4" or 5" feathers

[woodsman 365]

Which fletching would work better at 10 to 15 yds for a hunting setup. I have 2018s with 3x4" 5/8" high feathers and 3x5" 9/16 high feathers. Right helical. Arrows are 29" with 150gr 4 blade stingers.

[Bowwild]

My son's arrows are 29 inches long out of a 52# recurve. His draw length is 28 inches.  He gets terrific broadhead flight with 4" feathers. I do so also but my arrows are 28 inches and I shoot only 26 inches from 45-48# bows. Both of us use Beeman MFX 600 carbons. I use 75 grains of extra weight (inserts) he uses only 25 grains of extra. I used 5 to 5.5 inch feathers for a long time. Turns out I didn't need them that long. Having said that, longer feathers don't hurt much and might correct a poorly released arrow a bit quicker?

[jcar315]

I am a big fan of the 5.5" feathers. For a hunting set up for 10 to 15 yard shots "speed" should not even be a consideration.

The 5.5" size is much easier for me to see at any distance. I am not that discerning enough of a shooter to notice any real difference but being an instinctive shooter I like maximizing what I can see.

What works for one doesn't mean it works for everyone though. That is what makes Trad hunting great!

[woodsman 365]

Thanks, I'm going to try both with a broadhead but will use the 5" if it flyes good.

[justin ammons]

I can hear a difference.  The 4" is noticeably quieter IMO and that is way more important to me than speed.  I go with three 4' feathers myself.

[Night Wing]

Fletch two arrows with both setups and see which one you prefer. I like three, 5" myself.

[WestTnMan]

I shoot 4-4" and have for a while. Very satisfied with how they fly.

[Ragnarok Forge]

4 - 4 inch gives roughly the same surface area as 3 - 5 inch.  They also have less cross wind drag to impact arrow flight due to the fletch orientation and shorter lengths overall.  Both will work great for you.

[LKH]

I'm with RagnaroK.  I hunt open country with windy conditions the norm.  I prefer the smaller feather since they are less affected by crosswinds.

[3arrows]

If you cut or burn em,you will get a lot more 4s than 5s.5 inch is for the ones who don't bare shaft.

[Curveman]

I have both in my quiver right now thanks to a friend who refletched for me in 4" when I already had 5. I truthfully don't think it matters at hunting distances. Were I to go for a world flight record I might research such matters but in hunting situations, no. Over thinking it.

[wingnut]

I've gone from 5" trad cuts to 4" naners this year on my EFOC carbons.  They are a bunch quieter and shoot like a dart.

Mike

[shedhunter]

another vote for 4-4"

[reddogge]

You say tomato and I say tomahto.  That's about the size of it.

[BOWMARKS]

4" works great for me 3-4" or 4-4" if you want to save a few dollars and start chopping your own you will get 2-4" out of a full length feather as only 1-5" out of a full length!!  

Big $$$ savings   MARK

[beachbowhunter]

I find 4" works great with Stingers.  They don't need a lot of steering on a properly spined shaft.

[woodsman 365]

I tried 4" and 5" and can't say I see a difference at 15 - 20yds. Thanks again for your input. >>>> RAY

[Earthdog]

I've tried everything at lest once or twice.
Today I'm shooting 3x4" helical,and 3x2" Rayzars fletched straight.
Get exellent performance and very happy with both.

[CEO]

Unless your arrows have directional thrusters, there are only two ways to increase stability. According to NASA, "You can increase the stability by lowering the center of pressure, increasing the fin area, for example, or by raising the center of gravity, adding weight to the nose." I vote for smaller fletching and heaver point. Less overall drag and faster arrow.

[BRONZ]

ttt.  Any other input?  I'm considering switching from 5 to 4" for 28" arrows so I can chop more out of a full length goose feather.  First try at chopping.