ORIGINAL: TRG3
KLS...You noted in your post that you had a simple way of adding weight to your arrows to move the FOC forward that didn't require special tools. Would you mind sharing that with us? Thanks, Tom
Not at all
as far as alumin arrows I use an insert for the arrow being usedand lead, specifically .22 long rifle bullets
First I take an extra insert, chuck it in a drill and take the collar off with a file, then I drill the insert out as far to the bottom as you can without going through with a bit that lets the bullet side down but is still fairly snug(I cant remember off the top of my head the exact size I used), I then use a small flat head punch and hammer to "set" the bullets inside the insert one on top of the other, then I hotmelt glue the weighted insert behind the regular insert with the lead end of the insert forward
using a lead filled insert is more "solid" IMO and keeps the weight centered in the shaft, plus you don’t have to "find" something that fits doing it this way, you only need to use the appropriate insertto make it work
Theres other alternatives to bullets, including sinkers, lead shot/silicone, ect., but .22LR bullets seem almost made for doing this, they’re simple to make work and work great because they’re soft unjacketed "lead" that’s easy to reform/shape and are just the right dia. to fit into an insert, two of them weigh around 80gr, plus around 25gr(2213) for the insert should get you around a 100gr weighted insert which you can cut down(and/or only use one bullet) to any weight you want depending on what you want for weight and/or your tip weight …
I use mine full length in my 2213's because I use 85gr thunderheads, my weighted inserts are 95gr, plus 110gr for regular insert/tip gives me an OA weight of around 205gr, a 125gr tip with a standard 25gr insert is 150gr so even with 85gr tips I’m still 55gr more front heavy than the basic 125gr tip setup, and like I saidthe 2213 shaftsare IMO just right weight-wise for doing this, my 2213’s ended up right in the area I wanted them as far as weight(435gr) and FOC(18%)
when keeping in mind that the further out toward the end of the arrow you add the weight the less weight is actually needed to improve FOC putting the weight behind the insert isnt the most efficent way, adding a heavier tip would be the best and most efficent way, but other than making custom inserts there really isntmany options with alumin arrows, the added weight needed to equal the couple inches of weight placement differencefrom behindto in front of the insert really doesnt amount to much anyway andits not worth worring about IMO
I make my own inserts on a machine too but actually prefer doing it with an existing insert/lead, its alot easier(I can make one in just a few minutes), they work just as good, it doesnt require any special tools, and I can do it in my house sitting in front of the TV instead of driving around and sitting in the shop listening to a machine run for hours and making up new swear words because I screw up every other insert…
the inserts for my beman thunderbolts are even better yet, thunderbolt/powerbolt inserts are longer and heavier than normal inserts and the rear half of the insert is just added weight(they weigh 45gr if I remember right), you can drill out the back half of the insert and add a .22 bullet to the back of the insert itself, no seperate insert needed,mybeman insertsweight around 75gr and to look at them you cant tell the difference between a stock one and my modified ones
for those who were curious anyway...
this is just one way though and like awshucks' theres a lot of other ideas floating around too that people have come up with for adding front end weight