Arrow flight

Stray Broad Bean · Arrow flight

We all know that arrow length is governed by a persons draw ie arm length but not very many people know much about arrows other than that
to save alot of time on trial and error does anyone know of any publications that will tell me what to do or not to do when customising arrows and why ie what will happen if I do one thing or another. Positioning Fletchings is one thing I am interested in. I know that when you make arrows for ones own use it,s nice to put your own personal touch but
this does not always work in your favour .Arrow flight can help or hinder your score dramatically, so this would be a help. Thanks a lot SBB

Haywain

Depends on how far you want to take it SBB. There are some web pages out there, but some of them look like they're someones pet project for a university degree, such as this one:

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/joetapley/

Personally I know that the larger the fletching the more drag there will be on the arrow, but it will stabilise much more quickly than if there was a small fletching. Target shooters typically employ a small fletch, because their arrows have a longer distance to stabilise. Whereas field archers rarely shoot at those distances so a larger fletch is an advantage allowing the arrow to stabilise much more quickly.
That's only a general rule though, because you see all sorts on a field course.

segolden

Best I can tell you (since I don't do this myself yet), is to recommend The Bowyer's Bible Series, particularly the third and last volume which has an extensive article on arrow making. Another small book, The Art Of Making Primitive Bows And Arrows by D.C Waldorf, is one that has good info about hand-made arrows. I'm reasonably sure there are other sources, but most of the information available is anecdotal or on other forums. My own preference is toward small to medium-sized feathers for less drag, with a radical angle of attack for a stabilizing spin, but my purpose is for hunting with broadheads.

Crafting Traditional Wood Arrows, a DVD available at:

http://www.3riversarchery.com/Pro...=4&s=33&p=57&i=5060-1

Highly recommended to me by another forum.

Stray Broad Bean

Thanks Haywain and Secolden Lots of possible sources of info and links there.