After reading Dr. Ashby article in Traditional Bowhunter mag. I was wondering which aluminum shaft I would need to have an extreme FOC arrow for my setup (50lb Super Kokiak..26.5 in draw)? When I shoot aluminum I use a 28in 2016 with 175 gr. point. They bareshaft great. So what aluminum shaft size would I need if I wanted to shoot a 28in arrow with a 250 gr. pt. and keep the overall weight around 500-520 grs. like my wooden arrows and my 2016's? I was wanting to use a 250gr. point so it would not be a problem with broadheads and field pts. Thanks in advance for your help.
Just play with some. I used 2114-2115-2018 with ~50 grains inside (lead, or .223,.243 bullets) and 175 gr tips on bows from 53-60#. It been a while though. I've been shooting carbons for about 3 years now.
I believe that I read that Dr. Ashby mentioned that it is real tough to get good arrow flight with extreme FOC and aluminum shafts. Could be wrong though.
I have had the same experience.
I'm shooting 28"-29" (have some of both) 2018's with 250 gr heads from both my 50# and 47# widow PL's drawing 27.5. The overall weight is higher than what you were looking for though. Also shooting 28" 2016's with same 250 gr head...both fly great. The 2016 would probably have a higher FOC and has lower overall weight, but can't remember how much.
Didn't Ashby say there was a point of diminishing return when you increased your FOC?
I have tried extreme FOC with many aluminum shafts and have found if you go too far your shafts will take a bend mid air and stay that way when you bareshaft. If you're trying to keep your total arrow weight around 500-520gr using a 250gr point, then don't bother with aluminum. You are much better off going carbon. It's my understanding that carbon handles extreme FOC pretty well and they are light enough that you might be able to hit your target weight and still get good arrow flight.
QuoteOriginally posted by Deadsmple:
I have tried extreme FOC with many aluminum shafts and have found if you go too far your shafts will take a bend mid air and stay that way when you bareshaft. If you're trying to keep your total arrow weight around 500-520gr using a 250gr point, then don't bother with aluminum. You are much better off going carbon. It's my understanding that carbon handles extreme FOC pretty well and they are light enough that you might be able to hit your target weight and still get good arrow flight.
That is pretty consistant with what I have foudn with aluminum. Bareshafting is almost impossible.
Anyone try Hard Wood arrows with extreme FOC? Just wondering the result. I personally never tried. I think Ashby said carbon had the best arrow flight with extreme FOC followed by hard wood. However hardwood had less arrow integrety problems.
Here's my take on aluminum arrows. Unless you're hunting really heavy boned game, you can find a heavy shaft that will work fine. As for penetration....experience has shown a straight-flying arrow will pass through most, if not all, North American big game. As for accuracy? Perfect field rounds have been shot with aluminum arrow with target points....low front of center.
I'm not sure what you are looking for in an arrow, but I would personally think a 2018 or 2020 would be plenty heavy enough as they are and will penetrate very well indeed.
Anytime the word "Extreme" is used it indicates there may be some problems in the final formula.
I guess I'm old fashioned but (to paraphrase) I think we are searching for and answer for a problem that doesn't exist.
Your setup sounds pretty solid right now. With a 175 gr head and a 28" arrow your FOC should be higher than normal anyway. Have you calculated it?