Finally got out shooting my bow this weekend after a 4 month hiatus, and well, I'm starting to inventory my gear a bit, and I'm at a point where I'll need to add more to my existing ACCs, or try something new. I was drawn to the ACCs (I've been shooting them for 5 years now) from the recommendation of a few members here for their spine consistency, and the fact that they have share characteristics of both aluminum and carbon. I've been happy with them, and haven't had any serious concerns or needs to upgrade other than curiosity and the desire to change things up a bit. I was eying up the VAP's, but man, their price just doesn't warrant the need to try them out. I thought about CE Maxima's, or even just plain old Victory V1's. Granted, I really need to get around to downloading OT2 to figure out which of these arrows would give me what I want (~400gr finish weight including 125gr head, ~28" length, shooting 61-64lbs @28.5" DL), but I suppose I'm looking for someone to "sell" me on what I'm missing in other brands by sticking with the same arrow.:D
This year I am going with the Easton Flatline D.O.A. 340's. 28 inches from the throat of the nock to the end of the shaft. 125 grain tips. Bh.com / NAP quickfletch. 394 grains 14.22% FOC This same setup would put you very close to the finished specs you are thinking about, if you are looking for a change that is..
I shot the VForce HV V1's the year before last (2009 season) and was hugely disappointed in them. I had one snap in half on Diamond Dons tailgate out in Oklahoma as I picked the arrow up. The fieldtip end was slightly lodged against something and the arrow snapped in half like a tooth pick. Then, I shot 3 arrows at deer in 2009... all three broke. Needless to say, I never messed with them again. Could have just been a bad batch?
I've put them through 6 deer in the last two years, one of which shot 3 of those deer. The only ones I've broke was because I was being a moron and shot two arrows from one stand point at a target and then put one arrow through them both from another angle. (friggin genious) The only other one I lost was still in one piece when I last saw it running away in the buck I lost in 09. They are pretty much Gold Tips, but I wanted a stiffer than .340 spine and they offered it.
Buckeye - I think the HV arrows tend to be a bit more fragile than the regular series arrows, simply due to the thinner walls. I shot the regular VForce V1 300's last year and had no issues, but did manage to wreck one XRinger HV out of my 3D bow in a tight group. There isn't much out there that is as light as the HV series, so I think their durability often gets compared to other brands that aren't as light and don't have as thin of a wall. I suspect if you tried the regular weight arrows you would find them comparable in durability to anything else. I also suspect you would cull less due to straightness, weight, and spine issues. I have 3 dozen VAP's at the house, and I'm hoping I see the same tolerances from them that I saw from the VForces, XRingers, and XKillers.
I understand what you are saying, but I got these arrows (the HV's) for hunting based specifically on the recommendation of Victory archery themselves. Believe me, I do not lump all of their products into what I had experienced with the HV's. I still own one dozen raw shafts of the 22 series and 2 dozen raw shafts of the X ringers. If I ever find myself wanting to shoot paper again, I will build those arrows.
I too looked at the VAP's but they just weren't heavy enough for me. I shot the GT Velocity arrows last year with good luck, but I was looking for something heavier for this year. Going on an elk trip in September and want to make sure I've got enough KE to get the job done. Settled on the GT Kinetic Pro's. They were pricey, but seem to be well worth it so far. http://www.bowhunting.com/blog/post/Gold-Tip-Kinetic-Proo-400-Arrow-Review.aspx
Nice write-up, Justin. They're cheaper than VAPs, and they would most likely put me around 425grs with my current setup, which, in reality, wouldn't be too awfully bad. One reason I sometimes convince myself to shy away from ACCs for a change, is the lack of "accessory" inserts like the brass inserts on GT arrows. Like you mentioned in the article, it's a nice way of increasing FOC if you really want to stick with a head that may not get you there in weight alone. I just have trouble convincing myself to abandon the aluminum/carbon technology. Is it warranted (the concern)? Probably not, but I always keep coming back to my ACCs. Have to give this some more thought I suppose.
Back to your question, if it's not broken, don't fix it. It's natural to always wonder about trying out new things. I know that I have spent a lot of money trying out the newest things that come out each year. But, more times than not I will always end up going back to what I have been using. Back to what I am comfortable with and know that works. It sounds like you have been having good success with your current arrows. Stick with them until "they" give you a reason to change them.
Easton FMJ are the best arrows out there. They are a little pricey, but well worth it, durable, hard hitting arrows.
I'm using CE maxima blue streaks. The weight is right at 377, that's with a 100 grain tip. I may play with a 125 grain tip next time I go to the shop, but I kinda like the speed aspect. The arrows thought fly amazing. I was shooting flatline doa 340s and they were awesome too. I do like the CEs just a tad bit better but not enough I would recommend someone change their setup just for them. Really with either one you can't go wrong.
I like to try out new things once in a while. Say this yr, I'm switching from easton st 340's to 400's. I'm shooting less pounds and th3 340's were spined to stiff for what I'm shootn 63#. They'd kinda porpoised out off the bow when I was paper tuning my arrows. Switched to 400s, perfect paper shot. Granted it's not like I'm shooting a different brand of arrows but just changing to improve my shooting.
Personally, I believe the FMJ Easton makes is unmatched in durability. Want to talk about KE? Look no further!
