How to line up fletching with broadhead blades?

[PA Prof]

Hi all,

So it's "that time" again to start thinking about preliminary preparations for the upcoming archery season this fall here in the northern Pennsylvania mountains. I got my Equinox last year too late for the season, but have been practicing with it, getting the feel for the firebolts and boltcutter heads.

My xbow is accurate (sub 1" groups) at 20 yards or less, but beyond that it's difficult to get them grouping. I am shooting from a rest.

One of the remedies I've heard here for inconsistent flight paths is to line up the fletching and the blades on the broadhead. I tried doing this last night, but then realized I couldn't get them lined up as the threads in the bolt position the head in the same place every time I screw it in. It stands to reason that doing this would make the bolts more aerodynamic, so for those who do it--how is it done?

I am guessing the solution is staring me right in the face and I'm just too dull to get it! Any help appreciated!

[wheelie]

You can buy rubber o-rings to go between insert and broadhead. Likely have them at your local hardware store if you want some right away. Thats what I do. Good luck. That way if I lose a fletch I only have to replace one and put broadhead back on.

I am sure others will chime in with a better way!

[hikerman]

When I make my arrows I use hot melt glue. So it is easy to reheat and twist the broad head to turn the insert.
For me the hot melt hold up when target shooting also.
But with factory arrows it is not so easy.spacers/washers might work.

[Limbs and Sticks]

I use Magnus stingers, ss snuffers, before these I used the old bear and the old snuffers, in close to 50yrs I never done this, the rear is going to steer, may be change bh's? just a guess I think it's in the shafts not fletching or bh

Wes

[Boo]

I do not index the broadheads to the fletchings. Two blade and four blades (which obviously cannot be indexed) fly well if everything is right.

[Galgo]

I know I might take some heat for this but as a guy with some experience in aerodyanmics I have no idea what the logic is re: lining up broadhead blades with flethcing.

I know some swear by it but...

Broadhead blades will cause an aerodynamic disturbance (turbulence) which probabay still exists when the fletching flies through the space that the broadhead just flew through.

To get the best result from any aerodymic surface (with some exceptions) you want it passing through "clean air" not air that has been disturbed by something immediately before.

SO I want my fletching flying through clean air not turbulent air created by broadhead blades.

Just my 2 cents worth.

[Boo]

I know I might take some heat for this but as a guy with some experience in aerodyanmics I have no idea what the logic is re: lining up broadhead blades with flethcing.

I know some swear by it but...

Broadhead blades will cause an aerodynamic disturbance (turbulence) which probabay still exists when the fletching flies through the space that the broadhead just flew through.

To get the best result from any aerodymic surface (with some exceptions) you want it passing through "clean air" not air that has been disturbed by something immediately before.

SO I want my fletching flying through clean air not turbulent air created by broadhead blades.

Just my 2 cents worth.

I agree with that.

[sumner4991]

I know I might take some heat for this but as a guy with some experience in aerodyanmics I have no idea what the logic is re: lining up broadhead blades with flethcing.

I know some swear by it but...

Broadhead blades will cause an aerodynamic disturbance (turbulence) which probabay still exists when the fletching flies through the space that the broadhead just flew through.

To get the best result from any aerodymic surface (with some exceptions) you want it passing through "clean air" not air that has been disturbed by something immediately before.

SO I want my fletching flying through clean air not turbulent air created by broadhead blades.

Just my 2 cents worth.

I agree with that.

Me too . ..

[masboy]

Iv,e found the fire bolts and boltcutters to be very accurate at 50yds if you spin check each shaft and shoot each arrow separately three times at 50 yds and sort out the ones that shoot good groups at 50yds with close to same poi. There won,t be many from a dozen. Iv,e shot just as good of groups with boltcutters as I did with the field points after sorting out my best shooting arrows.lineing the broadheads with the fletching did not group any better for me.

[ComfyBear]

So how does one assure that the fletchings travese "clean air"?

I suppose one could take a shower and not eat beans.

Seriously though, what could one do to achieve this?

[LongCarbine]

I have 3 arrows with vanes inline 3 not inline they are within .005 T.I.R with a spin checker.They fly the same at 45 yards. But if you have the insert in and want to get them inline it won't take much. The threads are 8-32 that means 1 full revolution every 1/32 of an inch or .030 . the most you would have to rotate it would be less than 1/3 of a turn ,or less than .010.afew strokes with a file will work. You can also make a little jig by drilling a hole in a piece of metal to help you keep it square, If you sho0t 22 dia. or fire bolts a 11/32 drill will work.

[Cossack]

Messed with indexing when used 3 bladed heads, didn't notice much difference. Some heads planed more than others. Went to 4 bladed heads (slick tricks) problem solved.

[Boo]

I have 3 arrows with vanes inline 3 not inline they are within .005 T.I.R with a spin checker.They fly the same at 45 yards. But if you have the insert in and want to get them inline it won't take much. The threads are 8-32 that means 1 full revolution every 1/32 of an inch or .030 . the most you would have to rotate it would be less than 1/3 of a turn ,or less than .010.afew strokes with a file will work. You can also make a little jig by drilling a hole in a piece of metal to help you keep it square, If you sho0t 22 dia. or fire bolts a 11/32 drill will work.

Have you seen one of these? http://www.g5outdoors.com/#sec_asdtool

[strum]

i did all that with my vertical stuff ..drove myself waco..didnt shoot any better..
when i got my crossbow ..i dialed it in at 20 and 30 using GTs ..then i put on my 100gr thunderheads and couldnt hit the broad side of the barn from the inside with all the windows and doors closed
then i did a spin test and got them shooting ok but never good enough..went with the wasps and they were spot on..then the boltcutters..same thing. spot on..i never even think of vane/blade alignment. But i only shoot 20 and 30 yards so who knows what they do on out there.
All that said if that is what it takes to make you confidant then by all means do it..

[LongCarbine]

Boo.

Item looks like it would work pretty good .I made something similiar to that ,not as nice but it works.I wish I could post a pic of it ,but I'm not quite up to speed with technology.