5" or 4" parabolic feathers

burniegoeasily · 08-28-2006, 02:02 PM

Im going to fletch up some 5" feathers on some shafts to see if their is much difference than the 4". What do yall think, has anyone tried 5". Should I expect to lose velocity?

Alpha Capo · 08-28-2006, 02:18 PM

they will fly a little slower but you wont notice it with the eye. accept at long distances

Alpha Capo · 08-28-2006, 02:22 PM

do you build your own arrows burnie? i want to start doing thes my self. any info you could give would be great. also what tools do i need.

BobCo19-65 · 08-28-2006, 02:26 PM

It's always give and take. What you'll loose in spped, you'll gain in arrow stability. That said, I need all the stability I can get.

Alex The Hawk · 08-28-2006, 02:52 PM

I take the middle of the road and use 4.6 " Turkey feathers, or 4" Goose, or swan feathers.
It doesn't effect the speed much.

LBR · 08-28-2006, 02:58 PM

I agree with Bob. If I were a serious target shooter, I'd probably use 4" or even 3" feathers (among other things) to pick up that tiny bit of speed. I do shoot quite a few tournaments, but hunting is priority, so I use the exact same set-up (minus broadheads) for tournaments as I hunt with, which includes 5" feathers.

I don't use them to avoid tuning. I can shoot at least 20 yds (with field points) with no fletchings at all, as long as my release is decent. I use them because Murphy's Law often works overtime with me, especially when hunting. If I draw short due to being in an awkward position or just getting in a hurry, or pluck the string, etc. the larger feathers will help cover my mistake. I don't like to go super big, like a maxi-fletch or high back bananna cut, due to the extra noise.

Like Bob said, it's give and take; or as my favorite bowyer says, "Everything is a trade-off".

Chad

burniegoeasily · 08-29-2006, 07:52 AM

LBR
That is the reason I have decieded to give them a try. It has been over two years since I hunted with any trad bow. I cut off two fingers a few years ago, so I used my compounds the last two seasons. Im back with the trads and the shot is coming around slower than I had expected. I feel confident enough to hunt, but just want to add the little extra insurance.

Alpha
I simply cut and fletch my shafts. I dont draw or turn wood shafts. Im sure there are those here who do. Post a thread and im sure someone will know. My brother makes his shafts from ash. He uses a draw knife to start them, then a lathe to finish them. He also naps flint for broad heads. He has even taken a few animals with his flint heads. He doesnt use them much, but has used them. Sorry for the lack of info.