Switched back to 4" vanes
 

Well earlier this summer I made the switch over from the 4" QuikSpins to the 2.25" version because I was having some minor clearance issues with my new QuikTune360 rest. I was very impressed with the way they shot and was convinced I would be hunting with them this fall. Then I put my broadheads on.

After a couple of shots I knew something was wrong. My arrows seemed to be fishtailing and kicking out a bit, but in no specific manner time and time again. Sometimes they would all fly okay, sometimes a few of them woud fly okay and one would hit the target at an off angle, and then sometimes they would all fly goofy.

My initial thoughts were that my bow was out of tune so I tried putting the field points on and shooting it through paper, and I was getting a very slight off tear so I adjusted my rest until I was shooting bullet holes, then went back to the broadheads. They shot a little better, but I was still getting a few off arrows every now and again that were kicking out, not hitting anywhere near where I was aiming, or just flying strange. I spin tested my arrows and everything looked good so I couldn't quite figure out what the heck the problem was.

Later that night I just had an off notion to refletch some of my arrows with the 4" QuikSpins and see what happened. So I made three of them up quick and Sunday morning went out and shot. Within 5 minutes I was dialed in and shooting awesome out to 30 yards. No strange arrow flight, no stray arrows. To say it was a huge relief considering the season starts this Saturday is an understatement. I shot for a solid hour to make sure things were good, then went home and refletched all of my arrows. Bring on October 1! :D

So yeah, that's my story for today. I guess the little QuikSpins just couldn't stabilize my arrow well enough w/the broadheads on. That's really the only thing I can think of. Just an FYI I'm shooting 27" ACC 3-60's with a 100 gr 2 blade Stinger.

RE: Switched back to 4" vanes
 

Glad to hear you got everything sorted out.......I wouldn't want you to have any excuses;):D

RE: Switched back to 4" vanes
 

LOL

If you want a small vane, shoot Blazers. My fixed blade broadheads fly great out to 40 yards. I haven't shot them farther than that.

RE: Switched back to 4" vanes
 

Although a little different story, my Blazers are doing "ok", but I fletched some of my arrows with 4" feathers and my broadhead flight improved enough to the point that I am hunting with the feathers. Glad you got yours sorted out.

RE: Switched back to 4" vanes
 

Coug - what broadheads are you shooting?

I know a few guys shooting some of the new smaller fixed heads like Crossfires, Nitrons, Slick Tricks, etc that are having good luck with the Blazers and little QuikSpins, but I've yet to find anyone shooting a bigger fixed blade head who can get them to fly as well as they want. And although I don't consider the Stingers to be a "big" head, they are certainly bigger than the aforementioned heads.

RE: Switched back to 4" vanes
 

Justin, although I will still carry a couple of Muzzy's, I have found a new head that flies better than any fixed blade broadhead I ever shot and the blades come scary sharp.................Rocky Mountain Turbo 100 grain. 5 Shot's review caused me to purchase some. You probably already know its a small all stainless steel fixed head, similiar in size to the Nitrons.

RE: Switched back to 4" vanes
 

I just wish they would make a 3" version. Seems like they would be more practical than a 2.25" version.

RE: Switched back to 4" vanes
 

HNI J., I'm havingsimilar problems with my blazers with an identical setup. My arrows are hitting the target at an angle with my slick tricks. Some arrows shoot fine while others won't come close. I'm also shooting 27" arrows. I might switch back to 4" feathers.

RE: Switched back to 4" vanes
 

Hey. What's the whole point of those "mini" vanes anyway? Is it a weight-thing or is it simply to match the "mini" broadheads out now? I'm just being sarcastic, but I've had similar problems too. Tried the Blazers with my Montec's and things seemed "okay", but got better with the 4" Quikspins. Got even better with 4" feathers and now I'm back where I left off last season...4" feathers. I've heard it said that the shortBlazers/Quikspins are really only designed with mechanicals in mind, not fixed blades. No matter what the broadhead company wants to tell you about "flies like a fieldpoint" they usually won't with little shortiesdoing thesteering. I'dbe interested in hearing if anyoneout there has had any luck withshort vanes and fixed blades.

RE: Switched back to 4" vanes
 

I use the Blazers and fixed blade broadheads. Granted, they are Slick Tricks and Wasp Sharpshooters. Both are 4 blade designs with a 1" cutting diameter. They fly great out to 40 yards and group with my field points. I did try some Stingers and they flew low. About 2" low at 20 yards and 4" low at 30 yards. They were dead on left-right. I can't figure it out but I'm not using them. (Please don't hijack the thread saying how great Stingers are. I'm not saying they are bad, just have to work on why they are hitting low.)

The reason I use Blazers is because they are tougher than regular vanes, I don't have to worry about weather and they give me more clearance with my drop-away rest.

RE: Switched back to 4" vanes
 

I had the EXACT same problems. Just stick with the fours and you'll be fine.

RE: Switched back to 4" vanes
 

Anyoe besides me using 4 fletch??? I am shooting C/E 3D select 200s 27in long W/ 2-1/2 inch feather 4 fletch/ with slight offsetand 85 grain Slick Tricks(325 grains) 28-1/2 in. draw out of a Hoyt Protec at 50lbs., gives me 240+fps/ 41+ KE. The reason for the light draw weight is nerve damage in neck and bow arm
Field points and broadheads hit the same out to 35yards, dont shoot any farther than 30 at game!!! GGBH

RE: Switched back to 4" vanes
 

I had just the opposite results.

Last year I had so-so groups out of my Liberty using 4" Quickspins and MontecG-5's on the end of my A/C/C 3-49's. This year I'm getting the best broadhead groups I've had in a few years using 2 1/4" Quickspins on the exact same arrows only shooting them out of my Allegiance, it's grouping greatout to40 yds.

RE: Switched back to 4" vanes
 

I like shooting my 5 inch Duravanes with a strong right helical for hunting. My longest shot while deer hunting has been 28 yards in 32 years so long distance accuracy is not that important, though it's there out to my 50 yards I practice with Muzzys. I want VERY fast arrow stabilization out of the bow for the very close shots i usually get. Last year the two deer I shot were 15 yards and 10 yards out of treestands and during pretty windy conditions. I want that arrow to track well as soon as it leaves the bow;)

That said, my Allegiance will shoot a bare shaft in the same spot at 20 yards as my fletched arrows,, I'm justserious about steerage I guess:D

RE: Switched back to 4" vanes
 

One thing for sure, you gotta do what works best for you with your setup. I switched to homemade Blazers last year, and they were grouping Muzzys very nicely out to 40 yards. This year, I tried switching to 2.5" Vanetecs, fletched helical and 4 fletch (with a drop away rest). I thought they were flying really well with the broadheads until I shot them through a bow that I bought as a backup. Then I was getting dipping and diving and low broadhead impact. I had to switch back to 3" Vanetecs or Blazers to get decent groups with that bow. Long story short, I sold that bow, and my #1 bow shoots broadheads well with 2.5" Vanetecs, 3" Vanetecs, Blazers, or even factory 4" offset vanes. I have heard others say that Blazers were a problem and that 4" vanes were much better. I can fletch the Blazers full helical and clear a shoot through rest, and they grouped BHs better thay the straight offset that I needed to get clearance with 4" vanes. Glad you found what works for you and gives you confidence.

RE: Switched back to 4" vanes
 

Blazers work great in a 4 fletch configuration. For larger head, it will tame the broadheads as well as three 4 inch feathers. I am shooting 125 grain thunderheads at 280 with 4 blazers out of one set up. That should be proof enough! I shoot slick tricks to 100 grain innerlocs with the 3 blazer set up. Blazers are great. Durable and fast. You just need 4 of them for bigger heads.