effect of 10" taper

[Ari]

I have heard that a tapered arrow is quicker to recover from the arrow paradox than a straight shaft and was wondering what other effects it has on the arrow, is the spine decreased, is the shaft weaker and more likely to break?

[kbaamigo]

I get great flight and a little more weight forward. Spine is not affected and I can't explain it but seem to have less breakage. A little more work but I like the outcome.

[bigbadjon]

If you do your own tapers then it will decrease its spine rating. By that I mean if you start with a 50# parallel arrow your tapered arrow may spine out at 47#. I shot tapered shafts for a bit and could not tell the difference. My brother, on the other hand, swears by them.

[Zradix]

They didn't hurt my shooting.
Can't say much else as tapers were my first type after I learned how to tune and shoot a bit better.

I shoot only 45#. I figure any foc/ smaller dia/ less energy "scrubbed" by achieving straight flight faster are all GOOD things.

I know my tapered shafts achieve straight flight after about 5 feet, maybe a bit less...and stay flying straight.

This is with fletching. And I'm talking punch holes. No tears except fletching in paper.

[Stumpkiller]

It does reduce spine - but only by two or three pounds.  At least the way I taper the aft 12" does that much.  The shaft is no more likely to break.  Most breaks are midpoint & forward.  

It makes a nock strike 10% less (width of 5/16" vs. 11/32").

Aids paradox recovery, aids penetration, adds speed, moves c.g. forward.  All good things.

[tecum-tha]

Very slight reduction in spine.
8-9" is usually enough. Beyond that spine decrease is more likely. The arrow will recover faster from Paradox what will give you an impression of straighter shooting. Another part is, they are more forgiving, since you move less mass with a sideway movement of the string when your release is not perfect. The nock will not strike anywhere with a correctly spined arrow.