Why cut arrows?

[Lstok88]

The way I've been building my arrows, since I have very little access to power tools at the moment is to just build my arrows and tune them around a full length arrow shaft at 32''. Is there anything wrong with doing it this way for a hunting arrow setup?

[Pine]

Nothing wrong with that.
Infact, it will add to your overall mass weight.

[Wudstix]

I generally tune to the head I want to shoot.

[Pat B]

As long as you realize that commercial shafts are spined for a 28" finished arrow with a 125gr point and you make adjustments accordingly. My draw length is 26" but I cut my arrows to 30". As long as the arrows shoot well the length is a personal preference.

[bigbadjon]

There is nothing wrong with it as long as you are ok with letting the arrow dictate the components used. Most guys are particular about the components though and would rather trim the shaft to tune.

[Alexander Traditional]

I've got the stuff to cut arrows down to the length I want,but I find full length shafts much easier to tune.

[Gordon Jabben]

Well, I use a back quiver so it would be a problem but otherwise no. 

[GCook]

I run arrows pretty long but like 150 and 175 grain heads.  I build my arrows, spine and length, based on that.
Although I recently got some 200 grain heads to try.

[Lstok88]

I'm running 200 grain heads and it works pretty good. Thanks all for the replies, I was pretty sure it didn't matter, it just seemed like it was looked down on for keeping arrows longer.

[Tom0728]

The longer an arrow is the less weight it takes to tune it. Which means a lighter spine. That translates to more wobbly arrows on impact and that kills penetration.  I learned this the hard way hunting with 32" arrows. I now just cut with a cheap dremel tool and square them up.

[Orion]

If you use a bow quiver, chances are full length arrows will stick in the dirt filling the nocks with mud every time you lean your bow against a tree.  Longer arrows accentuate movement in the bow or back quiver increasing your likelihood of being detected by game.  Likewise, it takes more movement to remove a long arrow from a bow or back quiver and place it on the string. In a final stalk, with the arrow on the string, the extra length is more likely to get hung up on brush and/or necessitate more movement to avoid it.

For all these reasons, I don't make my arrows any longer than they need to be -- one inch longer than my draw length to BOP. 

[Terry Green]

Sorry GUYS!!!!

I forgot to add my big laughy face emoji and my silly follow up comment about people making fun of you.... got distracted as usual.   .. so I just removed it. 

[Kelly]

If full length arrows are easier to tune you are way off in the spine required for your bow weight, draw length, arrow length combination. Have been a half inch longer guy for over 50 years.

[Pat B]

Kelly, all that, bow weight, draw length, head weight and arrow length is figured out before hand. It's all part of arrow making as you probably already know. I learned arrow making with raw cane and raw hardwood shoots so every aspect of the arrow has to be worked out or you'd never get them to shoot well. IMO, the arrow is the most important, critically tuned aspect in the bow/arrow combo.

[Friend]

I use full length arrows for 3D and build a far superior arrow for hunting penetration on deer sized quarry.


Current arrow well-tuned setups using the same bow and identical name brand shaft and spines:

3D- BE 400…32 ½”…12 gn insert…145 gn point…17.5% FOC…407 gn total wt

Hunting – BE 400…29 15/16…100 gn insert…200 gn BH…27% EFOC…533 gn total


Note: I hunt exclusively from the ground and full length arrows would be out of the question for many of the confined haunts.

[Terry Green]

On a serious note .... several reasons to cut em...

Mostly tuning, dimensional stability at impact, and maneuverability and handling.  All my arrows are 29"s bop.  From bunnies to bison.

And yes, Scott builds a mean arrow.... and is a great shot too. 

[Mike Malvaini]

I'll add a little.  Full length arrows are no more lethal than say 29.5 inch arrows.  The length of the arrow is one of the least determining factors in penetration. I also like all my arrows to be uniform in length, and with the broadhead of my choice. A full length arrow weighing 400 grains running 185 is not as lethal as 550 grain arrow running 185.  The arrow has no idea what length it is so it has no bearing on much of anything except personal preference.

Shoot what you want and have fun. 

[Lstok88]

Tom0728 " The longer an arrow is the less weight it takes to tune it. Which means a lighter spine. That translates to more wobbly arrows on impact and that kills penetration.  I learned this the hard way hunting with 32" arrows. I now just cut with a cheap dremel tool and square them up."


This makes a lot of sense!! I think I need to play around with arrow tuning again and see if I can fine tune my setup a little better. Do you just square the end up with some sand paper or are you more precise than that?

[mike g]

    I have a 29" draw.
So I cut to 29" BOP.
    So I draw to the BOP, Kinda like a draw check.
I don't like excess arrow sticking out....
   All of my arrows regardless of material, Are Give or take 500 grains with 125 grain Tip's.

[BAK]

to move your point on farther away.