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One of the most important preparations before an archery hunt is to
ensure that your broadheads are tuned to your arrows.
If you shoot a mechanical type broadhead, this is not a very
critical issue. For me, I choose to use a 4- blade Muzzy broadhead. If
the broadhead is tuned properly, the arrow will shoot as straight as a
field point. The basic tools you need are as follows: butane torch, wet
foam pad, broadhead tuner, thick rag, and broadhead wrench. If you don't
have a broadhead tuner, you can use a piece of 2x4x20", 4 smooth
16-penny nails and an aerosol can. You will need to pound a nail in at a
45-degree angle, approximately 1/4" from the center of board and
about 1" from the end. Pound another nail in the opposite angle
across from the first one, 1/4" opposite from center of the first
nail. This should form an "X". Where the nails cross should be
approximately 1/2" up from the board. Now do the same with the
other 2 nails at approximately 1"
from the other end of the board. Ensure that the “X” in the front is
aligned with the back “X”.
Now that you have built your broadhead tuner lets get
to work. If you are using your homemade tuner, or using a manufactured
tuner that does not have a front plate with a center point, you have to
use an aerosol can. The reason for this can is to put the point of the
broadhead on a straight line on the can. Do not use the seam or anywhere
that is not smooth. The
first step is to screw the broadhead into the arrow. Next you will light
the torch and set the flame at the lowest setting possible. Place the
arrow over the flame only on the area where the insert is. Rotate the
arrow over the flame for about 7 to 10 seconds. While arrow is still hot
grab the arrow with the thick rag, or one of your wife’s potholders if
you can get away with it. Using the broadhead wrench spin the broadhead
in a clockwise manner at least 4 full turns.
Now before the glue on the insert gets cold you need to line up
your blades with your vanes or feathers. If you shoot a 3-blade tip you
will simply line up the back of the blades with the front end of your
vanes. If you use an arrow with 4 vanes or feathers you will line 2 of
the blades with 2 of the feathers. Leaving the third blade centered
between the other 2 vanes. If you use a 4-blade tip you will align the
back end of 2 of the blades with the front end of 2 of the vanes. The
other 2 blades will align to where the third vane is centered between
the blades. After you have completed this you will put the broadhead
into the wet foam to where the arrow is standing straight up. Wait for
at least 30 minutes for the glue to set.
Now once the glue has set you will place the arrow on the tuner
to where the broadhead clears the front end. Now take the can and place
it to where the tip of arrow tip is centered on a straight thin line on
the can. Paying close attention to the tip on the line spin the arrow
slowly. If the arrow spins on the line with little to no wobble (no more
than 1/16th of an inch) the arrow and broadhead is tuned.
More than likely it won’t work like that, so you will have to re-heat
the insert, spin the arrow again in a clockwise manner, line up the
blades and let cool. Take the arrow back to the tuner and recheck for
trueness. Now if the arrow still wobbles out of tolerance, try the
broadhead on a different arrow. Having to do the latter is a rarity now
days if you are using a quality manufactured broadhead. Once
you have completed tuning all of the arrows you hunt with, do not take
the broadhead off the arrow you have tuned it to. In the event you have
to take the broadhead off, mark the arrow and broadhead by using a black
felt pen, making a mark from the broadhead onto the arrow. Now when you
go to put the broadhead back on the arrow I recommend that you place the
arrow on the tuner to ensure you are still tuned.
Now
its time to go to the range and site in your hunting arrows, don’t
shoot all your arrows at the same point of aim. You will probably wind
up cutting your vanes or feathers off and will be back at the tuning
bench. Good luck and aim
true. Louis
Urquides Hunting
Editor
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