Fletch length

[Converml]

I've bought the Bitz and now looking at a chopper. I've decided to go with shield cut but my question has to do with length 4,5,5.5 inch what does feather length play in arrow flight? Pros and cons of 4 to 5.5 inch please. Thanks Merle

[cyred4d]

The role feather length plays depends on what type of point you are shooting. Field points will stabilize easily with 4 inch feathers. I like to use 5 inch feathers with broadheads just for the extra steerage additional feather gives you.

[Soilarch]

Longer feathers "steer" more, but also create more drag.  It's a balance between stabilizing the arrow quicker and losing arrow speed quicker.

Longer feathers are generally louder than shorter ones.

Out to 20 yards I don't think you'll notice any difference. I can't at least.

I like four-fletch.  So I use 4".

[Converml]

T, Why do you prefer 4 fletch?

[Night Wing]

I've always used 3, 5" feathers.

[Soilarch]

I think 4" look slightly better, and they are easier to find in my area because a *few* compound shooters still use them.  Most use 3" feathers IF they use feathers at all, but none of them use 5".


The real reason though is because you never have to worry about getting your arrow on the string right. (cock feather out)   The arrow is the same regardless of how you put it on the string.

I won't claim there's a performance change.  Just a personal preference, and a small convenience.

[Converml]

But you wouldnt say 4 feathers negatively affects flight. I would like to use all same color feather so 4 fletched would eliminate the need for the cock feather right?

[americanhunter7]

Converml I sent you a PM. I have shot 5.5" trad cuts, 5" shields, and 4" shields. I like them all but have settled on 4" for my set up, and occasionaly use the 5.5's on some primitive arrows, because of the cut and the look it gives to them. I hope you find what you are looking for.

John

[Converml]

Thanks John I'll check my pm

[Running Buck]

Fletching depends on three things, your release, the width of the broadhead, and your personal preference. The bigger 5.5 inch highbacks will help to some degree with a lees then clean release. They also steer the wider broadheads better. With extremes aside, 5 inch fletch with a moderate helix will get the job done with most broadheads. At normal hunting ranges I have noticed more of a difference with the amount of helix placed on the fletch rather then the overall size. JMO

[bigbadjon]

Personally I think height has more effect than length. .

[Converml]

Thanks for the input everyone. Much appreciated. Merle

[Pepper]

Try to locate enough feathers of the three lengths you are concidering.
Fletch your arrows, shoot them, and see which ones give you the desired results.
I tend to lean to the shortest ones that will provide the stability I'm looking for with the arrows I am building.(The intended use).

[Zradix]

Just trying 4-4.5" t-hawks. Haven't  noticed a flight diff from using 3-5" shields.

Only diff I noticed was the 4 fletch was quieter.

Working on the same thoughts as Pepper above.
Just seeing if I could get more stability AND quieter flight.

[bigbadjon]

Zradix, did you attain the shortened length by moving the feather higher in the chopper? Do you think the difference is based on length, height, or both?

[Zradix]

Yes, I put a spacer made out of a popsicle stick and Fletch taped it to the base of the chopper.

I actually cut the stick at an angle so I could keep the higher back of the fletch.

I feel that a lot of the hiss made by feathers is either old fraying feathers or by unsupported or not very well supported feather fibers at he back of the fletch.

I had some trad cut (pope & young) that were loud as heck. I trimmed the back of those at a right angle about in the midpoint ht wise and quieted them right up.

[Converml]

John I like that idea, Thanks Merle

[Zradix]

I just figured out the area of fletching for 3-5" shields compared to 4-4.5" t hawks cut at an angle.

Ends up the 4 4.5" have about 13% more surface area....and are quieter. And I can't tell the difference in flight.

Soooo does it make a bit of difference..I don't know..But I do feel better about it.