Arrows for a 45# recurve

[Nantahala Nut]

I am a trad newbie so arrow tuning is still an overwhelming topic.  I am shooting a 45# @ 28 Samick Sage. Drawing 26.5 and shooting three under.  I bought some GT Trads from a local archery shop assuming they knew what they were doing.  They gave me 15/35 600 spine. Would love to hear some thoughts on a good starting point for tip weight and recommendations for length.

[Bud B.]

How long are your arrows?

The 15/35s should do very well. Get you a field point test kit starting at 100gr and up to 200gr. My guess is with a 30" arrow you're gonna need 125 or 145 points. I shoot 1535s out of a 45@28 recurve and draw 27". I shoot 30" arrows and 145 points. Factory inserts.

[Bladepeek]

I agree with Bud. Those arrows should work very well for you. I'm drawing right at 28" and almost everything I own, from my 38# Blacktail to my 46# RER shoot them well. In fact, unless I want to get really anal, I can use the same setup for all - 30"  145 to 175 gr points and standard inserts.

I would leave them full length initially (30.5"?), pick a point weight you like and then trim slowly back to where it tunes with the bow.

[Possum Head]

I'm with Bladepeek dont get in a hurry to reduce length try as suggested with various weights first. Some of my best arrow flight has been with full length arras.

[Trond]

I shoot GT 1535 30,5" with long insert and 100grain field point out of my 37# Cayuga. Good arrows.

[Stone Knife]

3Rivers spine calculator says 29" GT1535 shaft 125 point

[Flying Dutchman]

I use 1535's on my 45 lbs bows. My drawlenght is 29 inches.
Total arrow length, bop to valley of nock: 30,5 inches
Standard GT insert, nock and 125 grains field point
5 inch helical fletching and wrap (adds 10 grains)
I can easily hit targets till 50 yards.
See for bows my signature.

I think you are good!

[Bladepeek]

I just ran the numbers through the 3 Rivers calculator and it says a 29" 1535 with 125gr point would be way stiff for even a 28" draw, let alone a 26.5" draw. I don't normally use the 3Rivers calculator, so maybe I'm doing something wrong. (I use Stu's original calculator, but I believe he developed the one for 3Rivers).

There are so many variables such as string,(I used B50 for string) and strike plate thickness (I used .06 for an approximation of velcro). I'm not surprised we get different results, but I would sure start with a full length arrow and cut back VERY slowly. I will bet it never gets back to 29" before becoming stiff, though.

I'm shooting 30.5" 1535s with either 145 or 175gr points from 43 - 46# bows drawn 28" and bareshaft and fletched fly really well together. When I put these values into the 3River's calculator, it comes much closer to matching, depending of course on the variables we don't know.

I notice Dutchman is also using 30.5" full length 1535s, but drawing his to 29", so it sounds like 125gr points are about right for him. And we're both using fast flight strings.

[Flying Dutchman]

Hi Ron,
You can call me Ad   !
That's right, I have a firm 29" draw, maybe even 29.5. So I am getting 48 lbs at least. My GT  1535's fly great! And I use an 8 strand SBD skinny string indeed!

[Babbling Bob]

I shoot three 45lb bows with a 26 inch draw and I use 600's for the Easton Axis Trads (at 28.5 inches)with 90gn tips and 75gn inserts and they work great.  20/40 for CE Predators works good too with 125gn tips.  The same arrows work for my 43 and 40 lb recurve bows as well at 28.5 inches.

Hope this helps.