Carbon arrow and rest question

[kevfish]

Is a release recomended when using carbon arrows ? I currently shoot 2216 aluminum arrows with fingers. I am thinking of switching to a carbon arrow. I am also thinking of using a whisker biscuit rest. What are your thoughts ???

[Knute78]

I'd recommend getting a release. Personally I think the release question has less to do with the arrows and more to do with the bows setup. On top of that It has more to do with your preference. I shot carbons and aluminums with fingers before getting a new bow a few years back, thats when I made the switch to a release based on archery shop recommendations.

The improvement I saw in my shooting was amazing even though I thought I was a good shooter with fingers. I am guessing you to would see improvements in your accuracy amd precision to with a release. But like anything with bows practice helps whether shooting fingers or a release. You make the choice, but I'd recommend a switch.

[Knute78]

P.S. I just switched to a whisker after asking a similar question on this thread. The majority of the responses were telling me to make the switch, I did and I love it. If you want to see the responses look back a few pages in this fourm and you will find the responses.

[kevfish]

I prefer to use fingers instead of a release.will carbons shoot well with fingers or is a release recomended if using carbons???? I am new to the carbon thing

[Gus]

They will shoot a little different than aluminum but not because you are a finger shooter. They will shoot different because they are different arrows. (and I think you will like them)

I just went to a release this last fall after shooting fingers for 10 years. I was absolutly amazed at how my consistancy went up. I also switched to a whisker biscuit and love it. I'm not shooting a fancy new bow either just a 10 year old PSE polaris express.

Good luck.

[kevfish]

I went to a release several years back. I used it for 2 years and did alot of shooting. When it came to target shooting it was great. For some reason when it came to hunting I was not happy-I am sure it was something I was doing but if I am not accurate with a release in hunting situations I will stick with fingers. Something else I just thought of. Switching from my current rest to the whisker rest I should be able to cut 2 inches off my arrow length. What I am concearned about is something I was told 15 years ago when I first started shooting. I was going to use an overdraw and was told that a release was almost a must if you use an overdraw because of the shorter arrow- any mistake would be magnified. If I switch to the whisker rest should I keep my arrow length for this reason

[Neiko]

I first used a pistol grip style release and finally moved on to the wrist release. Me personnally, I should not use finger's again. The consistency I get out of a release is unbelievable compared to my finger's. If I can't find my release I won't even go out hunting. I have not gone to a whisker bisket yet but may in the future.

Gus, A tip from an old PSE Express owner... Get rid of the anchor and treat yourself to a new bow. It makes a world of difference. I loved my Polaris but it was too heavy and slow compared to what I have now.

[ghotierman]

I love this forum....great responses helpful tips...

As to the original question....switching to carbon arrows does not mean it's necessary to move to a release. The release issue is more of a function of the archer, the bow and the set up. The faster bows, with shorter axles, being less forgiving almost make a release mandatory. slower bows, longer axle to axle fingers can be fine. you will be picking up some speed with carbons, and they'll react a bit differently. depending on the speed and set up of your bow, you may find that a release will greatly improve your accuracy...but, it depends on your set-up...including the rest.

there is a phenomenon known as the archer's paradox that comes into play and operates differently for fingers/release. (google 'archer's paradox' and you'll find lots of good discussions) simply stated, the arrow bends around the riser..it flexes as the energy from the string is transferred to the arrow. for a fingers shooter, the arrow bends horizontally...the string rolls off the fingers and the arrow oscillates as it passes the riser. with a release aid, the arrow bends in the vertical plane..that's how the TM hunter and other fork rests work, rebounding from this vertical flex. if you're shooting fingers with a plunger style rest, and move to a release without changing the rest set up, the arrow reacts erratically...making tuning even more difficult. (carbon or aluminum...)

The charm of the whisker biscuit is that it cradles the arrow at rest, and will support the horizontal or vertical flex of the arrow.

choosing to go with a release aid is a personal choice for the archer. one consideration for hunting situations: if you are dependant on your release, and it should malfunction or get lost in the field......could be a problem...you'll always have your fingers....

just some rambling thoughts...hope some of it helps.

[ghotierman]

as to the whisker biscuit/overdraw issue...

a couple points....the shorter arrow will be lighter, increase your speed...and perhaps with the added speed mistakes can be magnified...

shorter arrows are also stiffer...you may have to change to a different spine weight to achieve proper arrow flight with a shorter arrow.....

there can be a safety recommendation too...generally most bow manufacturers will recommend the arrow to be cut to length 1" beyond the riser to allow for proper broadhead clearance. personally i get nervous if the point of the arrow is drawn beyond the riser...particularly with broadhead...potential for a serious injury if something goes amiss...

if you want to pick up a few f.p.s. by shortening the arrow...be sure to study an arrow chart to ensure you get set up with the proper spine weight...carbon or aluminum.

good luck and good shooting!

[kevfish]

Thanks for the info

[GottaGo]

I also am thinking about switching from aluminum to carbon arrows. Is there anything that must be done to the bow to accommadate this switch? or can I shoot the carbons with the exact same setup as aluminum? Any help would be great

[Iceman77]

One of the things to remember if you are thinking about changing your arrow length. It is ideal to keep the point of contact between the arrow rest and the arrow DIRECTLY ABOVE the interface between your bow and hand in the throat of the grip. The reason is this is where the torque applied by the archer is going to affect the bow right at the hand to bow interface. Imagine if the arrow rest was 6 inches further back(gross exageration for ease of imagination) what would happen when you apply side to side torque???? The arrow rest is going to follow an arc motion about the bow to hand interface. Therefore, the further the rest to arrow interface are away from this either in front or behind that interface of the bowhand and bow the more the arrow rest will move. Almost zero movement is observed directly above the bow to hand interface. Something to remember on setup. I would not sacrifice this to obtain a little more speed.

You do not need to shoot a release to shoot carbons. Some carbon arrows are inherently more forgiving than others but it does not matter whether you shoot a release or with fingers. The important thing to keep in mind is to make sure you select the correct spine of arrow for your setup.

Another important factor when selecting carbons is the arrow rest setup. Make sure you have clearance between your fletching and your rest and to tune your bow with your new arrows as they will very unlikely fly exactly the same as your aluminums did before.

Hope that helps a little.

Russ