Cock feather?

[Etter1]

#5510

Why is it that two of my bows require cock feather in for good arrow flight? Ive read dozens of times that cock feather alignment doesnt matter but it absolutely does. I shoot two of my bows feather in and my black widow feather out.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#41801

Just a random guess – could it have something to do with differences in shelf cut?

[David Petersen]

#41807

I have experienced that sometimes when you have a particularly finicky arrow, turning it cock-feather-in corrects flight problems. I always assumed this is spine related since it never happens with a batch of arrows but only singles, only rarely. Since I switch to four-fletch of course there is no cock feather. It sure sounds as if the Hammer is on to something re window cut depth, since cock-feather in forces the arrow out on the shelf, simulating a shallower window.

[Etter1]

#41852

Thanks guys. I assume you are both correct.

It’s funny. I have three bows now. Initial tuning of all of them was extremely easy but when I upped the anti to add 100 grain inserts, it became a little more challenging. My damon howatt monterey now shoots perfectly with 30″ 3555 arrows, 100 grain inserts, and 200 grain heads with cock feather in.

My black widow shoots great with 28″ 5575s with 100 grain inserts and 200 grain heads, cock feather out.

My samick red stag is finally tuned with a new fast flight string to shoot 30″ 3555s with standard inserts and 200 grain heads, cock feather in.

So now I have three totally different setups for my bows.:D

Just hope I can keep it all straight when hunting season comes back.

[Ralph]

#41858

You’ve heard that old adage ” Keeping your ducks in a row”. Maybe I oughta stop there….:D

[David Petersen]

#41873

This sounds more all the time like a spine problem. I would try building out the shelf window. You can start with a simple bandaid and keep going from there–more layers of bandiads, or a section of popsickle stick and tape, etc.– until you find the sweet spot. Costs zip and quick and easy to try.

[Col Mike]

#41967

Dumb beginner ? here–what the heck is a “cock feather in or out” mean. Oh wait does that mean you knock it with the feather pointed out or in to the shelf?

[David Petersen]

#42724

It’s back to bootcamp for you, Col!:P

[Col Mike]

#43072

No slack on this forum. Guess your right Dave there is such a thing as a stupid question:shock:

[grumpy]

#43807

[size=200]ROFL[/size

Don’t feel bad Col, I had to stare at that forever to figure out what they were talking about, and didn’t comment because I wasn’t sure I knew.

Actually if the cock feather is toward the bow… it is called a mistake, and if your big brother sees it, he will laugh at you, and call you stupid. lol

[Bender]

#44476

What draw weight are you actually pulling on those bows? I too suspect a tuning/spine issue.

Cock feather in or out technically should not matter. On a relatively narrow shelf cock feather in can allow you run a lower nock point while keeping the bottom hen feather from running into the shelf. The lower nock point can give you a longer point on and effective range.

If shooting cock feather in has the cock feather running into the riser and thereby shoving the nock end of the arrow to the side, you definitely have a tuning issue. It is NOT simulating a narrower shelf or anything like that.

[Etter1]

#44962

I’m probably pulling in the low to mid 50s on the widow and samick and the high 40s on the howatt.

Either way, my arrows fly like darts so I guess it’s not a problem. My widow shoots cock feather out perfectly. It’s only the other two that I shoot feather in.

[tailfeather]

#47836

Are you paper tuning or just looking at the arrow when you shoot? Paper tuning will tell you things you have no idea of just trying to watch the shaft.

[Etter1]

#48870

tailfeather wrote: Are you paper tuning or just looking at the arrow when you shoot? Paper tuning will tell you things you have no idea of just trying to watch the shaft.

Paper tuning is half the reason I went to trad bows in the first place. ……plus, if I wanted your opinion, I would have called you Joey!

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