Summary of arrow modification experiment

[NorthernRaider]

Summarised version of arrow project

OK I've made 5 arrows out of the glass fibre cheapo target arrows, I cut off the point of the target head but left the chrome body of it still in place IE I only cut off the pointy bit not the whole target head.

I then ran an 8 mm drill bit inside the 5/16 parallel field heads about 12 mm to remove the threading.

http://www.merlinarchery.co.uk/big-arche...point.html


I lightly sanded the remaining target arrow head to provide a course surface for the epoxy.

I then mixed a small amount of Araldite rapid and coated the roughed up surface then slip on the drilled out field target heads, I ensured they were flush fitted and temporarily secured them in place to allow the epoxy to set.

Bingo A very sharp, very pointy steel field head attached to a budget arrow.
I'll try em out later and let you know how they perform from the Banshee.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43478117@N00/7979249079/

My finding are thus, the modified arrow has much greater penetration than the original training arrow by about 50%, But it’s not as accurate I can get 4 to 5 inch groups with the training arrow as bought but I'm getting up to 8 or 9 inch groups with the modified arrows.
Still good enough for PA security duty though !!!

However I also tried using my arrows from my recurve bow which are Easton Blues XX75 alloy1816 arrows, these come with heavier alloy target points which are nicely sharp, that are inserted into the arrow shaft rather than slid over, and these worked superbly. They appear faster and more accurate because they are lighter and more streamlined. The Blues penetration was superior to the training arrows but slightly inferior ( not by much) to the modified arrows, but much more accurate.

Weight wise the Eastons are 23 grams
Petron Fibreglass are 33 grams
and the modified arrows are 36 grams

So the readymade middle price arrows appear to offer the best all round package of speed, quality, accuracy and penetration.
The nearest I can find readily available are these 1820 Blues
http://www.merlinarchery.co.uk/easton-ge...qty-5.html
or these
http://www.merlinarchery.co.uk/aluminium...-of-5.html

[Paul]

Good article NR.
I was reading about arrow balance and applied power.
It seems to be an issue with broad points where too little power and a heavy tip causes them to 'lob' into a target boss as opposed to fly.
I wonder if that's what's going on there regarding the accuracy.
Just a thought.

[NorthernRaider]

(12 September 2012, 17:40)Paul Wrote: Good article NR.
I was reading about arrow balance and applied power.
It seems to be an issue with broad points where too little power and a heavy tip causes them to 'lob' into a target boss as opposed to fly.
I wonder if that's what's going on there regarding the accuracy.
Just a thought.

That sounds to be a 100% accurate interpretation Paul, the 60g steel tip does appear to "lob" in a wobbly fashion, and I think your equally correct that if the bow was more powerful than its current 25 Ft pound draw the lob would be corrected.

I've been practising all afternoon with all three types of arrow using all three of my bows and the ultra light middle quality Easton Blues XX75 alloy arrows with the solid insert type point are clearly winning overal, accuracy, penetration being the primary considerations.

So if I had an intruder in mid winter wearing thick clothes I would choose the modified arrows, but for anything else the standard Easton Blues appear to be to mutts nutts, Its only a pity I'm not rich like Nemesis and Light Speed and was able to afford a chronograph