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Feather Fletchings w a Compound

TinyTucky

TinyTucky

Active Member
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The Flatlands
So last year I spent a lot of time putting together my hunting arrows, but for whatever reason (mostly because I’m an idiot) did not consider the weight I was adding to the back with a wrap, 4 fletch and lighted nock. Essentially I hate them and want to redo them and increase my FOC and reduce my overall arrow weight. Has any one used feather fletchings with their compound setups? I have some 2” Rayzr fletchings sitting at home, but I’m not sure if they will be enough to steer a fixed head with a 3 or 4 fletch? My buddy is letting me borrow his chopper, so I can make some 3” shield cuts if need be. I’ll likely fletch some with the 2” and try to tune them, but I guess I’m asking if that would be a waste of time or not 😂
 
I only shoot feathers out of my compound.. Call me old school if you want, but they seemed to just always flew better... I sent a 1/2 dozen carbon arrows with feathers out to the get together... Don't know what happened to them, might still be thrown in a corner at Giles... See if they are available and get them to try if you can....
 
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Fletch said:
I only shoot feathers out of my compound.. Call me old school if you want, but they seemed to just always flew better... I sent a 1/2 dozen carbon arrows with feathers out to the get together... Don't know what happened to them, might still be thrown in a corner at Giles... See if they are available and get them to try if you can....
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What length and cut are you using? After shooting a stick bow for the first 3/4 of my archery career, I certainly have a soft spot for feathers. I’d like to assume a 4 fletch 2” could steer a Magnus Stinger fine with a well tuned setup.
 
I shoot 3" shield cut feathers out of my Elite Ritual 30. I prefer them over vanes for the lighter weight and better flight control. My next batch of arrows will have wraps on them. The wraps make it easier to fletch the arrows, plus I like the visual in flight. :cool:

I'm shooting a 29" DL at 57#. The arrows are Gold Tip Hunter XT 300 spine at 27" with a 100 gr. brass insert, 125 gr. tip weight and 3" feathers for a TAW of 500 gr. This setup flies perfect with a bare shaft at 20 yards and will handle any fixed blade broadhead. Typically, I shoot a 4-blade Magnus Stinger, 4-blade Magnus Killer Bee, Grizzly single bevel (2-blade, left bevel) and Magnus SS Snuffer and they all fly to the same Point Of Impact as the field tips of the same weight. (y)
ER 1.webp
 
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Bowhunter57 said:
I shoot 3" shield cut feathers out of my Elite Ritual 30. I prefer them over vanes for the lighter weight and better flight control. My next batch of arrows will have wraps on them. The wraps make it easier to fletch the arrows, plus I like the visual in flight. :cool:

I'm shooting a 29" DL at 57#. The arrows are Gold Tip Hunter XT 300 spine at 27" with a 100 gr. brass insert, 125 gr. tip weight and 3" feathers for a TAW of 500 gr. This setup flies perfect with a bare shaft at 20 yards and will handle any fixed blade broadhead. Typically, I shoot a 4-blade Magnus Stinger, 4-blade Magnus Killer Bee, Grizzly single bevel (2-blade, left bevel) and Magnus SS Snuffer and they all fly to the same Point Of Impact as the field tips of the same weight. (y)
View attachment 210593
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That’s very similar to what my setup is/will be. I’d like to have more than 175gr up front, but I think I’m already maxing out my 300 spine with my 29.5” draw @ 60lbs. If I didn’t stock pile the 300 spines I’d consider going stiffer, but I don’t really see the need in my experience.
 
@TinyTucky
If it helps, I recently dropped from a 150 gr. tip weight, to the 125 gr. The previous setup had 250 gr. up front, including the 100 gr. brass insert with a TAW of 525. I've never had any penetration problems with this setup.
The current setup has 225 gr. up front, including the 100 gr. brass insert.
I was shooting the 525 TAW setup, when I shot this buck at 14 yards with a Magnus Killer Bee. The hit was ahead of the right front shoulder and the exit was behind the left front leg.
A6.webp


I've considered trying some 5mm Easton Axis shafts for my compound and my recurve. I like the smaller diameter for better penetration and the smaller carbons seem to be tougher too. I'm always tinkering with arrows, but just haven't made the switch yet.
 
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Hunter, you get the FOC high enough and you will not need much on the back end at all. I’ve got a bit over 20% FOC on the arrows set up for my compound. Dr.SS can bear witness, my bare shaft and fletched arrows impact the same at 50 yards. I sent him down the FOC rabbit hole a few years ago and I am certain he would enjoy giving you his input. You do not need much on the back if you get the front right.
 
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brock ratcliff said:
Btw, I shoot 2.5” of feather, three fletch on those arrows w broadheads.
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I was texting him yesterday about it. He is running a 3” 3 fletch shooting Iron Wills no problem. I’m trying to make my ass end as light as possible. I was around 65 grains on the back was just ridiculous. I didn’t check how heavy those AAEs were and here we are lol
 
TinyTucky said:
I was texting him yesterday about it. He is running a 3” 3 fletch shooting Iron Wills no problem. I’m trying to make my ass end as light as possible. I was around 65 grains on the back was just ridiculous. I didn’t check how heavy those AAEs were and here we are lol
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Yeah, he lost some FOC with his back end set up, but it is still much better system than he was shooting prior I think he said he is around 18% now, but the 200 grain Iron will out performs those junk mechanicals he was shooting off a more balanced arrow. Doesn’t hurt to have a 35” draw length either. 😀
 
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