New Blacktail recurve and arrow testing 101

[Ray Lyon]

I've done bare shaft tuning and paper tuning of arrows but ever since the 1980's my method of choice is to step back at 30 yards and shoot broadhead and field points and see if they're grouped together and flying well visibly.  I received my new Blacktail recurve yesterday (still doing my part to stimulate economy). It's a 'plain Jane' camo version.  60", 56# at 28" and I draw 28 inches.  This is the Sitka model, which comes in 56,58,60 and 62 inch lengths.  I have had a T2 'fancy wood edition) since last September and it is as fine of a shooter as I've ever held.  It's 48#@28" and 58".  I based my arrow selection off of what was flying perfect out of that version which is Easton Axis Traditional in .500 spine, 29" BOP, 100 grain brass inserts and 145 grain points. Arrow wrapped and 3x5" fletch with standard nocks, 545 grains total arrow weight.  Bow is cut 3/16 past center.  Out of the new bow, I ended up choosing.340 Axis Tradionals with 200 grain points and 100 grain brass inserts and all else the same.  I tried 175, 200 and 250 grain field points to start after dialing in brace and nock height from 25 yards I settled on 200 grain points for final test and then stepped back to 35 yards with one field point and one 3 blade Kustom King Trailmaker 125 grain point glued to 75 grain steel insert. Here's the first two shots, one broadhead/one field point, at 35 yards.  I was using a grass bank backstop and a couple of leaves pinned with a stick as my target.  I'm not saying I can do that every time by any means but my selection was grouping like this after settling on my final selection.  The whole process took about one hour, from warming up with the bow from last fall to settling in on brace and nock point (nock point the same, brace 1/4" higher) to final testing.  It's a simple process and it works.  👍👍

[Ray Lyon]

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[GCook]

Looks good.  I like having my bows of similar weight so that arrow selection and tuning is easier.

[Bldtrailer]

with the  almost same setup I end up with gt trad 600s 28 3/8 footed with 2117 and 175 tips w 50grn inserts[attachment=1]

[Ray Lyon]

Gary, I'm pretty much moving in that direction, except I'm going to have two bows with same handle and then three different limbs.  I have had a second set of limbs on order since last November and build time is coming up in a couple of months.  I was originally going to get two sets of limbs but decided I wanted a handle set up with bow quiver and one without.  The camouflage stock bow was right at the weight I was looking to get for my upper set of limbs so I pulled the trigger.  Now I will get a lighter weight set in 60 or 62" configuration for my fancy bow and have everything covered with matching handles and then for all serious shooting staying with Easton Axis and about 11 grains per pound arrows with Trailmaker broadhead

[MnFn]

Good shooting Ray. You weren't kidding about being a one boy guy.