Help a dummy understand an arrow/bolt please.

[Chefrific]

So I'm looking at a website that builds arrows and bolts. I'm looking at building some black eagle zombie's

I have no idea what to choose or why when it comes to some of the options they ask about.

1. Vane Setback. They give the option of choosing a vane setback from 1/2" to 1 3/8". I have no idea what this is or what is best.

2. Fletching Orientation. I understand that this has to be how the fletchings are oriented on the bolt, but what should I choose and why. They offer:
RH offset, RH helical, LH Helical and straight. Again, I have no idea.

3. How to choose and insert. They offer 92g brass glue in, and 110g brass glue in. They also have an option for "optional weight system for glue in inserts" that range from 10 to 100 grains.

And last but not least,

4. Length. How do I choose the best length?

Shooting micro and 125g mechanical heads.

Thanks for any info.

[xcaliber]

Vane set back is distance from the tail end of the Bolt. 1 3/8"
RH helical should be good
110 grains glue in for 100 grain heads, 92 if you plan to use heavier
I like mine short, 15", stock are 16.5".

[paulaboutform]

Getting into 'why' will take a little longer so here is the 'what'.
-16.5" Arrow length
-92 grain brass inserts (glue in)
-1" set back
-2" blazer vanes
-Right helical
-Plastic nocks

I don't know where you're having your arrows built but I highly recommend you contact Big John here on the forum. He's a custom arrow builder in Ontario, Canada and can also help with recommendations of arrows for whatever you're trying to attain. Many on this forum can attest to the high quality of arrows you can expect from him, including me. His prices are too low for the service he's providing in my opinion. He will weigh every component and all your arrows will be perfectly grain matched on a high quality scale that is calibrated frequently to ensure quality performance. I do all this with my own arrows and can tell you that it's time consuming and tedious. I wouldn't do it for someone else simply because of the amount of time and effort required. Combine the quality of John's arrows with more than reasonable prices and a 20% - 30% gain you'll have using American funds and I don't think you'd get a better bang for your buck.

Paul

[nchunterkw]

I don't know where you're having your arrows built but I highly recommend you contact Big John here on the forum. He's a custom arrow builder in Ontario, Canada and can also help with recommendations of arrows for whatever you're trying to attain. Many on this forum can attest to the high quality of arrows you can expect from him, including me. His prices are too low for the service he's providing in my opinion. He will weigh every component and all your arrows will be perfectly grain matched on a high quality scale that is calibrated frequently to ensure quality performance. I do all this with my own arrows and can tell you that it's time consuming and tedious. I wouldn't do it for someone else simply because of the amount of time and effort required. Combine the quality of John's arrows with more than reasonable prices and a 20% - 30% gain you'll have using American funds and I don't think you'd get a better bang for your buck.

Paul

X1000!!

[chuckinator]

Dude all due respect. You don't seem like you are ready for custom arrows. Stock arrows would suite you just fine. Go online ,google information about arrows and educate yourself first!

[paulaboutform]

Dude all due respect. You don't seem like you are ready for custom arrows. Stock arrows would suite you just fine. Go online ,google information about arrows and educate yourself first!

The thing is, you're paying top dollar for very mediocre arrows. They will kill whatever at hunting ranges but are not in the same ballpark as a good quality built custom arrow. I say spend your money wisely and reap the benefits of the pinpoint accuracy your bow is capable of. You'll get much more satisfaction in the short and long-term.

Paul

[kd8jgu]

I build my arrows for my bow
When you look at cost of building testing to find a good match it adds up quick
As far as bolts I stay stock bolts
I have customized a few which were for special hunts
I will say what a man told me most here know him (Danny Miller)
"There is a reason they are stock they have been tested and were the best match for crossbow"

[xcaliber]

Custom all the way. Once you hunt for a spell using archery equipment, you just have to tighten the zone. I'm just a fanatic when it comes to hunting, and by nature a control nut. I would recommend making your own, but if you don't have time, or the patience, get a good builder that has done their share of shooting, and hunting to make what has worked for them, for you. You will never look back!

[paulaboutform]

I build my arrows for my bow
When you look at cost of building testing to find a good match it adds up quick
As far as bolts I stay stock bolts
I have customized a few which were for special hunts
I will say what a man told me most here know him (Danny Miller)
"There is a reason they are stock they have been tested and were the best match for crossbow"

Perhaps I can rephrase that. "They are the best deal we got while maintaining adequate accuracy"....from a company perspective.. They simply are not the best choice. They are adequate....and that's okay because some are okay with adequate.
I've seen adequate 3" groups at forty or fifty yards with stock arrows and one to one and a half inch groups at fifty yards with custom built arrows.

Paul

[Chefrific]

Dude all due respect. You don't seem like you are ready for custom arrows. Stock arrows would suite you just fine. Go online ,google information about arrows and educate yourself first!

Well Chuck, All due respect, but I'm trying to educate myself. Thanks for the constructive criticism.

To you other gentleman, thanks for your input. I take pride in my equipment and want to understand every single aspect of it. Really appreciate all the tips and feedback I get from the members of this forum.

[Cossack]

Used to build my own.....until I found Black Eagle Executioners. Not only a great arrow but the few pennies I save making my own don't offset the hassle and time involved.

[bubba]

Chefrific, X-2 on what Paul said, Custom arrows are the way to go.. They are just better... And Big John makes them like no other..Don't let the neg, posts, get to ya, There always gonna be one out there. Also South Shore Archery and Jerry makes some fine arrows too. And he is in Tampa Fl,..Get ya some customs for sure.. You will be glad ya did.....

[Big John]

The only thing I will say on this is:
Every bow shoots different arrows matched to it better! Stock over the counter arrows are all the same for every bow. No matching.
It's a one size fits all solution ; custom arrows are just what they say. Made to match your bow, your heads, your shooting distances, etc. Personalization!

Big John

And yes, Stock arrows also kill animals just fine. Most of the time.

[newbie]

Here is an example of little differences with custom built. The arrow with green vanes is not spine indexed the other two are. 20 to 30 yards they all grouped about the same. This was at 40 sighting in my scope aiming the cross hair at the black dot above on the wood. 16.5 " original Spynal Tapps all are weight matched at 277 grains before tips, only difference is indexing.

[paulaboutform]

I just wanted to clarify, when I say custom arrows I'm referring to arrows you build yourself or have built specially for you.

Paul