Aluminum.

I can tune my bow to an aluminum arrow in less than 15 minutes and have it as good as it can get. I've spent HOURS tweaking around on carbons and not had them tune in. I can usually just screw ANY broadhead, on and have it spin true. And if it doesn't spin true, it's VERY easy to reposition the insert. With carbons, it's always been a chore for me to get broadheads to spin true, and most of the time there are only a few in each dozen that will do it. So, I can be hunt ready in minutes with aluminum vs too many hours of wasted time, tweaking with carbons.

My 2315's and 2317's weigh 100-150 grains more than the carbons I've tried. They make my bows much more pleasant to shoot - quieter, less shock and vibration. The heavier weight doesn't stress the cables and string as much, so less creep and less retuning and less frequent replacement. I lose 30 fps or so due to the weight, but I feel the gains in other areas are worth it.

Durability with my arrows is not quite as good as carbon maybe, but it's not far behind. Most of the arrows that do get bent, I can easily restraighten to factory tolerances with my arrow straightener. I've spent far more money on carbon than aluminum over the past 5 years and have yet to find any carbon arrows that shoot good for me. So, aluminum is cheaper for me over the long run.

My philosophy for hunting is, if I can't get within 30 yards of an animal, I have not earned the right to draw my bow. Trajectory differences between carbon and aluminum inside 30 yards are practically nil. For 3D, I have to be a bit more precise in my yardage estimates than carbon shooters but that's okay. Once I figured out that I didn't HAVE to win each tournament I entered, I started enjoying them more. And I still pick up an occasional trophy.

Penetration, I have no practical basis for comparison. All I know for sure is aluminum has never failed me and I have never been able to get carbons tuned up good enough for me to even consider hunting with them. As for how far carbon penetrates 3D targets vs aluminum, I've explained, in depth, many times on this forum why I feel trying to equate penetration in foam rubber to penetration on a living animal is a flawed idea.

However, since carbons do penetrate deeper in foam, and since the extra speed generates enough heat to weld them in, that brings up the primary reason I prefer aluminum. I don't have to smear on soaps, oils, ointments, lotions, potions or unguents to lubricate my arrows, nor do I have to wrestle with 3D targets to reclaim my property.<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>