Tuning Your Broadheads

Tuning Your Broadheads  
 
By Steve Peters   
  
"Properly aligning your broadheads can make your setup more forgiving and produce better results this season."
 
 
I came dressed for the occasion, but the late-October breeze was unseasonably warm, making for a less-than-comfortable vigil.  Although it didn't feel like good bowhunting weather, deer seemed to be everywhere.  I had been on stand since just before daybreak and enjoyed a steady flow of deer activity throughout the day, despite the overly warm temperatures.  However, my sights were set on a mature whitetail buck.  The small 8-pointers, forkhorns and does were definitely tempting, but I was determined to hold out for a good deer...         

 
To Read Article: Click HERE
 

Feel free to share your comments after reading this article by posting on this forum.
 

Thanks for once again a great article, have a good weekend and take care.

Semper Paratus
Final Approach Pro-Staff
Foiles Migrators Pro-Staff
Rig'Em Right Pro-Staff
Duck Junkies Pro-Staff
Clearwater Fl. Ducks Unlimited Committee Member
TEAM TRIPPLE H
TEAM BUSH QUACKED

Thanks, Andy!
 
Glad you enjoyed it.  WEEKENDS ARE ALWAYS GOOD! 
 
Hope you have a good one as well.
 
Take care and Good Hunting!
 
Best Afield,
 
Steve

wowi learn somthin new every time im on here, i guess i never gave that much thought into my arrow, thanks for the advise

mike ziegler

Mike:
 
You're welcome.  My knowledge comes from over 20-plus years of messing with archery equipment, and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't learn something new.  In other words, you NEVER stop learning about hunting with archery equipment; it's an ongoing, and sometimes very frustrating education, but I love it.  Also, I wish I had a nickel for every mistake that I've made over the years.  I would be one extremely rich individual if those nickels ever showed up. 
 
Take care and Good Hunting!
 
Best Afield,
 
Steve

It is always a pleasureful read, thanks again Steve.

Semper Paratus
Final Approach Pro-Staff
Foiles Migrators Pro-Staff
Rig'Em Right Pro-Staff
Duck Junkies Pro-Staff
Clearwater Fl. Ducks Unlimited Committee Member
TEAM TRIPPLE H
TEAM BUSH QUACKED

Andy:
 
You're welcome.
 
Take care and Good Hunting!
 
Best Afield,
 
Steve

Great article Steve - very informative.
 
I will disagree in one area of your article that had to deal with aligning the broadhead with the fletching.  With todays high speed bows and better toleranced arrows it is no longer necessary to align the broadhead with the fletching, today all you need to do is screw and shoot.
 
All that is needed is to make sure your arrow and insert is perfectly square, an arrow squaring tool will help with this task, and your broadhead will be aligned properly with the shaft and should guarantee perfect flight.
 
I will say that if you prefer to have your fletching aligned with your broadhead, then by all means do.
 
Just my $0.02

Todd Segner 
PSE Field Staff, TRU Ball Releases Shooting Staff,
HIPS Targets Pro Staff, Any Budget Outdoors Writer,
Rage Broadheads Pro Staff, On Target2 Shooting Staff

Whitetail101:
 
Thanks for the compliment on the article.
 
I make sure that each blade of the broadhead is lined up with each feather/vane due to the laws of aerodynamics and drag coefficient -- Shear Drag (Shear Drag results from the arrow moving forward through the air; kinetic energy is expended to move the fluid (air) out of the way so the arrow can pass) and Form drag (Form Drag is the drag that results in a force (wind) pushing perpendicular to the direction of the flight of the arrow when applied along side Shear Drag -- on the arrow as it spins through the air. 
 
With each blade lined up with each feather/vane, and as air passes by and around the arrow, there is less drag from blades that are perfectly aligned with the feathers/vanes than would be on the arrow if the blades were misaligned.  The effect of drag on the arrow is magnified if there is a crosswind.  No matter what type of bow is used -- recurve, long bow, old style compound or modern day rocket launcher the effects of drag on an arrow are similar in nature.  Thus, I attempt to minimize the speed and accuracy robbing effects of both types of drag as much as I can by lining up each feather/vane with each blade to make the arrow as aerodynamic as possible.
 
Take care and Good Hunting!
 
Best Afield,
 
Steve
 
 
    

I learned a few new things.
I'm shooting mechanical b-h with Quickspin vanes. No real reason but archery shop owner said try them w/ mechanicals, they have worked for deer & smaller game. I would not use them for bigger animals. I went on a rifle moose hunt, before I left I decided to take the bow and bought fixed blade(G-5). They were all over the place w/ Quickspins so I left the bow at home. When I ever get an elk tag I will start over w/ new arrows,vanes, b-hs, and use this information.
Some say there are problems w/ mechanicals. I've been there. To improve reliability I dip and work in petroleum jelly. They will not freeze and promotes bleeding.
Thanks,
SD

Gary Gray, Rapid City,SD hrd.rock.miner@frontier.com, NRA, NAHC LM