Hi TimS
For me anyway the barreled arrows are not only more expensive but can also be a lot harder to spine match. The extra distance you get from them is probably not worth the hassle and cost.
Footed ones on the other hand are superb. I am VERY fussy about my arrows and after using them would not go back to "normal" shafts. I dont quite know what it is about them but they just seem to be better!!!
I am sure there are those who disagree but for me footings are worth the extra outlay. After all you are really only talking about 4 or 5 quid a shaft. (plus fletchings etc) Compare that to a standard jazz or similar and its not too bad really
I'm not convinced you will gain much if you are not bothered about getting any more distance. A barreled arrow gives you more weight up front and allows a thinner profile. great for shooting long distance in the wind. I feel with
longbow, investing time and not necessarily money in getting some arrows that spine well is more important than how they look.
Fully agree with you there rgsphoto (or can I just call you rgs!!!) I dont know what it is about us traditional archers but we seem prepared to put up with a set of arrows straight out of the box, which are often really badly matched, not only to the bow but also to each other.
(Just ask a
compound or
recurve shooter to use arrows that varied by 5 or 6 spines over a set and see what reaction you get)
I try and get all my arrows to within at least one spine weight even if it does take me all day. (I recently went through 200 shafts to find a set of eight really good ones)
Tim - If you are interested in some shafts, PM me and I can put you in touch with the man who makes mine. He might be French (the enemy of all British
Longbow archers :cheerful: :cheerful: :cheerful: ) but does a good job for a fair price.
Andy