SwampCollie, that is great, but unless you use the exact same level of QC on your nocks, fletches, inserts, and tips, that ever-so-slight difference in tolerences might as well be thrown out the window.

You are absolutely correct sir. Same goes for whomever is cutting said shafts... and whomever is selecting the spine of said shaft for a particular bow.

You take any model bow... with any model arrow.... and as long as the system is the same every time.... the result will be the same every time... It can be a Hoyt Vantage X8 or Pro Elite with X-10 Pro Tours.... or it can be a Miles Keller XI with a 5" over draw with sawed off 2213s.... the weakest point in the entire system is right where the hand meets the grip and what lies directly between the ears and just aft of the nose (read: the shooter).

When I was in college and poor as dirt... I shot wal-mart arrows to the exclusion of everything else. What I didn't have was any advice on which arrow to shoot.... and I ended up shooting Thunderstorm 30-50s off an UltraTec at 29" and 73#s.... I've got one upstairs still that I killed 6 deer, two hogs and several different species of trees with... still servicable... though I realize in hindsight the danger of the situation... but like I wrote before... you don't go to wal-mart for great advice on highly technical goods and products. Fortunately... we have sites like this one where someone can read up on what they should be looking for.

Very well said.

yep after them arrows i now own a geo lol:woot:

My buddy just bought a bow, a Matthews Reezen, and the most expensive accessories he could find. He payed 120 / 12 for arrows, but spent so much he only bought half a dozen. He proceeded to lose 3 arrows, and another one had the carbon split. He went back to the bowshop, and bought the same arrows I am shooting, Carbon force radial x weave hunters, at 80 /dozen He got a dozen this time. He is still shooting the same groups as with the more expensive arrows, had he not asked for something a little less expensive they would have kept selling the pricier ones

Jim would you please let me know how to email or pm you!

walmart arrows
 

Ive used walmart arrows since i was 4 they have never failed...

thats because there is nothing wrong with them, for what ever reason people think that you have to spend crazy money to be successful, i have friends taht think they cant go backpacking with out northface gear, and others that cant shoot pistols that cost less $1k, it drives me crazy that people think the price tag is all that matters. when most of the time they dont give the time of day to a cheaper product just because its not a "name brand" that runs the price up 2-3x

Well, it depends on what you want. If you just to hit 2" groups at 20 yards, then any arrow will do that. Even the wood arrows I make on a router table for trad shooting can do that.

But if you after more, then it can cost you. If you after troublesome fliers, or wanting to be able to pull off 3" groups at 50 yards, then you got to pay to play.

Why is it that there are so many, archery equipment manufactures? If we all liked to drive the same make of car or truck would there be so many different brands? no!!!! THE REASON IS EVERYBODY HAS DIFFERANT LIKES,NEEDS and OPINIONS! And I don't care if you have the most expensive bow,arrows and equipment,that alone WILL not make you a better shooter! I have shot $150 bows and $800 bows and the extra price didn't make me shoot any better!, shoot smoother,faster,with less vibration YES.But not any better only practice does that! I have seen alot of guys with high dollar equipment get there a#$ kicked on the range and in the field by guys with rigs that cost less then there arrows cost!! My point is if it works for you by all MEENS use it,BUT don't look down on someone because for what ever reason,don't want to, or can't afford the best of everything! As long as they are enjoying themselves and helping to keep our passion alive that is all that really matters!! RIGHT! I also have my opinion on arrows I look at straightness +/-.003 or better and best price! And if Wally world has them for a great price I'll see you there!:rolleye0011:

Well there are those who believe that a high price is what matters. Then there are those who believe that paying the least amount possible is what matters. And then there are those who believe that getting better at this is what matters. Those people are the ones who do their research, do their practice, and analyze and think about what is going on. They are the ones who will look at the $50 product and the $100 product and decide what is really needed. And if the less expensive product serves the purpose as well or even better than the more expensive one, then that is the one that will be purchased. If the high dollar unit is really what is required, then so be it.
Really all that is required is putting in the time, gaining the knowledge, skills and experience, and applying thought to what you're doing. Heck its easy. Anybody can do it.

I just wonder about the straightness of those arrows, etc. But if they're hitting well out to 40 yards for you, I guess maybe it doesn't matter.

Welcome to the sight from another Cali Hunter!! and words of wisdom!, nicely said

JNTURK, Elk Grove eh? My daughter lives in Sac. My wife and I are in Clearlake. Are you in any club? Maya comes to mind.

With Walmart I truely believe your getting very good quality, your just not getting Great quality. Is you good enough of 90% of the bowhunters out there....undoubtly YES!

I personaly shoot easton Axis, from ebay. Maybe they have a quality thing going on there too. I just know it works for me.

I baught 12 wolverine arrows from wally for 1.50 a piece. they wieght about 495 g. so i fugure with some flu flu's they will work good for small game. and the niebores cat if it get in the garbage again.

How True!!

I'm not putting several $$ into a top notch bow & accessories then shoot cheap arrows and/or broadheads. Makes absolutely No sense to me.

Yeah they may group and shoot ok for you, but I guarantee you they have their shortcomings. In Arrow shafts as in most things you get what you pay for:s4:

Dan

Gets me every time, why do guys spend hundreds of dollars on bows, and peripherals and try to save a few bucks on arrows?

Like buy a BMW and looking to put on cheap tires!

"They are typically rejects from the manufacturer"
 

Why in the world would a major retailer sell arrows that are going to blow up. They might be a step or two below the top rate line, but I don't take this as a company seeking law suits.

I don't think they're in the money losing business. And Walmart meets the needs of its market.

I don't think Wal Mart would sell an arrow that would blow up, in fact I'm sure if they had an inkling that an arrow was dangerous it would be yanked off the shelf.. Wal Mart didn't get that big by being stupid, they are fully aware of the liability laws.
I'm sure they are buying arrows that are beyond the straightness tolerance of manufactures, and then again I don't know if anyone has any proof they are buying seconds. They have enough buying power they can buy better than anyone in the country.
I've bought a few different shafts to check out which would fly better through some of my traditional bows, the good thing is you can buy only one!

No, no clubs per say. I just like to shoot and do it often. I do too much hunting (deer, hogs, bear, turkey, etc) to stay active in a archery club.

Good fishing and hunting around clearlake, you are in a good spot up there!

Arrows from walmart aint no dam different then the one you buy any where else except the price aint a dam thing with em its all in ya head if an arrow has a defect it has one no matter where ya buy it they all the same dam arrow no matter what store or shop is selling it

2 years ago I wrote CX and asked them about their "WalMart" arrows. This was their response,

We do make special arrows just for Wal-Mart that other retailers do not carry but there are some arrows that normal retailers carry as well as Wal-Mart. The arrow you mentioned is not a sub-standard arrow. This arrow is not made out of the same high quality carbon that our top hunting arrows are made out of like our Maximas. However this arrow can be considered one of the best compared to other competitors arrows made with comparable costs and materials. Overall this will be a good hunting arrow and I would not hesitate to use it for hunting but it will not be as good as our top hunting arrows. If you have any other questions please let me know and thanks for choosing Carbon Express.

Thanks,

Brian Wright
Customer Service, Technical Support
Carbon Express, Eastman Outfitters, and Eastman Outdoors

If you are purchasing a name brand arrow at Walley World, you are getting the SAME arrow sold by the pro shops. None of the top manufacturers are going to sell seconds or reject products which are clearly identified with brand and trademark name to Walley World or any another retailer. If the arrow is marked "blemished" there is no manufacturers defect to the arrow. It is normally poor graphics or a color difference that downgrade the item to "blem."

i shoot easton storms with 2 inch blazers... i got them for about 5$ an arrow 25 for a half dozen and they shoot just as good as my dads st epics (about 13$ an arrow)

You have to read that with a sideways eye though...

What he is saying, and what I said five months ago, is that these arrows are not 'defects' meaning that they are in anyway structurally unsafe.... but no where in that email does he say that they are the same as Maxima Hunters. Infact, he specifically says that they are not made with the same high quality carbon as the Maximas are. Therefore... like it or not... if you have two... and one is better... the other is 'inferior'.

They are not sub-standard.... but the standards aren't as high either.

Reject and inferior are not meant as derogitory terms at all... just as a basis for comparison. Folks get all worked up about stuff sometimes (this ain't directed at you either Saint... not at all.... I just liked the email you put up, thanks!).

I very much enjoyed reading an article in this months 'Whitetail Times', relating an experience the author had with Bob Foulkrod at one of his schools. Bob took a quiver full of orphaned and misfit arrows, and proceded to shoot a bunch of arrows into the 5 and X ring of an NFAA indoor five spot from 20 yards... five arrows.... all different spines... different weights... only thing they had in common was they were over the min weight and min length to function on the bow. Someone asked (seriously I might add) if he was trying hurt someone. He curtly replied that he was simply trying to prove a point.... that at a responsible hunting distance (ala inside 20 yards... which is certainly reasonable and doable for 95% of archers)... the arrow doesn't matter nearly as much as the shooter and the tune of the bow. Make that distance 30 yards and you have tripled the negitive effect of mis-spine and poor tolerance... but with the average whitetail being killed inside 20 yards with a bow.... well.... you know. Go heavy... practice... scout... shoot a sharp head... and hope you have a deer cart and a big freezer. :barmy:

Walmart Arrows Just Fine
 

I find it amazing how people don't know how the "Market" works. So to enlighten those who don't I will explain: 1. Walmart stores buy in huge bulk commodities. They pass the savings on to customers by keeping prices low. 2. A "Pro Shop" retailer buys what he can after he sells what he bought for "Wholesale" with price increase (Varies) at retail price to cover his cost i.e. shop utilities, employee pay, electric, water and so on. Example: Pro shop buys a dozen brand X arrows from manufacturer at let's say $26 bucks. Then his increase is so much of a percentage and you come in a buy that dozen arrows for $72 bucks. Profit of $46 bucks. Of course lesser shipping and handling and overhead cost. 3. Walmart is so big that it's overhead is paid for years in advance by interest on profits made along time ago. 4. Carbon Arrows from manufacturers are made by rolling fiber sheets of carbon thread to a specific thickness in about 6 foot lengths. Many variables happen. Temp control expands/contracts these rolls of carbon. When cut they are different straightness variables here. The average archer today will not know the difference between .0001 plus or minus to .0006 plus or minus per inch at 20 to 40 yards shooting. 5. Please stop shooting your arrows to get a "Nice Grouping" to impress your buddies. This just increases the chance of damage to your arrows and then next shot.....Boom/Explodes! Damn, forgot to check arrow for cracks! UGH! On the bright side, you get to go to the Hospital and maybe have a hot nurse take care of you! 6. I bought those bright orange dots they have in the firearms section at most sporting goods stores and place like six (6) of them on my shooting bag and shoot one arrow into each orange dot. No wearing out one spot on the bag and increases my chances of not ruining any arrows. Now 3D shooting is a little different cause everybody wants to go for the "kill Zone" and hitting other arrows is just part of the game. This is where the Walmart arrow can come into play. Great price for little $$$ and who cares if someone "Robinhoods" a $3 arrow?!?!?! When I do 3D shoots our group agrees at the start of the round that whoever has the best score shoots last at the next station. Just make sure you get the correct spine for your bow poundage and correct length and have a great time! $3 or $4 bucks at Wally-World all day long for me! I buy two dozen a year wheather I need them or not. I have yet to have a bad arrow from Walmart. It's all about choices!

I call BS on this ! You are saying that Carbon Express sells reject arrows ...........

never had a problem with the walmart arrows , here in NC they have the terminators and another in half dozen boxes cheap or you can get the even cheaper version in singles . I cut them to length and re fletch them with a bohing jig ( cause I like spin ) they will group in the 2.5-4 inch range with 100 grain thunderheads from either of my bows at 60 yards and kill deer like double forked lightning .
Now that said , I also shoot the Maxima hunter arrows , and well..... they are better ,,, there strait , there fast , and the weight foward helps them do things that a cheap arrow cant , is the difference worth the price ??? its up to you , I double lunged a nice 10 point last October in my pasture at 73 yards , the thunderhead/maxima combo slipped through like butter and stuck in a stump deep enough it was hard to remove , the terminator would have probably done the same and if not I could have shot three of them from walmart cheaper than one of the maximas from Gander mountain , I do normally shoot the maxima hunters for hunting because I have them on hand and they work so well

Well I read some of these posts and it appears that you all are getting off track a bit arguing over the arrows. Our friend here, Mr. BowHunterJim says, and I quote "I dont see the need to shell out 60 bucks for twelve when u can only shoot one at a time." He is absolutely right. I just checked the Walmart site and the Carbon Express arrows they sell there are $6.00 and $6.50 each. So our friend is buying his arrows for $72 - $78 a dozen. I wonder if he also buys his cartridges individually also. After all, you can only shoot them one at a time too???????????????

The true way to know the accuracy potential is to check their weight and straightness variables. Straightness and consistency in weight is of extreme importance when lining up that 30 plus yard shot. We should never forfeit accuracy for a few bucks saved Remember a good clean kill should always be the most important factor in our choices of equipment purchased

I've bought a few from Walmart for long bows I made just see what what the best spine for the bow. I usually stick with my regular suppliers for hunting or competition arrows.