If this is true then i am going to consider smaller fletching
 

In the Archery Experts catalog Tom Redmond write little tips thingys and on one of them it says.

" I shot a 4" vane through a chronograph at 1 yard and 20 yards. It lost 8ft. I then shot a 1 1/2 Quck Spin and at the same distances. It only lost 1 ft. Of course, I allways make sure they shoot good at a distance. First at 60 yardsa and then through paper at 20 yards to make sure they are flying perfect. Guys if you are shooitng expandables, try some of these smaller vanes. Oh! Buy the way, I had neil stand much down range behind the wall my arrow was lying by, they are also much quiter!"

Is this true?? The smaller vanes will work better with mechanical broadheads. I plan to use them and if this is true I may start using the smaller vanes.

THANKS,

RE: If this is true then i am going to consider smaller fletching
 

Depending on the vane he just took 30 grns. off of the arrow. You can and a lot of people do the same with feathers. I don't know how he is able to tell how they are flying shooting through paper at 20 yrds. You can't just take 30 grns. of of the nock end of an arrow and have it fly right.

RE: If this is true then i am going to consider smaller fletching
 

10 feet per second ? If thats going to make or break your shots on deer at 20 yards, you got a LOT more to worry about that fletching !

RE: If this is true then i am going to consider smaller fletching
 

I have not had a chance to try the Bohning Blazers yet but all of the positive comments on the forums and my choice of expandable broadheads certainly has me leaning towards picking up some. Maybe I can convince the local shop to order some in.

RE: If this is true then i am going to consider smaller fletching
 

Beware of things like that. Some guy does a little experiment, comes up with a certain result and writes it up in a magazine article. What he doesn't put in his write-up is that that is the result HE got on THAT particular day, with THAT particular chronograph, in THOSE particular conditions. It most definitely does NOT mean that everyone will get exactly the same results in all circumstances.

The thing to do with these kinds of articles is to maintain a healthy amount of skepticism and do your own testing. Find out whether you can repeat his results. Then, test how it works by putting yourself in positions you're likely to encounter under hunting conditions. Standing flat footed in the back yard, shooting arrows through chronographs and sheets of paper is one thing. Twisting around, bending over and shooting from less than perfect target shooting form is quite another, especially when the adrenaline is pumping, you're likely cold and tired, maybe even wet and miserable.

Will those arrows still shoot as well under those conditons with the short fletching as they do with the longer fletch? As a bowhunter, THAT is the kind of testing that is meaninful.

RE: If this is true then i am going to consider smaller fletching
 

Anytime I see something like this in a catelog I question it. It sounds like he is trying to give a little push to a certain product, there's always a business side to it!

Like others have said if you knock off 15-30 grains off of your arrow you can expect it to shoot faster. Thats why a lot of people started shooting smaller vanes with small mechanical heads. They fly like darts & they pick up a few FPS as well. I have shot a mixture of vanes sizes & feathers. I still think 4" vanes group better with most broadheads and are a better choice for most hunters especially if they are using fixed blade heads. If you are shooting an ultra short & small head like the Rocket Steelhead then you can expect great flight using a smaller vane.

It' all relative, really.

RE: If this is true then i am going to consider smaller fletching
 

Arthur, I think you have enough skepticism for us all.;)

I agree though and think a test with your gear would be prudent before making a wholesale change. I like to tinker as much as the next guy, but I make sure something works before I jump right into it.

RE: If this is true then i am going to consider smaller fletching
 

PABowhuntr,
My buddy and I have been trying all different types of fletching from feathers to 4 and 5 inch vanes to quick spins and the Bohning Blazers.

After weeks of shooting in the back yard, in the garage, stump shooting, small game and 3-D ranges, we settled on the Blazers. Nothing else could match the accuracy AND durability of these Blazers, (for us).

Now before anyone slams me cause they love feathers or quickspins, I'm not saying the Blazers are better for everybody, but I think you need to try them and give them a chance.

And NO.....I don't work for Bohning OR own their stock.;)

Kev

RE: If this is true then i am going to consider smaller fletching
 

I was gonna try this. Beman Black Max , Arrow wrap. 1.5 bohning blazer vanes. If i did decide to do this which do you think would be better the 1.5 or 2 inch vanes.

RE: If this is true then i am going to consider smaller fletching
 

I personally like the 2" blazers. They work very well for me with fixed blade heads.

RE: If this is true then i am going to consider smaller fletching
 

I'd also say the 2" Blazers, Trapper. They impressed me when I tested them for a local shop when fletched on about a 6 degree offset. I found they did have their limits on how large of a broadhead they'd stabilize though. For me, they worked best with vented fixed blade heads, 1" dia and smaller, so I'm fairly sure they might could do an adequate job with mechanicals. Definitely attach them with an offset though, and see how they do from your bow.

On the other hand, I certainly wouldn't go out on a limb and say they work 'better' than a larger fletch. They didn't impress me that much. ;) The smaller the fletching, the more critical it will be to have the bow matched perfectly to your arrow spine and tuned to perfection, not to mention having your shooting form tuned to perfection. Short fletchings are not something that I'd recommend to the weekend warrior or occasional shooter.

RE: If this is true then i am going to consider smaller fletching
 

I got a question that needs answered. The guy tried 4" vanes and lost 8 fps. OK, compared to what? And what 4" vanes? I've seen 4" vanes that vary in weight from 6.5 grains to over 12 grains. And while comparing things compare the average vane to the average feather. The feathers weigh approx. 1/3 of what vanes of the same size do.

RE: If this is true then i am going to consider smaller fletching
 

Currently I'm using XX78 2315 shafts with 4" quickspins and 125gr Magnus Stingers. I've finally got my bow tuned where I want it and everything is shooting well for me. (560gr, 225 fps)
Be that as it may, I'm still tinkering with 5" Killer Vanes with as much rt. helical as my jig will allow. I'm also messing with 5" feathers and 100 gr. heads.
I just bought some Blazers today and will give them a try too.

So far I am getting my best, most consistant accuracy with the Quickspins. I don't see how the 2" Blazers fletched with a straight offset will give me the stability I need but enough people have told me that they work that I figured I'd give them a try. Those Quickspins sure work great but they are too damn expensive and they wrinkle quick.