Bare shaft tuning without cutting fletchings

[andreww5001]

Has anyone ever taken shrink wrap from the hardware store, slid it down over your feathers, shrunk it, and used that arrow as a bare shaft? This would allow you to be able to keep from cutting perfectly good feathers off. I do realize it would change the tune somewhat by making the spine stiffer, but it would get you really close, especially if you didn't put a lighted nock in but you planned on shooting one while hunting.

[DRT]

It would add weight to the back, balance issues. I can see where it wouldn't be very easy to get a true reading.
not everyone bareshafts. There are other methods of tuning.

[RickBarbee]

It would add weight to the back, balance issues. I can see where it wouldn't be very easy to get a true reading.
not everyone bareshafts. There are other methods of tuning.

X2

Just build you a couple of bare shafts, and forget about all that hooplaa.

I always leave 2 or 3 bare shaft for tuning.
I put masking tape wraps on them that is the same length (7") and weight as wraps with fletching.
You can't get more precise with a bareshaft tune than that.

Once you're satisfied you can finish them out with fletching, but it's a good idea to always keep back at least a couple that are bare.

Rick

[Trumpkin]

Just shoot the fletched shafts through paper from 3'-8' and make sure it's bullet holes. No bareshaft needed.

Then confirm with broadheads.

[muddydog]

Just shoot the fletched shafts through paper from 3'-8' and make sure it's bullet holes. No bareshaft needed.

Then confirm with broadheads.

This....been shooting for 40 years and never done anything more than paper testing. Not saying it's better, it just has worked well for me

[andreww5001]

Thanks for the input. I already had a dozen arrows fletched. I don't know where I could get a single bareshaft to match. That's why I had tried thinking of a solution. I'll try the paper tuning method. Not sure my release is pure enough to show consistent results. I'll give it a try.

[Bisch]

If your release is not consistent enough to give you reliable results with a fletched shaft thru paper, then you’re not likely gonna get reliable results with a bareshaft either.

Both methods require a pretty consistent release to yield consistent results.

Bisch

[andreww5001]

I've bare shaft tuned many bows with very successful results. Bare shafts hitting with fletched arrows at 25 yards. Just seemed like paper at 8 yards might be more finicky.

[Trumpkin]

Shooting paper at 3-4' will teach you more about your release than almost anything. If you can shoot bullet holes at that distance you just gotta learn to translate that shot to the field.

[Bisch]

I've bare shaft tuned many bows with very successful results. Bare shafts hitting with fletched arrows at 25 yards. Just seemed like paper at 8 yards might be more finicky.

Don’t shoot paper at 8yds. Start at 6’ and make adjustments til you get a bullet hole. Then move back to about 15’ and verify/further adjust if necessary. Once you are getting clean holes at 15’, then move to fletched arrows with broadheads and verify they both hit the same POA.

Bisch