Blazers are loud. Switch to a quieter vane like a Q2i Rapt-X, Bohning Black Sky, AAE Max Stealth, etc. and that will help a ton.

Less helical may help. Slower launch speed will definitely help, in my experience. Also, 255 grains up front with a 500 grain arrow is nowhere near "extreme" FOC. Probably under 20%.

As far as 3 vs 4 fletch, whatever flies better, but I've found 3 vanes work just fine unless I'm using a very small, low profile vane.

 

They’re the blazer X3’s that are more of a shield cut… I’ve had really good luck with them so far. Got some AAE’s too but with wraps that don’t have the best adhesion for some reason…

 

I use 4 fletch because they look better to me and I shoot a lot of large coc type heads.

Other than that, they serve no purpose other than costing extra money.

If you’re shooting mechanical heads, looks would be the only reason to 4 fletch.

 

If you are equipped to either 3- or 4-fletch now, the best thing to do is build a couple of each and test them out of your bow; the significance of an extra fletch on weight with those specs is really insignificant.

 

If you're running basic broadheads, you don't need more than three. Wide cut fixed, you might need four. It's more important to match the broadhead to the vanes than the weight of the vanes themselves.

 

I've tried 4-fletch arrows before. For me, there was no advantage over 3 helical vanes other than "looks cooler". The disadvantage was adding time and trouble to attach/position the extra vane. 3 helical Blazers fletched with my AZ EZ-Fletch Mini or Mini-max is all I'll ever need. I shoot 478 grain VAP TKO's.

Also, none of the deer or elk I've killed have ever heard my Blazers coming toward them.

 

If you're worried about noise, adding a 4th vane is going to be a lot louder than any change the arrows weight made.

I would be surprised if you can hear the difference in 40 grains.

With 2 arrows over 200 grains apart I can hear a difference in noise, but it's still not a drastic difference.

 

If you go 4 fletch, look at the Q2i fusion11 2.1 neon vanes they are low profile and are easy to track without a lighted nock.

 

I 4 fletch everything now. Anything with a fixed blade, it never hurts to have a little extra steering. I use AAE Hybrid 26’s. My 4 fletch with the AAE Hybrid 26’s makes less noise than 3 fletch Blazer.

Those blazers flap in the wind so loud, reminds me of a big grasshopper flying across the field. But I am shooting a fast, heavy bow.

 

As someone who likes a 4 fletch, let me say i've noticed zero difference in arrow flight out to 60 meters with Fixed BHeads
I just go with 4 cause it looks cool, TBH
The 4th vane does add additional drag, but i've got enough speed with my set up i can spare a couple FPS

If noise is your issue, i'd start by switching vanes before messing with your arrow config

 

It really depends on the type of vane, but I've used several different vanes and have seen no advantages to 4 vanes, and I shoot big fixed blades.....

 

3 Blazers for me, Arizona min max... Just because it's easy.
Yep I've got a Bitz, left, right ,and straight jigs.
I've tried other vanes and configurations.
Always go back to what I've used. I see no advantage for my shooting style.
I might add, all my experiments were done in the summer.
Let us know how it turns out for you.
Good luck.

 

Ever try 2 fletch ,
Think outside the box

 

Yes, I did. Worked fine with field points. Was not as forgiving with fixed blades.

 

opted for 3-fletch… 517gr (+/-0.5gr)

Time to see how they fly

 

4 smaller vanes and more helical is going to be louder for sure. Turn a fan on low then high...........same thing.

If you want the same control and the same weight (as 4 small vanes) plus a more quiet arrow in flight then go to 3 offset longer vanes. It's not "cool" these days I know but it's a better setup for hunting.......... That's all I care about.