300 yards... What fletchings ?

[Phil]

I have a new D section long bow 50lb @29" that I think will send a shaft 300 yards. I'm building 3 arrows to have a shot at the U.K. flight record ,but I haven't made up my mind as to the fletching configuration yet. The only stipulation is they must be feather. Any comments

[Troy F.]

I would use 2 or 2.5 Straight clamp.

[the other DWS]

I'd cut'em ultra low for max stiffness and extra long.
A long time ago I read an old victorian era book by an English author--Lord somebody or other, I believe--- that was about medieval crossbows but in the back was a fascinating chapter on turkish long distance flight shooting. IF--BIG IF---I recall it correctly they used reed shafts with a wood foot and made long low fletches out of stiffened parchment. they also used a very short arrow and a horn chute-shaped overdraw that strapped to the bowhand wrist.

good luck with the project

[Bob Gordon]

Phil...I would use something else besides turkey feathers, maybe goose or duck, they are much thinner than turkey, I also would remove most of the quill so you just have the membrane that holds the feather together. That will give you a lighter weight, less drag and good looking fletch. Good luck with the flight shoot, let us know how far you shot....warf

[thisbucks4u]

seriously, try pigeon feathers , and do keep us in the loop. Best wishes! :)

[Floxter]

Phil, I've shot clout at the NAA Trad Nationals several times and easily get 200yrds with a 45# r/d hybrid longbow using 5/16" shafts, 100gr points, and 3" feathers. But a couple of shooters in the English Longbow Class have used 1/4" shafts, 70gr points, and 4-5" feathers which were cut down to about 1/8" height. I would think that a combination of 2" feathers, cut down to 1/8" height would give you sufficient steerage while reducing drag enough to get you in the range. I'd put the feathers on with little or no offset since you're not concerned about accuracy, just distance. But since the world record for 50# English Longbow is 278yrds, you're going to have your work cut out for you. Perhaps Larry Hatfield can chime in and offer his advice, since he holds the record for 50# Longbow (r/d).

[BowDonkey]

Phil, just awhile back Primitive Archer ran a article by Dan Perry on making flight bows and arrows. He's one of the best here in the states. I mean colonies. I can find the issue if your interested.

[MDBowhunter]

As a side note to "the other DSW's" post about the turkish wrist "overdraw". I attended the Traditional Bowhunters of Maryland annual banquet last night, the guest speaker was Dennis Kamstra. Dennis spoke of this "overdraw" and noted that this allowed the turkish archers to shoot short arrows. This in turn did not allow the opposing armies to return fire with these arrows, due to thier reduced length. Pretty interesting.

MDB

[Larry Hatfield]

you really don't need much feather at all, or a point for that matter. try tapering the shaft so the balance is slightly forward of center.
dr. grayson said owl feathers worked very well because they were light and wispy. i have some spotted ones nearby, maybe i should check this out.
larry

[Stagmitis]

larry,

May I suggest using 4" low profile crow feathers when hunting spotting owls?

[Phil]

Thanks everyone for your comments.
Donk I would appreciate a copy of the artical if you can find it

[Larry Hatfield]

i have always used bald eagle feathers on owl arrows. makes them afraid to fly.
owl, the other gray meat!

[BowDonkey]

Phil, go to www.primitivearcher.com. The article is in Volume 12 Issue 1, that is if you want to purchase it. Otherwise PM me your address and I'll make a copy. Also use their search feature, I typed in "flight bows" I think you'll recognize fellow countrymen and women in Article 1, 27 and 29. They may have some of these articles archived somewhere but I can't seem to access the site even though I'm a subscriber. Damn computers!

[the other DWS]

I thought that Husquevarnas and old growth ponderosa pine shafting was what was de-rigour for Spotted owl hunting.

[Bob Gordon]

Other DWS.. A .220 Swift is the best, nothing left in the way of evidence after the shot. LOL....warf