[jo3st3]

Is there any reason to be concerned about how large the helical is (5+ degrees) if shooting out to distances in the 100+ range?

I have an EZ Fletch Mini Max which puts a wicked helical on 2.5-3" vanes and I'm wondering if I might have some issues at long distances using this jig versus something more modest like 2-3 degrees.

 

[Skyydyyver]

I've played with high helical and slight offset and haven't noticed a difference at all in accuracy so I'm sticking with the slight offset.
I also get super picky with my tune though and like to bareshaft out to 30/40 so I'm hoping a high helical is wasted on my shot/not needed.

From what I understand your supposed to get the parachute effect at longer ranges but didn't seem to notice that on my setup. I don't think I even gain much distance going with the offset, it's mostly just easier to fletch consistently.

 

[Pahunter1987]

Good question, one for which I have no idea haha.
I have been trying to get my hands on a Minimax left jig to test that against fletching applies with my Bitz.

If you are on target at 100 yards you could pretty easily determine if there would be a problem a few ways.

First, shoot something more modest and the crazy helical at the same distance. Over time of you experience any radical changes in flight or significantly less consistency, you have your answer. It's important to test this over time to make sure it is not you.

You could also test with a Lab Radar. If there were some problem that was significant I would assume you would see an accelerated degradation in velocity.

I have no idea how much helical my Bitz puts on them but I am guessing about 3°.

I would be very interested in your results. I bet with a longer and stiff vane you may run into some trouble. Especially in a four fletch configuration. Although, a smaller and lower profile vane might be just what you need.

 

[SonnyThomas]

If you're sighted in for 100 yards, you'll hit at 100 yards. Well, provided your arrow is built well and you're a good shot

 

[jo3st3]

If you're sighted in for 100 yards, you'll hit at 100 yards. Well, provided your arrow is built well and you're a good shot

So your point is, yes it might affect it, but I built a tape based on that effect so it's a moot point. Which makes sense.

My concern was making a tape that's fine for 20 and 60 yards, because issues don't really happen until you get into those longer 100+ yard shots where now I'm hitting low because of parachute effect.

I tried going with a lower profile vane, Bohning Heat vane, to perhaps tame the amount of drag but not sure if that has a big or small impact on parachute effect

 

[SonnyThomas]

So your point is, yes it might affect it, but I built a tape based on that effect so it's a moot point. Which makes sense.

My concern was making a tape that's fine for 20 and 60 yards, because issues don't really happen until you get into those longer 100+ yard shots where now I'm hitting low because of parachute effect.

I tried going with a lower profile vane, Bohning Heat vane, to perhaps tame the amount of drag but not sure if that has a big or small impact on parachute effect

Arrows slow down at longer distance, no parachute. With helical arrows slow down more, but still no parachute thing.
If you're hitting low, you're not sighted in, simple as that.

Think now. Arrow slows down, spin slows down.

Years back I shot Field. I used a .350" diameter arrow and 3.87" AAE vanes. On bigger diameter arrows you can offset quite a bit - 3 degrees or more. I know the vanes just cleared the prongs of the QuikTune 3000 arrow rest. Cleaned the 70 yard Hunter and 80 yard Field bull's eye a lot ot times.

I use sight frames, adjustable from up close to way out there. For 60 yards I set my sight frame for 60 yards and my arrows hit at 60 yards.

Helical as I can get with 1 3/4" vane. Had to offset the helical clamp to get it.

 

[Steven Bressan]

I can't say for sure but look at what the Olympic archers are using. They shoot 90 meters all the time and that's 98yard 2 ft 6 1/2 inches.

I know you are shooting a compound and that makes it apples and oranges but if they can hit the gold every time there is something in their system to look at.

 

[Uniquename]

3 degrees did the best holding speed from 1 to 5 degrees right and left helical test.
From 10 to 80 yards I am sure at 100 it would be the same

 

[Kessick]

No parachuting for me using the ez fletch. I’ve tried max hunter, max stealths, and heat vanes. All worked great at 100 plus yards.

 

[Dale_B1]

I am with Sonny. If your sighted in at a 100 yards then it is a moot point. But honestly 100 yards(football length) if you can hit that bullseye who cares, most archers can't hit it everytime and hold a tight group.

 

[356Brutus]

I agree with Sonny.
I have done the 5 to 3 degree against each other. They are both as "accurate" as each other. The 5 degree will drop alot more over distance. The parachute effect imo is just a dumb term to explain there's more resistance in a stronger helical making it slown down quicker.
I only shoot 3 now, i had absolutely no gain going to 5. 3 steers any BH I have used.
Either way though either degree will be just as accurate if you set up for it.

 

[TNMAN]

It's not a moot point if someone is having trouble making the yardage, which is very common on 100+ shots.

 

[Skyydyyver]

Is there any reason to be concerned about how large the helical is (5+ degrees) if shooting out to distances in the 100+ range?

I have an EZ Fletch Mini Max which puts a wicked helical on 2.5-3" vanes and I'm wondering if I might have some issues at long distances using this jig versus something more modest like 2-3 degrees.

I forgot to mention that I have the mini max and was fletching the 2in and 2.25in TAC Driver vanes (they are low profile as well) with it. I don't think I fletched anything longer than that with it.
I like those stiffer vanes, they are much more quiet and I feel like they steer as well as a larger softer vane.
Maybe that's why I didn't have any issues?

I switched to the bitz and personally would recommend that over the EZ fletchers. More options and more control and hardly any more time involved.

I know it's a basic question but I'll ask anyway, are you sure you have proper vane clearance at 100 yards? You could try some foot powder to check.
I used to use heat shrink wrap as arrow wraps and I kept one that I cut off with vanes glued to it so I can slide that along my arrow when and check clearance. It works really well wether at full draw or at rest.

 

[bowtech2006]

I am with Sonny. If your sighted in at a 100 yards then it is a moot point. But honestly 100 yards(football length) if you can hit that bullseye who cares, most archers can't hit it everytime and hold a tight group.

Man I'm glad you made the point to say 100 yards is a football field who ever knew that??? Amazing a football field is 100 yards now AT is so much smarter now and will be telling all their friends hey did you know a 100 yards is a football field.

 

[SonnyThomas]

It's not a moot point if someone is having trouble making the yardage, which is very common on 100+ shots.

Poster asked. He isn't having any problems so it is a moot point.

 

[NCAVI8TOR]

No reason to be concerned. I like as much helical as possible with broadheads. Never noticed any "parachuting" at longer yardage. I think having >10% FOC will also negate any possibility of "parachuting."

I used the MiniMax last year on Max Stealths for my hunting arrows.

NC

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

 

[armstrongcam22]

If youre not trying to steer a broadhead, or a big fat target arrow. Then I would stay away from max helical for distance. It'll still be accurate but you'll need a lot slower of a sight tape. A little offset will be just as accurate with a field point and shoot flatter trajectory at distance.

 

[huteson2us2]

80 too 100+ yards is a normal dstance for people on the West coast that shoot multiple Safari rounds a year. I can see 3D archers trying to grasp a 100 yard shot in their heads.

Reading some of the comments above, I get the feeling that some of the people are saying that a slight offset fletched arrow will hit the same bullseye as a extremely helical fletched arrow at distances. A 3D archer may not see a big difference, but a field , 900 round or Safari shooter can see a hugh difference. I have shot hundreds of long distance rounds over the last 67 years to prove it.

They will both hit the spot but not with the same sight mark. If both arrows are shot at 100 yards with the same mark, the helical fletched arrow will hit much lower than the slight offset arrow. Both arrows can be sighted in to hit the mark. I have shot everything from straight fletch to extreme helical and settled for 2 degrees helical as it gives the best groups at all distances and with all wind conditions for my type of archery.

100 yards is not that far in archery. It might be a football field but feels short compared to the Clout rounds we used to shoot. I can still remember the 90 meter rounds we shot with Longbows or recurves before Compounds and it was common to shoot those distances with wooden arrows and no sights. Believe me when I say that archers tried everything to improve accuracy and speed before now.

 

[Dzahrly]

I am shooting a Mathews V3X-33 29in draw at 79lb with 484 grain arrows (rip tko cut to 28"c-c 72 gr insert and 125gr tip). I tested both 3 deg left helical and 5 deg left helical in both aae max stealth and q2i fusion x-II. I did not notice any appreciable drop at 100 yards due to the increased helical, but I did have significantly better groups with the 5 deg q2i fusion x-II. Not terrible scientific, so take it for what it's worth.

 

[jo3st3]

I forgot to mention that I have the mini max and was fletching the 2in and 2.25in TAC Driver vanes (they are low profile as well) with it. I don't think I fletched anything longer than that with it.
I like those stiffer vanes, they are much more quiet and I feel like they steer as well as a larger softer vane.
Maybe that's why I didn't have any issues?

I switched to the bitz and personally would recommend that over the EZ fletchers. More options and more control and hardly any more time involved.

I know it's a basic question but I'll ask anyway, are you sure you have proper vane clearance at 100 yards? You could try some foot powder to check.
I used to use heat shrink wrap as arrow wraps and I kept one that I cut off with vanes glued to it so I can slide that along my arrow when and check clearance. It works really well wether at full draw or at rest.

View attachment 7827593
View attachment 7827592

I've got a pretty light setup for this, as it's meant to shoot at TAC events. My effective clearance with a 2 pin slider is out to 130 comfortably with the second pin, 140 if I'm getting sketchy, and that's using 3 heat vanes and the max helical configuration. I also have bully vanes on the same arrow with a 3 degree helical, but due to their height it takes away from the clearance a little. Even at shorter ranges I'm not totally convinced the vanes aren’t changing the height of impact a little between the two, so at long distance I was definitely wondering. Of course, my margin of error is probably greater