Well I went and looked at arrows and broadhead. Quite a selection. What is a good brand and what grain do you use. I will be mostly elk hunting. Also do you use the same arrows and broadheads for practice that you hunt with?
From my experience, GT does make a very strong, sturdy and durable shaft. If you do go with these arrows, I'd recommend cutting them from both ends to improve straightness. Most people you will find use the same arrows and broadheads to practice with. While I always sharpen broadheads following practice, I find it hard to be confident in a broadhead that I have not practiced with. Some broadheads (Rage or G5 Montecs) come with a practice head, though, if you do not want to practice with the heads with which you'll be hunting.
Axis 300s with 100 grain nitrons. I shoot alot with my broadheads for practice and then change to new blade without ever removing the BH from the shaft. In the old axis ads they talked about shooting bricks and stuff so I tried it myself and shot an H block from 20 yds. First shot put a quarter size hole about an inch deep. I thouroughly!!! checked the arrow over and reshot it in the same spot and it busted all the way through. I had to change the feild tip, checked the arrow again and then shot it again. The entire corner of the block broke off and my arrow finally gave out and split up the shaft about 2 inches. Axis for me! As far as the nitrons, I like a smaller head ( I used thunderheads for years). I shot 2 200lb hogs last year and it busted through both of them with no probs. Both hogs expired within 40 yds. I know there are very good other BH and arrows, I just like the set up and it seems to be very durable and does the job.
Things you need to consider: What's your draw length? What's your draw weight? What's your maximum effective range (How far can you keep 100% of your shot's in the vitals of your quarry)? How much KE do you want? How much speed do you want? For elk I'd recommend a moderate shaft (not too heavy, not too light). You need a balance for farther than average whitetail shots but with more than average whitetail energy. Something in the range of 8.5 to 10 grains per inch with a good cut on contact 125 grain head (to keep the FOC up)would do the trick. The Easton Axis, A/C/C and FMJ as well as the CX Maxima are all proven shafts that would fit the bill. Heads are a personal preference thing but I'm having great results with the 125 grain G5 Montec and Striker.
