>>>>---back to woodies----->

[buckeye_hunter]

All right... need some advice.  I haven't shot wood arrows since I broke or lost all of the ones I started out with when
I originally got my bow. In my quest to be "more traditional" I'm thinking about going back to woodies.

 1. I was wondering how difficult it is to tune them since you can't just screw in and out different heads.

2. Are they considerably more heavy than carbon or aluminum?

3.  I am concearned about the occasional "fliers", don't want that to happen when shooting at game.  

  I would appreciate any input, and suggestions.

Thanks,
Charlie(buckeye_hunter)

[BamBooBender]

Lot of ?'s but here's my take on it;
1. You can tune them in sorta the same way by length and gluing on (as opposed to screwing on) different weight points.Not to mention, there's a lot of folks on here that can get you in the ball park pretty quickly.

2. Depends on the species of wood

3. One simple way to find the best of the bunch when it comes to wood arrows is to mark them each with a number, weed out the "fliers" and use the consistent "groupers".

BTW you don't have to shoot woodies to be traditional imho

[Danny Rowan]

send me a pm with your bow specs and draw length and I will get you in the ball park. I need to know the type of string on your bow and your actual draw weight at your draw length. I also kneed to know the type of bow, ie longbow or recurve and the weight of points you want to use.

Danny

[Orion]

Very little tuning is required once you find the spine and weight that works for you.  Remember that wood comes in a wide range of spines.  Start with what you think you will need and then go up or down in spine from there.  

Even cedar, a lightweight wood, is heavier than carbon, and most aluminums, unless you add weight to the carbons and aluminums, of course.  I consider the heavier weight a plus.

You won't get fliers, at least not fliers caused by the shaft material, if the arrows are well matched to your bow and each other.  To do that, though, you will need a grain scale and spine tester.  Most shafts and arrows that you buy will not be matched within 5 pounds of spine and 10 grains, even though the suppliers say they are.

Good wood arrows fly as well as carbons and aluminums, but it requires good shaft selection, time, effort, and skill to make good wood arrows.  Lots of books provide detailed instruction about how to go about it.  Have fun.

[Weekend Warrior]

I'm sold on sitka spruce !!

[SuperK]

You might want to consider a "test kit".  Several dealers offer them.  You can tell them your setup and they can put you a "kit" togeather so you can see what will work the best for you, your shooting style, bow setup, etc.  Twig archery, 3 Rivers, Kustom King and others would be a good place to start.  Oh yeah, welcome back!

[buckeye_hunter]

Super K,
Thanks for the welcome! I'll check out 3 rivers. I have bought quite a few things there and always with god results.


I bet it isn't quite as painful to lose a wood arrow as it is a carbon!  Well..each one is a work of art.

-Charlie

[BamBooBender]

SuperK, that's true, forgot about the test kits. I got one from Paula @ Rogue River Archery (under a new owners now ,I believe) just by posting a "what spine do I need" type of of question years ago on a different site. I know this is a little "OT", but I have never ceased to be impressed by the generosity of a lot of traditional archers.

[John3]

You are getting great advice. Buy a "test" kit cut them to the correct length and see which ones are right for your bow. This is a small investment that will pay off for years and help with all your new bows.
In my experience a straight wood arrow spined correctly flies perfect. I understand about wanting to be more traditional shooting wood.

[OzarkRamblr]

Sitka Spruce for sure. Every batch I've gotten from Hildebrand's has been spot on a matched set. They do a great tapered shaft as well.

[UK Bowman]

I just got a set of tapered POC shafts from Kustom King, best shafts I have ever bought. Check them out, prices are good too.

Tuning is easy...once you get the right spine    I was shooting too stiff an arrow for a long time.

Enjoy

[**DONOTDELETE**]

IMO, you might want to try different shafts ( type of wood )if you can. Also I started out with POC and found that ASH (Heavy wood) flies better from my Shrew. I also like heavy head weight too.

[buckeye_hunter]

How many graing is a typical 28 inch wood arrow spined for a 40-45 lb longbow w/ fastflite string?

[buckeye_hunter]

grains that is

[Danny Rowan]

Charles, a cedar arrow at that spine will probably be around 350/400 gr without points as a guestimate. add a 125 gr point at your arrow will be 475/525.

Danny