Ok, Im looking at shaft prices, and have a stupid question. Whats the difference between 11/32 shafts, and 23/64 shafts, other than a difference of 1/64? <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> Is it a personal preference, or am I missing something. You can get the same spine in both shafts. Is it for extra mass, to help tune, or to be able to say yours is bigger? <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> If you think this question is stupid, there's plenty more where that came from. <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Also, what are the advantages/disadvantages of parallel vs. tapered shafts. I am told by some people that the accuracy is not any better at hunting ranges, and someone like me wouldn't see any difference between the two.

Lol! Well, if that is a stupid question I bet every one of us that has shot wood was stupid at one time or another! As far as I know, there is no noticeable difference in the two. The 11/32 might be a tad denser, but I doubt anything short of a shooting machine could show any differences. It's funny--when talking to Paula at RRA one time she told me that folks on one side of the MS River seem to prefer one, folks on the other side prefer the other. 23/64 will usually go higher in spine though--haven't seen an 100# spine in 11/32.

Tapered shafts are supposed to recover from archer's paradox better, which is helpful with a bow that is cut off center. Don't think they make much difference with a bow that is cut to or past center. I shoot them because that is all RRA sells, and I really like their shafting. I have shot paralell, and I am not good enough to tell the difference in the two.

Keep 'em coming Kip!

Chad

Long Bows Rule!

The only difference I could think of would be better pentration for the thinner shafts, but at 1/32 and 1/64 differences, I don't know that it'd make much of a difference.

God bless,
Brandan

Thanks guys, that helps alot. LBR, do I have to use 11/32 or 23/64 to be regionally correct? <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Irishlad, I have heard the same thing on the penetration issue, but find that a little hard to swallow. I could see it if we were talking a taper of 1/2 the diamater, or something like that, but what little taper there is in a tapered shaft, I dont see it. Im sure some will disagree with me, but thats my opinion.

In addition to RRA, I hear good things about shafts from Raven, anyone know if they have a website?

Raven doesn't have a website. Excellent arrows, however.
Don't overlook Elite arrows in Michigan, either. 99% of the time, I shoot my own. When I feel I must have some better than I can make, I buy Elites

Paula at RRA will tell you that east of the Mississippi they use 23/64, west is 11/32, and she has no idea why. I don't think it will matter as far as performance, but if ya want to be regionally correct, that is the scoop. John

Where in MI are Elites made? I never heard of them.

John49, how goes the deer hunt in PA? A little harder to track than a moose? <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Thanks again for the info guys, Im sure I'll have lots more questions once I start getting everything, and have to start building.

John Nail, thanks for the link to the Elites. I sent him an email.
I tried to respond to your email, but it got returned to me, it says your email acct is inactive.
Thanks again.
Kip

Kip, I'm not having much luck this year so far, no opportunity to track one yet. You do have to bend over alittle further to see deer track compared to moose track.

LOL, that might be the problem John. You also wont see that deer standing above the tag alders either. <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
Maybe you used up all your luck by seeing all the bulls this fall? Come to think of it, the other John is not having much luck with deer either. May be something to my theory. <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>