these arrows don’t tune

These arrows dont tune!
I hear this so many times, and it is the arrogance that CAN generate this statement that never ceases to amaze me. Let us understand some things to start with, It is the poundage and draw length that define whether an arrow tunes on a recurve. Basically there are no good or positive individual differences between archers that make an arrow tune or not tune there is only bad technique. With a recurve or a compound I can give false tuning results, be that bare shaft tests, paper tear tests or any kind of test you care to mention and this is down to torquing the bow.
Some basics:
Recurve, button soft enough to nearly be influenced by the clicker, arrow just outside of centre shot, and 8-10mm nocking point.
For interest sake I ill include the standard set up on a compound, although I have already discussed arrow spine selection for a compound in another part of the blog.
Compound, arrow/rest through centre of string, 0-3mm of nocking point.

Now let us have a look at the easton spine chart for a 26 inch 34lbs and 29.5inch 45lbs on the fingers recurve, it has advised an ace 780 and an ace 470. Now for me the two arrows it stipulates could be a trifle on the weak side but not to the extent that they would not tune, and I have picked draw weights and arrow lengths that are on a cusp. If an archer bought these spines they will be able to tune them with 100 grain points by moving the limb adjustment up or down 1.5 turns maximum. So there is nothing wrong with the spine chart.

BUT…… Why do arrows not tune when bought slavishly from the spine chart, three reasons:
1) The archer has made one of the measurements incorrectly
The archer has not picked an arrow that allows them up to 1.5 turns positive and negative on the limb
The archer has the right spine arrow and is shooting the bow poorly
If the answer is number 3, then the archer has two choices, 1) get some help and shoot the bow properly, 2) don’t blame the spine chart

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