Arrow build suggestions for a #45 recurve

[Jeremiah Bush]

#146258

Ok, so I’m new here and I’m jumping right into the big arrow debate. A little back story first. I’ve gotten back into archery a few years ago. Starting with an old gifted lefty compound and recently I had purchased a vintage early 70’s Bear Grizzly #45 @28in.   I’ve decided traditional is where I want to stay and how I want to hunt.

So here’s the deal. I was recomended to use 1816 or so aluminum somewhere else but knowing a lot of traditional guys like to use really heavy arrows I went a little stiffer opting for a dozen feather fletched Easton Gamegetters in 2016 at stock 32in. length. So I’ve punched in some numbers and with what I have have come up with an arrow anywhere from low 500gr to about 600 with higher foc.

So here’s what I got;

Bear Grizzly 1970-72′ #45 @28in.

26.25 – 26.5in. Draw

Easton gamegetter 2016 alumns.

125gr, 145gr, 175gr and 200gr tips

(BROADHEAD PENDING) Single bevel

I have come up with about 4 different calculations with different tip weights, different total arrow weights, different arrow lengths and different front of center percentages while all having a similar spine dictated by tip weight and length of arrow. The calculated arrow set-ups with a heavier tip and higher f.o.c. have a shorter shaft length respectively, ranging from about 31″ on the lighter end of the spectrum to about 28″ or so on the heavy end theoretically. This is without weighted inserts.

At this point, I have the field points and the arrows are still on a delivery truck somewhere. I think the game plan is to start out with a longer arrow and work my way to a shorter heavier more f.o.c. arrow until I find a happy medium. Any input from you traditional guys would be appreciated as I feel like most people I’ve talked to who practice the other brand of bowhunting don’t seem to follow this heavier slower arrow science. What do you think ? Should I go heavier / shorter / higher f.o.c. ? Or a lighter trade-off considering this is effectively  about a 40lb bow with my draw length.

Thanks,

JB

 

[Raymond Coffman]

#146274

Hi JB

Welcome to the forum . Bear grizzly is a fine classic bow. You didn’t mention what you where going to go hunting for?  2016 should work fine for most hunting applications. I usually pick the type and weight of broadhead I want and then tune that arrow ( which as you know involves cutting the arrow ) to the bow I will be using. If you are just getting back into trad (keeping the process simple), and  want a good FOC arrow pick a heavier bhead, make it razor sharp, and tune it perfectly to the Grizzly. If you get too heavy an arrow with a light pull bow your trajectory can suffer– if that’s a concern to you.

Scout aka Ray

Ps -been awhile since I tuned aluminum.  I noticed on the chart you don’t have a lot of room spinewise- edge of the chart ( haha where I usually end up) . What you have may turn out perfect or you might need to play with the different head weights or go to another shaft size to get what you want

Pss if you don’t already have it I heartily recommend- The Traditional Bowhunters Handbook by TJ Conrads.  I use mine all the time.

[Jeremiah Bush]

#146280

Scout, thanks for the information. I plan on hunting whitetail.  Here in Southern PA, seems like there’s less and less rural areas, I’m looking to find smaller pieces of land and get out ahead of the craziness of rufle season.

I put some numbers into a spine calculater, looks like if I use my 200gr field points / broadheads, it will put the arrow at about 29.5 inches, 555 grains, 18% front of center, 13.6 grains per inch and 155fps at the correct spine for my bow.  Seems like for the 2016’s anything lighter at the tip I’m going to have to go with a longer arrow.

As for right now I don’t plan on taking a shot out past 20 yards. I know thats where I can hit consistantly. I’m more concerned about getting a good hefty arrow that will get the job done.

Of course, who knows. Maybe my accuracy and consistancy gets better further out with some decent arrows.  Been waiting a week now for them to show up.

[Raymond Coffman]

#146287

JB

Haha, I thought the same in 1970 about PA. Great hunting state. Where I really started hunting. First deer with a recurve. I can’t imagine how crowded it must be on opening day. I am starting to feel that way about the west these days—-

Looks to me like you have thought it thru very well. I am sure you realize calculations are great and get you into the ballpark. Shooting style, idiosyncrasies of the arrow, bow etc will be the final determining factors. The trick, now as you know is tuning them to the bow. I would be careful there and take my time when you get close, small cuts —

Scout aka Ray

PS – lived in Carlisle

[Jeremiah Bush]

#146291

Arrows just showed up, can’t do nothin’ with them yet. Had to build a skateboard for my son for his birthday. Wife ands kids here, lots of chores to do.

First dry day this coming week I’ll rig up my dremel and make the first cuts. Sure is nice out today, wish I wasn’t so busy.

P.S. Scout, anywhere outside of Carlisle, especially to the North and West is still pretty rural.  Anything South and East of Harrisburg is a mix of Suburbs, developments, cities, endless shopping centers, with some rural patches in between.  I’m about a 40 minutes Southeast of Carlisle. Because of all the interstates going through the area, warehouses and housing are popping up continously and people are slowly filling in the spaces between Harisburg, Lancaster, York, New Cumberland and Baltimore the past 25 years. Urban sprawl is creeping in.

[Jeremiah Bush]

#146292

Well I couldn’t resist, went out back for a few minutes and stuck an insert and tip on a stock 32″ 2016. Tried 145, 175 and 200gr. field points.  None of them flew bad. The 175’s felt good.

I will say this though. With the 200gr field points on, I put the arrow all the way through a speed bag and into the plywood behind it. That has never happened to me before. And I also have been shooting a 70lb+ compound in this target.

I’m starting to feel pretty confident about my little #45 Grizz. I’m thinking I’ll tune for the 200’s probably.  Had my son take some slow-mo video. I notice the nose dips right away and there is a noticeable trajectory downward. Still I’m quite impressed what some extra weight can do.

[Raymond Coffman]

#146295

JB

Had a lot of fun hunting in PA years ago.

The grizzly is an excellent bow. I am sure, once you get those arrows tuned to your satisfaction, the combo will be just the huckleberry for your hunting in PA. Let us know how it goes, and wether you stay with the 175s or go to the 200s

Scout aka Ray

[Jeremiah Bush]

#146358

Ended up cutting the arrows to 29.75in. with 200 grains up front The 175 grain tips also still fly well. Spent a couple hours at the range. Arrows are flying well. Just have to practice and dial in those yardages. If the numbers are right this should put the arrow at about 560 grains, 18 foc, going about 155fps, and spined for about 39 lbs. Anyway they fly well. I took some video and the bow sounds very quiet for down range. And the arrows hit pretty hard for coming out of an old #45 recurve 25 yds out.

[Raymond Coffman]

#146401

JB

Yeehaa! Success. Sounds like you are, where you wanted to be . Arrows flying straight and a good sharp broadhead ( a little extra weight for penetration) will get it done. Once you get the ranges dialed in and practice enuff to feel confident – you’ll be all ready for the hunt —

Scout aka Ray

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