Carbons vs. Aluminums

746 Views 7 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Swamp Monster, Jan 22, 2004

BackStrap

Discussion Starter · Jan 20, 2004

Gentlemen -

I thought I'd share a recent change that I made.

For ten years I have been using Easton XX75 2317 aluminum arrows. Recently most of my buddies have switched to carbons. I decided that the next time I needed arrows I would try a carbon. Well, I needed arrows after this season so I bought some Easton Epic 340s. I asked the shop owner if I could chronograph the difference. The aluminum put out 223 ft/second. The carbon flew at 267 ft/second. WOW. These arrows MOVE. The only complaint I have is that they are considerably LOUDER than my old arrows.

Don't get me wrong. I am not saying that the carbons are better arrows. My XX75s put down 19 deer over the years. I just thought I would post this for anyone who is considering the swap and wanted details.

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Swamp Monster

· #2 · Jan 20, 2004

Anytime you lighten up the arrows and increase the speed, noise will increase...regardless of arrow material. I just went from 500gr carbons to 420gr carbons and the noise level jumped up considerably. I may go back to the heavy weights. That said, I'll never go back to aluminum. They work fine and always will but today's carbon are far superior. Pound for pound they will out penetrate aluminum every time due to there stiffness and their durability is much better. Obviously, penetration on deer is never a problem usually, but if you use mechanicals, carbons are always the better choice. I don't know anybody personaly that has switched back to aluminum for hunting once they have tried carbons. The spot shooters I know still use aluminum, but they shoot the large diameter arrows just for spots.

At 267, make sure you spend lots of time with your broadheads. Thats getting up there in speed and can cause problems with some fixed blades. A helical fletch and feathers will help. There's a good chance your current set up will work fine, just don't hesitate to start shooting broadheads in the off season.

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Swamp Monster

· #8 · Jan 22, 2004

Originally posted by NorthJeff
It make sense to me, that an aluminum, doe to the fact it is less stiff than a carbon arrow, would have more "flex" at the impact of the hit, and therefore, would absorbe some of the energy of the shot that would have otherwise been transfered by a stiffer, even though lighter, carbon shaft, resulting in increased penetration by the carbon shaft.

Exactly! Aluminums also "flex" more at the shot, even when spined properly. This also immediately absorbs some of the energy your set up produces. A set up with carbon arrows that produces 60 ftlbs will out penetrate a set up with aluminum arrows that produces 60ftlbs. And in my humble opinion, energy figures are over rated for the most part anyway. Broadhead design, shot placement, and a well tuned bow are far more important than energy figures, when it comes to penetration.

The durability factor is what sold me though. I have actually spent less on arrows now because I started to pay more.....does that make sense?!!!!

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