Help me with arrow set up, Please.

[TaterHill Archer]

I just got back into shooting trad after some time off.  I’m shooting bows in the 45# to 50# range at 28”.  I have 2 FMJ 400 shafts and I have 1/2 dozen GT Kinetic hunters 400 spine.  I don’t have any stock inserts left for the FMJs.  I only have the heavier brass ones and don’t have any installed yet.  I have the stock aluminum insert for the GTs.  The GT shaft shot slightly weak when left at full length and shot with a 150 grain field point.

I don’t really care how long the arrows are, but would prefer at least 29.5” of shaft.  I’m trying to shoot a fixed crawl.  I want to shoot 4 fletch.  Any thoughts on whether or not the heavier insert is needed for the 400 spine arrows or am I ok with the stock aluminum ones?  Length ideas on these shafts?

I do have a test kit of Beman shafts coming from 3 Rivers in 500, 400, and 340.  Thanks.

[Orion]

Given your preferred arrow length, I'm assuming you have a DL of 28 inches or less.  That being the case, the 400s are likely too stiff for your set up.  Certainly for the 45# range.  Even for 50# bows, you would likely need at 250- 300 grains up front. 500s would work better, and even then you may need a fairly heavy front end. 

[trad_bowhunter1965]

Back when I shot Axis 500 carbons they were cut to 29" I ran a 75gr brass insert with a 145 point I shot that arrow out of both Longbows and Recurved in draw weight 46 to 51 pounds they shot prefect. I had to play with the brace height. 

[TaterHill Archer]

Given your preferred arrow length, I'm assuming you have a DL of 28 inches or less.  That being the case, the 400s are likely too stiff for your set up.  Certainly for the 45# range.  Even for 50# bows, you would likely need at 250- 300 grains up front. 500s would work better, and even then you may need a fairly heavy front end.

Yes.  My draw is 28” maybe 28.5”

[TaterHill Archer]

Back when I shot Axis 500 carbons they were cut to 29" I ran a 75gr brass insert with a 145 point I shot that arrow out of both Longbows and Recurved in draw weight 46 to 51 pounds they shot prefect. I had to play with the brace height.

Thanks.  I may have to get some heavier inserts.  I got my bareshafting kit today and it has a 600 shaft in it as well.  I will test the 400, 500, and 600 shafts.  I was hoping to shoot the 135 grain Simmons heads, but I may end up shooting the 165 or 175 grain heads.  I will have to test with all those weights and see.  I could go as heavy as 190.  I have 190 grain heads as well. 

[Wheels2]

It is tough to know until you shoot them.
I like that LAS will sell you singles of different arrows to try.  Beats having a dozen of arrows that don't work.

[TaterHill Archer]

I think I just about have it.  The Beman Centershot 400 with 175 gr point is working well bareshafted.  The FMJ 400 with a 75 gr insert and 175 grain point seems to be flying well too.  the FMJ is shorter and they have always seemed stiffer anyway.  I will keep shooting and post the final results when I get them.

[TaterHill Archer]

OK so this is what I have so far.  Both of these arrows are flying good as a bareshaft.  I will fletch them up and see. I have an extra FMJ that I will set up to shoot bare with the fletched FMJ.

Bow: VPA ILF riser with recurve limbs.  Limbs are 40# at 28 " but calibrated for 17" riser.  I checked and I'm shooting right at 45# at 28" which is my draw length.  Shooting off the shelf with a plunger.  I'm shooting a fixed crawl for approximately 20 yard point on.

Easton Axis FMJ 400 with 75 gr insert and 175 grain FP at 30 1/4"

Beman Centershot 400 with standard insert and 175b brain point at 31 1/4".  I think I can still shorten this one a little to get better flight.  I may have to order one of them to see if I can compare it to fletched shafts.

I set up a Beman 500 spine and I cannot get it to fly right so far.  I still have some length to play with on it, but its not looking good.  The other two shafts fly good and hit where I'm aiming.  at 20 yards, The 500 spine one dives and hits the dirt directly in front of the target.