Shaft recomendations for a Newbie

[MT Beard]

So I'm very new to archery, as in I just got my first bow this week. I've been reading up on arrow selection for the past few nights and am starting to put together a short list of shafts that I'll be building my hunting arrows from for the 2014 season. The bow is a Mathews Switchback, 70lb, 28" draw. As of now I'm planning on using slick trick 100 grain standards, maybe magnums, and would like a good medium weight arrow behind them. The fella who sold it to me also included 10 Easton A/C/C arrows, they are shooting well with field points and I'm getting about 3" groups at 20yards. Should I not worry about the arrows unless I have a problem tuning with the current shafts? What about aluminum shafts, doesn't seem like I've heard/read much about them, but the price difference seems substantial. I'm sure I'll have many more questions as I get further into this. I have a feeling that archery may be a bit like handloading, always something that can be tinkered with.

Any input will be helpful

[mtnmutt]

You can try this arrow selector for free for 30 days
http://www.pinwheelsoftware.com/ss.aspx

For my setup, I had a surprise where the 500 spine (charts and software indicated 500) would not tune and I had to go with 400 spine. The software and Easton Arrow charts are guidelines and you still need to see if your setup will tune to the arrow you select.

You may find that you have arrow preferences once you start shooting. If your setup tunes with your current arrows, use them until you you see a need to tinker with your arrows. My final arrow shaft is based on what I wanted for gpi x draw weight and what worked with my desired tip weight. The size of the game you hunt will also influence the arrow you build.

You can go nuts on arrows, so you may want to try out the ones you have until you know if your current shaft is lacking.

My archery shop had shop arrows hanging around that allowed be to try out when I had trouble getting the 500 spine to tune.

[pointysticks]

I had that bow! Exact specs too! Same draw length.

Gold tip XT hunters 5575 which are .400" spine. Tipped with 100gr heads. 3 blazer vanes with a 1 deg offset. I have yet to find a better shooting bow for me. It would shoot any fixed head broad head so straight. Except Muzzys It would shot a bare shaft right next to the other arrows. My current bow won't . Why I sold it is a complete mystery.

Do it!

[bnsafe]

acc shafts are good shafts but expensive. the gold tip 5575 are good shafts. I shoot bloodlines an really like them. all of the co put out good shafts for the most part. you will find the diff in quality is straightness an will vary a little on wt. depends on if .006 vs .003 etc is worth the extra money to you. slick tricks are awesome heads, try the 125 also though. a little more foc is usually a good thing. as far as aluminum they bend where carbon will not. carbons are either straight or broke, that's why most people use them. good luck an welcome to the world of archery.

[cnelk]

Im a Gold Tip / Slick Trick user too.
But those 10 arrows will do fine
Aluminum isnt quite as durable as carbon

Even though you are shooting good, I would take the bow and arrows into a good bow shop and get it tuned.
Have them give it the 'once over' - then you know you are starting a ground zero

I would have them:

confirm your draw length
inspect cams, E clips, cable and string
inspect the arrow rest
center tune it for you
adjust nock point
shoot it thru paper
adjust the peep for your eye
cut the arrows if needed

You compared archery to hand-loading and IMO it is very similar.
You mentioned you are pulling 70#. You may find that the bow will perform better by less draw weight or more draw weight.
Just like a few grains of powder can change your shot grouping

You are going to like the world of archery

[Triplebhunters]

Welcome to bowhunting.
ACC = aluminum carbon composite. Acc is top of the line arrow, hence the big price tag.
Everyone that I know that has owned a switchback has loved it.
And yah you can tinker a lot, but a good archery shooter once told me the more you change things out the longer it takes you to get used to your new toy and if you want tight groups. Make it good and then perfect your shot.
Enjoy your new sport.

[ElkNut1]

70# draw wt & 28" draw length is best suited with a .340 or .350 spine arrow. .400 spine is very borderline especially if you went to 125 grn heads. Stiffer is better for flight & penetration than marginal weak spined.

ElkNut1

[>>>---WW---->]

Matt: I didn't hear you say what size those ACCs were. But you would be best with a minimum of something in the 340 range. You have plenty of bow poundage so why not jump on up to a 125 COC head as well.

I always figured I could go one step higher on the arrow charts as far as spine is concerned with no problem at all to show for it. And this is especially true if you are anywhere close to the next size heavier on the arrow selection charts. But going lighter can cause problems.

Also unless you are one of those line cutter target archers where every X and point counts, I don't think you need the most expensive arrow on the market. For the average bowhunter, you can easily get by with something like the ICS hunters or Epics or what ever Gold Tip has to offer in that range. JMHO!

[MT Beard]

Thank you all! Wow, after looking up the cost of those arrows, the fella practically gave me the bow for what I paid. They are 3-49/390's. Finished arrow weight is 391 grains with a 100 grain field point screwed in. That seems a bit light to me and I think I'll be going to a stiffer, heavier arrow for hunting next fall. As a handloader there is a lot of truth in the point that the more you tinker with a load the longer it takes to get dialed in and practiced up. I'm sure it will happen to me with the bow also, but hopefully not too much.

I'll be heading into the local archery shop to get the bow looked over and also to have a different peep installed where it is comfortable for me.

Do you all find that light arrows produce more bow noise? What is the finished weight of your hunting arrows?

Thanks again for all of the replies, I'm sure I'll have many more questions in the next few months.
Matt

[pointysticks]

that SBXT has a soft cam.

if you look at the goldtip arrow charts, keep that in mind. "hard" cams, you are instructed to "move" to the next square to the right.

i love that bow. great great bow. my only bow sale regret. wish i kept it. the guy i sold it to also shoots the .400" spined hunter XT 5575's. that bow just loves them. never did weigh final complete arrow. never worried about it. never chrono'd it either.

[MT Beard]

Sounds good. I just put a ripcord rest on it, so it will need tuning anyhow. Might as well see if the arrows I have will tune well and save the dough. I just have a hard time resisting the urge to tinker...

[Triplebhunters]

I'm at 450 grain. Acc pro hunter340, 125 grain Magnus stinger buzzcut. You may want to look at a winter league to tune yourself in. More practice the better. Makes it memory instead of thinking under pressure. Me, I have a issue with shooting in public, but when in hunting pressure I seem to put it together. One of the toughest things to get right is your release.

[MT Beard]

I've been thinking about shooting an indoor league this winter. Hopefully I'll have the time to make that happen. Regardless, I'll be practicing weekly from now until next September. There is also a 3d course three miles from the house, so that should also help quite a bit. This is going to be fun!