Vane size and mechanicals

[DaveGallays]

For the guyz that are shooting mechs, what size vanes are you using? I have been using 4".

[WOOKIE]

Dave, I think that 4 inch vanes are pretty standard for most hunters, whether shooting mechs or fixed Bh's.

[cdn-redneck]

I have heard of guys using 3" vanes with mechanicals, but most every body I know shoots 4" vanes for all.

[PatD]

i shoot 3" right now, but am thinking of going to 2".....(mechanicals)

[petew]

4" is prety much standard but a 3" will do.The weight you save is the only advantage to shorter vanes, and it doesn't amount to a hill of beans.If you want to shed some weight try feathers.It makes no sense to use short vanes and take the chance of less stability.If you decide to try fixed blades you probably will need to go back to the 4" anyway.I have changed most of my setups to 5" feathers/helical to get the max spin possible.These are still lighter than vanes.
pete

[TReX300]

I'm shooting an Easton ACC 3-49. It's total weight is 360 grains. I'm using 3" vanes and have a 100 Rocket Steelhead on the end. the length is 28" They are being shot out of a Hoyt Ultra Tech at 63 lbs and 275 fps. Going down to the 3" from the 4" I picked up 6 fps (which isn't alot) but I also get alot less wind drift. I also did some playing around with drag. I shot 2 sets of arrows of identical weights and speeds. At 40 yrds the 4" vanes shot consitantly 2 1/2" lower than the 3". 4" feathers were also tested and even though they left the bow 5 fps faster than the other 2 they ended up 7" lower than the 3"vanes and 4" lower than the 4"vanes. These all were fletched with a left helical clamp. As far as stablity goes I shot for group sizes with all 3 arrows and at 50 yrds in no wind they were all pretty much the same...3". As the wind picked up so did the group sizes. I shot in winds up to 20 mph. The feathers group expand the most 7". 4" vanes the next approx 5 1/2" and the 3" vanes with just over a 4" average....I hope this helps you out.