5" vrs 4" fletching?

[The Hawk]

Building up my elk arrows. I am planning on shooting a Zwickey Eskimo 2 blade on an Easton  FMJ 400 shaft. Just wondering if 4" fletch is enough to stabilize the broadhead and if it has any real speed advantage over 5" fletching or is it all just fashion? Thanks.

[jrstegner]

If your arrows are tuned properly 4" is plenty to stabilize a broadhead. You will probably pick up a fps or two and in theory your arrow should be quieter in flight.

[Bud B.]

On my Hill bows my brace on them almost insists on 4" feathers. On one I'm shooting 3 5" shields that the lower one rests on the shelf before drawing back. I think the brace is 5 3/8". Add nock length and the space between the nock and the back tip of the fletching and there you have it.

Got some 4" on order.

[cyred4d]

As was said above 4" should be plenty to stabilize arrow flight IF your arrow is properly tuned to your bow.

[LimBender]

I had 4s, but now have 5s (with more helical).  I'm really liking what I see with the increased size and helical and not worrying about a possible miniscule loss in speed.   It is also a little more peace of mind when shooting a big broadhead, hitting a twig, or a bad release.

[Orion]

An Eskimo is a small head that flies extremely well.  4-inches is enough to control that head. That being said, I shoot 5 inches regardless of the head.

Originally posted by jrstegner:
If your arrows are tuned properly 4" is plenty to stabilize a broadhead. You will probably pick up a fps or two and in theory your arrow should be quieter in flight.

This^^^^^

Bisch

[park]

I read in a book that said with lightweight carbon all that are needed are 3-4 in. feathers.They also said helical are impossible because the shafts are so skinny.They suggested feathers with a 1-2 degree offset or strait with an average sized broadhead.
   Ive also read in another book that said for hunting helical are the only fletching that should be used.The guy shoots aluminum so I don't know.I'm going to use offset for my carbine and helical for my aluminum.I hope this helps..

[Roger Norris]

I shoot big 5 1/2 inch high back parabolics, because in a hunting situation, you may have damp feathers, and every little bit helps.

[stujay]

I have used both with my 2 blade stinger broadheads and have seen no advantage with 5" feathers. My current setup based on excellent arrow flight are 4" RW helical feathers.

I fletch all my carbons with right helical and they fit just fine.

Bisch

[Bowhunter4life]

I really like 4" 4-fletch on my Gold Tips, but I also use 5" 3-fletch on them from time to time...

I use RW Right Helical with no problems with either...

[beachbowhunter]

Hunting in the open, wind has worse effect on arrow flight than a bad release. 4x4. Or 3"x4 on skinny shafts works for me.

[Dan Adair]

I dunno.  I swing the other way.  It's funny how little form issues tend to show up hunting (or shooting 3D matches)  I believe that a 4" 4 fletch or 3 fletch with at least 5" feathers is needed then.  Helical of course...  In a stiff wind, you're pretty much screwed no matter what.

I think its more important that you have thoroughly "shook down" your set-up and other gear first.

[Caughtandhobble]

I can't really tell any difference between the two but I mostly use 5" for insurance.

I made some arrows with four 4", I think I like it better than 5.5" fletching.

[Bowwild]

At the ranges I shoot (30 and under for targets and 20 and under for hunting) I can't tell the difference between the same arrows and broadheads with 4" vs. 5".

I've been shooting 4" for about 3 years. I'm going to hunt with 5" this season because I had thought to go to a larger broadhead (VPA 175 grain). I'm not going to use the 3-blade broadhead (sticking with 2-blade single bevel Helix) but I'll still use the 5" feathers.

My arrow is shorter than average (27" BOP) for my 26" draw. I'm also very particular about tuning so I'm sure I could get by with 3" feathers if I wanted to.

However, I'm thinking the 5" might save my shot in the off-chance I tick a sleeve or something at the shot?

[Biathlonman]

I'm with Dan.  If a little is good a whole lot must be better.  I just did four arrows up as an experiment, two with 3 fletch, 4 and 5" feathers and 2 with 4 fletch 4 and 5" feathers.  I'm liking the arrow flight of the 4-5" feathers the best.  Chronograph can't tell the difference between them speed wise and neither can I.  Plus it's much easier to see all that feather on the rear!  Wind drift seems about the same as it's been really windy since I started testing.

[LITTLEBIGMAN]

I shoot 2 inch razors! Less feather is less noise, more speed. when your arrows fly straight without feathers you really don't need big feathers to off set your broad head. Yes your release is more critical but nothing wrong with a clean release!

[PaddyMac]

On my 30.5" 5575s, I just switched from four 4" to three 4" and took an inch off my crest wraps (now 6"). Bare shaft 5575 with 6" wraps and 175 grain field points fly as well or better than the same shaft with a 7" wrap and 200 gr.

But when fletched, the three 4" flies WAY better than the four 4" especially at longer distances. I just ordered cock feathers and fletching tape from KK today.