Aluminum or carbon arrows

ger34 · Post by **ger34** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 8:33 am

OK...I am sure someone has discussed this before....I shoot an Exocet 200 with the Gold tip Laser II bolts , 4" synthetic vanes and wasp 100gr broadheads...the standard setup from 2 years ago...

just after I bought the bow...Excalibur switched to the Easton Firebolt I believe. One of the guys I bowhunt with has got me thinking and so I am doing some research...we hunt deer BTW

what bolt setup do you shoot out of your crossbow and why?

Carbon or aluminum? and what brand?

4" vanes or 2"blazers?

I am pretty sure I am going to pickup some G5 Montecs either this week or next...but now I am second guessing...100gr or 125gr?

any help is appreciated

thanks

wildwindom · Post by **wildwindom** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 8:41 am

I just like carbon they dont bend. I have some with 2 inch blazer vanes and 4 inch with 100 grain slick tricks i get complete pass thrus all the time. They weigh about 405 to 416 grains give or take. And i have never had one split on me shooting deer.

raydaughety · Post by **raydaughety** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 9:00 am

I agree Wildkingdom, I shoot lazer IIs, with 100 grain slick tricks, 4" quick spin vanes "won them as a door prize a couple of years ago". Meat is in the freezer

. They guys that I hunted with were shooting aluminum shafts and Rage broadheads and when they saw my slick tricks, one of them went as far as to offer to "loan" me some Rage broadhead so that I could kill a deer. He insisted that the "tiny" broadhead that I was shooting was for turkeys

. I shot a deer the next afternoon that went 50 yards and fell dead, replaced a torn vane and sharpened the broadhead and it's ready to go again

DuckHunt · Post by **DuckHunt** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 10:14 am

Carbons for me. Just the standard Excalibur/Easton Firebolts with 100 grain expandables (numerous brands). I've killed two deer with the same Firebolt carbon arrow this month. Yesterday I screwed on a field tip and fired the same carbon arrow 30 more times at a 3D shoot. Today it is back in my quiver with a broadhead on it ready for my next trip hunting.

Try that with an aluminum arrow.

DuckHunt

wabi · Post by **wabi** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 10:24 am

I have had a carbon break, so I switched back to aluminums.
And I have killed more than one deer with the same aluminum arrow.

Most damage to aluminums comes from not pulling them from a target carefully. A good arrow puller (like Dan Miller makes) will prevent most damage when shooting foam targets.

vixenmaster · Post by **vixenmaster** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 10:43 am

i use both so i didn't vote.

crazyfarmer · Post by **crazyfarmer** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 11:07 am

carbon:) After years of using aluminums and having them bend I wont ever go back to them. Carbon wont blend, it breaks so you know if you have a bad arrow. I shoot carbons on my compound also for that reason. Every deer ive shot with aluminum and if it wasnt a pass through i had a bent arrow for sure.

2inch blazers here also but 4inch vanes shoot the same for me. I just like the look of the 2inch on the short bolts

bob1961 · Post by **bob1961** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 12:03 pm

"alum" ....i've always shot alum with my vert bows so i'm switching to them....i've seen a carbon arrow splinter on release and stuck bout a dozen spears in the guys hand that stopped sticking out both sides of his hand....big guy too that hit the floor wimpering like a little baby, a bystander that tossed his cookies and my jaw hit the floor in aww....well that made my mind up............bob

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Sandman · Post by **Sandman** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 4:19 pm

Come to think of it I dont think I have ever tried alum?

Big John · Post by **Big John** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 4:27 pm

bob1961:

Pretty sure the only way that could happen is he didn't have the bolt set against the string. Improper release. Sad story though. Carbons are still my favourite. Never a problem. Ever.

hikerman · Post by **hikerman** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 5:43 pm

I have used carbon in the past. This year I switched to aluminum.
So far just easton's 2219. I really like them, 100 G5 Montecs they repeat great!

crazyfarmer · Post by **crazyfarmer** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 5:58 pm

John wrote:bob1961:

Pretty sure the only way that could happen is he didn't have the bolt set against the string. Improper release. Sad story though. Carbons are still my favourite. Never a problem. Ever.

John, im not sure but I think he might have been talking about a compound bow. I know a guy that exploded a few of his carbons but they were old and he was also using a arrow made for a 60 pound bow when he was shooting 80pounds. He wanted speed.. and well the arrows didnt hold it. Stupidity on his part

Farmer · Post by **Farmer** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 7:59 pm

I shoot both , but carbon takes more abuse .

bob1961 · Post by **bob1961** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 8:18 pm

yup crazyfarmer vert bow and most likely he didn't do the bend check to hear any cracking sounds...............bob

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Benu · Post by **Benu** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 8:51 pm

This season I am shooting the Easton Aluminums that came with my package with Spitfire broadheads. Next season I am going to switch to carbon. I made this decision based on finances, I just can't justify spending any cash on this years hunt. Besides it gives me something to research over the off season.

Carbon seems to be the way to go I just need to find out which brand will suite me best.l

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