was available, and priced right.
What say you, men? Does it matter or not?

[damascusdave]

I shoot both right handed and left handed with left helical and right helical arrows and I pay no attention to what fletching I am shooting from which side...I also shoot plastic vanes off the shelf...set your nock point a bit on the high side and shoot arrows that are a tad weak and the fletching never gets anywhere near the bow

DDave

[babs]

Doesnt matter but what ever fletch you choose make shure broadheads are the same helical unless you shoot strait broadheads.

[AZ_Longbow]

Yep it dosent matter unless you are using a single bevel broadhead. Even They shoot the same, just doesn't penetrate as well when it wastes energy reversing the arrow on impacts.

Does not matter!

And welcome to the Gang!

Bisch

[pdk25]

Doesn't matter, but if I didn't have so many arrows already, switch to RW.  That way field points wouldn't loosen on impact with targets.

[Wheels2]

If your field points come loose unscrew them and wrap dental floss around the threads for three wraps.
Screw them back into the arrow and cut off the tags.

[Carpdaddy]

I shoot both and don't shoot well enough to tell a difference if there is one.

[Terry Green]

I shoot right handed...and have shot right fletch since I can remember.

[pdk25]

Originally posted by Wheels2:
If your field points come loose unscrew them and wrap dental floss around the threads for three wraps.
Screw them back into the arrow and cut off the tags.

Oh, I have done that, but just don't feel like the hassle.  I just try to check them after each shot.  Would have just made more sense to start  with RW to start  with.

[Zradix]

Depends if you're hunting in the North or South hemisphere.
Has to do with which way the arrow actually spins easier.
...kinda like the whole toilet/drain water thing known as the Coriolis effect.


****  THIS IS A JOKE ****

[Terry Green]

Originally posted by Zradix:
Depends if you're hunting in the North or South hemisphere.
Has to do with which way the arrow actually spins easier.
...kinda like the whole toilet/drain water thing known as the Coriolis effect.

I hope this is a joke....pitchers throwing curve balls in OZ will not agree.

that effect might work in an undisturbed  bathtub or sink....but you can force the opposite in a toilet by aiming the water jets.

helical direction forces the direction of spin...

when you force a direction it matters not where the equator is

[Zradix]

Oh come on Terry...lol        
Yessir it was just a joke.
I thought it was pretty well cleared up above..just havin fun.
In hindsight..I guess someone could think I was serious.
I'll edit it above.

..sorry

[Terry Green]

John.....just making sure.....you know how some folks are....

"If its on the Internet it must be true"

   :rolleyes:    :rolleyes:    :rolleyes:

[Zradix]

I hear ya.
   

[Shadowhnter]

  too funny guys!

Im another right hander, shooting right helical. I wouldn't hesitate to shoot either, but right is what ive always shot, being passed down from my fathers habits. It flat cant make any difference. Ive heard that left unscrews tips on target impact, but ive seen a ton of right helical tips start loose. Maybe left is worse, i dont know, but right helical certainly doesnt eliminate it. Shooting woods i really dont care anymore...lol!

[Terry Green]

Shadow you are 100% correct that's why I shoot right wing when it hits the animal the direction of spin should tighten the already tight Broadhead and not unscrew it like left-wing this is not a slam on left wing if I was to shoot left wing I would epoxy them all so that they did not unscrew at all because the weakest part of an arrow is the post of an adapter regardless of material

[Keith Zimmerman]

Hmmm, maybe someone should explain to all the deer Ive killed with single bevel BHs and opposite helical fletching that it doesn't work.

[Terry Green]

ok Keith....deer are nothing but a paper grocery bag full of shaving cream with a few tinker toys thrown in.....and one ball joint....just shoot straight and stay away from the ball joint.  

basicaly...of all the big game we hunt...deer are the easiest to pass through.....as long as your arrow is flying true.....they are not by any means armor plated.....paper Tigers instead....

again if you arrows are flying true.

Thousands and thousands of deer have been passed through with a 45-pound Bear bow and four blade bear razor heads

Sorry if my comment about the weakest link of an arrow offended anyone I hunt other things besides dear so I Look to eliminate the weakest link

[Keith Zimmerman]

My comment wasn't directed at you Terry.  I was commenting on the statement above to make sure the helical matches the bevel.  I have several friends who have killed several elk using opposite helical.  The most important component is a sharp broadhead in the right spot.