Number of Fletching You Use?????

[Lawdog]

Looking for comments, opinions and experiences on the number of fletching you use.  We have always used 5" three fletch, right helical for our hunting arrows but my son is talking about going to a four fletch.  If so, should he go to a 4" vane or stay with a 5" vane?  Does he stay with a right helical or go to straight?  We all use NAP's Quik Tune Drop Away 4000 Micro arrow rests, Easton XX78 2512's and my son's bow is an Oneida Areo Force set at 71 pounds.  Thank you for any information, tips and help you can give on this subject.  Lawdog

[longwinters]

Generally if you go to a 4 vane/feather set up you would use a 4" over a 5".  The extra resistence you would generate with so much drag would cost you  in arrow speed.  Plus going with 4-5" on such a large diameter arrow very well could cause fletching contact with the riser of your bow.  Depending on your arrow/broadhead set up, we even go with 3-4" feathers/vanes.  You want enough "steering" in the back of the arrow to compensate for the broadhead trying to steer from the front of the arrow (which is always a disaster).  I have a buddy (BigTom) who loves Oneida bows and shoots the same rest as are talking about.  He is at a rabbit hunt now, but I will have him reply to you because he has all the stuff you are talking about.  But it might be helpful if you shared your broadhead,  draw length etc... as it all makes a difference.

[Lawdog]

longwinters,

You're right, should have posted son's draw length - 29 1/2".  Broadhead, the son prefers Wasp Hammer SST 125's.  Hope this helps.  Lawdog

[longwinters]

I talked to "Big Tom" tonite.  I would imagine you will see some information from him very soon.

[dakotashooter2]

Since every bow/settup/shooter is different I think the only way to find out if it will work is to try some. My current setup shoots 4 fletch better than 3 but I found if I switch to a different broadhead, rest  or arrow size/length that may change. Since I flecth my own experimenting isn't a problem.

[teeball]

I have to agree with dakotashooter2, in that trying different set ups will give you your best answers. Sometimes useing 4 fletch does not work well with certain rests. Feathers work well with most rests and stabilize the arrow better. The fewer number of blades and lighter weight broadheads require less fletching coverage. If you use a trigger release, you can get away with shorter fletchings then if you shoot fingers. Plastic vanes are wheather proof, but are heavier than feathers. The speed of your arrows will determin what size fletching you need. I worked part time in a laege archery shop for 12 years when I lived in Michigan, and although it could never be explained to me, if you fletch your arrows with a left hand twist, they will spin faster and will stabilize your arrows better. I checked this through a chronograph, and it is true. But I can't explain it either. Starting to test several different set up this  time if year will give you pleanty of time to figure out what will best suite your needs best for this fall.  Good luck.

[ahunter55]

I currently have 4" helical 4 fletch.  I also have 5" 3 fletch with about a 2 degree offset-when I shoot at my Deer Target at 25 yards-they both hit in the same spot.  Experiment & get what YOU like best.  Good Luck.
"Sometimes" speed isn't the best thing Bowhunting.  targets, yes...
Good Luck.

[L-Roy]

Lawdog,
You did not tell us what B/H you are using.  Usually, the larger B/H the larger/more fletching needed for reliable stabilization.  Of course, the amount of fletching is determined by how well the bow is tuned for B/H flight.

[Lawdog]

L-Roy,

My son's draw length - 29 1/2". Broadhead he prefers are Wasp Hammer SST 125's grain.  We all use NAP's Quik Tune Drop Away 4000 Micro arrow rests, Easton XX78 2512's and my son's bow is an Oneida Areo Force set at 71 pounds.  I finally got out of him why the change to 4 fletch instead of 3.  He doesn't want to have to look to make sure the cock feather is in the right position.  He is going to change from 3, 5" vanes to 4, 4" vanes.  Hope it works for him.  Lawdog

[L-Roy]

Lawdog,
Should work with those broadheads.  I've used 4 fletch for just the same reason.

[teeball]

L-Roy was right about bigger broadheads, bigger fletchings. The fletching displacement must be at least equal to or greater than the displacement of the broadhead in order to get proper stablization. If you use 3-5" fletchings, you have 15"of fletch. 4-4"fletch will give you 16" of fletch. Simple enough. A 4" fletch is lower profile. So you are not gaining alot of displacement, but if you are useing a four blade broadhead, useing a four fletch set up will stabilize better. Also, feathers will stablize better then vanes. Feathers can be easier to tune your bow with. Vanes are weather proof. Another thing, the heavier the arrow shaft, the more fletching you need. Try several combinations and find what works best for "YOU".