Wrong arrows

I practiced a few sessions before opening day and thought I was hitting pretty good. I had enough confidence to try a 32 yd shot and killed the deer. It wasn't a good hit, but the Muzzy is very effective.

So I decided maybe I'm not in such bad physical shape that I can't bowhunt any more. I did a good bit of practicing since the opener and found out I'm a terrible shot. I've cut the range I would shoot one from 30 down to 20.

I'm thinking my arrows are part of the problem and wonder if I could get some advice from the experts? I bought a PSE 60-70 lb bow in 1999 and the guy told me my 2117 arrows would not work with it set on 65 lbs where I wanted it. They tried to get me to switch to carbon then, but I wanted to stick with aluminum. So I bought a dozen xx78 that are 31" long and size 2315 and have been using them since.

I bought a Matthews DXT in 2007 and had them set it at the max of 60 lbs. I thought I needed a 50-60 lb bow so I could let it off as I got older. Shaw tuned it and it shot perfectly with the same arrows.

I've let it off several times and now I'm down the maximum 5 turns so it should be around 50 lbs. The charts say my arrows are wrong for a bow this light, and I wonder if that's my main problem. Sometimes the arrows fly straight and sometimes I can actually see the fletching kick left and the arrow hits 6" right at 20 yards. Could the spine being too stiff cause this flight pattern, or is it likely something with my bow being changed due to letoff adjustment?

If the wrong spine will cause them to shoot right, then I guess it's time for me to join the 21st century and switch to carbon. Thanks for any ideas.

I had to switch to a crossbow this year due to a shoulder issue but I've been shooting goldtip arras in my vertical bow for alot of years. Goto your favorite bow shop and get them to check your bow out and paper tune if possible it should tell all.

What’s your draw length PCP and are you using 100 or 125gr heads?

My draw length without a release was 30" and I have always used 31" arrows to keep the broadhead a little in front of my fingers. And I was still shooting without a release in 1999, which is the date I bought the first dozen of the 2315. I bought another half dozen a few years later, but kept them 31" so all would be interchangeable. I finally started using a release around 2002 or so. I am slow to embrace new technology, and using a release seemed like cheating back then. Not anymore.

The DXT has a 29" draw and I will probably order 30" arrows if I switch. I've used the 100 grain 3 blade Muzzy since 1999. I haven't had an issue at all with arrows flying straight since you tuned it, until I let it off the last 2 turns. That should have taken it from 54 to 50 theoretically, but I haven't had it checked on a scale. Thanks!

Between 47 and 51# you should be good with the 2315’s, maybe a tad stiff because they’re a 340 spine. If you go to a carbon you’ll need a 400 spine. It’s probably time for new strings and a tune up if those are the original strings.

Shaw, perhaps you can help me out while we're on the subject of shooting the right arrows and head grain weight.

I had my bow (Bear Legion 60#, 29.5" draw) tuned by a local shop to shoot 31" Blue Maxima 250's with 100 gr heads, per their recommendation. I began having issues with the arrows not flying consistently and wobbling in flight. I switched up to a 31" 350 arrow with 125 gr heads, lost some speed of course but better penetration and better arrow flight.

Would you say that this is the right arrow combo for me, or should my bow poundage and draw be able to shoot the 250's better than they were with the 100 gr heads?

You need to be shooting that 350 with a 100gr. head.

Awesome, thanks!

Thanks Shaw. I'll just limit my shot distance the rest of this season and try to get it to you later.