I just bought a dozen carbon express CX 300 dipped and crested shafts off of E-bay for fifty bucks. I have always used vanes on all of my arrows and I am seriously contemplating going to feathers for these arrows to get better FOC as opposed to vanes. I know that they are lighter, more forgiving, and stabilize faster and better than vanes but, how durable are they compared to vanes. Do you find that you get equal use out of them compared to vanes or more or less use? I just do not want to be replacing feathers all the time.

One more question. Will a 4" feather stabilize as well as a 5" vane. They will be fletched with a right helical. Like I said I have never used feathers on my arrows.


Thanks.

I have used both and feathers by far give the best stability....But you have to waterproof them, they make alot of noise in flight and when brushed against anything, they are loud if shot with the quiver attached to the bow. Since they have come out with the Trophy Taker drop away I can shoot a hard helical with plastic vanes 4'' and my arrow flight is perfect with any broadhead I have tried. If your shooting fingers I'd shoot feathers if you use a release go with vanes but shoot a helical when shooting broadheads which ever style you go with for optimum arrow flight.

bigbulls, I primarily use feathers for hunting. I do not even attempt to waterproof mine anymore. I have never found any waterproofing product that worked real well in the rain.

I carry one arrow with plastic unless the forcast says absolutely zero chance of rain.

I get feathers and vanes to hit within 1" of each other out to 50 yards, so interchanging them is no big deal.

A 4" feather will stabilize way better than a 5" vane. Don`t get me wrong, vanes will stabilize even a high speed fixed blade head, but if you don`t do your part with a smooth release, the vaned arrow will really go crazy.

Good advice from the previous two posts. I've
switched back and forth several times the last few years
[&:] and IMO, there just isn't that big of a difference in
arrow flight to justify using feathers with the lack of
durability and noise...not to mention the waterproof
dilemma. Even if I had a fletching jig, which I don't[:@],
I would still use 4" vanes. I get excellent arrow flight
right now, so, if it ain't broke don't fix it.

I,also, use a TT arow rest, with Muzzy, Wasp, & Thunder-
head BH's.

...always the best advice.

I too have switched back and forth over the years and have found that feathers are slightly more stable and provide better accuracy at longer distances. However, to me anyway, the difference isn't all that great to use feathers over vanes. I hunt vanes on my compound because of the durability over feathers. I hunt feathers on my recurve to stay close to the "stick and a string" mind set of hunting traditional, (maybe a stupid reason but that's what I've planted in my brain).

I've found with feathers that they are impossible to keep from shredding and keep true. Plus when you do slam a deer, they are nearly impossible to get clean enough to shoot again.