helical or offset

[ThunderXB]

OK, as I move to making my own arrows, what is the general consensus,

Helical or Offset??

It will be Zombie Slayer Shafts, 18", 92 gr inserts, 2" blazer vanes.

100 gr Spitfires, but will also be trying some 100 gr Slick Tricks.

I think all of my factory Zombies have offset.

Either have a remarkable advantage?

All things equal the helical should be a touch slower, but are they much more accurate?

[Horizontal Hunter]

I fletch my arrows with a Arizona EZ Fletch using 4 degree right offset. I like the right offset as it is spinning the arrow in the same direction as you tighten the broadhead.

I expect that I am in the minority but I am shooting an older, slower, and more forgiving crossbow.

Bob

[MTBighorn]

My M380 will shoot the factory 18" Zombie arrow set up w/100gr SlickTricks that you describe w/92gr insert. And will stack them on top of each other out to 120 yards.

...Then I added the Ignitor lighted knock, and I lost control of the arrows...probably not quite out of the kill zone at 40 yards...but flyers over 6 inches out at 60 yards.

Sliced off the factory fletching and re-fletched with Blazers and the EZ-Fletch "Bolt"...and am now wrecking arrows again at 100yrds.

I think I could just go with 125gr heads (or 110g inserts) and not have to re-fletch??...But the setup shoots real well now and I have lots 100gr heads to wear out!
Set up this way my roving point RipTrick, and the hunting SlickTrick broadhead will hit each other at 100yds w/no sight change

[ThunderXB]

Yeah, forgot to mention I use Ignitors too.

The EZ-Fletch bolt is a helical, the EZ-Fletch Pro can be had in a 4 degree offset.

[paulaboutform]

I've tested offset vs helicals side by side to seventy yards with my M380. The helicals were marginally better than the offsets using field points. However, as soon as I screwed in broadheads the difference was HUGE. The helicals, fletched with the Arizona Rim E-Z Fletch Bolt, were dramatically more accurate. My arrow recipe at the time was 18" Zombies, 92gr brass inserts, 2" blazers, 100gr points and plastic nocks. My helicals were giving me 2.5" groups at 100yards. My comparison testing was done to 70yards. I also got diminished accuracy as soon as I attached Luminoks. I've since gone to 110gr brass inserts which allow me to shoot 100gr or 125gr points with returned accuracy. Rich, I also have the Bitzenberger jig and a number of Jojans. My suggestion is to save yourself a lot of fiddling around and go with the Arizona Rim E-Z Fletch Bolt with the extreme helical which can't be duplicated with other jigs. It's inexpensive, easily cleaned by soaking in a jar of acetone, and makes it easy to replace individual vanes perfectly. Most importantly, the accuracy is tremendous.

Paul

[StormDragon]

Hopefully this won't hijack this thread to much but along with the offset/heliCal with a Blazer.

Has anyone tried the new Bohning Heat Vanes out of their crossbows?

[SEW]

Paul/others , I've gone primarily to Spynal Tapps, Bolt fletched Blazers, 20" arrows, Lumenoks, 125g Griz Tricks and 92g inserts. This is what I used before Lumenoks. Think going to 110g inserts is needed to help offset the Lumenok's extra weight?

[paulaboutform]

Paul/others , I've gone primarily to Spynal Tapps, Bolt fletched Blazers, 20" arrows, Lumenoks, 125g Griz Tricks and 92g inserts. This is what I used before Lumenoks. Think going to 110g inserts is needed to help offset the Lumenok's extra weight?

Steve, I think 92gr brass inserts with 125gr points will work great with Luminoks.

Paul

[ThunderXB]

[/quote]
Steve, I think 92gr brass inserts with 125gr points will work great with Luminoks.
Paul[/quote]


So an 18" Zombie with an Ignitor and 100 gr head is about 420 gr, adding another 25 grs for a 125 gr head makes it about 445 gr.

Not too heavy or giving up too much speed?

Understand, I always mention speed, but accuracy and then reliability trumps everything else in my eyes, then speed.

With more and helicals, no doubt you do lose some speed, but if the accuracy is worth it, helical it is.

I assume helical will help more with fixed heads than mechanicals.

[ThunderXB]

Well, got lucky and bought a slightly used EZ Fletch Bolt cheap off of Ebay, so helical I guess it is.

[paulaboutform]

Well, got lucky and bought a slightly used EZ Fletch Bolt cheap off of Ebay, so helical I guess it is.

Good call Rich. Remember, when you end up with some epoxy residue on the jig, do not scrape it off. Rather, drop it into a jar of acetone for several minutes and you'll be clean as a whistle.....and no, it doesn't hurt the jig.

Paul

[ThunderXB]

Will do!

Now the hard part, which color vanes !!!

[W.Miguire]

Red White and Blue , check them out on Lancaster archery.
W.M.