New to archery, had a few questions

[Stape]

   Hey all, pretty new to archery, well, aside from that yellow recurve I got as a christmas present when I was 10, so a few things have changed!  I went out and bought a PSE Stinger, been practicing every day, doing really well, but my question is with the arrows.  I bought some terminator carbons from carbon express, and within the first 40 or so shots with these arrows, I notice the shaft slightly splitting near the nocks.  Also, the nocks are comming out?  So I glued them in.  My questions is, aren't nocks replaceable (I've broken a few with following shots into the target that hit the previous arrow)  And, what do you do about them falling out?  Also, I know the splitting isn't good, but what might cause it?   My bow is set to 60lb draw weight, these arrows are rated for 60/75, so I'm stumped.  Any and all info is greatly appreciated.

[snapcrackpop]

Either a bad batch or more likely....you hit a few nocks.
Nocks coming out?  Snaps on the string too tightly or the cracked shafts cause the nocks to fit loose.

Sounds like they are all related.

[Stape]

Hit a few nocks?  As in I hit a few in the target?  I wouldn't immagine that your supposed to permanantly glue them in place as they are replaceable, but could loose nocks result in a crack in the shaft near the nock?  I got my arrows from wally world, I wouldn't think that would make a difference as they are comprable brand/prices as elsewhere, just conveneint is all.  How snug/tight should the nocks be?   My first thought is that the nocks were loose, and me shooting the arrows smashed the loose nock into the base of the shaft, cracking it even if loose by only 1/16th 1/32d of an inch??

[huntswithdogs]

I'd do 1 of 2 things...maybe both...(1) I'd go to an archery shop, buy some arrows and have them cut to the proper length. While there, have the folks take a look at your arrows. (2)If they say that it's a quality problem, I'd tote them right back to WAllyWorld for a refund or store credit (if ya don't have your receipt any longer).

[hunt-m-up]

I'd do 1 of 2 things...maybe both...(1) I'd go to an archery shop, buy some arrows and have them cut to the proper length. While there, have the folks take a look at your arrows. (2)If they say that it's a quality problem, I'd tote them right back to WAllyWorld for a refund or store credit (if ya don't have your receipt any longer).

+1
There are pictures floating around on the internet of what happens when carbon arrows shatter and puncture the arm, wrist, hand, etc. Stop shooting the arrows now, they shouldn't be cracking unless you're shooting at boulders.

[dukkillr]

Don't shoot the arrows with cracks.  Even after you've glued that nock back in the structure of the arrow is damaged and can blow up at any time.  If it blows up you'll essentially be dry firing the bow which can destroy the limbs. 

When you're shooting at shorter distances (30 or less) don't shoot groups at the same target or you'll constantly be breaking arrows. 

[Stape]

  OK, all advice noted and appreciated.  I took the arrows back and replaced them with Carbon express Terminator hunters.  Shot the bejesus out of em tonight with zero problems, good grouping and all.  Another question though, as I dive into this archery thing, I see all sorts of info that you HAVE to have this or HAVE to have that, Its all greek to me, I'm not a pro or a competition archer, so can a guy just buy appropriate arrows for his bow and leave it at that?  Also, I am an avid shooter, benchrest, NRA highpower, IDPA ect.... and I'm a reloading junkie, so I can understand the obsession, but, like I've seen a hundred times, joe blow doesn't appreciate or know the difference in a bone stock rem 700 and a blue-printed and sleeved BR rem 700 with matched ammo and a 2oz timney.  So, what I mean by this is, at my novice level with my regular over the counter gear, should I concern myself with balance point, truing broad-heads, tuned nocks and all that?  Given where I am  now, I have full confidence that I can place an arrow where I want it out to 35 10 out of 10 times,  is there something more I can get out of my setup or where do you draw the line for your gear and it filling the need for the intended purpose?

[snapcrackpop]

Archery is like golf in many ways.

I like my set up.  Choices are choices.

2005 Bowtech Tomkat (shoots too good to update, darn it!)
wisker biscut  (fool proof for hunting)
No-peep (no "peep" to rob you of shooting light and no rubber to break at the wrong time)
light for my pins
slick trick broadheads  (because)
tru-ball coperhead release (won't go cheap again)
blazer quick fletch (shrinkwrap style)  gave up on refletching anyother way....hassle
regular vanes for shooting through blind screens
gold tip arrows (because)
$150 range finder
14 pound Summit Climbing stand
6" or 8" stabilizer (makes a difference at 30+ yards)

bowsite.com (love GBO, but it's my goto site for bowhunting info)


No 3D or tourneys for me, I just hunt.

[dukkillr]

  OK, all advice noted and appreciated.  I took the arrows back and replaced them with Carbon express Terminator hunters.  Shot the bejesus out of em tonight with zero problems, good grouping and all.  Another question though, as I dive into this archery thing, I see all sorts of info that you HAVE to have this or HAVE to have that, Its all greek to me, I'm not a pro or a competition archer, so can a guy just buy appropriate arrows for his bow and leave it at that?  Also, I am an avid shooter, benchrest, NRA highpower, IDPA ect.... and I'm a reloading junkie, so I can understand the obsession, but, like I've seen a hundred times, joe blow doesn't appreciate or know the difference in a bone stock rem 700 and a blue-printed and sleeved BR rem 700 with matched ammo and a 2oz timney.  So, what I mean by this is, at my novice level with my regular over the counter gear, should I concern myself with balance point, truing broad-heads, tuned nocks and all that?  Given where I am  now, I have full confidence that I can place an arrow where I want it out to 35 10 out of 10 times,  is there something more I can get out of my setup or where do you draw the line for your gear and it filling the need for the intended purpose?

Nope, you've probably got everything you need.  Although I consider a restrained arrow rest to be a requirement.  I've got a whisker bisket but there are other options.  At the moment of truth you can't have the arrow fall off the rest.

If you don't have a range finder you should get one. 

Much of that other stuff is for "gear" guys and not really for hunters who hunt to kill.

[Big Nasty]

 Well said dukkillr;

 I loved my biscuit on my Jennings Grandmaster. When I bought my new setup I no longer could use my biscuit and I was MAD . The reason is I bought a Mathews DXT, Gold Tip XT Hunters 5575, Whisker Biscuit. Well When I ordered my arrows I didn't realize GT went to a Blazer Vane I assumed they had 4" vanes from the factory like my last bunch NOPE. The high profile of the Blazer will not clear the biscuit at least not for me. Also with the DXT I have a real hard time getting the Blazers to clear the shelf and cables no matter how I turn the fletching. Well I got mad and went to the shop and got my regular 4" vanes and a drop away Rip Cord and haven't looked back. I should have just changed my fletching and left my biscuit alone but like I said I was mad. As soon as deer season is over in KS I am going to the new Mathews drop away because it is a drop away and a tension prong which ever you choose it's TWO IN ONE.


The Whisker Biscuit is the greatest for spot and stalk, and beginning Hunting Archers just my opinion.

1 Question has anyone else had clearance issues with Blazer Vanes.

[snapcrackpop]

Blazers and my biscut work fine, but with shoot thru mesh in a hunting blind it didn't work.  My blade diameter is smaller than the Blazer vanes.....so I use 4" regular vanes for shooting out of a blind.

[dukkillr]

I shoot blazers out of my biscuit.  Here's my rig during turkey season:

[Big Nasty]

dukkillr How do you get them to pass through with high profile vanes Blazers. Are you using a full whisker or one with just 3 sets of whiskers I can't remember the name of those right now.