I've read on thi forum that for hunting I should use anywhere between 10%-14% FOC to get good arrow flight. I shot Goldtips the past year and the FOC was lower than it should have been. My local pro shop told me I'd be okay with them. I thought they shot great but then again I can't see the arrow fly, I just know they ended up where I was aiming. I'm want to switch to ACC's this year but the FOC would be worst. What do I do? I went to Bowjackson.com and got these results. Help me out.

GoldtipXT
Point weight: 85
Point insert: Goldtip tapered
Shaft type: 5575
Shaft length: 28.5
Fletch type: 3 7/8 vanes
# of fletch: 3
Nock adapter: None
Nock size: Locknock
Results: 371 gr FOC: 7.9%

A/C/C
Point weight: 85
Point insert: 8/32 AL 3-49
Shaft type: 3-49
Shaft length: 28.5
Fletch type: 3 7/8 vanes
# of fletch: 3
Nock adapter: 3-49
Nock size: Easton G-nock
Results: 382 gr FOC: 7%

I would suggest you rebuild your arrows using feathers instead of vanes, it will help bring your foc up as feathers weigh less than vanes. You are shooting a relatively light weight point, and need to lose some weight on the back end if you are having a problem, which is what I did. If losing grains in the rear gives you a grains per pound issue, simply increase your head weight by the weight difference between the feathers and vanes, which will correct it plus further increase your FOC. I would try the ACCs with vanes and your 85 grain head, if they fly and group good, no problem. If they don't, swap out the vanes for feathers. If that still doesn't solve the issue, you'll need to bump up your head weight.

Switch to feathers and 100 grain tips. You'll loose weight on the tail and gain weight on the tip. Better FOC with little, if any, gain in net arrow weight.

The rule of thumb is to have an FOC of 10-14% for broadheads. But it's only a rule of thumb and lot's of people successfully shoot setups that violate that rule. If it was me, and my arrows were flying straight and accurate, I'd go have a high octane margarita and quit stressing.<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Maybe something to consider, the diameter of the 3-49 won't allow you much helical on your vanes/feathers if you plan on fletching them with helical or much offset. I use the 3-49 and Redline 520's (same dia. as 3-49) and pretty much now shoot straight fletch (small amount of offset).

Switching to Acc arrows to me is a step backwards. I never had great results with them with broadheads and they always seemed very spine sensitive. When I switched to Gold Tips I was amazed at how much easier they were to set up. I think the aluminum core in the Acc does not allow the shaft to recover as quickly as all carbon shafts. Acc shafts came out at a time when unidirectional carbon shafts were not able to be made stiff enough. The aluminum core was Eastons way to cure that problem. Now with wrapped carbon technology the all carbon arrow is stiffer and lighter and able to handle a wider variety of bow set ups than the Acc. I just tried some Redlines this season and like them just as well as my Gold Tips and both shafts are about half the price of Acc shafts.

just putting it back on top...for more input.

I shoot ACC 3-28s with 4&quot; fletches and 80 gr tri-loc broadhead with half outs. This is the most accurate fixed blade set up that I have ever used. The combination makes about 8% foc.

Virginia, I have the same arrow set up as you and my pro-shop told me that I'd be fine also.

I would say in general you are better to have a FOC around 7-10% for broadheads. Remember that some setups will shoot a lower FOC just fine. Since you know the arrows you want to use then get them & try them out with the heads you have. You may find they shoot just fine or they may not. I shoot 75 grain muzzy's on ACC's 3-60 with 4&quot; vanes. my FOC is way low but my bow is tuned & shoots them great. I had both 100's & the 75's & they both shot great.

You can get the low foc to shoot fine but when conditions get less than perfect,like wind or when penetrating an animal or hitting a branch.Or just hammering a release,like is done a lot when shooting at a live animal,The higher foc will be the one that will perform better.If you are on the low end of ke,you need all the advantages that you can get and foc up around 12%-15% will help you in that regard.I have shot at 50 ft lb of ke and passed thru deer at a sharp angle with 1 1/2&quot; expandables and I feel that 12% foc helped me do it.

Also lower speed arrows will benefit a lot from the heavier foc,it will require less spinning of the arrow to fly straight.


10% foc should be fine for most but it seems that 12% for me is the sweet spot.I wouldn't reccomend lower than 10% for anyone,even though I know some have great succes that low.

just my 2 cents worth.



Edited by - tfox on 01/15/2002 16:11:58