Standard or weighted inserts?

[Uncle Awesome]

I am trying my hand at building my own arrows for the first time. My aim is to have a moderate-heavy arrow with moderate-high FOC. I have 6mm FMJ 320 shafts, I plan on doing a four fletch with VaneTec Swift 1.87. I may do lighted nocks (haven’t decided which ones yet). They will be carrying VPA 3-blade non-vented 125g broadheads. I shoot a Diamond Edge SB-1 set at about 66 pounds. I am wondering if I should spend the money to get brass inserts or just go with the aluminum ones that came with the shafts. What do you think?

 

[Uncle Awesome]

I forgot to include 27” draw length and 27” arrows.

 

[Planopurist]

I would try an online arrow weight/FOC calculation to get a rough idea. You could do the calculation with both insert weights to see the difference. You should note if the heavier insert pushes you into the next stiffer spine or not. However, if your shooting 27”v .320’s, I doubt it.

You could also build 2-3 of each and see which groups best.


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[Boxerboxer]

I am trying my hand at building my own arrows for the first time. My aim is to have a moderate-heavy arrow with moderate-high FOC. I have 6mm FMJ 320 shafts, I plan on doing a four fletch with VaneTec Swift 1.87. I may do lighted nocks (haven’t decided which ones yet). They will be carrying VPA 3-blade non-vented 125g broadheads. I shoot a Diamond Edge SB-1 set at about 66 pounds. I am wondering if I should spend the money to get brass inserts or just go with the aluminum ones that came with the shafts. What do you think?

Brass will be more durable. Plus you won't be moderate-high on FOC with 125gr points and aluminum inserts if that's important to you.

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[Billy Goat]

I don't think your going to get a very high foc with those arrows, lighted nocks definitely won't help. Heavy arrow yes. Put 75-100 grain insert you will start to get 14 maybe 15% foc. I might be off, I know I played with some 400 fmjs, pulling stuff from memory.


Edit:
Quick calculations with 75 insert and standard nocks your going to be about 510 grain with 15% foc. Probably be about the right spot to be, if you wanted a little more speed drop to a 50 grain insert, more foc go to 100 grain. I'd stay with the 75 grain or go to 50.

 

[Wapiti1]

With 4 fletch and lighted nocks, you will add a little to the back, so brass up front isn't a bad idea. That said, I wouldn't go crazy with weight. 40-50 grain inserts would be plenty with the arrow you have. Unless you want a heavy arrow. Just watch how much to keep your spine in check. At 27", you have some room to go.

Jeremy

 

[Zac]

Kind of an odd arrow for high FOC. I assume you already have them based on another thread I saw you post on. What made you decide on a 6mm FMJ?

 

[Uncle Awesome]

I had been shooting 6mm FMJ in a 390 spine, but needed to step up the spine for the bigger heads. Cost was also a consideration.

 

[MattB]

As stated, the FMJ is the wrong arrow for high FOC. I would plow forward with your plan and ignore FOC and you will be fine.

Not sure what/where you hunt, but focusing on FOC will really hurt your trajectory with your DL and #. Just build whilst you have and go shoot/hunt. Not one of the best bowhunters I know cares about FOC. It is mostly fodder for guys who post about bowhunting on the internet.

 

[Uncle Awesome]

What makes the FMJ a poor choice for high FOC?

 

[MattB]

It is a heavy GPI shaft, so one would need to put a lot of weight up front to get high FOC.

IMO FOC is largely an internet fad. On top of that, you have limitations with your 27# DL. My overarching thesis is that moderation is a much more practical approach, and I think you'd be better off just running the std HIT inserts and never looking back. This would give you a nice overall arrow weight and preserve some trajectory.

 

[Tag_Soup]

Your arrow choice is probably heavy enough with standard inserts, but if you want to push for higher FOC, go with a lighter arrow and brass inserts. I always try to put as much up front as i comfortably can at my desired spine. For your spine choice and DL, you can probably afford 50 grains or so with a brass insert.