help picking which wood spine/stu's calculator

[Smallwood]

bow-
black widow plv longbow (cut to center)(+1/16" with strike plate)
54#@26"(my draw)
18 strand fast flight plus string.
The bow specs on the DSC showed = 57.4#

My wife bought me everything I need to start making wood arrows, but I want some help finding the right spine shafts to purchase.

I want to use 125grn points on the wood shafts and want to cut them 27"bop w/5" feathers.
Using the dynamic spine calc.                  I came up with an AMO arrow static spine of 48# (which is a 57.5# dynamic spine on the dsc)for my setup.
 
Does this sound right, Opinions on getting the correct arrow for my setup would be greatly appreciated.I can tune carbon/aluminum arrows, but I know nothing about picking wood arrows.
   
thanks,
sammy

[frassettor]

Boy you better get a stiff spine!. Those Widows love stiff spined arrows! When I shot woods I shot tapered Hickories (80-85#) cut to 29" with a 160 tip. They flew great, but to be honest with you I could have went a little heavier in spine mabey another 5 pounds or so.
Those are out of my 2 Widow PL's..(see below).

Hope this helps  

[Bowferd]

Sammy, I've been using wood and bamboo the past couple years and my personal experience has me going heavier spine than what is called for.
I would try at minimum 60-65# spine in wood.
Maybe Don Stokes will see the post and jump in to help you out.
He has a wealth of knowledge to share.

[vtmtnman]

I say 60-65.

[Bowferd]

Sam, I just punched in the numbers and came up with 64.4 on Stu's calculator.
I also belive that the BW likes a stiff spine.
I would go no less than 65-70#

[Benny Nganabbarru]

Your draw weight plus five straight-off: 54+5=59.

59 plus five for a low-stretch string: 59+5=64.

64 plus five for being cut to centre: 64+5=69.

69 minus five for each inch of arrow under 28": 69-5=64.

This is for use with 125 to 145 grain tips. Every 25 grains over 145, you add five pounds.

Danny Rowan told me this, and it has worked very well indeed.

So, you could pick either 60/65# or 65/70#. I'd be leaning toward picking the stiffer option.

[frassettor]

Originally posted by Ben Kleinig:
Your draw weight plus five straight-off: 54+5=59.

59 plus five for a low-stretch string: 59+5=64.

64 plus five for being cut to centre: 64+5=69.

69 minus five for each inch of arrow under 28": 69-5=64.

This is for use with 125 to 145 grain tips. Every 25 grains over 145, you add five pounds.

Danny Rowan told me this, and it has worked very well indeed.

So, you could pick either 60/65# or 65/70#. I'd be leaning toward picking the stiffer option.

Your absolutly right Ben! Black Widow says the same thing

[sagebrush]

Whatever spine you choose, just remember that it is just the starting point. If you hit it right the first time feel lucky. Every shooter is a little different and requires a little different arrow.That's why they have those spine test kits. So you can make sure what works with you and your bow. If I shot that bow I would use 55-60. But my specs are a little different than yours. Gary

[Don Stokes]

Sammy, most of the Widows I've tested like lots of spine. My spine chart based on bare-shaft testing calls for 70-75#. If you have a bow quiver or heavy string silencers on the bow, you might need to go down 5#.

If they're too stiff you can add point weight, but it's harder to compensate for arrows that are too weak.

[Bill Carlsen]

Listen to Don Stokes....you need a much stiffer arrow than your first calculation.

[Smallwood]

ttt

[Ground Hunter]

What Ben said - the stiffer end of it the better.  My 57# PLX will shoot 85-90 tapered poc with a 190 point.  H

[Van/TX]

Agree with Sagebrush. The other suggestions seem very stiff to me...Van

[Outwest]

Ben

With that formula what does one do for each inch of arrow over 28". Add 5# ?

John

[hkmp5]

Hello Sammy,
Most Widows are cut at 3/16" past center and that is why they have the reputation of liking a high spine arrow.  
If your strike is truly at 1/16 shy of center then 48# is right at a 27" BOP with 125 grain point.

-Stu

[Bowferd]

Stu,
I respect your opinion. But being you can't purchase woodies 48#, would you recommend in Sammys situation to go with 45-50's?
Fred

[Don Stokes]

Sammy, I just read your specs again- I was quoting what I would try for a recurve, not a longbow. I believe 65-70 would be better, cut 1/16 off center. I still think 48# is way too low.

[Smallwood]

Stu, Black widow cuts their pl longbows -  cut to center.
I think their recurves are indeed cut past center and that's why the recurves need such a high spine.

Fred, yes , the 48# (45-50#)recommended spine the calculator shows would mean I would need arrows in that spine range or more than likely in the(50-55#)spine range according to Stu's calculator.

I got some 65-70 and some 50-55 spine shafts, but haven't had a chance to shoot them yet to see which fly best or are closest to what the bow needs. Thanks for all your help guys.

[Don Stokes]

Please let us know what worked.

[Bowferd]

Sammy, just wondered what you were finding trying to tune those arrows.
Fred