got to wondering if spreading the weight out over an inch or two would affect the way the arrow bends. It seems to me that pressing at two points would result in a different reading than pressing at one point.
Sure does make a difference. I tried to keep as close to my plunger as possible, leaving only .300" for the plunger in between my bearings. The farther you get away from center, the more the end supports are taking some of the load.
The plunger on the dial caliper would have to sit a fraction to the side, but I can't imagine that would affect the reading to a noticable degree.
You'll be fine!
Jeff, I just threw some of my navigators on there and I was impressed with the consistency of the few I measured. I could detect no stiff or weak side on three I tried. I am giving up on some carbons that I had been using for hunting arrows the last few years and using ACC's this year. ACC's are a damn good arrow.