aluminum vs. Carbon

[bghunter7]

I heard aluminum arrows break easily and I was wondering if I should stick with carbon, my dad uses It and he is also a member on the site I don't know his username but any suggestions will help on if I should use carbon arrows.

I use both. I find carbons break easier when striking something they shouldn't. And seem to do it easier faster they go. Aluminums don't break so much as bend when hitting what they shouldn't. I have shattered carbons skimming trees, hitting shoulders (probably more the thunderhead fault), and many more instances. I have used both for over 20 years, and find both have a lifetime. I have recently found carbons losing spine over time. I do like to shoot small diameter, and doing that with alums can be tough. I also like 420-500gr arrows. Alums are great, inexpensive and I can't say I have killed more effectively with carbons over alums. I do find aluminums have more consistent spine and straighter. Also find fletching easier and tougher.

Take your pick. For carbons, I like carbon express edges CX and beman Black max (even though I have had trouble with them).

[Paul L Mohr]

I have never broke an aluminum arrow, where as I have broke countless carbons. Like bigcountry said, I have bent my share though.

I can honestly say I have never ruined an aluminum in a manor that would not have also ruined a carbon. And I shoot fairly thin walled aluminums, not the thick heavy ones.

Paul

[Straightarrow]

I have never broke an aluminum arrow,

How lucky can you get? I've broken tons of aluminum arrows (and carbons). A deflection where it ends up hitting something else sideways usually does the trick. Maybe it more an indication of my shooting ability, but I could fill a pretty large container with them.

[bigbulls]

I too have broken my fair share of aluminums. ThoughI haven't used aluminum since the first poltruded carbon arrows hit the market.

Even though both can break the aluminum bends much easier and will not take as much abuse from tight grouping arrows when they make contact with each other in the target. An aluminum arrow will crease from sideimpactmuch easier than a carbon will crack from side impact.

However, it is much easier to see damage in an aluminum shaft than it is in a carbon shaft.

A lot of this will also depend on how thick the walls are on each type of arrow shaft.

[Arthur P]

IMO, an arrow straightener should be standard equipment for everyone who shoots aluminum. Yes, aluminum bends, but that means it can also be bent back and straightened. Even creases can be taken out, but I'll keep that procedure my little secret for now.

Most bends can be easily fixed with a little patience and experience with the tool. Even without the tool, a lot of bends can be straightened by hand. With a fine eye, or checking by spinning, they can be brought back at least as straight as a cheap carbon.

And, as bigbulls pointed out, the thicker the walls on aluminum arrows the more durable they are. I think .015" thickness is about the minimum for best durability. If you want light arrows for max speed, then you're better off with carbon than thin walled aluminum.

It's the light arrow speed freaks who came up with this idea that aluminum arrows are so fragile. Most of them never shot anything heavier than a 2213 or 2413 and have no idea what kind of punishment an arrow like a 2216 or 2315 can take before being damaged. Go on up the scale to 2219, 2317 or 2419 and they are extraordinarily tough. Plenty heavy and slower too, but they sure hit hard when they get there.

Disregarding aluminum arrows because they can bend is like saying bows with aluminum risers are crap because they can get bent.

Keeping with the theme, how bent aluminums can usually be straightened, it must be pointed out that a carbon that's not straight can not be straightened and will NEVER be straight.

[timbow2]

ORIGINAL: Arthur P

IMO, an arrow straightener should be standard equipment for everyone who shoots aluminum. Yes, aluminum bends, but that means it can also be bent back and straightened. Even creases can be taken out, but I'll keep that procedure my little secret for now.

Most bends can be easily fixed with a little patience and experience with the tool. Even without the tool, a lot of bends can be straightened by hand. With a fine eye, or checking by spinning, they can be brought back at least as straight as a cheap carbon.

And, as bigbulls pointed out, the thicker the walls on aluminum arrows the more durable they are. I think .015" thickness is about the minimum for best durability. If you want light arrows for max speed, then you're better off with carbon than thin walled aluminum.

It's the light arrow speed freaks who came up with this idea that aluminum arrows are so fragile. Most of them never shot anything heavier than a 2213 or 2413 and have no idea what kind of punishment an arrow like a 2216 or 2315 can take before being damaged. Go on up the scale to 2219, 2317 or 2419 and they are extraordinarily tough. Plenty heavy and slower too, but they sure hit hard when they get there.

Disregarding aluminum arrows because they can bend is like saying bows with aluminum risers are crap because they can get bent.

Keeping with the theme, how bent aluminums can usually be straightened, it must be pointed out that a carbon that's not straight can not be straightened and will NEVER be straight.

Amen to that

[ArrowMike]

I too use them both. I like the straightness of aluminum and the way they fly. I don"™t think carbon can compare. But I do like the speed that you can get from carbon and the hit it makes. As far as more durable that"™s a coin toss. I hear people say that carbon is more durable but it depends on the shot. I have broken carbon going throw deer and shooting 3-Ds. I have never broken an aluminum or bent it on a deer, but have creased and broken them shooting 3-Ds. Now I not saying that aluminum wont break or bend on deer, It's just not happened to me yet.

The best advise is if your going with carbon don"™t be cheep. And if you go with aluminum I would get xx78, xx75 are good too.