Grasshopper13

I've always had my arrows made at the archery shop I trade with and they've always made straight fletched arrows for me. I don't know why, but that's what I always get. My 1st question is for you all who shoot some type of fletching other than straight. What prompted you to try helical in the first place? Should I be trying helical fletchings instead of the regular straight fletched ones?

Next question: What is FOC? I've seen several bowhunters mention it, but I'm in the dark as to what it is.

I guess that's technically 3 questions, lol!

Thanks in advance for any help.

GH

sr77

Helical gets the arrow spinning so it stabilizes better in flight. Makes BH tuning alot easier. FOC- Front of center. Having slightly more weight toward the front of the arrow is desiredfor accuracy. Most hunters strive for between 10%-15% for optimal flight. Basically the front of your arrow should be heavier by a certain percentage than the back half of the shaft. You will see some guys going as high as 25%, although that is not necessary. Hope this helped.

Shane

Grasshopper13

I shoot a bowtech tribute, 70# , 28" draw, with goldtip carbon arrows #5575, NAP spitfire 100 grain heads. I haven't had any trouble with them flying squirrely or anything, but could I benefit from a helical fletch?


GH

Redneck Bowhunter

I personally use helical because it will put more spin on the arrow during flight. This gives it more stability and better accuracy. If your shop is only fletching your arrows straight and not offset then, you should have them refletched. Straight fletched arrows are simply not as accurate as helical or offset fletched arrows (exception of Quikspin vanes). I use helical because I get better groups with them out of my setup. This may not be the case for you, though. You can experiment and see which gives you better groups.

FOC = Front Of Center as stated above. What that means is the percentage of the arrow in front of excact center of the arrow that is measured from the valley of the nock to the end of the shaft not the insert where the arrow is perfectly balanced with your point, insert, and nock installed. Here's a link that can better explain it.
http://www.socalarchery.com/Information/front%20of%20center.htm

I higher FOC the faster your arrow will stabalize in flight and be on target. I use a FOC of 12% with my arrow, but there arepro's on here that go as high as 25%.

Redneck Bowhunter

The spitfires are mechanical heads and that is probably why you are ok with your fletchings, but if you were to go to a fixed blade broadhead then I would recomend a helical fletch. With more spin to the arrow it will stabalize better and help to prevent the braodhead from planing off of P.O.A. or P.O.I.