Ramin or Poplar?

[thp]

I'm going to start making my own small game, stumping and nutter arrows.  I need arrows spined in the 50 lb range.  I've noticed that the Atlas Dowel & Wood Products Company offers Poplar dowels 3/8's in bundles of 100 for a very reasonable rate.  They also sell Ramin at 5/16.  I would need to sand the 3/8's down to 11/32.  

Couple of questions:
-anyone have an opinion on the quality of Atlas?  dowels straight?  etc.
-are the 3/8's going to be way over spined even after they have been sanded down?
-are the Ramins relatively straight?  will they be underspined at 5/16?

Thanks for your thoughts and opinions.

[Ray Hammond]

ramin, for small game and stumping. Poplar won't hold up.

[SCATTERSHOT]

Unfortunately, ramin isn't being imported into the US because of a restriction on endangered species, or something. Likely the ramin you see is the last of it. Also, I think Atlas has a $75.00 minimum charge, which may influence your thinking. American Woodcrafters offers birch at $24.00/100, and you can order as few as 25. At that price, you can afford to lose/break a bunch.

That said, the 3/8" ramin I have seen spines roughly 80-100#. If you buy these, you can compensate by leaving them long anbd using a heavy point.

Luck!

[The Ursus]

I ordered 3/8 ramin from Atlas a few years ago.  Except for the shafts that had funny knots and grain swirls they were all good servicable shafts.  I ordered 100 for about $35 after shipping at the time.  I think the price may have gone up since.

[thp]

what do the 5/16 Ramins spine out to?

[SCATTERSHOT]

On average, about 45#. I have gotten some that were under 30#, and some that were 55#, but the average is around 45.

[Dave Lay]

ramins: check out twig archery, he has ramins (pass through hardwoods) and his 5/16 go from 35-60lb

[thp]

Thanks for the info...  Found a phone number for Twig Archery. Might have to give them a call.