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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,954
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,954 |
The arrow availble for purchase around here all have 4", off-set feathers. No shafts. So that's what I start with. Now that I have a new Bitzenburger with helical clamp, I bought some 4" shield cuts to get started.
Should have asked this question before I bought the 4" feathers, but any real world difference / affect to arrow flight out to say 30-yards between 4" and 5" feathers?
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,138 Likes: 15
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,138 Likes: 15 |
I don't think so gun. I make mine with 5 in. but my son made me some with 4 in. For no better an archer than I am, I couldn't tell any difference. I suspect over a chronograph 5 in. might be a little slower but, as you said, any real world difference has to be minimal.
NRA Benefactor 2008
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me." John 14-6
There is no right way to do a wrong thing
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Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 330
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 330 |
I've usually shoot three 5" feathers out of my recurves, but have also shot four 4" feathers. Never noticed any difference except I can get the 4" fletched arrows out of my quiver and on the string easier cuz I'm not messing with getting the cock feather turned out, away from the riser.
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 339
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 339 |
I shoot 3 4" with 125 grain stingers and 50 grain brass inserts. Perfect flight and zips right thru the deer. Only have a 48# compound by the way.
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 18,354 Likes: 28
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 18,354 Likes: 28 |
I ran 5" years ago because everybody said to. Worked fine. But now I run 4". Compound or recurve. Works fine.
But I only shoot helical.
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 18,354 Likes: 28
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 18,354 Likes: 28 |
3 fletch. White cock feather. Nocks have little indicator bump on side. No problem loading them up quick from bow quiver. I run a tab so fingertips can feel nock indicator.
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 88
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 88 |
I've used both. Found that if the bow/arrow combo is tuned, the three 4" work great and seem to be a little quieter than the 5". This is in a 54lb Toelke longbow and Chinook recurve. Doubt you'd go wrong with either though.
Dave
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,185
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,185 |
Out of a longbow or recurve I shoot 4 5 inch fletched 75X105. But have never shot carbon arrows from either only wood or aluminum.
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 18,354 Likes: 28
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 18,354 Likes: 28 |
Switched to carbons 2002. Switched to 4" feathers 2004.
All my recurves cut past center.
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,954
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,954 |
OK. I have 4-inchers so I'll stick with it. Saves on glue. 
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,590 Likes: 32
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,590 Likes: 32 |
I used 5" and 5-1/2" 3 fletch for years but mostly use 4" 4 fletch now. The last batch I fletched up I used 3-1/2" 4 fletch shield shape with a higher profile.
I feel like the 4 fletch arrows straighten out a little quicker than 3 fletch and give a little better arrow flight.
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,954
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,954 |
I used 5" and 5-1/2" 3 fletch for years but mostly use 4" 4 fletch now. The last batch I fletched up I used 3-1/2" 4 fletch shield shape with a higher profile.
I feel like the 4 fletch arrows straighten out a little quicker than 3 fletch and give a little better arrow flight. When you do a 4 fletch, do you use straight, off-set, or helical?
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,590 Likes: 32
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,590 Likes: 32 |
I've always used helical with traditional gear. I used to use offset with compounds but now use helical there also.
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 18,354 Likes: 28
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 18,354 Likes: 28 |
Only folks I know shooting 4 fletch are longbow guys. Rigs not centershot.
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 12,652 Likes: 79
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 12,652 Likes: 79 |
I’ve shot 5” and then switched to 4” 10 years ago. Recently switched to 4-3”. All have shot great, out of my compounds.
NRA Patron
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,567 Likes: 55
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,567 Likes: 55 |
If your bow won't shoot 3) 4" Feathers(even with broadheads), you need to do some tuning. About the only place I could see shooting 5" feathers would be on wood shafts where they are not very consistent to begin with.
Last edited by centershot; 07/09/20.
A true sportsman counts his achievements in proportion to the effort involved and fairness of the sport. - S. Pope
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,954
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,954 |
If your bow won't shoot 3) 4" Feathers(even with broadheads), you need to do some tuning. About the only place I could see shooting 5" feathers would be on wood shafts where they are not very consistent to begin with. To be clear: I'm not really have a problem with arrow flight on my new arrows. The 3  4" off-set feathers work fine. Just curious about others perspective/experience woith 5" compared to 4".
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