3555s after bare shafting

[wisconsinteacher]

I am starting a new post because the last one went to the way side.  I shot my 3555s bare shafted today and here is what I came up with after 10-15 shots at each weight and from 10-20 yards from my BH target.

Out of my recurve with

100 gr inserts and 175 gr heads = a little stiff
100 gr inserts and 200 gr heads = weak

Out of my long bow

Normal inserts and 125 heads = stiff
Normal inserts and 145 head = some stiff and some weak shots.  For the most part it was very close to straight
Normal inserts and 175 gr heads = weak

I think I will keep the arrows for my long bow and get some new ones for my recurve that are lighter spined.  What do you think?  Also, should I stay with the 145 head for the long bow?

[LKH]

Wisc, can you tell us again what your bow specs  are and what length shafts you have.  Also your draw length

[Kenneth]

are you going by where the bareshafts grouped compared to fletched arrows or by which way your nock is pointing in the target?  Going by the angle of the shaft has not been accurate for me but where the bareshafts group compared to the fletched arrows works every time.

[jacobsladder]

Kenneth has it right...good info under bow tuning

  http://bowmaker.net/index2.htm

[wisconsinteacher]

I am going by how they are sticking out of the target.  My draw is 26.75", my recurve is 45# at 28" and my longbow is 50# at 28".

[John3]

Sticking in the target can give erroneous results.

Try or have someone stand behind you to watch the bare shafts fly.. I always hold my bow vertical when testing..

Adding weight to a stiff shaft is fast and easy.. For super fine tuning remember that fletches will stiffen a shaft a bit...

John III

[CHAD]

I used to do a lot of bare shaft tests on my longbows and recurves and was never happy with the results.The type of target can make or break the testing.I also never seen much of a differance in 25 grains at the tip.I also like the planing method that Kenneth talked about.

IMO most recurve and longbow shooters can't bare shaft tune by how an arrow or shaft sticks in the target.  There's just too many variables.  However IMO (again) most of us CAN group shoot arrows and shafts to determine a pattern.

I usually start at 10 yards shooting 3 arrows and two shafts.  Once you get the your nocking point the rest will come along quickly.

[LKH]

Use a homogenous styrofoam block for a target.  This way, the targe does not affect the arrow when it hits.

[Pinecone]

The focal point of the bareshaft method is not the nock end, but the point end...where the arrows strike the face of the target relative to your point of aim.  Jim is correct, what you are trying to achieve is a pattern to inform the rest of your decisions about adding weight, reducing length, etc.
Hold the bow verticle and just remember that when you fletch the bare shaft it will stiffen the arrow.  Thus, initial tuning should aim for a slightly weak shaft (3-4") When fletchings are applied, the arrow will no longer fly weak.

Claudia

[Brent Hill]

Ane if you are confused yet or just want to confirm your results, properly tuned broadheads with the same weight up front configuration don't lie.  Bareshaft to a point that you think you have it figured out and then take that set up in about 2 arrows and fletch those and put on your heads.  Make sure that your broadhead / insert / weight combo weighs the same as the insert / weight you successfully bareshafted with.  I like to use a broadhead that I have always gotten to fly well with like a magnus stinger or bear razorheads.  If both broadhead arrows hits exactly where the bareshaft hit (and where I'm aiming) I'm done, If not retry the bareshafting with a different weight combo. I use this method to confirm what I think bareshafting is telling me.  But I agree with everyone on the fletching will stiffen up the shaft so a little weak is good.  But the unfletched arrow should hit where you want and go in somewhat straight.  Good luck and keep at it.  It takes some time and can be frustrating.  If you are getting tired or just mad, put it down and come back later to shoot.  That can also affect your results.