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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: toyrecurves on February 22, 2008, 09:34:00 AM

Title: Carbons weaken limbs
Post by: toyrecurves on February 22, 2008, 09:34:00 AM
A guy told me last night(a guy who builds is own bows) said that shooting carbons will weaken the limbs of traditional bows. He said it is like dry-firing a bow and the limbs will not fair well. He said to shoot wood or aluminums. I just want your guys' input.
Title: Re: Carbons weaken limbs
Post by: pdk25 on February 22, 2008, 09:36:00 AM
Weight of the arrow, not material involved is what matters.  You can use carbons with weight tubes or heavy tips/inserts to get your weight up to what is recommended for your poundage.  As with any arrow, you have to tweak it some for tuning.
Title: Re: Carbons weaken limbs
Post by: BigRonHuntAlot on February 22, 2008, 09:37:00 AM
I don't buy that. Make sure your carbons are heavy enough to meet the minimum requirement of pounds per inch that the bowyer recommends and you should be fine. I like mine around 10 grains per pound or heavier for hunting.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Carbons weaken limbs
Post by: mmgrode on February 22, 2008, 09:38:00 AM
He is under the assumptions that carbon shafts are lighter compared to aluminum or wood, and he is usually correct.  However, when weight is added to the carbon shaft via weight tubes and/or front/tip loading we are able to create an arrow as heavy as we want it.  I'd look more at the grain scale than the shaft material for safety concerns.  Take care, Matt
Title: Re: Carbons weaken limbs
Post by: DEERDOG on February 22, 2008, 09:40:00 AM
Its all in the weight ,not the material.GPP means alot.
Title: Re: Carbons weaken limbs
Post by: snag on February 22, 2008, 09:41:00 AM
Ask him if 610gr. is enough for a 55#@28" recurve? Is over 11gpp enough?
Title: Re: Carbons weaken limbs
Post by: R H Clark on February 22, 2008, 10:10:00 AM
Just go by the weight of the arrow in grains per pound of draw weight.Most bows are marked at 28 inches. You can add or subtract about 2-3 pounds per inch for any draw length unless the bow really stacks.

Most any bow will handle 9 grains per pound.So a 50@28 needs a 450 grain or more arrow.

Some bows will vary so it is best to ask the bowyer.For example I shoot aluminum risers with olympic limbs that will handle 5-6 grains per lb.I like fast, flat shooting arrows for 3D.
Title: Re: Carbons weaken limbs
Post by: Russ Clagett on February 22, 2008, 10:12:00 AM
A 650 grain arrow weighs 650 grains no matter what it's made of.
Title: Re: Carbons weaken limbs
Post by: heydeerman on February 22, 2008, 10:16:00 AM
HAWGWASH!

What Russ says.
Title: Re: Carbons weaken limbs
Post by: James Wrenn on February 22, 2008, 10:30:00 AM
Buy the woodgrain carbons and the bow will never know.  :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: Carbons weaken limbs
Post by: toyrecurves on February 22, 2008, 10:32:00 AM
What about carbons that aren't 8gr per pound(not what i shoot), what effect if any would that have on the bow? I thought i read on here somewhere that one guy dryfires his bow some to see if it will hold up....thanks for the replys
Title: Re: Carbons weaken limbs
Post by: pdk25 on February 22, 2008, 10:36:00 AM
An expensive way to test your equipment that won't increase it's lifespan.  As stated before, can increase weight of carbon shafts with tubes or tips.
Title: Re: Carbons weaken limbs
Post by: R H Clark on February 22, 2008, 10:43:00 AM
A bowyer may dryfire a bow to see if it will take an ACCIDENTAL dryfire.Some olympic limbs are dryfired hundreds of times for the same reason.That doesn't mean that you should ever dryfire intentionally.

You may get by for a while shooting too light arrows.YOU MAY NOT.

You can get a stiffer spine and add weight or use weight tubes.
Title: Re: Carbons weaken limbs
Post by: HATCHCHASER on February 22, 2008, 11:03:00 AM
HAWGWASH!

What Russ says.
Title: Re: Carbons weaken limbs
Post by: DesertDude on February 22, 2008, 11:09:00 AM
My Bow MFG says that it's ok to shoot a 350gr out of my 55# @28" Recurve...6gr per pound min.....
Title: Re: Carbons weaken limbs
Post by: Sticks only on February 22, 2008, 11:48:00 AM
I shoot 450 grain carbons out of one of my whisperstiks @ 55lbs. It has seen about 10,000 shots with no ill effect, and its still quiet.
Title: Re: Carbons weaken limbs
Post by: carphunter100 on February 22, 2008, 01:01:00 PM
Like everyone else said its the weight of the arrow. Bob Morrison built my favoret bow and he shoots carbon. WEIGHT not the materal.