Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bow Hunting => Topic started by: Whitetail freak on September 25, 2012, 07:58:37 PM

Title: Axis vs Axis FMJ
Post by: Whitetail freak on September 25, 2012, 07:58:37 PM: Drew the late archery slide ridge tag and was deciding witch arrows to shoot. I shoot a PSE Dream season evo at 64# 28.5" draw and a Mathews heli-m same specs. I have shot the axis 340's for a year now and shot a bunch of whitetails and an elk with all pass throughs. But the axis are not very strong IMO. Has anyone had experience with the FMJ's? Or any advice if I should switch :dunno:
Title: Re: Axis vs Axis FMJ
Post by: windygorge on September 25, 2012, 07:59:47 PM: Beman Hunters...... :)
Title: Re: Axis vs Axis FMJ
Post by: Rainier10 on September 25, 2012, 08:05:16 PM: I have used FMJ for deer and elk I think for 5years now and have never had a problem.
Title: Re: Axis vs Axis FMJ
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on September 25, 2012, 08:27:08 PM: Shoot what flies best. W/ two pass throughs, I think I'd stick with the axis.
Title: Re: Axis vs Axis FMJ
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on September 25, 2012, 08:37:52 PM: I shoot the FMJ now and shot the axis black and camo for years as well. IMO if your not happy with the performance of the Axis as far as durability goes then dont waste your money on the FMJ. The tolerances are tighter and they are heavier, they shoot well out of my setup and I think they look cool. I dont shoot rocks, and havent had any of them break when driving through vitals or foam so I will stick with them for now.

All that said I think the regular axis is a tougher arrow. And I have seen them take some abuse that the FMJ appeared to not handle as well. The FMJ's will bend if flexed to far which is prolly thier biggest drawback. You really cant go wrong with either.... Good Luck :tup:
Title: Re: Axis vs Axis FMJ
Post by: coachcw on September 27, 2012, 06:34:28 AM: The fmjs will be heavier and should be more stabile in the wind , but at your draw and poundage they will fall off the table down range . I'd stick to your set up that you know and trust . the carbon express maxima hunter in a 350 would perform fantastic with your set up and with 100 grains points should be right above legal wieght.
Title: Re: Axis vs Axis FMJ
Post by: yajsab on September 27, 2012, 11:40:11 AM: Just my .02 cent. My friends shoot the axis and I shoot fmj. From the harvests, both performed great. Just an fyi, I used to shoot about 370 gr arrow on a 60# @ 26" bow with penetration problem. I switched to 430 gr fmj 340 and had no problem getting pass through on elks. I've been happy with this set up.
Title: Re: Axis vs Axis FMJ
Post by: windygorge on September 27, 2012, 05:58:09 PM: whats that you say.....beman hunters? :tup:
Title: Re: Axis vs Axis FMJ
Post by: xXLojackXx on September 28, 2012, 07:41:40 PM: I shoot and swear by the FMJ's. I've been shooting them for about 6 years or so. I have a Mathews Z7 Magnum maxed at 72 lbs and a 29.5" draw. I switched from the 340's to the 400's and am IBOing my hunting arrows with a 100gr BH at 302fps. This year I buried an arrow about 5" from being a pass through @ 53 yards, on a big cow, after slicing a rib. The FMJ's hit HARD and are tough arrows. I am yet to bend/break one in 6 years. Also if you do happen to snap one in an animal, they don't splinter carbon fibers nearly as bad. Get them, if you don't like them I'd gladly buy another dozen!
Title: Re: Axis vs Axis FMJ
Post by: mountainman on September 28, 2012, 11:11:53 PM: Love the FMJ's for penetration. And I think they do handle the wind better, and makes for a quieter shot. Yes, they will change the drop out past say 50 yards or so. But hey, I know how good you shoot, so probably not a problem. And I know a place that will get you a good deal on a dozen of em! (and who knows, someday we may be able to shoot Rage's here in Washington..someday?)
Title: Re: Axis vs Axis FMJ
Post by: RadSav on September 28, 2012, 11:47:26 PM: Depends on what's important to you. FMJ's are my choice of the two, but then again everything these days seems fast to me. Spine, straightness and consistancy of the FMJ is better. Throw a dozen Axis on a spine tester and your head will spin as bad as the indicator needle. All the FMJ's I've played with have been near perfect.

You can always compromise with the ACC Pro Hunter. If it wasn't made by Easton I would never shoot anything else. But, since Easton treats everyone like crap lately that does not have a TV show or shoots competetive target I shoot them very little anymore. Makes me a little sad after being an exclusive Easton guy for more than 25 years.

Lately, I have been shooting the CE Maxima KV's here in Washington. Dang tough, great penetration, and nearly perfect on the spine tester. I do not like the CE nocks and do use the Easton Micro Lite nocks in them. Nor do I like the CE insert. I either make my own from brass or use the Beman Vibrake insert.
Title: Re: Axis vs Axis FMJ
Post by: LeeMajors on September 29, 2012, 07:42:53 AM: Been really tempted to pick up a dozen of those maxima KV shafts. Hoping to find some on clearance, but that probably isn't likely.

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Title: Re: Axis vs Axis FMJ
Post by: lghtnquik on September 29, 2012, 12:12:24 PM: FMJ's are great if you can push them but at your poundage/draw I'd be looking at the Victory VAP arrows. All the good of an Axis but skinnier and stronger. I like them with the Easton Deep Six inserts not the Victory in/outsert.
Title: Re: Axis vs Axis FMJ
Post by: RadSav on September 29, 2012, 01:39:44 PM: Quote from: lghtnquik on September 29, 2012, 12:12:24 PM
FMJ's are great if you can push them but at your poundage/draw I'd be looking at the Victory VAP arrows. All the good of an Axis but skinnier and stronger. I like them with the Easton Deep Six inserts not the Victory in/outsert.

The EVO at 64#/28.5" should be pushing the Axis at 295 w/100 grain point (410 grains) and the FMJ at 275 w/125 grain point (480 grains). That's about as hard as you can push a 340 FMJ without needing to step up in spine. At 50 yards the over/under between the two is about 1 yard. That's pretty freakin' good if you ask me :tup:

Notice I mentioned a 125 grain point on the FMJ. At 28.5" the FMJ would need the heavier point to keep you above 10% FOC.

Just for kicks - Maxima KV 350 w/100 grain point (425 grains) should be about 290 fps. Perfect spine & perfect FOC for the EVO. Maxima KV and ACC ProH are nearly identical in weight and speed
Title: Re: Axis vs Axis FMJ
Post by: lghtnquik on September 29, 2012, 06:24:52 PM: I hear you but I shoot the 340 FMJ's 73# 30" draw 300fps+\- and I have no spine issues at all. They are field tip accurate to 80yds. The only other arrow I would even entertain shooting is the VAP.
Title: Re: Axis vs Axis FMJ
Post by: RadSav on September 29, 2012, 07:33:31 PM: Quote from: lghtnquik on September 29, 2012, 06:24:52 PM
I hear you but I shoot the 340 FMJ's 73# 30" draw 300fps+\- and I have no spine issues at all. They are field tip accurate to 80yds. The only other arrow I would even entertain shooting is the VAP.

That's about 17# light on spine if you are shooting a 30"/100 tip/ 465 grain arrow. I know that is a tough arrow and all. But that would scare the heck out of me! Must be one smooth accelerating bow - nice!
Title: Re: Axis vs Axis FMJ
Post by: Battle Ready on September 29, 2012, 10:33:00 PM: I enjoy shooting heavier arrows..so fmj's. I currently shooting Maxima hunters with kelar..like em alot. Heavy arrows sure cut down on bow noise..just another bonus.