Weird Shelf wear

[khardrunner]

So I took a pic to better describe my issue. You can see where the light blue tint is at the edge of the arrow shelf. It doesn't matter what point weight I use as long as I use the CE Predator 45/60 shaft I get this wear pattern.

Why do I get this and is it a problem if I get straight flying arrows?

 

[lpcjon2]

It looks to me like the arrow is not flexing(paradox) until most of the shaft is past the risor. Are your nocks to tight on the string? or maybe a stiff/week shaft.

 How about the bow stats and your draw and the arrow length, that info could help to figure the problem out.

[njloco]

Are your arrows tuned to the bow ?,what poundage bow is that at your draw length ?, we need more information, I am thinking Ipcjon2 might be correct the question is why is it doing that.

[khardrunner]

The bow is a 50lb @ 28inches r/d longbow that I draw around 29.5-30 inches.

I get this wear no matter what point weight I use with these shafts, but the arrow flight is usually good. By good I mean little to no wobble at all.

the shafts are full length CE predator 45/60. I get the best bareshaft tuning around 175-225 grains up front.

[lpcjon2]

With your draw you may be at 55# and the shafts are 45-60 with 175- 225  up front.I think that the head weight at your draw would weeken the shaft, but you see no wobble?. 55# with a 60# shaft is cutting it close(given all I shoot is wood). You may be to week with those shafts and head weight.JMHO

[khardrunner]

I tried bareshafting everything from 125-250 and I had a definite slide to the right (I'm a lefty) with everything 175 and below. That would mean they are stiff since I'm lefty. With 175-225 I got pretty near right on. I don't have a 200's made up, but I will try them tomorrow.

Anyway, this bow is not cut to center, so keep that in mind.

Also, it doesn't matter what point weight I have...weak or stiff... I get the same exact blue spot from the graphics on the shaft.

[Archie]

I'm no expert, but I suggest that that may be a nock point issue, or perhaps indicative of a release that puts downward pressure on the arrow.  My best guess is that your arrows are almost too stiff, or that your draw is a bit short sometimes, causing your arrows to be too stiff on those shots.  That, combined with a nock point that results in an arrow banging off the shelf, or is too high or too low, would explain why you are getting the vertical wear marks.   Something appears to be causing that arrow to leave the bow at an angle,   with the tip and the fletching at different heights, as if it were "cart-wheeling" upon release.  But your feathers are stabilizing it; I would surmise that a non-vented 2-blade broadhead wouldn't fly true.

[khardrunner]

I am having trouble with broadhead flight, but why do my bareshafts fly fine (even though they also leave the blue streak there)?

Thanks for the ideas, it helps me think through this.

[khardrunner]

Also, it's only with these shafts that I have this pattern. I get more normal wear with other shafts.

Again, I'm just trying to think it through.

[Bill Carlsen]

I am just wondering out loud here....why would he even be shooting these shafts if others fly better?

Also, difficulty shooting broadheads tells me you have a spine problem most likely. Brace height and nocking point could also be variables that are causing your problems.

[atatarpm]

He's just looking for a answer. I am also a lefty with about the same draw and had the same ware pattern out of a set of arrows. My answer was to change arrows. Without looking back but was always wondering why too. I did finally decide that it was a spine problem.

[khardrunner]

The problem is that the lighter 30/50 arrows that give me better wear and pretty much fly the same also give me issues. Broadheads also fly poorly out of them compared to field points. The other problem is finding a broadhead light enough to use with the 30/50 shafts. I would need 125-145 grain with inserts meaning the broadhead has to be about a 100-110 grain broadhead.

I don't like the options in that catagory.

With the heavier spined shafts I'm hoping to be able to use a heavier broadhead.

[phil_des_bois]

You nocking point might be a bit too low, did you try to raise it a bit to avoid the arrow to tear the leather at the junction between the handle and the arrow rest ?

[lpcjon2]

at what part of the arrow has the blue on it, and is the arrow showing wear on it in the middle or the nock end. Are your fletching's getting ripped off or chopped up? Have you tried to shoot the arrows cock feather in? pit a piece of masking tape over the rest and try them cock feather in.

[gringol]

khar, you said your other arrows aren't flying well when you put broadheads on.  I'm curious what size fletching you use.  You may just need a larger fletching.  We spend hours (sometimes weeks) bareshaft tuning with field points, then glue what amounts to a spatula to the arrow and get frustrated when they don't fly true.  It might be a lazy man's solution, but I think it's the reason native americans often used fletching longer than 6".  It just works.  Just my two cents...

[khardrunner]

I use 3x5inch fletching

I have my nocking point set at 3/16th and I nock above that. I moved it up from 1/8th but I may try a bit higher.

The blue is coming from the area just prior to the arrow wraps, maybe 2/3s of the shaft down from the point closer to the nock end.

Cock feather in seems to fly a bit worse

[lpcjon2]

Whats the brace height at? Sounds like the arrow is not clearing the shelf soon enough.

  With the cock in does it still hit and rub(did you put masking tape on the shelf ?).

[khardrunner]

I haven't checked that yet so I will do that at home later.

I get best results at 5 3/4. I've tried from 7 down to 5 5/8. Anything above 6 is terrible flight for all arrows compared to the lower brace heights.

[lpcjon2]

For a longbow I think 5 3/4 is low on the brace, I have 3 longbows and they are from 7 1/4 to 7 1/2 brace. That brace may be your problem, combined with the nock once its adjusted to the correct brace.

  Whats the bow length and suggested brace from the maker?

[khardrunner]

It's a fred anderson and I believe he recommends between 6 and 6.5 which didn't work well for me.