4"or 5" feathers

[bccalls2011]

Thinking of making a new batch of arrows, just wanting to get some opinions from you guys. What seems to work best for you a 4" or 5" feather. I know the bow and type of arrow really factor in on this but was just curious what you guys preferred.
Thanks Matt

[wihill]

If the arrow's tuned, it really doesn't matter.

I've tried 2", 3",4",5" and 5.5", and have finally settled on shield cut 4" in helical.  Still plenty to see on their way to the target with hi-viz feathers, they steer big broad heads nicely, and there's just something about that classic shield cut profile that looks good on an arrow.

(truth be told if I could find a Raptor cut 4" in hi-viz I'd have them on a few arrows also.  I like that profile also)

[Drewster]

Yeah, if your arrows are tuned fairly well, 4" is plenty......unless you just like the looks of a 5" fletching.

[JRY309]

I agree if you tune your arrows well,it really doesn't matter.I have arrows fletched with 4-3",3-4",4-4",3-5" and even 4-5".I even have arrows fletched with 2" Blazer vanes on my ILF,they fly great because the arrows are tuned well bare.My favorite though is 4-4" feathers for most of my arrows.I shoot both LW and RW,doesn't really matter.

[centaur]

I used to use 5" all the time; tried 4" and could not tell any difference in flight, so it's 4" for me now.

[Zradix]

I'd do 5"

More feather is nice for hunting...especially when things are wet or a not quite right release.

I personally like to use the most forgiving set up I can when hunting. And I really don't care if I give up a few fps doing so.

Right now I'm using an arrow with lots of foc and 4-5" feathers. Surprising how bad my release can be and still have that arrow get on track quickly.

Either will work just fine, if your arrows are tuned well and your form is good. If the tuning is off a  bit or you lack consistency in form you would be better off with the bigger feathers.

I have also found that higher FOC = less fletching needed. I shoot a 23%FOC arrow with 3-4" feathers.

Bisch

[Bowwild]

I shoot 4 and 5" feathers. I also shoot plastic Blazer lanes (2") as a rain arrow. I shoot mostly from elevated rests. The blazers shoot a bit high but other than that (which is to be expected)they all fly great.

[Bill Carlsen]

The better the arrow is tuned the less feather you need.

[bowless]

I like to use the larger feathers just in case my form faulters at the moment of truth.

[RecurveRookie]

I prefer 5" shield, for that extra fudge factor and the most stability.  I will give up speed to gain stability and accuracy every time, imho.

[Mooreski]

I have been shooting 5" feathers, and like the others who shoot them, prefer the little bit more of forgiveness should my form alter. I need all the forgiveness I can get lol.

[Shawn Leonard]

What Bill said, I am using the high back 2" feathers off my ILF set up and they fly fine. Shawn

[Gdpolk]

I've shot both 4" and 5" and can't tell any difference.  My latest setup has 4"

[D. Key]

I love 4 x 4" on 90 Deg.  The have plenty of surface area and stabilize quickly.

[Craig]

Yes, with a well tuned arrow you don't need much, even if they get wet.

[LittleBen]

I like 5" for the look and stability.
I've just switched to 4-4" and I think it'll be permanent.
The main reason was that I shoot mainly wood bows that aren't usually braced as high as the glass bows. 4" feathers don't hit the riser when the arrow is nocked on the string.

[will_hunt]

I shoot CE Heritage 250s with three 5 1/2" Maxi-Fletch and a 175 gr. Simmons Tiger Shark. I also have been shooting Easton FMJ 400 with four 4" shield cut feathers that I really like.  Fletching and refletching arrows is like reloading bullets--I can toy around with things until I am satisfied for THAT DAY. Ha!

[Stixbowdrew]

Ill echo the tuning, if its tuned right shouldn't matter I like 3 4" low profile with as much helical as possible, less wind drag fly great, they even steer my big centaur battle axes just right, been considering those razrs from gateway just to try something new

[Terry Lightle]

What bowless said