Heavy arrow tuning struggles

[Fire_9]

I would shoot your old arrows through paper to see what you get. So what’s your arrow and bow setup? If you think you’re close on spine, drop point weight and see what you get. When I first upped my arrow weight I fought poor arrow flight. Chased my tail all summer and just hunted with them. Dropped two spines the next year and they flew like darts.

 

[LuketheDog]

3 identical arrows, two shots each, 21 feet from target. WTF is going on? I'm at a loss.
View attachment 229638

What's your setup specs?

I'd wonder if it's grip just based on all the wonky tears...

 

[Irrelevant]

So what’s your arrow and bow setup?

Bowtech carbon knight
70#
28" Gold Tip Kinetic 300
90 gr inserts
125 tips

 

[Irrelevant]

If that answer is grip, then I need to stop bow hunting because I can't hold that bow better...

 

[Fire_9]

Bowtech carbon knight
70#
28" Gold Tip Kinetic 300
90 gr inserts
125 tips

I can’t imagine you’re too far off on spine but I would still drop 50 grains or so in point weight to see what it does

 

[Mighty Mouse]

Bowtech carbon knight
70#
28" Gold Tip Kinetic 300
90 gr inserts
125 tips

FWIW qSpine/OT2Go says 300 would be "optimal" at the assumed specs listed below. Like any spine chart/calculator though, it's just giving an estimate, not a hard-and-fast rule for good arrow flight...the proof is always in the pudding.

Bow specs: 335 fps IBO, 70# DW, 28" DL, 31" ATA, 7" BH, 80% LO
Arrow specs: 28" C2C, 125 gr head, 90 gr insert, 9 gr nock, 3 vanes at 7 gr each

 

[Redman]

Yes definitely not a spine issue. I shoot 200 gr with 80 gr insert and started out with a 300 spine and switched to a 250 spine Black Eagle X Impact arrows to get a little better group with broad heads.

 

[Irrelevant]

Update: I made zero progress last night. It was FUGGIN' hot so I took the canoe out in an attempt to catch one of the record number of sockeye in the Columbia, just about got swept downstream, frantically slapped the water for what felt like forever to get back to the dock, tied off on a nearby willow, tried to drink a beer but spilled it all while trying to keep the hordes of mosquitoes at bay, called it quits, went home, went to bed... I'll try harder tonight.

 

[TrumpkinTheDwarf]

Man, just when I think us trad guys have it rough, the compound crowd starts talking about their tuning issues. In trad, the first rule is YOU are the problem. The second rule is YOU are STILL the problem. The third rule is to shoot bareshafts till your head spins, while feverishly raising and lowering your brace height till you melt down and throw the bow at your target. Usually that helps and the bareshafts fly pretty straight the next day.

A very weak arrow could cause those paper tears though. As could a trigger punching, grip choker. Or a loose screw on your arrow rest... an out of spec string... too much face pressure. Actually, I'd probably check that last one first.

 

[Deleted member 20812]

Or slightly cocking your wrist on your release arm.

 

[Fire_9]

Man, just when I think us trad guys have it rough, the compound crowd starts talking about their tuning issues. In trad, the first rule is YOU are the problem. The second rule is YOU are STILL the problem. The third rule is to shoot bareshafts till your head spins, while feverishly raising and lowering your brace height till you melt down and throw the bow at your target. Usually that helps and the bareshafts fly pretty straight the next day.

A very weak arrow could cause those paper tears though. As could a trigger punching, grip choker. Or a loose screw on your arrow rest... an out of spec string... too much face pressure. Actually, I'd probably check that last one first.

Rifles and compounds are similar. We are the weak link more often than people want to admit. This is in no way directed at neffa, just a general statement

 

[mottlet]

It's probably something about the way you shoot that bow that makes the heavier arrow wonky. You can try and change the way you shoot, but seems like it's worked until now. Buying a new bow seems impractical. Leaves the arrow. Could try and nock tune the arrows you have (apologies if you already have tried that and I missed it). Or you could try a different arrow. Or a different point weight.

But I definitely sympathize. I just want an arrow that doesn't bonk off an ungulate, why does it have to be so complicated?

 

[grizzly63]

Stop looking at the paper, tune your broadheads to your field points. If you cant do that, bow's out of tune or your spine is way off. Go heavier and lighter, see what happens. Good luck. You'll find that sweet spot.