I shot them 3 years ago when I started. Went through that dozen pretty fast learning to shoot. Carbon all the way since.
The biggest downfall for aluminum for most is speed to strength ratio. Carbon can give a much stronger shaft at a much lighter weight, giving you the best of both world's. Aluminum shafts can be very strong. This requires a very thick wall shaft. This increases weight dramatically and most are not willing to give up a few fps to shoot aluminum, even though aluminum has much more consistent spine and weight tolerances. I like carbon myself for the strength and lighter weight. This allows me to increase the point weight for a much higher foc. High foc, lower overall weight and all the penetration of a heavier shaft. Carbon is stiffer as well and that equates to better penetration. There isn't as much oscillation when resistance is encountered. But, I will say aluminum is VERY effective when set up properly. My son has had 2 passthroughs with 40# setups with short draw lengths using thick walled aluminum shafts. sent from my samsung note 2
been shootin carbon for years. in fact i think the last time i shot aluminum is when I was shooting my recurve from 75'!
I'm thinking really hard about going back to aluminum. I've enjoyed shooting carbon arrows the last few years, but to get good straight arrows the cost is out of control. I'm not exactly spending a ton to replace arrows, just a dozen a year or so. I would like to add some more weight, and I'd rather see a $8 arrow get busted when shooting an animal than a $15 one. All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure - Mark Twain
Easton XX78 aluminum is $7.50 each and easton axis nfused are $10.00 each at lancaster archery. Easton axis is an awesome shaft. Extremely tough and accurate. They also have the option of 75 grain brass inserts. I'm shooting them with the brass inserts and blazers and factory wraps. My .400's weigh 498 grain with 19.5% foc:D I am also shooting 150 grain points. sent from my samsung note 2
I switched to carbon a few years ago when I got a new bow. I like both. I think people worry too much about equipment and not enough about user operation. Just like any tool, consistency and precision is key.
Use carbon because that is what I was told to get when I started bowhunting 2 years ago. Going elk hunting this fall and I've been told by a very knowledgeable person that I should strongly consider aluminum. Not sure I want to change everything up that has been working though.
I killed a lot of deer with Aluminum ones...I like them. I rarely ever had issue with them. You can get the XX78's for about $4.50 a piece here at the local shop in town.
I use aluminum, only because they came with the bow I bought, and I haven't got around to finding the right carbon ones for my bow.
I used aluminum's for the 1st 20 years I bow hunted. Nothing In the least wrong with them. I shot 2216 XX75's. A very strong arrow, just as strong as my 340 FMJ's. I'll go back to aluminum's again, maybe even this year.
