Arrows: Which ones to buy

[RightPlace-RightTime]

Been shooting my bow for two years along with two years of hunting.  Used the same 12 or so arrows the whole time.  Getting a new bow soon and want to get all new arrows to get a fresh start. 

Looking for thoughts on what you think the best arrows are to get that are out there. Not worried about the price. Reasons for your thoughts.

[Button Nubbs]

Man a dozen lasted you two years? Between target and hunting I think I went through close to 2 dozen in the past year! take a look at easton axis fmj or beman ics hunters.

[RadSav]

For 25 years I was a huge Easton supporter never thinking twice about shooting anything else.  Sure I did my research and shot most of what came out from Gordon Graphlex, Lamiglas, Beeman, AFC, Aviatube and everything else we could get our hands on.  But Easton was so far above the rest I never gave much thought to ever going into the field with anything else.  The old A/C Kinetic is still one of my all time favorite Easton arrows.  I nearly broke down when I couldn't get them anymore.

Then about three years ago I stopped by the Easton booth at the ATA to order a new arrow saw and talk a little shop.  All the old timers were gone and I had to talk with the young punks who went out of there way to tell me if I did not have a TV show or had not taken the Super Slam I could piss off and die and it would mean absolutely nothing to them.  They would not sell me a saw, they would not answer any question and they did not have the time to spend with a no name piece of industry trash like myself.

So, after that joyous experience I set out to find another arrow I could shoot with confidence.  I spent a lot of time talking with some real great people who worked for, owned, designed and shot for Carbon Express, Gold Tip, Carbon Tech, Victory and a slough of others.  It took me months to fletch and fully test all the shafts I brought home.  And yet for the next two seasons I still shot Easton shafts even though I hated myself for doing so.

Finally, late last year I was sent a new batch of Carbon Express Maxima and Maxima KV shafts.  I could not believe how well they shot out of my Sims, Hoyt, Bowtech and Bear bows.  Every bow seemed to absolutely love them.  And I finally had the confidence to put down the ACC's.  It was tough as I was going on my "Hunt of a lifetime!" for Dall sheep and Mtn. Caribou in NWT this year and my equipment had to perform flawless.  But I made the switch and both the 48 yard shot with an eight yard down hill cut on the sheep and the 61 yard mountain top shot on the caribou were perfect.  Probably the two best shots I have made on live animals in the past 10 years.

I still believe Easton ACC's are hard to beat.  However, I have now given away all but a dozen for test comparison arrows and am now Carbon Express all the way when I hit the woods.  It still feels a little weird to spend hours spine testing and sorting shafts before I fletch.  And, a full quiver of flashy new all carbon arrows still makes me a little sad.  But my confidence has never been higher and my trophy room is getting a lot more interesting.

[KillBilly]

Easton Axis FMJ, they are my Huckleberry

[uplandhunter870]

i shoot beaman ics hunters and couldnt be happier. picked up 2 dozen this past july and out of those all of them fly like lazers. they are real solid arrows, over the past few seasons ive stuck a couple into trees and a sage brush or two and only one had the insert pulled out when i finally got it out of the tree.

if you would care to enlighten me how did you manage to get through 2 hunting seasons and 2 years of practice on only a dozen arrows?

[windygorge]

its like radsav says.  once you pick up an arrow, its hard to change once you have committed yourself.  i am an avid beman ics hunter shooter.  love them and wouldn't use anything else.  one, is because i do care about money, and two, because they are tough and accurate.  i use my hunting bow and same arrows to shoot indoor and shoot 300's.  so don't get sold on the fancy high dollar arrows just yet.  actually, i have even went to the beman bowhunter arrows for this year and again, they are accurate as well.  you can go to Bowhunter superstore (online)and order shafts for 45ish bucks a dozen.  great bargain for a great arrow.  three different arrows they sell on this line.  beman elite(straitness.001) beman hunters(.003) and beman bowhunters(.006)  you choose, but i will tell you this.  you won't be sorry. 
if all you ever do is shoot paper, then go to the fatter, fancier, more expensive arrows.  if you are like me and don't have a bow for every occasion, and want to use the same equipment for everything, then go with the bemans, you wont regret it.

[GoldTip]

I've shot nothing but Goldtip's (big surprise) since they came out. They were the first internal component carbon arrow on the market and I can't find any reason to change.  They've put a lot of meat in the freezer for me over the years, and more than one 3d trophy on the mantel.

[windygorge]

any arrow will kill chit.  a lot of shops push the easton axis and i don't know why.  i hate them.  don't like the internal nock.  go to youtube and there are people trying to explain how to tune them.  i like simple, thats just me.   

[RadSav]

Beman ICS is probably the best bang for the buck right now.  Vicki C convinced the squaw to switch over about five years ago.  She's been outshooting me ever since.

[Bean Counter]

Easton Storms. $5/arrow. Still haven't found a reason to spend $10-15 an arrow. 

My hunting mantra: "Cheap weapons and ammo... expensive glass." 

[724wd]

XX75 now and forever!   

[JLS]

I've shot nothing but Goldtip's (big surprise) since they came out. They were the first internal component carbon arrow on the market and I can't find any reason to change.  They've put a lot of meat in the freezer for me over the years, and more than one 3d trophy on the mantel.

Thought I had you pegged as a Beman guy?

I've used Gold Tips and have been happy with them.  Also used Carbon Tech Whitetails too.

[D-Rock425]

Goldtip

[windygorge]

XX75 now and forever!   

you are either traditional or your old, but probably both
just kiddin

[D-Rock425]

XX75 now and forever!   

you are either traditional or your old, but probably both
just kiddin

[windygorge]

 

[RadSav]

The first time I had a dozen custom fletched XX75 Autumn Orange shafts at the range I strutted around like a Jake after getting his first piece of tail.  PSE Pro-Fletch 2 Trans/Orange 1 yellow with the lime green Henderson nock.  Man!  I was cool that day.  The squaw says I've been a dork ever since.  But, at least I had that one day.  Will never forget it!

[windygorge]

were they the out of date and heavy 2216, or did you go new and hip with the 2312??

[windygorge]

actually, i still have an unused box of 2312 camo, or autumn orange.  can't remember.  i think they're even stylin the taper nock if i recall. 

[724wd]

XX75 now and forever!   

you are either traditional or your old, but probably both
just kiddin

would you believe 33 years old and 4th year archer?  what can i say...i like heavy, cheap arrows!  they're cheap enough i don't feel TOO bad when i whiff a target and destroy an arrow.   

tried carbons, but they werent my cup of tea.  i shoot alums out of my compounds and recurves!   

[windygorge]

what size??  if they match the ones i have i will give them to you. 

[RadSav]

were they the out of date and heavy 2216, or did you go new and hip with the 2312??

9 - 2219's in my quiver Baby!!!  185fps at 30" and 80# draw.  Didn't step up to those screaming fast 2213's until the Chuck Adams Super Slams hit the market.  I broke that 205fps mark and things started rattling off my bow it was so fast.  Then I got one of the first PSE Mach 5 bows to shoot them out of and broke 220fps.  Guys were coming from three counties away to shoot it!  Oooh Baby was that thing fast and sweet!

[windygorge]

you can probably throw them faster than that...   well if you want to try the 2312 let me know

[RightPlace-RightTime]

Thanks for the input fellas.

As far as having my arrows last.  I learned real quick to place my arrows at different spot withing the target especially when shoot broads.

Right now im using the Maxiam hunter 350

[RadSav]

No need to change IMO unless they are too light to legally shoot in Washington.

[Jason]

Easton Axis  

[windygorge]

Right now im using the Maxiam hunter 350

 

No need to change IMO unless they are too light to legally shoot in Washington.

[windygorge]

Easton Axis  

you forgot to add a word to your post.........SUCK!!
 

[windygorge]

most beginners use easton axis and just plain don't know any better

[Jason]

most beginners use easton axis and just plain don't know any better
[/quote
Thats rights I'm new and I like Easton Axis arrows

[Jason]

Wow!!!  I thought the smileys gave some indication we were just having a little fun on here.  Goodness gracious!

 Peep Man you guys are hilarious

[RadSav]

I sense a whisper of sarcasm Jason   But watch it with the Peep Man.  Guys around here might get the wrong impression about what I do.

[windygorge]

had my fun for the night.....im goin to bed.   

[colockumelk]

Easton Axis 340's.    I won't change unless someone wants to buy me a dozen arrows in their brand. Then I might change. Proshops push Easton axis because they are the best.  

On a serious note just make sure that whatever arrow you buy, make sure it is in the correct spine as this is ny far the most important thing. 

[RightPlace-RightTime]

Thank you

[jechicdr]

Beman MFX.  Like ICS but narrower diameter.  Harder to pull from the targets than the ICS I used to use because they penetrate a bit farther.  Suspect that once I get the point into an elk that will translate into better penetration.  Did not even get a deer this year .  No attempted shots.  Practiced my butt off this year.  Maybe next year I'll practice less.

[coachcw]

I love the way the maxima hunters with the weight forward design flys broad heads and for brushy or windy conditions the easton xx75s in 2419 fly true. both with four fletch blazers and 100 tips.

[RadSav]

Wow!  That's going both ends of the spectrum.  Sounds fun!

But, 100 grain points on the 2419?  That makes one tail heavy son of a gun.  Even on the Maxima 450 that's less than 9% FOC unless you are using a brass insert.

[MIKEXRAY]

I spent a little extra and bought the ICs hunter elites and it was good money spent for sure.   Not only did my groups tighten up but more of my arrows ( dozen )  broadhead tested better all around & more of my arrows were " hunt approved " by me. When I bought the regular ICs hunters I had 4 or 5 out of each bunch that I made target only arrows because they flew funny every shot with broadheads. I consider the Elite a better deal because the whole dozen was ready to go.  No big sharpie X's on any of the fletchings like my ICS hunters.   Mike

[Bowman17]

Looking for input: I have an APA black mamba x2, I shoot Axis 340 with 100g muzzies. 305(+/- 2) fps, arrows are 500 grains. They thump when they hit :-). I've used 6075's and found that for a cheaper arrow they still kill. So my question is: why spend the money on arrows if the cheaper ones perform. I'm not trying to be smart, money really isn't a problem and haven't noticed a performance difference. Good advice is greatly appreciated: thanks

[IBspoiled]

Hi Bowman, Nice to see you made it here!!!   The only reason I can think to spend more for arrows would be if you are a competition shooter. Then arrow tolerance would make a difference. plus the fact that you always retrieve your arrows from a target shoot but rarely do after shooting a critter. and if your like me  I go through a lot of arrows during the season, because I shoot anything that makes a good target. Like grouse, coyotes,porkipines. so it adds up quick even if I buy cheaper arrows.   

[Bowman17]

Hey spoiled, thanks for the reply, the carbon express 6075's are shooting just fine. But I shot my doe with my Axis. I have 2 left after 3 years of hunting, and I'll always use them first. But bang for your buck: CE 6075's. Catch ya later :-)

[RadSav]

Looking for input: I have an APA black mamba x2, I shoot Axis 340 with 100g muzzies. 305(+/- 2) fps, arrows are 500 grains. They thump when they hit :-). I've used 6075's and found that for a cheaper arrow they still kill. So my question is: why spend the money on arrows if the cheaper ones perform. I'm not trying to be smart, money really isn't a problem and haven't noticed a performance difference. Good advice is greatly appreciated: thanks

Not sure how you are getting 500 grains out of an Axis 340 and a 100 grain broadhead unless you are using a 32" arrow and a 75 grain insert.  Perhaps you meant the Axis FMJ. 

Regardless, the Axis shaft has the vast majority of it's mass located very close to the shaft center (or axis).  Thus it is not as stable with broadheads as the CE6075 which has more mass located further from the center/axis.  FMJ's are extremely straight and consistant batch to batch and arrow to arrow.  That can not be said for the N-Fused Axis shaft.  Even the cheaper Carbon Express shafts seem to have a lot more consistancy in spine and straightness than the n-Fused Axis shaft.  So, for all carbon to all carbon I find the CE6075 just as good if not a slight bit more consistant than the n-Fused Axis in broadhead flight. 

That's a different story if the FMJ's are the arrow you compare them to.  Even though your stability in flight will always be a little better with the larger diameter 6075's I'd put the FMJ's as a superior shaft "Worth the extra money".

That being said - Some bows just like a certain arrow.  And some bows seem to shoot everything well.  I have not been able to find the common thread that makes this fact.  But, like some rifles with ammunition we just accept it and enjoy it.  If you and your bow shoot just as well with the cheaper arrow then who can complain.  After all, it is a results oriented game not a beauty contest.  Shoot whatever gives you the greatest confidence and produces the best results for you.  As long as it is legal in the state you are using it in no one of any character will care.  Especially the animals!