When it comes to Total Archery Challenge events, there is no one-size-fits-all arrow setup. The right build depends on how you approach TAC. Are you treating it like hunting practice with your broadhead setup, or are you building the best long-range performance rig possible?

To help answer that question, our National Shooting Staff Manager and #TeamGoldTip shooter, Tim Gillingham, shared some of his go-to recommendations for building a TAC setup designed for accuracy, forgiveness, and downrange consistency.

Choosing the Right Arrow for TAC

For pure long-range performance, Tim prefers setups similar to his field archery and Redding configurations. Arrows like the Gold Tip Pierce Tour or Pierce LRT paired with a low-profile four-fletch setup offer excellent ballistic performance, reduced wind drift, and strong long-range consistency.

When it comes to hunting-focused TAC setups, Tim recommends the Gold Tip Airstrike arrows. While micro-diameter arrows can sometimes present tuning challenges depending on the shooter, they continue to excel at maintaining velocity and performance at extended distances.

Broadhead Choice Changes Everything

Broadhead selection plays a major role in determining vane setup.

For many fixed-blade and mechanical broadheads, Gold Tip's standard 2.71" Shield Cut Vane configuration provides excellent steering and broadhead control. The tradeoff is slightly increased noise in flight, which is one reason broadhead selection itself becomes important.

For longer-range setups using broadheads with more exposed blade surface area, Tim recommends a higher-profile option like the 2.1" Fusion X Vanes to provide additional steering and correction during flight.

Why Vane Size Matters at Long Range

At shorter distances, many vane configurations will perform similarly. As distances stretch farther, especially beyond 70 yards, vane profile and drag become much more important.

The job of the vane is to stabilize and correct the back of the arrow during flight. Once the arrow leaves the bow and encounters wind or directional change, maintaining stability becomes critical for consistency downrange.

Arrow diameter, arrow weight, and vane profile all influence ballistic performance. Heavier arrows and smaller diameter shafts tend to maintain velocity more effectively at longer distances, helping improve consistency in challenging wind conditions.

Testing Your Setup

Tim's biggest recommendation is simple: test multiple configurations.

Build several setups with different vane profiles and arrow combinations, then shoot them at the maximum distances you expect to encounter during TAC events. Real-world testing is the best way to determine what performs best for your bow, tuning, and shooting style.

There are plenty of combinations that can work, but finding the setup that gives you confidence at distance is what matters most.

Build Your TAC Setup

Whether you are building a hunting-focused TAC rig or a dedicated long-range setup, Gold Tip offers arrow systems designed for accuracy, durability, and consistency when every shot counts.

Explore Gold Tip arrows, vane options, and components to build a setup ready for your next TAC event.

Take Your Shot at TAC

There are still plenty of TAC events left this season, giving archers more opportunities to fine-tune their equipment and build confidence at distance. Check out the TAC event schedule, find an upcoming stop near you, and get ready for your next challenge. While you are there, don't forget to take your shot at the Gold Tip TAC Truck Giveaway.