I have a Thunderstick MOAB, 60", 55lb @ 27", My draw = 28"
I am interested in the GT Traditional Classic XT shafts with the ballistic collars. I have heard these need to cut a little differently than normal shaft length because of the half-out stainless steel inserts. Is this true?
Also, does the stainless steel insert with the ballistic collar really change the spine because of the extra weight up from. DO I need to go with a stiffer then normal arrow?
Which arrow spine and length would you recommend?
Thank you
From my experience with them you need a stiffer spine. I shoot 55#s at 31"s, I cut some 400s as short as I could and dropped to a 100 grain point and couldn't get them stiff enough. The insert adds around a half inch or so.
Thanks for the reply. Do you know what the stainless insert and the ballistic collar weigh?
The inserts are 75 grains. Collars are 10 grains. I'm shooting 500's cut at 30 inches out of my BW PLAX, 47# @ 28". Gives me 29 1/2 inches in back of the collar. With 5" feather, and 145 grain points, total arrow weight is 560 grains.
Thanks! So, the insert sticks out 1/2" past the end of the arrow, then the collar goes over the insert and covers approx. 1/2" of the arrow shaft. That means the insert is approx. 1" long. Am I understanding this correctly?
Thinking this through then means...
- My arrows will have to be cut 1/2" longer than normal carbons because the collar comes back over the tip of the shaft 1/2". If shafts aren't longer, the collar may hit my hand or the bow shelf when I am at full draw. Am I seeing this right?
- Also, since I have to lengthen my shafts 1/2" because of the collar, and because the insert sticks out an additional 1/2", I would have to do spine calculations on a shaft that is actually 1" longer than my normal shafts. Right?
- Then, since the insert and the collar weigh 85 grains, quite a bit more than a normal insert, my longer shafts would even be weaker spine wise. Right.
- All this leads to I will probably have to move to a stiffer arrow shaft to begin with. Right?
Thanks in advance to those who really try to follow all that.
Your last post is a very good summary of what will be going on with these. They are very nice arrows that I think you will be pleased with. The additional weight also makes for a much quieter shooting experience than the regular gold tip trads, for example. I have these in 340-500 spines, and think that with your draw length you should go with the 340s. I can get away with the 400s and 53@26", but a shorter draw, and thus shorter arrow, gives me that flexibility. Hope this helps. :coffee:
Best regards, Chase
IMO you're better off getting a test kit of three different spines. A test kit of points as well. I don't see any mention about string material or how deep shelf is cut either. Even sting strand count can be a small factor. Then there can be form issues. Just a few reasons I suggest the test kits.
Thanks for the advice. I have quite a few carbon shafts already with various points. The Classic XTs seem to be a little different because of the extended insert, the ballistic collar, added length, and the added weight up front before you even add a point or a broadhead. I'm pretty sure I need to go with a stiffer shaft but I wanted some insight from some guys who had already used them.
Other insights would be greatly appreciated.
I think the inserts are 1 1/2 inches long. I don't have any loose ones to measure. They do have 1/2 inch past the end of the arrow shaft. The collar covers the 1/2 inch of insert, and 1/2 inch of the arrow shaft. The inserts are tapered from the shaft diameter to 5/16" so they are the same diameter as the point. They are tough, at the MBH rendezvous I hit a steel target with one, and the only damage was the nock popped out, and the tip was flattened out.
Has anyone mentioned how tough they are?:) Externally foot these with a piece of the correct sized aluminum arrow, and they are pretty near indestructible...love these shafts. Just a bit heavy for me...