4 Fletch Vs. 3 fletch, 4 to 5,5"? Opinion?

[Ed Frye]

What is your opinion on fletching arrows 29" 650 grain total weight. Shooting 60" #52@28. Do you think there is a difference between fletching 4 or 5 to 5.5", 3 or 4 fletch?

[northener]

Depends on the arrow/bow tune but I like to "correct" the arrow as soon as I can with fletching.
Lot of variables here, type of rest,arrow spine,bow centercut,release and one's own form comes into play.

Fletching is not suppose to make a difference because of arrow parodox,but I believe is does in most.

I choose 4 fletch 60/120 4" at a small angle and helical. This works best for me. Second, 3 fletch with 5" shooting with cock feather in.

I know I did'nt help much but someone once said the arrow is more important than the bow.

[Lotech Joe]

I'm old school, but I've alway thought the more feather, the slower the arrow.

[Bill Carlsen]

I'm shooting 29" Axis 400's with four 3.5" feathers. Three deer and two turkey this year with 200 grain Razorcap heads. I've gone from 3 X  5.5", to 4 X 4" and am not at 4 X 3.5". I have experienced no problems with this set up and may try 4 X 3" this Spring for turkeys.

[Friend]

Personally hunt with EFOC and Ultra-EFOC designs.

These types of set-ups may exhibit more drop due to drag. The balance point has been shifted forward thus possibly over emphasizing fletching correction. Note: Tuned Hi-end range EFOC and Ultra EFOC design correct noticeably quicker than typical arrow designs.

My set-ups utilize 3 X 4" fletch with large BH's. Could opt for even less, however both satisfied and confident with the current set-up.

[Terry Green]

If you will do a search, you will find 100 threads on this subject.

I like 5 inch 4 fletch....no look nocking, and no worries EVER if I have enough feather no matter the shot position, if they are wet, torn, frazzled, Or the size of my broadhead choice for the hunt I'm on.

I do have some that are 4 inch four fletch that are for a certian set up for tree stand easy going hunting with a little different Vented 4 blade head I choose to use on occasion.

[Zradix]

I'm with Terry..lots to find with the search function...more should use it..or use an advanced google search searching tradgang.com.

I also use close to what he does..4x4.75" for the same reasons.

[Ed Frye]

Good info guys. I, myself, have shot 3 4", 3 5", and 4 5".
 I, like Terry says "I like 5 inch 4 fletch....no look nocking, and no worries EVER if I have enough feather no matter the shot position, if they are wet, torn, frazzled, Or the size of my broadhead choice for the hunt I'm on."

This is the set up I'm going to stay with as I'm refletching, as mine are falling off from some old fletch tape that I used but that is a whole other thread    

[njloco]

4 fletched=parachute, 3 fletched=nice flight and make them as short as possible.

[AngelDeVille]

I like my 4 4" fletching and my 2 5" over 3 of anything, just nock it and shoot it.

I'm looking to try some shorter i think 2.5" or 3" X4 fletching. I think gateway makes some and I want to try them before I invest in a burner.

[SERGIO VENNERI]

4-5" Marco vanes @105x75, chopped to 4" shield cut. Awesome flight w/ 160gr. snuffers.

[Terry Green]

Originally posted by njloco:
4 fletched=parachute,.

Nah....I'm shooting 585 - 630 grains at 185 FPS....and half of these 50 some odd special retired arrows are 'bloody parachutes'...  

   

[gringol]

I like a 5" x 4-fletch.  I haven't seen a difference in speed out to 30 yds, but I've definitely seen the arrow recover from paradox more quickly with a 4-fletch.  4-fletch also reduces problems with arrow flight when you swtich from field points to BHs.  In theory the extra drag will slow your arrow down more, but drag is also what keeps your arrow flying straight.  Try it out and see what works for you.

[Terry Green]

And here's a pic of another 'parachute'....

I made this shot just last November....right in front of 6 compounders....100 yards at midnight....instinctive.

Needless to say, it blew their minds, and one bowyer now has 6 bows on order because of it...I'm not even kidding...

     

[njloco]

Terry, you left one bit of information out, at what poundage ?, I know you guys down there hunt a lot of hogs. could you kill that hog with a 450-500 gr. arrow, say at 45-55#s ? I know one can kill deer with it.

P.S. Good shot!

[SERGIO VENNERI]

Greeeaaat shooting Terry!  

[Terry Green]

njloco,

If I HAD to shoot that low of a weight(arrow and bow) at hogs, I would NOT be shooting the heads I am now, therefore, I would probably also drop to that 4 inch 4 fletch I noted to earlier.....AND, I can't say that I've ever lost an animal because of an extra feather.  I's also still be shooting about 185.

Could you imagine the razzing you would get in camp if you blamed a lost animal on a feather?  

That would be kinda silly don't ya think?     :D

[bkbk12]

Quick question about the whole 4 fletch  deal  you guys are saying no look nocking if your bow and arrow is tuned correctly would it matter how your 3 fletched was novked because from the videos on line the archers paradox always shows arrow tail end kicking away from the shelf.

[gringol]

bkbk, 3-fletch can be nocked without looking as well.  most people nock their 3-fletch arrows with the cock-feather out, but strictly speaking it shouldn't make any difference.  If you are going to do this, you should probably use nocks with no indicator bump...

[Terry Green]

bkbk12,

Again....in a 'perfect world' maybe...but sometimes we, or at least I, am contorted getting shots off.  When you are on the ground, sometimes the window opens and you have a shot, but must 'manufacture' a shot due to vegetation or terrain.   And when hog hunting especially since sometimes you get a shot at a second hog during the hysteria of the 1st shot.

Its just one less thing I have to worry about.  And again, its just an extra feather....I don't see the big deal??????....at least as a negative.   I don't' think you can 'shoot the difference' of the minuscule weight of a feather with 1/8th helical.  Maybe with extreme helical...but I don't shoot that either.

Notice the extra time it takes me to rotate the arrow(3 Fletch)...especially on the last arrow.....

 Over the Pond......