Home Forums Bows and Equipment Arrows for a new old recurve

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    • cgchris
        Post count: 7

        I just got a Wing Hunter Recurve, 45#, (free!)and I need to get arrows for it. I recently read that carbon arrows are too light and that it would be like dry firing. Is his true? I current shoot a Bear Montan Long bow with carbon arrows and am wondering if I can use th same arrows. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

        The archery club I belong too, an the only place close to shoot, does not allow wooden arrows. Thanks, Chris

      • JTop
          Post count: 8

          Carbon arrows should work fine as long as they are spined correctly. That will depend on your draw length, but probably a 400 spine arrow would be a good place to start.

        • Muskydave
            Post count: 1

            Previous advice is right on. Go a little further and research bare shaft testing for correct spine with your chosen tip/broad head weight. I don’t know of any carbon arrows (assuming correct spine tolerances) that won’t work out of that bow. A heavier tip weight will help absorb bow energy.

            Where are you shooting? Whoever you shoot with must be a carbon arrow salesmen. They need a serious education on the history and validity of wooden arrows. They are as durable as carbon and more so than aluminum. And debatably safer in my opinion.

          • George D. Stout
              Post count: 256

              A 400 will not be right….it will be starting out much too stiff. A 45# Red Wing Hunter, will do much better with a .600 with from 125 to 150 grains. If using up to or a little over 200 grains, then probably a .500. Unless you are letting your arrows 32″ long, and using over 200 grains up front…do not buy .400 spine. 🙁 Just FYI, I use 2016 aluminum arrows (.531 deflection)..cut to 28.5″ with my 46 pound Kodiak Magnum…with 145 grain heads for perfect flight.

            • archer38
                Post count: 242

                I shoot 47# and 32 inch arrows. Draw length 30.5. Red Head Carbon Maxx 3000’s and 145 grains up front. They fly great !

              • George D. Stout
                  Post count: 256

                  “I shoot 47# and 32 inch arrows. Draw length 30.5. Red Head Carbon Maxx 3000’s and 145 grains up front. They fly great!”

                  But you are not shooting a Red Wing Hunter, and not 45 pounds; you are shooting almost 55 pounds with a long arrow. Big difference. The R.W. is cut at center, or no more than 1/8th inch past, which means the arrow will ride outside center and need to bend. Couple that with B-50 strings, and you have a bow that will need a .600 or .500 at the most.

                  I get the feeling that there is very little understanding of exactly how paradox is achieved, or even what it is with traditional bows. Most folks nowadays spine way to heavy, then try to make up for it with extra arrow length and heavy tips.

                • archer38
                    Post count: 242

                    Sorry George, I’m not familiar with the Red Wing Hunter.I’m still somewhat new to this but my intention was only to assure that carbons should work for him. Just to clear up, I shoot a 40# @ 28 inches bow but in drawing to 30.5 I pull 47#. I shoot 32 inch arrows because of my long draw length, not to compensate for spine,and I use Razorheads because I like their performance and reliability. They just happen to be 145 grains which gives me a nice 15% FOC.

                  • George D. Stout
                      Post count: 256

                      Archer38, do you use fastflight? Is your bow cut past center? Archery is a dynamic sport as we all know, and even though you’re pulling 47 pound, you are doing it with 2 1/2″ more power stroke than the first poster (assuming his draw is app 28″), so consequently you would immediately need a stiffer arrow. Now add to that the arrow is another 1 1/2″ longer than your actual draw, and you have the dynamics for an even stiffer arrow.

                      There is so much more to advising about arrows than a poundage listing. With old B-50 strings….which most folks are using on vintage bows like the RW, you have less energy applied to the arrow due to string vibration on the loose. With FF string, more energy is utilized by the arrow, with less being sent to the limbs and riser. Consequently, bows with B-50 Dacron need softer spines from the outset.

                      I interact with a lot of archers throughout the year, and the majority are shooting arrows that are literally too stiff for their setup. Few understand arrow paradox and how it works….they simply listen to what the “pro shop” guy tells them, and he is mostly a compound man.

                      This is a simple sport, but some of the angles are technical; however, folks knew most of this fifty or more years ago. Many or most of the archers getting into traditional have to learn it all from the beginning.

                    • wahoo
                      Member
                        Post count: 420

                        George I need help bad . I shoot a Selway lil magnum 54# @ 25″ and I draw 25″. I am shooting Gold Tip 3555 with weight tubes in the shafts with a Simmons tree shark 125 head and they seem to fly well . I just recently finished my hunting season with this set up and with a kill but did not achieve a pass thru ??? Last night I put a 200 grn head on and then a 145 and seem to get good flight . The hunting set up ended up at 550 grns and with the other heads I am hitting the 600 and over mark which is what I think I want. Does this seem like I am doing this right ?? I am just trying to be the best I can be ??

                      • handirifle
                          Post count: 409

                          From the little bit I know, it seems you MIGHT be able to remove the weight tubes, and add more weight at the tip. I say might, because the tubes do not affect the arrow spine as much as the heavier head might. The tubes just add weight. But I recall Dr. Ashby saying that the 650gr goal was more important than EFOC, if you couldn’t get both at that weight.

                          Without having to buy new arrows (lots of $$$) you can get the arrow you want, with the tubes and the 200gr tip.

                        • wahoo
                          Member
                            Post count: 420

                            I think that’s what I have in my mind . I do have a couple heavy heads . How do I add more weight at the tip ? Can I do this without removing the inserts? Thanks for the help

                          • Stumpkiller
                            Member
                              Post count: 193

                              Seems natural to shoot old arrow technology in an old bow. Douglas fir will get you to 620 gr without inserts and with a 125 gr head that will fly like Wing intended the bow to shoot.

                              Just my wild idea. 😆

                            • wahoo
                              Member
                                Post count: 420

                                I agree . Luv the woodies but this year was a test year for me so all I read about graphites I decided I should try them. going back to the wing I agree you could call 3rivers and buy laminated birch with a 125 grn head and be good

                              • George D. Stout
                                  Post count: 256

                                  Wahoo, first of all, shoot what you like. Old technology? Aluminum arrows were available in the 1930’s, Fiberglass in the late 1940’s. Carbon is simply a composite like fiberglass, and will work fine with “older technology.” lol.

                                  I think you do need more weight up front due to your short power stroke. Note: you won’t always get a pass through even under the best conditions. You will get more of them though if your arrows are flying perfectly when they contact the animal.

                                  If it were my setup, I would go ahead and add some frontal weight to facilitate a better paradox with that setup. Try the 200 grains on your arrows and see how that works. I think 125 to 145 is a tad light for tip weight regarding your bow/draw combination.

                                • wahoo
                                  Member
                                    Post count: 420

                                    thanks I’m all over that. Yes I will shoot what makes me happy I just had to see what all the hoop la was all about and I just don’t get it . Woodies seem to be cheaper easier and just better. Thanks to all have a great season

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