Fletching effect on fps?

Rangeball · 11-15-2002, 11:18 AM

Assuming full clearance and the same size and weight of fletching, would a full helical fletch to be slower than one that is offset or straight? By how much?

I'm thinking about getting an Arizona EZ fletch for Christmas, and need to decide between the 2* offset and 6* helical, for ACC 3-49s.

DaveC · 11-15-2002, 12:24 PM

I believe I have the 6 degree helical. I love the easy fletching with it. I bought it when I was shooting aluminums and now wonder if they make a special one for the ics carbons-it just seems like it could be a little tighter when i clmp down.
Anyway the helical it puts on my carbons makes shooting through a shoot through rest hard to do without getting dome fletching contact. I solved this on my mathews by adding a whisker bisquit.
As far as fps goes. when I shoot a stright fletched arrow through my chrony followed by a helical fletched there is always at least a 2fps drop in speed with the helical. This might be due to some extra drag when the helical is trying to get through the bisquit.
Good luck with your decision.
P.s I could get just as good of groups with the straight fletched muzzy tipped arrows as I could the helical fletched arrow. Sub 2" at 30 yards (thats as far as I'll shoot so thats as far as I tested)

Rangeball · 11-15-2002, 12:39 PM

Dave, they do make one now specifically for carbons. Interesting that you only lost 2 fps, especially through a biscuit. I'll probably go with the 2* offset to give me more flexibility with rests and clearance, especially shooting mechanicals or narrow cutting diameter fixed heads.

FLHunter · 11-15-2002, 02:07 PM

Range,

The amount of offset and helical are only a couple of the considerations when fletching. Here are a couple more considerations to add to the mix:

Feathers are about 25% the weight of vanes of the same length. Lighter arrow, faster arrow.

Feathers are faster out of the gate, but tend to dropout quicker downrange, more drag coeffient. Feathers have about double the drag of vanes given the same speed.

A severe helical fletch is pretty hard to glue up on fairly skinny shafts.

Just some thoughts

Aim Hard!

Deleted User · 11-16-2002, 02:58 PM

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