Fishtailing?

LouisianaTomkat · 07-29-2008, 08:15 PM

I recently had my bow dropped from 60 to 50lbs. I am still shooting the same arrows (AXIS ST 500's w/100gr field points). The problem is I am now noticing a little fishtailing on the arrows down range. I am not getting fletch contact with rest (TR Drop Zone). What could be the problem?

Thanks, LT

Vabowman · 07-29-2008, 09:35 PM

that is strange, maybe the loss of speed?? or KE??

Matt/TN · 07-29-2008, 10:58 PM

The spine could be a touch stiff. I'm not for sure though, I don't have Archers Advantage on my home computer though. You would think a .500 spine would be alright. How long are your arrows?

5 shot · 07-30-2008, 03:22 AM

More than likely you need to re-tune the bow. If you just dropped the poundage without tuning your likely to get bad arrow flight.

LouisianaTomkat · 07-30-2008, 06:58 AM

Matt: the arrows are 26.5 inches long.

5 shot: What exactly do you mean? The center shot should still be the same, right? I did have to adjust the sight up just a little. What else is there in the tune of the bow that would need to be changed?

By the way, the arrows are grouping just as good as they were at 60lbs. I wonder if maybe it's just some of my arrows may need re-fletching. Could that cause the fishtailing?

Thanks, LT

brucelanthier · 07-30-2008, 07:53 AM

By changing the speed of your bow you have changed how it works with your arrows spine. You start tuning by setting your arrow at centershot but the tuning process adjusts for differences in the actual arrow and sets up for the dynamic spine (how the arrow's spine acts while being shot). As someone has stated, by lowering the draw weight you have effectively increased your arrow's dynamic spine, making it react more stiffly when shot. You need to retune your bow with the arrow you will be using to get good arrow flight under the new parameters (lower draw weight).

You can also effect the spine by changing your tip weight. I would go from the current 100gr to a 125gr tip and then see how things are. You will probably still have to make some minor tuning changes but changing the tip weight may help minimize them.

Kanga · 07-30-2008, 07:56 AM

LT

There is more to tuning a bow than just center shot.

Have you shot through paper to see what the arrows are doing when they leave the bow?

OHbowhntr · 07-30-2008, 09:07 AM

SPINE certainly is a likely problem, you're about .08 off, meaning you'd be just about as good with a 600 spine and a lighter tip, say an 75-85 grainer. OR you could throw about 175 grain tip on there, that would weaken it enough that it would be more on line with "right spined." At 60#, your spine was almost PERFECT, at 50#, it's WAY HIGH.