I am just getting into traditional archery, I have been shooting a compound for many years and decided to get into the "roots" of hunting. I have seen the other post of which type of arrows are the best and for what reason, but I want to see a definitive winner. I left it open between longbow and recurve to get input for both.
I tried carbons for a while. I had trouble getting the weights and foc I wanted for hunting. Other than that, carbons were great for just shooting, once you get them tuned. I went back to alluminum simply because I like to have a 600+ grain arrow for hunting.
IMO, there is no one answer to this question. In reply to Burnie, as far as FOC in carbon shafts, you can insert lead split shot for fishing line into the shafts to add weight forward. I have found that the weights are unbelievably consistent in weight. I did a "How To" and when I find it I'll repost it here for you. I like carbon for it's straightness and durability. That being said I also think that there is nothing like the beauty of shooting good Port Orford Cedar arrows out of a traditional bow. I think aluminum arrows are good because of the seemingly unendless variety of shaft sizes. I don't think however aluminum is any more durable than wood in many respects.
VA bowbender I would love to see your post. I have used carbon on many occasions. I simply machine brass inserts to the weight i want. Recently I finished up two bows and just dont have to time to play with carbons. It is real easy to go grab some alluminums and go. I do agree, alluminum and wood are just about eqaully durable. Carbon is by far the most durable. I have some carbons that have taken at least 6 animals each and still use them today. If you have the time to tune a carbon and weight it right, it is worth the trouble..
I've gone back to aluminium for the same reason as Burnie , but also as they are more affordable .I'm using gamegetter II 400's with 100grn inserts and 125grn broadheads , but may drop to 50grn insert .
I shot aluminum's for many years, 22 years to be exact. When I switched to a recurve 16 years ago I went with 2216's. I had great success with them, tough as a nail arrow. In 2008 I wanted to try something different so I went with Easton Full Metal Jackets (FMJ's). FMJ's have aluminum on the outside with carbon In the Inside. My goal was to get a higher FOC which Is much easier to do with Carbon arrows then It Is with aluminum arrows. I thought my 2216's were tough, these FMJ's are just as tough If not tougher. As for wood arrows I can't give an honest answer with them. I don't know enough about them. Some day I will make me a dozen of these and hunt with them.
Have tried most all.. I've spent the last 2 years working with carbon but finally gave up and went back to wood. I used aluminum for quite awhile but went back to wood around 1983 and have used them ever since. Chris
Burnie, another option is weight tubes, i got a dozen 5 GPI tubes from 3rivers archery for $12. they have 3 options, 3GPI, 8 GPI and 5GPI. the only problem i have had with them is they will pop your nock out ocasionally. I have read some people putting a dab of glue on them to hold them in place. I chose not to so i could pull them out if a. replacing the arrow b. i didn't like the way they shot. now to answer the question of this thread. I shoot 28" carbon Wolverines from walmart, 5GPI weight tubes, haven't weighed the insert, 100 gr CX 4 blades, 5" right wing feathers (blaze orange/yellow). hoping to see how these do tomorrow on a deer.
I shoot both carbons and aluminums and really don't see much difference between the two as far as accuracy. I generally stick with carbons for hunting though as I feel they hit harder.
I'm a carbon guy, however when times are tight I'll go for the cheapest I can get without sacrificing quality too much.
I shoot Surewood Douglas Fir...They come straight, stay straight and my arrows weigh in at 620 grains with 145 up front! I've been shooting these for a few years now...love em! I can fletch up a dozen for around $55.00! I bounce em off trees and they don't break...most of the time! LOL!
I just received a dozen shafts from Surewood. I haven't gotten them finished yet to see how they'll shoot. Chris
Chris, they are great shafts! I made up a dozen, never had to straighten them, and they all came in with in 6 grains of each other!
When I was able to shoot traditional I shot all wood arrows. They are really tough but the downside is trying to get them out of compression type backstops. The finish heats up due to friction and then sticks to the backer materials. For stumping and hunting, they are great. They seem to be more forgiving than any other material.
