How do you select / tune wood arrows?

[Benny Nganabbarru]

How do you settle on the right wooden arrow for you and your bow, in terms of making sure it flies beautifully?

I enjoy bare-shaft tuning carbons, but the first time I tried that with a wooden arrow, it wasn't too good, hitting the target sideways (from my Howard Hill longbow). However, with feathers, that same arrow paper-tunes pretty well.

Thanks for taking the time! Have fun shooting and hunting!

[BAK]

I have a full set of various spined wood arrows.  I find the one that works the best from a given bow then go from there.

[Big Riser]

I bare shaft my arrows at 10 paces if the nock hits to the right of the point Im over spined.
If the nock hits to the left Im under spined.
This for a right handed shooter. WHEN YOUR POINT AND NOCK LINE UP YOU ARE READY TO SET YOUR NOCK SET ON YOUR STRING .I ONLY CUT OFF 1\\4 OF AN INCH AT A TIME TO MAKE MY SPINE HEAVIER.THIS IS THE FUN PART OF ARCHERY.HAVE FUN AND KEEP SHOOTEN .

[Al Kidner]

G'day mate,

 What i've done is bare shaft 3 alloy shafts, cut to length and with the right point weight up front. Once found the right shaft ie; 2117, 2216 ect, I than order shafts with that in mind (telling the people you order off this when ordering) and I find this works well for me.

Try this link too mate,

 http://www.arrowsbykelly.com/Spine_Charts.html

some good info on here as well. Rather easy to cross reference from ally to timber.

If unclear, give me a call over the weekend at home on 07 49 511 325.

Hope this helps,

 A.K

[Benny Nganabbarru]

Thanks for the responses, fellows. You've each got good ideas on how you make it work for you.

Al, I might just take you up on that offer of a chat!

[Danny Rowan]

Ben,

none of the above. I use math, all of my bows are 60 to 63# and I shoot the same spine arrow out of all of them. I have been doing this for a bunch of years and my system which was taught to me by an old mentor, has never failed me and will work for anyone with any bow. Simple math will put you on the correct arrow for your bow.

Danny

[Benny Nganabbarru]

Danny, I'm always keen to learn some maths - helps me keep ahead of my students! Would you be able to post or pm the formula? Cheers, Ben

[SCATTERSHOT]

Start with eye of newt and wing of bat, on a dark moonless night.....

Seriously, the Arrows By Kelly spine chart is pretty close. With a longbow, which is not generally cut to center, you will probably find that you need a shaft spined lighter than the bow weight. If you shoot several bows, try and develop a set of shafts in different spines that you can try.

FWIW, I have read that most arrow flight problems are caused by too stiff spine.

Good luck!

[SCATTERSHOT]

Forgot to mention that O.L. Adcock's site has a great tutorial selecting arrows and bow tuning.. Here's a link:  http://bowmaker.net/tuning.htmon  .

[Bjorn]

I agree with the math method, Danny. I do the math first, and then I bareshaft.

[Lone archer]

Ben,

After talking to Paul from Elite arrows. I developed a system like Al's. I have aluminuim arrows ranging from 2016 to 2317 cut to my lenght of 29". Then I just pick the point weight I want to shoot. Bareshaft test them, pick the best one, put it on my spine tester read the deflection and that's your wood arrow spine!

The math method works too if you know what to add and subtract for lenght, weight, string material, center cut etc;. But when you shoot different bows it's just easier and faster to have that preset bareshaft selection. And in the long run it will save you money And time.

Rob

[Covey]

Danny,
        I would be interisted in how you do the math,good info is always welcome.Covey

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I had someone make my first set of arrows, I then used that as my guide. I matched the spin of my arrows & length with point weight and checked kelly's chart when I ordered my first set of shafts. I bareshaft per O.L. Adcock's way, then I finish off paper tuning... My arrows come out of paradox about 6 yards or so. Been doing it this way for 2 years now & it works great for me.

[The Whittler]

Danny, I wouldn't mind seeing that math method you use also.

Alan

[Danny Rowan]

Ok, this is how I do it and it works for wood arrows. Never tried with aluminum or carbon.

For the sake of this demo we will use a 60# recurve bow, cut to center using modern string material. We will use an arrow 29" BOP and 145 gr points.

First add 5# of spine so 60+5=65#,add 5# for center shot=70#,add 5# for every inch over a 28" arrow so=75#,now add 5# for modern string material=80# so with this set up a 29" arrow with 145 gr up front and a 80# spine should fly perfect. I would say that a set of 75/80 spine arrows would do the job.

Course ya still have to get your brace and nock point set for you but after that math does the trick.

If you have a longbow that is not center shot then of course you would not add anything for centershot also if you use B50 strings then you would not add anything for modern string material.

If you want to use a heavier point then you would need to add 5# for anything over 145gr.

If your arrows are longer than 29 then again, 5# for every inch over 28 and conversly if your arrows are shorter then subtract 5# for every inch below 28".

Lots of ways to tune an arrow to a bow, this is just the way I do it and it works everytime for me.

Danny

[Shawn Leonard]

I do it simalar to Danny. I add 15#s to your actual draw weight for a high performnace recurve cut to or past center(10#s for HP longbow)than I add %3s more spine for every inch past 28"s the arrow is BOP this is based on 125 grain head. Add another 5#s of spine for every 40 grains or so over 125 grain head. So if ya have a HP recurve that is 50#s at 28"s and ya draw 28"s and want to shopot a 29" arrow with 125 grain head, add 15#s plus 5#s for the 29" arrow that would giive ya 70#s and becuase I like a shaft that bareshfats a tad weak, go with 65-70# spine. Shawn

[snag]

Thanks for formula Danny and Shawn. I have been able to shoot 80-85# shafts at 29.5" out of my 55#@28" with 150gr. tips. So I guess I was stretching it a bit. The Morrison, with the extra set of 45#@28" limbs, I figure will take 65-70# w/ 145gr. tips....?

[Danny Rowan]

Dave, using the formula, you are spot on with 80/85 shafts out of your bow, 55+5=60+5 for center cut=65+5 for ff string=70+5 for over 145gr points=75+5 for over 28" arrow=80#.

Danny

[Got2strum]

Thanks for the formula. I've been thinking of trying wooden arrows. With my setup, I'm coming up with a 93# spine weight ! I'm shooting a 64" JD Berry longbow that pulls 68# @ my 30" draw. I think the string is 450+ and the bow is not cut to center. I use 30 3/4" arrows with 145gr. points. Does that sound right on the spine. Where is a good place to get wooden arrows with that high of spine strength ? The most I've found seem to max out at 80-85 spine.

[Danny Rowan]

Yep, 90# will be about right, not being center shot you might be able to get by with 85#. You should be able to find the higher spine in lam birch. i have some ipe arrows in that spine. Do not use them cause too much for what I shoot now. They are custom made and I would sell them if you want to try them. They are only 30 1/2" bop though and very heavy.

Danny