Spine weight for cedar arrow with LOTS of weight up front???

[Hawken1911]

Hi Guys,

I'm pulling 55#@27" with My HH longbow.  I'd like to shoot wood hunting arrows with 360 grains out front (200 grain Woodyweight + 160 grain STOS broadhead).  The arrows can be cut to 27" BOP because the woodyweights extend the length of the shaft by about an inch.  Does anyone have any idea what spine weight cedar arrows would be a good starting place for this set-up?  The 3 Rivers shaft selector only goes up to 190 grains up front, and for a peak draw of 55# for a 27" arrow, they recommend 55-60's.  But I'll be adding an additional 170 grains.  Thoughts?

[Fletcher]

I've been playing around with high FOC wood arrows.  Test arrows are the only way to really figure it, but I see less spine increase for point weight above 200 gr than below.  I'm gonna guess you to be between 70 and 80 lb spine.

I like sitka spruce for this kinda arrow work,  lighter and stronger than POC.  Your shafts are gonna weigh at least 350 full length, so you are gonna be pushing 700 gr with 360 up front.  Have Fun!

[AngelDeVille]

I'm shooting 31" dougfir 85's with 145 up front out of my #53 @ 30" 66" longbow.

A test kit will save you lots of headaches.

[Bjorn]

I'm at 80/85# for your intended set up. Get a test pack- 75/80 and 80/85; include 70/75 if you want. That's a lot of weight up front and hard to tell exactly how the wood will react. Ask your shaft guy to pick out light weight stock.

[Bjorn]

Originally posted by Bjorn:
I'm at 80/85# for your intended set up. Get a test pack- 75/80 and 80/85; include 70/75 if you want. That's a lot of weight up front and hard to tell exactly how the wood will react. Like Fletcher suggests ask your shaft guy to pick out light weight stock.

[Orion]

I tend to agree with Bjorn.  I generally add 5# of spine for every 25 grains of point weight above 150 grains, but I've never put that much weight on the end of the arrow so it's only a guess on my part.

[Hawken1911]

Thanks guys!

[SlowBowinMO]

I like and use point loaded woodies as well.  You're on the right track using a bow with a shallower shelf, that helps a lot.  I find with bows cut to center or less, I don't need as much extra spine as you might expect to shoot points in the 250 grain range.  I haven't tried any heavier than that.

Both Fletcher and Bjorn have you around 80# give or take and I agree with them.  Certainly get a test pack, with a 27" draw you might find you need even less, the proof will be in the shooting.

[hvyhitter]

I did alot of the same testing a few years ago with mixed results. Wood doesnt seem to "recover" as consistantly as carbon or aluminum with EFOC. Out of a dozen arrows that shoot well with field points only half would shoot broadheads and not be a bit "twitchy" with a less than perfect release. Centershot recurves did not seem as bad as a HH longbow. I went back to just heavy arrows and 160 to 200 point weight and have never had any penetration issues.......I also go up 5# for every 20gr =/- of point weight and start full length and cut 1/2" at a time..............

[dragonheart]

225 is as high as I have gone with wood.  Shooting 190-200 now.

[Knawbone]

I'v never gone past 200 gn up front with cedar, You may want to go to a hardwood shaft. There's always a point of deminishing returns. FOC is important, but your shaft material has it's limits.I'm sure there are other wood shafts that would meet your needs.

[AWPForester]

With that bow and specs 80-85.  Center cut 90-95.  Past center 100-105

[Bjorn]

Let us know!!

[Hawken1911]

Well, although I sincerely appreciate the input, the project took an unexpected turn when I discovered some carbon arrows in the basement that I forgotten about.  They are 'Traditional Only' 400s cut to 28" BOP.  I put the 3 Rivers heavy weight tubes in them and 300 grains up front.  They come in at just about 800 grains for about 14.5 grains per pound, but they fly perfect, my bow is dead silent, and they are packing a wallop.  BTW- almost all of my shots are inside 10 yards so trajectory isn't a concern.

In general I prefer wood arrows, and I may try to tune a heavy set for this bow later, but...waste not, want not...these carbons I already had work great.

Thanks again,

Paul