What to do next

[neo_bowhunyer]

So, last year I started building my own arrows, built some that I’m super happy with, 4mm Easton FMJ’s 250 spine, iron will inserts and impact collars, and max hunter fletches with a decent helix.
I run a mod saw and a bitz jig, fairly standard equipment, my only question is, what now? Do I try building more for myself? Try some vaps or Easton long range? Or do I just put it all in the closet until I need arrows repaired or made again?
Any recommendations on sweet micro arrow combos that have worked well for you?
Also pros and cons of fmj’s?

 

[FuddRucker]

Practice shooting. If you tinker too much you may struggle to be accurate in the long run because your arrow builds will likely fly a bit different. Some guys run different arrow setups during hunting season and the off season when they shoot indoors. This makes more sense to me than running multiple arrows builds simultaneously as you're focused on using one setup for a set period where you get used to it.

That said, a lot of guys like to tinker and archery has endless tinkering possibilities, so if you want to build new arrows for fun, go for it!

 

[Tupp]

I’ve been running the VAP TKO’s for the last 3 years or so and have had zero complaints with them. Ended up going with a 235 spine to help achieve my desired weight.

Stock outserts are ok, but have since switched my practice arrows to an Easton match grade outserts, and my hunting arrows to the Podium titanium half outserts.

Arrows fly real well, super easy to pull out, and extremely durable

 

[Eastonsgrandpa]

If you’ve found a build you are happy with, stick it all in the closet or duplicate them so you have a bunch.

I finally built what for me checks all the boxes and flies incredibly well. The weight I want and In the right places and able to steer anything I need it to.

I ended up duplicating that dozen with three more.



As far as arrows, I went with the Easton 5.0 as they are in the weight I want and American made. That flag on there made me switch from Victory without hesitation. You can get a much better build when you can decide where you want the weight as opposed to starting with a heavy shaft like the FMJ.

 

[neo_bowhunyer]

I’ve been running the VAP TKO’s for the last 3 years or so and have had zero complaints with them. Ended up going with a 235 spine to help achieve my desired weight.

Stock outserts are ok, but have since switched my practice arrows to an Easton match grade outserts, and my hunting arrows to the Podium titanium half outserts.

Arrows fly real well, super easy to pull out, and extremely durable

What do you run for total arrow weight? I’m looking into leaving my fmj’s strictly for moose and building a slightly lighter and faster arrow for whitetail. Definitely thinking about going to vaps for a whitetail set up
I’m not a huge fan of outserts, I run deep six inserts in mine, the ones that came with my eastons just seemed too weak for what I was planning to put the arrow through..

 

[neo_bowhunyer]

Practice shooting. If you tinker too much you may struggle to be accurate in the long run because your arrow builds will likely fly a bit different. Some guys run different arrow setups during hunting season and the off season when they shoot indoors. This makes more sense to me than running multiple arrows builds simultaneously as you're focused on using one setup for a set period where you get used to it.

That said, a lot of guys like to tinker and archery is has endless tinkering possibilities, so if you want to build new arrows for fun, go for it!

Can’t practice shooting at night in the dark lol I don’t have an indoor spot to shoot. But I do have an indoor spot to tinker and build arrows lol
I’m more thinking of building a second set that’s more whitetail suited and a bit lighter, vs these ones that I set up for moose

 

[Tupp]

What do you run for total arrow weight? I’m looking into leaving my fmj’s strictly for moose and building a slightly lighter and faster arrow for whitetail. Definitely thinking about going to vaps for a whitetail set up
I’m not a huge fan of outserts, I run deep six inserts in mine, the ones that came with my eastons just seemed too weak for what I was planning to put the arrow through..

TAW is 479 with the titanium outserts, which are my hunting arrows, and 485 with the Easton match grade outserts.

Haven’t had any issues with the outserts, at OK TAC I forgot to dial in my slider, and punched through two logs. Arrow was unscathed. Managed to use that one arrow the entire weekend.

These arrows are my everyday hunting arrows as well. White tail, hog, elk. 80lb draw and 28 inch draw length, im getting 285 fps.

I too find myself trying to think of other arrow set ups when bored or question possible performance gains, but then I go shoot these and they shoot true.

I was debating running with the RIP TKO’s with some wraps, AAE Max vanes, and titanium collars, but I can’t imagine performance being any better than what I’m currently getting, and I’m having zero issue with penetration.

 

[neo_bowhunyer]

TAW is 479 with the titanium outserts, which are my hunting arrows, and 485 with the Easton match grade outserts.

Haven’t had any issues with the outserts, at OK TAC I forgot to dial in my slider, and punched through two logs. Arrow was unscathed. Managed to use that one arrow the entire weekend.

These arrows are my everyday hunting arrows as well. White tail, hog, elk. 80lb draw and 28 inch draw length, im getting 285 fps.

I too find myself trying to think of other arrow set ups when bored or question possible performance gains, but then I go shoot these and they shoot true.

I was debating running with the RIP TKO’s with some wraps, AAE Max vanes, and titanium collars, but I can’t imagine performance being any better than what I’m currently getting, and I’m having zero issue with penetration.

Good to know that the outserts are as strong as they say, it’s always looked sketchy to me to not have it in the arrow, but clearly you’ve had no issues whatsoever.

My taw is 575 and I’m just wondering how much flatter shooting something sub 500 would be, might make up a set of six lighter ones just to see, I whitetail and bear hunt more than I moose hunt but I figured more penetration would be better than the opposite, but might be worth running two set ups just for the speed gain. Though that might involve purchasing a chronograph and seeing what I’m getting out of mine. Running 70lbs draw and 30.5” draw length

Any recommendations on a budget priced chronograph?

 

[Tupp]

That’s a pretty heavy arrow, I think it might be worth testing the differences with a couple different arrow set ups.

My sweet spot is around the 470-490 range. I still get plenty of speed where my arrows shooting pretty flat and more than enough penetration.

I think the percentage of penetration isn’t worth the TAW compared to the trajectory/speed from the lighter arrow. You’ll have plenty of penetration with a lighter arrow.

As far as Chrono goes, if you’ve got the extra money, go with that fancy little Garmin. Got a buddy that I can borrow it from so I’m lucky enough to be able to borrow that.
If not, your local bow shop should carry one and I’d just do that. For me I don’t and can’t justify having one lol.

 

[neo_bowhunyer]

That’s a pretty heavy arrow, I think it might be worth testing the differences with a couple different arrow set ups.

My sweet spot is around the 470-490 range. I still get plenty of speed where my arrows shooting pretty flat and more than enough penetration.

I think the percentage of penetration isn’t worth the TAW compared to the trajectory/speed from the lighter arrow. You’ll have plenty of penetration with a lighter arrow.

As far as Chrono goes, if you’ve got the extra money, go with that fancy little Garmin. Got a buddy that I can borrow it from so I’m lucky enough to be able to borrow that.
If not, your local bow shop should carry one and I’d just do that. For me I don’t and can’t justify having one lol.

Unfortunately my local bow shop is a 4 hour round trip, that’s why I’ve been investing in my own gear. I’ll look into the Garmin, probably worth the money
As for arrow weight, definitely going to try some lighter ones and see what works best, might even test penetration somehow, or once I have my speeds just run an energy calculation and see what’s best.
Thanks a bunch for the great input! Much appreciated

 

[Tupp]

Yea I’d highly recommend the Garmin. It’s super simple and you can usually find a used one of them on sale.

Check out podium archers website for FOC and kinetic energy calculators, I think you might see that a heavier arrow might be negligible as far as penetration comes at a certain point, where a flatter trajectory might be beneficial.

 

[neo_bowhunyer]

Yea I’d highly recommend the Garmin. It’s super simple and you can usually find a used one of them on sale.

Check out podium archers website for FOC and kinetic energy calculators, I think you might see that a heavier arrow might be negligible as far as penetration comes at a certain point, where a flatter trajectory might be beneficial.

Yea there will definitely be a line at which you lose so much speed it starts hindering your penetration, I’ll check that website out and I’ll start the hunt for the garmin as well, need it and then a bow press and I should have all the tools I need for the home bow shop