Beman ICS or Easton Axis?

[muzzyman88]

I am desperate need of new shafts. I finally wrecked most of my Beman ICS's I do have and am looking into a dozen of something. I am fine sticking with the ICS's, but I really have a urge to go with the Axis shafts.

Which ones?

[PABowhntr]

A half dozen of each is the answer....

Seriously MM, I am somewhat in the same boat as you. I have about two dozen ICS hunters as well as about a dozen ACCs sitting in the basement but I might just have to invest in some Axis as well. I am always looking for better penetration and durability but the mechanical question has me a bit concerned.

[muzzyman88]

My only concern is shaft diameter with the Axis. How much smaller than the ICS 400 are they going to be? I don't mind a thinner shaft, but I really don't want toothpicks.

[PABowhntr]

Going by my fletching jig....a typical ICS shaft is somewhere between a size 18 and 19 aluminum. The Axis are supposed to be in the 16 to 17 range if I remember correctly. To give you even more of a perspective I believe the previous "skinny" carbons were around a size 14 aluminum again, if I remember correctly.

[muzzyman88]

So you're saying they are thinner than my Bemans, but not so much they are very noticable?

[CG]

It'll be noticeable but will it have any affect on anything? Not really unless you're shooting a prong style rest and then you'll have to do some tweaking.

[JOE PA]

The old pultruded Bemans were 15/64 for the lighter sizes, and 16/64 for size 60/80 on up.

The Axis arrows (if I read correctly) are 17/64 for sizes through size 400 and 9/32 (18/64) for the 340s and 300s.

Mine are definitely thinner than ICS or ACC 3-60s that I have. Enough difference in diameter that I bought an ICS Biscuit to try instead of the Aluminum biscuit that I usually use. They are heavy walled, and look pretty tough, spin broadheads near perfectly on every shaft of the dozen. I don't know about fletching, since mine came already fletched. I am anxious to shoot them to see how they do, but can't right now until I am finished with my form work. The temps and wind here are making it easier to wait to shoot though.

[PABowhntr]

Jeff,

Where did you pick them up at?...in case I really get the itch...

[reylamb]

The Axis really have me intrigued. They appear to be about the same diameter as the ACC 3/49s. They are not so skinny as to scream out "toothpick" and they seem fairly tough. I am thinking of getting a dozen just to fling around to see how they perform. I can get them for $60/dozen raw shafts, what is everyone else seeing as far as prices?

[muzzyman88]

If you can get them at 60 a dozen shafts, buy all you can and I'll take two!! Everywhere I've seen them thus far, they are between 80-100 per dozen raw shafts.