Carbon vs. Aluminum bolts?
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Carbon vs. Aluminum bolts?
When I bought my Excalibur crossbow it came with Excalibur bolts. I purchased some Horton bolts last year and have been using them to hunt with this year. I have always used aluminum arrows in the past with my bow for several reasons:
1. I made all my own arrows from raw shafts
2. Aluminum arrows are easier to make (in my opinion, no special cutter)
3. Aluminum is heavier (more kinetic energy)
4. I can find my shafts with a metal detector (I hunt in fields a lot).
I am learning that there is a few differences from crossbows and normal "compound" bows. I am curious on what your thoughts are on the topic of which is better for use in crossbows. Carbon is (was) more expensive than aluminum, but it is more forgiving upon impact and may take abuses that aluminum won't. What are you thoughts on it?
1. I made all my own arrows from raw shafts
2. Aluminum arrows are easier to make (in my opinion, no special cutter)
3. Aluminum is heavier (more kinetic energy)
4. I can find my shafts with a metal detector (I hunt in fields a lot).
I am learning that there is a few differences from crossbows and normal "compound" bows. I am curious on what your thoughts are on the topic of which is better for use in crossbows. Carbon is (was) more expensive than aluminum, but it is more forgiving upon impact and may take abuses that aluminum won't. What are you thoughts on it?
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i've been using alum since i started in shooting in 1980....always like there durability, if they got the slightest bend in it ya knew it....carbon you need to check for cracks or spilts each time you pull it out of the target....i've used the same alum arrow on two deer i got this year...................bob
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boo string and trigger work.
munch mount quiver mount.
125 gr slick trick magums.
2" blazers on 2117 XX75 w/ brass inserts.
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carbon
I used aluminum for years and just got sick of them bending. Carbon will just simply break if its bad. No guesswork. Carbon shafts are extremely easy to workup. You can by your raw shafts and go form there. You can add weights to change FOC and so forth. You can do ther samejob with either arrow, but I just hate somethings thats gonna bend. Ive been using the same carbons for 4 years now. I just rewrap and fletch them for different colors everyyear.
with aluminum, I was lucky to make it through one hunting season before bending one someway LOL
The only carbon I had break was on a shoulder through shoulder shot and the arrow didnt pass. The buck snapped it when he started running. But anything would snap in that situation LOL
I used aluminum for years and just got sick of them bending. Carbon will just simply break if its bad. No guesswork. Carbon shafts are extremely easy to workup. You can by your raw shafts and go form there. You can add weights to change FOC and so forth. You can do ther samejob with either arrow, but I just hate somethings thats gonna bend. Ive been using the same carbons for 4 years now. I just rewrap and fletch them for different colors everyyear.
with aluminum, I was lucky to make it through one hunting season before bending one someway LOL
The only carbon I had break was on a shoulder through shoulder shot and the arrow didnt pass. The buck snapped it when he started running. But anything would snap in that situation LOL
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In the past 5 yrs, I've never had a carbon fail in any manner that wasn't abused, like hitting rocks shooting squirrels from a tree stand.
I had one in a target at a 3-D shoot that was locked up so tight I twisted the shaft off. My main experience is w/ GT L II's, about 3-4 doz over the years.
Robin Hoods are a tad rough on them, lol.
I had one in a target at a 3-D shoot that was locked up so tight I twisted the shaft off. My main experience is w/ GT L II's, about 3-4 doz over the years.
Robin Hoods are a tad rough on them, lol.
"Eze 18:21"
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Interesting results. So far, in the pole twice as many say they are using carbon instead of aluminum. But darn near all the replies are for aluminum. I too prefer aluminum, but have considered changing over just because carbon is the only thing I can find around here. For those of you who are using aluminum bolts, what size are you using (2216, 2219, or other)?
Thanks for the responses.
Thanks for the responses.
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The total 436.8
The total 436.8
Scott
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http://www.myspace.com/saxman1
Take a kid hunting
They don't remember their best day of watching TV
Excalibur Equinox
TruGlo Red/Green Dot
NGSS Absorber by NewGuy
Custom strings by BOO
Groundpounder Top Mount
ACF Member - 2011
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carbon : straighter, I think, no dings, no bends, and I used a lot of aluminum in the past... tried the carbons and that is what i have for now... I really do not care which one it is in practical sense... they will both shoot just fine for my uses..
decided to try the carbons this season and accumulated a few arrows so far.. may take a while to need some others..
dk
decided to try the carbons this season and accumulated a few arrows so far.. may take a while to need some others..
dk
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