Setting up a '66 Kodiak

[Sean B]

I would like some advise on setting up my 1966 Bear Kodiak.  Its 60" and 45# @ 28".  I fletched up some cedar shafts that I picked up from 3 Rivers.  I bought them spined for 45 to 50, and have them tipped with vintage Bear Razorheads with out the bleeder blade.  The arrows are flying ok, but not perfect. I can group them fine, they just seem to have a slight fishtail. Should I go with a stiffer spine? I have the brace ht set at 8.5".  

thanks

[cacciatore]

Sean,first of all: what's your draw lenght and how long your arrows are?

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Sean, I shoot 50-55's out of my 69 43# Kodiak and they seem to fly Great. That is with 125 field points though.  I think Ron W. also uses a similar set up perhaps he will chime in.


Good Luck

[Sean B]

My draw is 28.5" and my arrows are 29"

[reddogge]

I would use this formula to get 55#-60# spine.

Draw wt. + 5#
Center Cut +5#
inch over or under 28" + or minus 5#
125 gr-145gr 0#
FF +5#

[Pointer]

try adjusting the brace height a bit..up a little, then down a little..see if that helps.

[Sean B]

I was playing around with this set up alittle and not realizing what I had typed in my original post, I was shooting the above arrows with 125 grn field points. I hadn't shot the rozorheads.  Well, I shot the razorhead arrows this morning, and I great arrow fight.  does that make sense to anyone?  aren't the razor heads - the bleeders weigh about 115 grns?

Reddogge, do you think I should be shooting an arrow spined for about 15# stiffer than what the weight of the bow is?

[Swamp Yankee]

You'll probably have to go up to either 50-55 or 55-60 because your arrows are over 28".  You might save money in the long run by investing in that 8 arrow test kit from 3-Rivers to find the best spine for your rig and shooting style.  The calculators and charts are a good place to start, but there's no substitute for just trying a bunch of different arrows to find the best one for you.  I have a 52# recurve that shoots 30" 45-50's better than any other spine.  No chart or calculator would have ever suggested them.

[Stumpkiller]

I've got a 45#@28" Kodiak that I draw to 30" (30-1/2" BOP) and I use 55-60# shafts.  My brace height is 7-1/2".  Some fishtailing is OK as long as it straightens out in 5 yards or so.  If they are hitting where you want that is more important.

Don't go just by your visual.  Fire a few and look at how the nocks are pointing back at you from the target.

[Pointer]

Actually Sean the old razorheads can vary by 20 grains or more depending on how many times and by whom they've been sharpened. I have some that weigh 140gr without a bleeder and some that weigh 110-112 gr with a bleeder. 10-15 grains doesn't seem to affect much for me with any of my old Kodiaks..did you try adjusting the brace a little bit? maybe 8.5" isn't best for you

[Sean B]

I dropped the brace hgt down to 7 3/4.  The razor heads are "new" in the pack. I'm pretty comfortable with the way that its shooting now. thanks every one.

[ron w]

My set up for my 67' Kodiak Hunter 43# @ 28" I draw 29"......50-55 cedars full length 31" 125 gr up front. I can shoot 60-65 31" long 125 gr up front, but get better arrow flight with the 50-55. B-50 string about 7 3/4 brace.   It shoots real good!!