Curious who uses aluminum versus carbon shafts

[Pydpiper]

I have been having issues with carbon the past little bit, time to make a new batch of arrows, just wanted to see who was shooting what, and why.

[wabi]

I went back to aluminum after trying carbons.
I had a carbon break when I shot a deer (not sure when it broke - in the deer or after it went through) and it worried me there was a possibility for problems there!

I make my own arrows and have found 2215s and 2213s allow me to make arrows that match in weight by using common weight points and provide good accuracy. A 2215/100 gr point or 2213/125 gr point gives the same total arrow weight. (18.5" shaft, alum inserts front/rear, laquer dip, blazer vanes) The 2215s are tough enough for target practice and have accounted for several deer, and the 2213s allow better FOC (but I can't really see a huge advantage to them).

[xbhntr]

I been using 2117 aluminum from the start. After hearing of the problems and price difference, I won't change. If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it! Ray.

[Cossack]

Carbons. They do break on occasion (like when trying to pull out of tree ) but fly well for me, are cheaper, and don't bend and stay bent.

[VixChix]

Shot both this past year at 3D. Out of my Vixen carbon gives me better speed while maintaining more FOC than aluminums. Still, I liked the aluminums for being easier to pull from the 3D targets and they were a bit quieter to shoot.

[vixenmaster]

I didn't vote because i use both, slowly going to carbon arrows. I have several yrs worth of alum. stock piled. By looks of what i have on hand & only taking a few deer a yr. I maybe shooting them fer the next 15 yrs.

[crazyfarmer]

Carbon only. I got sick of arrows bending after shooting deer. I'd rather have a break then have a bent arrow. I've had 2 carbons break when they got stuck in the front shoulders. But the aluminum ones would have bent to hell or broke also

[Normous]

I voted Carbon which I have been using since Excalibur introduced them. I'll stick with them till I have a problem which I have not had to date. I like their non bending durability. I have used aluminum in 2213,2117,2216, and 2219 and like them all, you can't go wrong with any of them.

[SPITFIRE]

I prefer aluminum over carbon. First, aluminum is cheaper and second it's very easy to see a bent arrow than a slight crack in a carbon. I have been using 2219 shafts in my vortex and I am very happy with them. JMO the best thing to do is try both and see which YOU like best.

[Straightshooter]

I like carbons. They don't bent

[Sandman]

Carbon for me ..

[Leonard Hawkins]

Aluminum for me, been using for years, Made my own arrow straightener and they have to be junk befor I give up on them.

[Chuck Gravel]

carbon, its what i've started out with and aluminum is more prone to bend or change shape

[Big John]

I have had more than one aluminum break on me before. I use both regularly. Depends how I feel that day.
Beside I can make both weigh the same now, and the only difference is me.

[Phoenix_Tom]

I'm using both so I didn't vote. They both have their pros and cons. I'd rather an arrow breaks than bends. Bent arrows are useless. But I'm not too keen on a carbon arrow breaking inside of the deer. I'll deal with that when it happens though.

I just bought a batch of GT Lazer II blanks. I like the reminder right on the arrows to flex test the arrows prior to shooting. With aluminum, bends can be hard to detect (especially in the field) until you see the POI is way off. Flex testing your carbon arrow before shooting will show you any stress points and mini fractures that could lead to a break if the arrow were shot.