What causes this?

[Four2]

Got the chance to shoot my new Bear Montana longbow yesterday. I have not had the chance to get arrows specifically for it so I just made do with some I had on hand. I had some Axis 340's cut to 28.5" and some Gold Tip XT Hunter 55/75's, both with 4" vanes. Every so often I noticed that the shot had almost pulled the little piece of leather completely off the shelf. Almost as often the shaft of the arrow would strike the knuckle of my left index finger as I held the bow. What is causing this? I suspect these arrows are not the correct spine for this bow (64" and 55lbs. at 28"). I also think I want to go to a longer shaft as well, maybe 31". Any thoughts, suggestions, advice are always appreciated.

Thanks for putting up with a Trad newbie.

[LostHawg]

Sounds like your nocking point is too low. I don't remember the specifics of setting the nocking point. I think its like 5/8 inch on the square; haven't used one in 9 years. I go by sight and flight. The nock will be a mite higher than where the arrow sets on the shelf. I use floss or dacron string to mark my nocking point. I never really liked how the brass clips performed. I suspect its the vanes that're messing with your shelf tab; refletch with feathers. Start with the 5 1/2" (if available) until you figure out which arrows fly best. The bigger feathers will help the arrow correct sooner in flight and you can drop down in feather size as you learn to properly tune arrows to your bow.

Someone who's a bit smarter at this than I am should be on here shortly to give you some better tips and better information.

Oh, make sure you're not pinching the nock. This will pull the shaft of the shelf.

[TradAg02]

I think the arrows are way too stiff. I shoot Axis FMJ 400s out of my recurve, 30 ¼” shaft and I am pulling at least 29 ½”, at around 57#s with a 125grn tip. When I was tuning I tried Axis FMJ 340s and 55/75 goldtips and neither would shoot.

I would say that the leather coming off of your rest is a combination of the veins, nock height, and arrows being too stiff.

Shooting three- under I have discovered that I will get a false nock set reading until I get a properly spined arrow.

Good luck.

[Four2]

Thanks for the replys. I had already come to the conclusion that I want/need to go to feathers. BTW, I was shooting 100gr field tips and I'm sure moving up to at least 125 will make a difference. I think I'm going to order this http://www.3riversarchery.com/Produc...7&p=0&i=6790-1 and test different spine stiffness. The string to mark the nock point is a good idea that way I can move the point a bit as I experiment.

[BowBuddy]

What I would do is refletch 3 of the Axis 340 with 5" feathers and put some 250 grain field points on the 28.5" arrow and by a dozen more axis 340's and set 3 full length shafts up with 250 gr points and bare shaft tune your bow. Worry about adjusting your nock point. Then worry about trimming down arrows a 1/4" at a time until your bare shafts shoot better than your fletched shafts. I did this and people are suprised I shoot instinctively. The reason I recommned the heavy tips is cause trad bows like carbons with a high foc. And your arrows should weigh around 575-580 grains they will punch thru anything.
Paul

[LostHawg]

Give me some good old cedar anyday: 55/60s Aluminums work good too; 2016s.

I'm still trying to figure out these carbon arrows. Carbon Express is the only ones I've been able to get to fly right.

[DTala]

Those shafts are way too stiff. You're not going to get them to "spine" correctly short off putting 500gr up front!

Try some Goldtip 35/55's. I shoot a 57# Dwyer longbow.I shoot GT35/55's, 30", 100gr brass inserts, 200gr fieldtips. they shoot like darts bareshaft at 20 yards. Use feathes instead of vanes, vanes won't clear the rest cleanly, as you've seen.
troy

[LostHawg]

Hey Troy. How's the "season" shaping up at your hous, er, out your way?

[BowBuddy]

Dtala my bow shoots axis 340 great with 250 grains up front. But I have a Black Widow and it is a little more high performance than a Bear Montana.
Paul

[Oneway]

I have a recurve 64" 55# @ 29" I shoot 31.5 inch Carbon force 200's Competion Pros with 75 grain field tips and have 4" low pro file veins and they fly sweeet. Took me awhile to figure out what works best for me, just experiment.

[stickman]

arrows may be a little too stiff but right off the bat you should probably be shooting feathers. try shooting with feathers before getting new arrows