AFB Clout Arrows Falling Short

[In_The_Black]

Hi,

I have being dabbling with clout using my 40lb Flat Bow (68” with 29” draw). I am getting 180 yrds under favourable wind conditions, but with a headwind I am falling about 10 yrds short.

The rough plan is to get a 60lb longbow in the year, so for now I need to get a bit more distance out of the flat bow.

I have tried a faster string and my draw is maxed out, so that leaves the arrows.

I was wondering what piles and vanes are the best to achieve distance.

Presently I am using: -
5/16” P.O. Cedar
100g steel traditional taper-fit piles (Merlin)
4” shield cut fletching
Arrow coating Danish oil
Quicks traditional nocks

I am also Using a Cav’ elite tab

Any help appreciated folks

[bkupris]

You could try some low profile 3" parabolic fletching, it might give you a bit more distance??

[cloutman360]

I agreed with Bkuprs, the 4'' have to go but before you re-fletch the whole lot why not take just one of your arrows, a pair of scissors and experiment.
If 3'' don't work trim it down to a 1 5/8'' dumpy.

[In_The_Black]

Many thanks cloutman360 & bkupris.

Do you think a change in point weight would help? I appreciate this may be a try & see, but I wondered what experience you had with varying it.

Thanks again

[cloutman360]

If weather conditions dictate a score of 120 for a double clout using 100g piles,I will score between 100 and 110 using a 63g or 20g pile set.

[steve58]

Originally Posted by cloutman360

If weather conditions dictate a score of 120 for a double clout using 100g piles,I will score between 100 and 110 using a 63g or 20g pile set.

Perhaps I'm being dim, but I think this says there's no advantage to the lighter piles?

[englishwarbow]

A 60lb longbow probably wouldn't get you more distance. What you need to do is increase your draw length but I guess your shooting in a target style so will not be able to that using those techniques. If you shooting 29" already drawing then you should have no problem drawing to 32" by 'shooting in the bow'. That would allow you to impart more energy into the arrow with probably an increase in stability ( the body has a natural lock off with this type of draw which is why people can accurately shoot 140lb bows). That is assuming of course that your bow is tillered to take a longer draw. The technique is quite simple to learn to hard to explain, if we spent half an hour togther then we could get you to hit the distance. It does work, thats why all those archers Agincourt trounced the french!

Anyway good luck and happy shooting!

[In_The_Black]

Thanks to all those replying.

I spoke to Richard & Philip Head @ Richard Head Longbows, who advised me on what I needed to get some extra yardage.

I went for some matched shafts, 2.5” parabolic feathers and their 40grains Steel Victorian Style Piles. I was sceptical at first due to the low pile weight, but I made a few up as Richard suggested. I was amazed at how well they flew and I gained around 20yards on my old arrows.

Now I have the yardage, I just need to figure out how to be accurate!

[steve58]

Originally Posted by In_The_Black

Thanks to all those replying.

I spoke to Richard & Philip Head @ Richard Head Longbows, who advised me on what I needed to get some extra yardage.

I went for some matched shafts, 2.5” parabolic feathers and their 40grains Steel Victorian Style Piles. I was sceptical at first due to the low pile weight, but I made a few up as Richard suggested. I was amazed at how well they flew and I gained around 20yards on my old arrows.

Now I have the yardage, I just need to figure out how to be accurate!

Just curious... have you tried them at the targets? How did they do?

[In_The_Black]

I only made up three initially to test the distance. I just varnished up the rest of the shafts this afternoon and will have them ready next week. Unfortunately, I will have to wait for target testing as I am away on holiday soon.

I am also very keen to test them on a target and as soon as I do I’ll let you know the results. They are so pointy that I won’t have any trouble with bouncers!