New archery shooter here

[jaredpost]

Hi everyone, 

Just put in my order for the new Fred Bear Assault bow. I tried out a few bows at wholesale sports and cabelas and found this one pretty smooth. Being new though, I am not sure which of the different type of arrows I should use. What is the difference between the carbon and aluminum arrows? What should I look for? What type of broadheads and practice tips are people favoring?

I've also been looking at releases online but can't tell the difference between the $30 ones and the $70 ones.

Thanks in advance for any tips. I look forward to contributing in the archery threads.

Jared

[gasman]

The differance between a $30 release and a $70 release, is how often it will releas with out pulling the trigger.

May sound like a joke but it is true. I bought a cheap relase some years ago and had it go off on me while drawing the bow. Bought a Cobra release and never had a problem sence, but one time i misplaces my Cobra nd grabbed teh cheap one, it released on my second arrow  It whent in to the trash.

As for Broadheads, it is personal preferance. Thunder heads are very good, but i now use Wacem broadheads and kept the thunderheads for, "just in case".

I use carbon arrows. They are more durable and make less noise in the brush.

[NWWABOWHNTR]

Magnus snuffers.... stingers or even Montec by G5.  All good broadheads.  Shot placement is the most important thing,  any good broadhead that you can get to fly right with sharp blades will do the job.  Carbon IMO is more forgiving. 

[mtbiker]

The differance between a $30 release and a $70 release, is how often it will releas with out pulling the trigger.

May sound like a joke but it is true. I bought a cheap relase some years ago and had it go off on me while drawing the bow. Bought a Cobra release and never had a problem sence, but one time i misplaces my Cobra nd grabbed teh cheap one, it released on my second arrow   It whent in to the trash.

As for Broadheads, it is personal preferance. Thunder heads are very good, but i now use Wacem broadheads and kept the thunderheads for, "just in case".

I use carbon arrows. They are more durable and make less noise in the brush.

 

I've been into archery for about a year.  I'm no expert, but sure have learned a lot about all the gear.  So, I'm on my thrid release, now (a Scott Sabertooth NCS --- luv it).  Basically, I wasted money going cheap on my first two releases.  Same was true for my first set of arrows.  You put down good money on that Assault.  Don't skimp on other critical components such as releases and arrows.  Also, go see the guys at the Federal Way Wholesale sports for arrows.  They'll hook you up with the right arrow for your bow and draw weight.  Regarding broadheads, I tired a few and found the Slick Tricks to fly the best for me.  Have fun!

[ELKBURGER]

Welcome to the archery world. you will get many opinions and all will vary. I shot aluminum arrows for 13 years and only shot xx75 or xx78. I switched to carbon for a couple reasons. 1-They are tougher, they dont bend. 2- They are typically lighter so you get a faster, flatter trajectory. As long as you dont miss and lose the arrow they'll last a long time. I use tru-fire releases. Not the most exspensive, but they have never failed me. All archery related products have top end and bottom end quality. Asking questions and trial and error will be the norm when finding what works best for you. Good luck and enjoy the new passion!

[D-Rock425]

I would shoot carbon arrows.  what carbon arrow you shoot will depend on what you want to use them for and what poundage you will be shooting your bow.  If you need to know anything else feel free to pm me and I will help if I can.

[konrad]

Carbon composite can be very straight and light for the shaft diameter (higher projectile velocity) which translates into flatter shooting and less drop compensation (shorter time of flight). This can be very beneficial when shooting at extended distances as most folks have difficulty in judging drop between 40 and 60 yards.

This begs the question: If most deer are killed at 20 yards, why is flatter shooting so important when the kill zone is an 8 to 10 inch diameter circle? It is common knowledge that pass-through (complete arrow penetration) is nearly a given when using a stoutly constructed, sharp broadhead at 20 yards with any arrow material shot at modern compound speeds.

The very best carbon shafts have a high initial purchase price and it is true that they will return to their original shape well after making a glancing blow.  However, they are susceptible to filler/binder cracking and fiber separation from tip/side impact and nock end damage. Manufacturers of carbon shafts suggest flexing and rolling of the shaft under tension after every shot to reveal fiber/binding filler damage and prevent shaft explosion upon the next firing. It is doubtful many archers practice this precaution but, none the less, this reflects manufacture’s concerns about prevention of injury to archers and standers by (read that lawsuits). Carbon composite shafts may also become abraded at the point end from being shot into rough targets such as hay. Abrasion can, over time, weaken both shaft strength and spine quality. Today’s hard anodizing of alloy shafts just polishes to a high gloss.

I have used wood, carbon and alloys in archery. I would never consider carbon again without some sort of nock protection (here we are again with the $$$). I have damaged a number of shafts due both nock and point end damage.
For me, nock end damage is more tolerable (it means I’m doing something right, consistently) rather than worrying about shafts collapsing on the point end or being eroded from target friction. That’s it, laugh…hay will do it!

 I now use Easton premium alloy shafts with nock end protection i.e. Easton Super Uni Bushing. The Super Slam shafts are spine retention and straightness guaranteed for 2 years and the X-7’s straightness is unparalleled in carbon unless you are prepared to spend more than twice the money. Those who tout alloy “loosing its spine” should think carefully about metallurgy. Flexing metals get harder with time, not more soft. Logic says those alloy shafts should be gaining stiffness not loosing and Easton Technical confirms my theory. They, by the way, sell a lot of carbon shafts.

It is my contention that the technology needed for composite shaft production is much easier to obtain than for alloy shafts. Therefore more companies are now in the market. Archers are no more resistant to advertising than any other group and so the perceived need to “upgrade” to composite shafts seems imperative. I also believe carbon technology should produce less expensive arrows but advertising hype and archer’s herd mentality has pushed pricing (and profit margins) higher.

I now see advertisements for “higher grains per inch” weight carbon shafts to “maximize penetration”. Wait a minute…I thought the whole reason for carbon technology was light construction and speed.
Kind of makes you wonder, doesn’t it?

I guess if I had corporate sponsorship or was independently wealthy, I would have the most expensive of everything and not be concerned with replacement price. But I still have to work for a living.

Meanwhile, I will content myself with a little longer time of flight, a quieter shot, greater durability and lower replacement cost.

Besides, I like shooting the straightest, cheapest arrow on the firing line!

[grousetracker]

take your bow with you when you shop,cabelas and wholesale sport have those small ranges, try all the products your interested in. they have shop arrows and releases. or go to an archery shop and try the products, they could use the business more then the big stores. good luck!

[bowhunterty]

Go with a quality release, Used a Fletcher Flechmatic release for over 15 years, the same one. Just changed the rope on it. Switched releases a year ago since now I shoot a D loop. The TRU Ball Short and Sweet is great one in the $70 range. Carbon is the way to go but I may switch to Easton FMJ's this year.