I am pondering my shaft selection for next season and have read various articles on hunting arrows and the more I read the more I get confused. Some advocate a heavy arrow for hunting while other lean to a lighter set up.

Example 1
In the recent article in Bow and Arrow by Chuck Adams states that he prefers Aluminum over Carbor for a varitey of reason. In order not to type the entire article here are his basic arguments: carbon does not pentrate better, aluminum is straighter, the precision of aluminum allow better fixed blade flight. I must say that Adams remmondation is to be taken very seriously. This man has put some seriously impressive animals in record books with this type of set-up. BUT is he genuine in his analysis or is he merely trying to push his sponsors product.

Example 2
In the book Idiot Proof Archery by Bernie Pellerite, the counter point is made. Pellerite claims that one does not really have to change much in his 3-d set-up to hit the woods. Without going in to much detail he advocates: a light set-up, carbons, mechanicals (Adams does not). He also makes jabs at famous bowhunters (who he does not name) claiming that some are not really experts in the art of archery set-up.

Example 3
Ted Nugent in same Bow and Arrow magazine raved about his pentration using heavy carbon arrows.

So in summary, what does the board recommend?

My set-up:
2003 Bowtech Extreme set at 65#, tt -drop away, 29 draw...

Thank-you

I guess I just ride the fence. I, in my opinion, get the best of both worlds. I shoot a mid weight arrow (444 gr) that is heavy enough to retain it's KE energy quite well and light enough to still get good speed. Also, my arrows are carbon and aluminum. I say shoot ACCs and enjoy the best of both worlds

I use Carbon Shaft for practicing and Shoots as I like their durabilty, but when I hunt I use Aluminum xxx78 size 2219 for the heavier punch and ez of tuning.

Well, everyone has their pets and preferences... even ole Chucky. What the statements leave out are such things as "Yes Aluminums "MAY" be straighter.... Until you shoot them a few times". An aluminum through a deer is rarely usable again.... but almost certainly a carbon would be. You have good and bad of both brands. Some of each are straighter than some of each.... but they're pretty much ALL straighter than you can shoot. I use a 425 grain ICS Hunter in one set up and a 525 Aluminum on the other. I do all my serious hunting with the ICS Hunter rig... because it's better, faster, quieter... but that's all the bow.[&:] I'm shooting 67 pounds at 265 feet. It never fails to pass through.

OK, now don`t forget that Chuck likes to hunt BIG whitetails and lots of big game(elk sized and bigger). Also Chuck if I`m not mistaken use to be quite an accomplished target archer. Are aluminums straighter than carbons? Yes, most aluminums are straighter then carbons and my 2219s don`t bend after going throught 10 deer. Even if they did I have no problem throwing an arrow away after taking a deer with it. Also the question remains "Do carbons lose their spine after extensive use?" This should be fun. P.S. I have an aluminum in my quiver thats been through a moose and is just as straight now as the day I bought it.

I have both carbon and aluminums. Going to hunt this year again with Carbon Express Terminator Hunter Selects. My hunting arrow weights right at 500 grains. Most of my target shooting is done with aluminums at a cardboard press because you can't pull carbons out of the stuff. I would not have any problem going back to my trusty XX75 2117 arrows for everything. I have, according to my wife, way too many arrows, (about 6 dozen) and like to try differant things with differant arrows. So I say you ought to have a couple dozen of each. As for what my wife says, read my sig line.

I have used both, but prefer Aluminum for my setup.

I have used both, I prefer a heavy arrow. 99.9% of my archery hunting is for rutting bull elk. I shoot Easton 2219's XX-78 super slam arrows topped with 125-grain Muzzy broadheads. I may be wrong in my thinking? I think heavy arrows & heavy broadheads preform better on elk. I also limit my shots to 35-yards & under.

Aluminum. I can grab a dozen aluminum arrows off the rack, stick the biggest fixed blade broadheads on them and get outstanding accuracy with all 12 arrows and very little problem. Reasons are aluminum is straight and absolutely consistent in spine and weight from one shaft to the next.

Even if you get carbons as straight as aluminum, they cannot match aluminum for consistency.

The only carbon I'd shoot is ACC's. They're good arrows, combining a carbon wrap for lot of carbon's toughness with an aluminum core for straightness and consistency.

I started using carbon shafts about three or four years ago. I waqs starting my second season of bowhunting and I was SICK AND TIRED of bending my aluminums. So, I went with Carbon Express Select 6075. They were recommended to me by my proshop who set up my bow for me. Since then, I've tried a coupel different arrows, but I stick with the C.E. I like them because they are a little faster than aluminums and they DON'T BEND...maybe break, but no bending. I also like them becaue they are a heavy carbon shaft. I like the wieght for better penetration. I'm not a speed freak. I shoot a heavy arrow with a 125 grain head.

J