ORIGINAL: cdrmjjohnson
I am wondering why I should switch to carbon arrows instead of aluminum. I shoot a Ross CR334, 27" draw at 50#. Currently shooting 2213 aluminum arrows with a 100gr broadhead, total arrow weight 410gr. I would like to shoot an arrow of approximately the same weight, at least I think I would like to. I don't know my bow speed but I would estimate it out at around 265-275 fps. My concern is the kenetic energy/penetration area actually. I hunt in VA, primarly for Whitetail. I know I can buy carbon arrows in the 8gpi range and end up with an arrow close to the weight I currently shoot so why should I switch, can someone explain and show me that a lighter, thereby a somewhat faster arrow, will provide the requisite Ke. Thanks in advance for the advice.
First off nice bow, i've heard they are awesome bows! I would love to try the CR334 myself if we ever get a dealer anywhere close by. We have one here in NC but it's a 4hr drive for me and thats just to far to go to test drive a bow.
If your speed estimation is correct then your getting about 64# of ke now and thats enough to shoot through anything in north america(i think). Iknow you said you were estimating your speeds butwith your specs it would be hard to get those speeds out of that bow. Only way to really know is shoot it through a chrony. Unless you're just wanting to tinker and try something different i'd just keep shooting the set-up you have as long as your confident in it. If you switch to carbon and staywith the same weightthe only thing you'll gain will be the durability factor.
I thinkboth alum and carbon have their place in archery. IMO aluminums will always be straighter and carbons more durable but the straightness and tolerances of carbons have definately improvedover the years. I shot aluminum for about 14yrs before switching to carbon andhavebeen shooting carbon now for about 8yrs and i have no regrets about making the change. Iagree though if you miss your target you'll damage either one but i think the carbon is the least likely to get damaged the most. I've hit objects that an aluminum would not stand up to but a carbon did. I have one carbon arrow right now thats i've killed 4 deer with and i'm still using it for a practice arrow, i can't say that about an aluminum.Also i don't buy into the statement that"carbons are either straight or broke" because i've personallyexperienced otherwise. Having said all that, i don't plan on ever going back to aluminums because the carbons have performed great for me and their durability was well worth the switch.
If your only concern in trying carbons isnot having enough KE and penetrationyou can rest assured,at 50#a 410gr carbon arrowwill have plenty of both and will serve you well as long as you do your part and place the arrow in the kill zone.I suggest maybe trying to find somewhere that you couldjust purchase a few carbons and give them a try, i honestly don't think you'd regret it.Good luck. >------> Mike