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exokidd · Post by **exokidd** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 8:08 pm

Just wondering...Should i switch to carbon/graphite shafts or stick wth the aluminum? I am shooting an exomag and will they make a huge difference? Just wondering...

Moreland · Post by **Moreland** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 8:17 pm

I think you should switch to the carbons, thats what I use and I really like how they shoot. One of the things about them is they are either straight or broken, they do not bend like aluminum.

ecoaster · Post by **ecoaster** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 8:34 pm

I think the best thing to do is grab a couple (2) and try them out. Don't blow the bank on a dozen and then find out you don't like them. Personally, I love em, but I was a bit concerned when I had one break off in a deer last year. Make sure you cut away a good section of any affected meat in this case. You don't want to eat any of those splinters.

wabi · Post by **wabi** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 8:35 pm

I used aluminums for several years, then switched to carbons a couple of years ago. I went back to aluminums this year. I've had a couple carbons break and just feel a bit nervous about the possibility that one could break inside a deer and ruin meat. With aluminums I do use point inserts in both ends. That way I can unscrew the point and look through the shaft to see if it is still straight. If it is straight the view looks something like a bullseye type target. If bent the circles of light are not even showing the bend. Hard to describe, but if you look through one, you'll see what I mean.

ecoaster · Post by **ecoaster** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 8:38 pm

Good tip Wabi. I've been considering making the change but was unsure of how to check straightness on the aluminums.

How long do aluminum bolts last you guys before you straighten or toss out? Maybe the 3-D guys would have a good idea.

WRC · Post by **WRC** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 5:02 pm

Just made up a dozen arrows out Easton xx78 superslams. WOW are they tough. a couple of years ago a friend of mines 5 year old daughter ended up in the hospital after ingesting some Carbon Fibers from a wild boar my friend shot. He was positive he got all the broken carbon fibers out of the meat.
Needless to say he did not. Shes came out of it ok, but was a lesson learned. He does not shoot carbons any more
Roy

widowman · Post by **widowman** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 6:43 pm

I have found that carbons not only work great, but they are more durable as well.

With aluminums I found that even pulling from 3-d targets could cause a bend. After shooting thru deer, I noticed that the result of stopping in the ground would result in a bend or break near the tip which could not be straightened or repaired.

While carbons can break also, in my experience you get alot more use from them.

I like to use Gold Tips with brass inserts. I end up with an arrow with a favorable FOC. Also, they come in around 430 grains which give me a bunch of KE.

Did I mention my weighted carbons fly great?

GaryL · Post by **GaryL** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 7:04 pm

I will not use carbon for hunting any more as I have had a couple brake. The chance of carbon splinter's in the meat is not worth it. However that being stated what are the odds of one busting ? 1 in ????

When comparing price's of Aluminium shafts to good carbon shafts I will take the aluminium and toss out the bent as they be cheap compared to good carbon shafts!

GaryL · Post by **GaryL** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 8:06 pm

bstout wrote:It's somewhat like "I can't eat anything that was killed by a shotgun...I could get lead poisoning!".

That is if I don't get hit by lightning on the way to my truck after I just won the lottery.

That was a true statement awhile back Bob, but being as I do not use a shot gun any more I might be wrong on this, but I THINK LEAD is no longer used in shot gun loads.

ch312 · Post by **ch312** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 10:00 pm

GaryL wrote:
bstout wrote:It's somewhat like "I can't eat anything that was killed by a shotgun...I could get lead poisoning!".

That is if I don't get hit by lightning on the way to my truck after I just won the lottery.
That was a true statement awhile back Bob, but being as I do not use a shot gun any more I might be wrong on this, but I THINK LEAD is no longer used in shot gun loads.

actually it is used in alot of shells but here in canada you arent allowed to use toxic shot for waterfowl. i think the US is the same way?

TPM · Post by **TPM** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 10:59 pm

GaryL wrote:
bstout wrote:
It's somewhat like "I can't eat anything that was killed by a shotgun...I could get lead poisoning!".

That is if I don't get hit by lightning on the way to my truck after I just won the lottery.

That was a true statement awhile back Bob, but being as I do not use a shot gun any more I might be wrong on this, but I THINK LEAD is no longer used in shot gun loads.

actually it is used in alot of shells but here in canada you arent allowed to use toxic shot for waterfowl. i think the US is the same way?

It's true, lead is no longer allowed for waterfowl anywhere in Canada or the U.S. but it'still used quite extensively for upland birds and small game. I really doubt there is any harm in eating animals taken with lead shot.

Mighty Mooser · Post by **Mighty Mooser** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 3:37 am

I switched with my Mag 2 years ago, and will never go back. Tighter groupings, less arc, more distance, and never need to worry about a bend in an arrow. I had a slight bend in an aluminum arrow, that could not be seen, I target practiced with that same arrow for an hour, and was not very consistent. I was hitting a 6 inch grouping, then I changed to a broadhead on the same arrow, and I was dam near a foot difference.

Took the arrow in to a bow shop, and several pairs of eyes showed me the very slight bend just where the vanes started. You will definately know when your carbon is broke!!!!!

GaryL · Post by **GaryL** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 7:03 am

Mighty Mooser not to argue, but with in reason I can get the same grouping and speed from Aluminium I can get with carbon. Granted I can not get the same wear and tear from aluminium that I can with carbon of which I do use for 3D.

It is just the simple fact a couple HAVE BUSTED while hunting and I switched to aluminium for hunting only. Practice and set up and they shoot as good as carbon any day.

My shoots are kept to a max of 35 yards and have had no problems with speed or flight with my hunting aluminium arrows.

However one must make this decision on his/her own and go with what they feel is best for them.

Stalker · Post by **Stalker** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 10:38 am

like GaryL, I used to shoot carbons but after having a couple of them splinter I switched back to aluminum.... and GaryL is right.... I can get the same grouping and speed as I do with carbons as long as you spend the time to set it up right....

It's somewhat like "I can't eat anything that was killed by a shotgun...I could get lead poisoning!".

That is if I don't get hit by lightning on the way to my truck after I just won the lottery.

bstout... not to argue but isn't this the same tired slogan you had about CWD and BSE.... there are SEVERAL people in the span of 2 pages that state that they have had carbon shafts break or splinter in game (add me to that list).... and someone says that they know of someone who ingested carbon splinters and yet you choose to blow it off just like you did with the CWD / BSE discussion... (and on that topic there are a couple dozen people in Britain that would be more than willing disagree with you).... there are some people on this site that are just starting out and are looking for good advice.... it's just my opinion but yours doesn't fit the bill......

A.W · Post by **A.W** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 10:49 am

I prefer aluminium arrows. I don't want to take the chance of somebody swallowing a piece of carbon.

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