Tuning woes related to distance with BH
Equipment
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I had a recent debate with a friend in regards to broadhead flight versus field tip flight and i'd like some input from you guys.
We were discussing shooting broadheads out of a bow that has been sighted in for field points (forget how much tuning and what types ). I was telling him that after tuning my bow by various methods i like to shoot broadheads at 15-20 yards to see how close they are and he stated that at short distances it is impossible to tell how well the bow is tuned by comparing POI on broadheads vs field points and that you need to shoot out to 40 or further. While i agree that longer flight will allow you to watch the arrow for a longer time and visualize arrow flight, i stated that if you're far off at close range it doesnt necessarily mean the arrows will be a long ways off at longer distances (40+ for this example).
My understanding: Broadheads flying several inches off from Field points at close range reflect that the arrow is now coming out of the bow properly. At longer ranges the vanes should help correct poor arrow flight.
Thoughts? Am i completely wrong in my thoughts?
If your off at 20, you're going to be off further at 40, and way way off at 80-100.
If they are together at 20 they will be together at 100. When I say together at 20 I mean slapping, not an inch or two off one way or another.
I'd have to say you're completely wrong in your thoughts. ;-)
If your bow is properly tuned, your BH's should hit same as field points regardless of distance. No vane made is going to magically correct poor arrow flight with a BH attached.
As wifishkiller points out, distance magnifies any difference in POI. It certainly doesn't reduce it.
Blaze, to clarify, yes the vanes will correct the poor arrow flight. However, the deviation in POI is set as the arrow leaves the bow and becomes more and more magnified with each yard you get away from the bow. The arrow will stabilize itself but the POI will not be anywhere close to the point of aim and the deviation in such grows with distance. Make sense?
I just did some reevaluating with my BH's (85 gr vs 100 gr ) both 3 blade vented, different manufacturers.. I had my bow dead on out to 60 yds, With both the 85 and 100 gr field points I was using(with a slight vertical adjustment)... Now, when I screwed in the BH ( spun them made sure they spun square), from 20 yards to 40 yards they both flew the same as the respected weight field points.However, from 50 and 60 yds., there was a difference.I found that the 100 gr. Flew to the same spot as my 100 gr field points.... The 85 gr. Flew high and to the left.. All the arrows were fletched the same with 2.25 Max Hunter Vanes 3 fletch... why didn't the 85 gr BH fly to the same point of impact as the 85 gr field point , I'm not quite sure.I do know that perhaps FOC plays a bigger roll in BH flight than field points..especially at the longer distances... That may be the answer . So , I would say get your BH hitting the same POI at 20 yds; cause at the longer distances to many other things come into play.....
In visual terms this is usually what's happening.
If you're way out of tune, all kinds of things can happen ;)
Sometimes the difference is also there at 20, it is simply so minute so as to go unnoticed, and therefore only becomes noticable at longer ranges. I'd have a hard time believing someone is shooting 2" groups with both FP and BH at 40 yards and then all of a sudden the arrows separate where the FP and broadheads are grouping well on their own but 5" apart at 60.
thanks guys, i appreciate the info. It was just a friendly discussion but it helps clarify my thoughts on broadhead arrow flight. I'm not "watching my arrows", i guess i phrased that wrong. More or less, noticing poor arrow flight is easier at further distances.