4 fletch arrows

[CrappieJohn]

I got to dinking around in the garage with a bunch of misc. arrows the other day and fletched a few different shafts up with a 2 1/2 inch, four fletch. I reduced the amount of off-set a bit and hung some field points on them, all 100 gr. and did some play.

My bow scales 74 pounds and I shoot an arrow at 30" thru a bisquit. My standard arrow, a PSE Extreme, shoots like a bullet with the field points, but they have a tendency to wander just a bit with the fixed three blade Rocky heads. I am not talking that they go all over the target, they just "loosen up" some. I wanted to try and tighten things up before the season got on me.

I got to thinking about a situation that occured years ago when I was shooting a Groves Custom recurve with an over-draw shelf and a Black Widow take-down with an over-draw shelf. Both bows were big pounders and hung arrows out there at a really good clip, but they too would show some looseness to groups when broadheads were put on. The answer for each of those bows was to go to a four-fletch using shorter vanes or feathers and eliminating some of the spin. This worked like a charm on these weapons and broadhead accuracy was much better. At twenty yards these guys shot tight enough that it was one arrow at one target mark, another went to a different mark or I'd be doing arrow repair all the time.

I just shot some twenty yard groups using four different arrow brands fletched with four 2 1/2 inch vanes and the results for my standard arrow was extremely promising. All were carbons. All were the appropriate weight for the bow. All were shot with the same three blade 100gr Rocky and each brand tightened up about 15 to 20 percent over the three fletch arrows identical in every way except the fletching numbers and length.

What really amazed me was the difference in speed. As soon as I can arrange to chronograph these new arrows I intend to. I thik they are flying ten to 25 feet faster than the three flecth arrows....the difference in visually distinguishable.

This may not be an answer for every loose shooting bow, but it does merit some consideration especially for thos who shoot from ground blinds.

[blacksheep]

for sure, when you can i'd like to see some stats.

b.s.

[jiggin' fool]

CT,

And all this time I thought you were a crappie-fisherman.

I have been shooting 4-fletch for years and years. Like you, I noticed tighter groups.., plus, I like not having to look for a cock-feather when I string an arrow. Doesn't matter how the arrow locks to the string.., just snap her on. And I will have to say, I had the same troubles with broadheads not grouping as tight as the field tips.., and this included numerous brands, including Rockies. I have been shooting the new Montech, fixed blades, cut-on-impact heads the last few years.., and they are AWESOME heads.

I have a "theory" on replaceable blade broadheads.., most of them have "vents" cut in the blades.., and I have often wondered if they don't 'catch the wind' when in flight, and cause them to fly a little "untrue". The Montech heads don't have this, the blades are 'solid'.

Just some thoughts TC.

[leechlake]

I used to use 4 fletch arrows for years, now I don't because no one else did (good reason!). Good point, I'm going to have to give it a try and see how it works. I got a new bow last summer and for some reason I've been a little loose, plain and simple. Frankly, right now I'm not worthy of going hunting for fear of wounding a deer, which I've luckily never done. I'm going to check out your ideas, also, I thought you were only a Crappie athelete, I didn't know of your prowess with the bow!

[jiggin' fool]

CT,

One point I didn't make clearly on the Montechs.., yes, they also have a vented-blade, the blade itself is not solid, but the vent is solid. It has a vented blade that is one "solid" vent, not multiple vents per blade. That was what I always thought may have caused some veering of the shaft.., as the wind "weaved" in and out of multiple vents.

Hope this cleared that up!!!!!!

Good luck this fall!!!!

[CrappieJohn]

Jiggin....

I've bow hunted since 1967! A couple years, eh?

Leech ....a word of note here. You can not get by with a four fletch using 4" vanes or feathers without really slowing the arrow down. I did these up in 2 1/2 inch vanes and they are great. Three inchers might work without too much drag too, but I am sticking with the shorties.

Years ago when four fletched arrows were real popular with field archers using the recurves is when I got onto them. My first compound was a four-wheel wing, an eighty pounder, and I shot 2219s using a four fletch in 105/75 spacing to clear the cables.

While cable clearance was not an issue here I tried this spacing first on a couple arrows with the 2.5 inchers and was met with sour results. I tried a couple with 4" at that spacing and they flew like logs. I then got back into the 2.5 range and got rid of some of the spin, went to 90 degree spacing and wallah.

As for the prowess thing Leech, I enjoy the woods plain and simple. Taking a deer would be a secondary thing for me, but if it does come to that I will be ready. And like my fishing....the only one I strive to impress is myself. No prowess....pure enjoyment.

Good hunting guys!

[jiggin' fool]

CT,

You have a few years on me..., not many as we won't go there.., but yes, a few.

I will be missing the opener.., (you KNOW where I am going to be).., it is time for the KING.., as in King Salmon. Storm came out with some of their plastics in GLOW.., and I will be tossing them the weekend of our deer archery opener, in Port Washington, WI. I haven't forgotten you. If the timing is right, (which it wasn't last year), and I get into 'em like I normally do.., you can expect a slab of fresh King salmon. I haven't forgotten the glow-plastics and jig-heads you set me up with a year ago!!!!!!

Take care CT.

[CrappieJohn]

Jigg....The first two weekends of the season will find me at Two Harbors and the cabin. I won't get to hunt until the evening of the 27th. I could hunt up there, but prefer to fish and chase grouse. Good luck over ther and if you do get an extra fillet-o-king, freeze it for me.

Oh.... and I have been doing some toying with glow plastics for a couple years now. Haven't said much other than what we spoke about last year, but you may be pleasantly surprised with the results. More on this topic later....Again, good luck and stay safe.