Hi All-
I've been out of the trad game a few years and am getting back into it. Any suggestions on your favorite carbon arrows and where to find the best price on them? I have used Goldtip Trads in the past and may just buy more but am also wondering if there may be something better out there.
Thank You!
Most carbon shafts are decent quality, but as you know, different companies build their arrows differently, with different nomenclature, shaft sizes, components, etc. When I was contemplating getting into carbon shafts quite a few years ago, I got some good advice from one of my shooting buddies. He said just pick a shaft and stick with it. I picked Easton Axis. They've worked very well for me. I like the small diameter (9/32) and components, and they're very durable. They are a bit pricey.
Easton axis 400 and 500 spine. Stainless steel half out inserts. I bought 3 dozen on the big auction site 4 years ago. When I wear them out I'm going to try some of Big Jim's Dark Timber's.
Big Jim Dark Timbers. Durable, look great, and great price.
I've always shot GT Trads. They're reasonably priced, durable, and they've never given me a reason to switch performance-wise.
My all time favorite was Carbon Express Heritage shafts but they stopped making them. I'm told Big Jim's Dark Timbers are similar. I also like the Gold Tip Traditional shafts. I have a lot of gold tip brass inserts and their weight system so I'll stick with a .246 size shaft in any case.
Gold Tip, Big Jim's dark timbers are my favorite these days for hunting and "shooting ". I used up my CE Heritage arrows. I liked them because they were a bit heavier than the others.
Carbon Express Heritage has been my favorite carbon, and it's been very good; FMJ's really fly nice but kind of spendy.
I bought some Taipans and they seem good but haven't killed anything with them so no real world experience.
I think Orion's advice was good.
I am a wood arrow guy it what I hunt with but I love to tinker with difference arrows both Carbon and aluminum, I shot some Dark timbers and the 2025 LTR and I was impressed, I got a couple dozen 500 cut to 29" and I can run point weight from 150 to 200 grains with no problems and all my broadheads 2,3,4 blade fly very well, I like the 50gr brass insert.
I've run out of my Carbon Express Heritage shafts, so I'm searching for a new shaft too. I'm interested in the Black Eagle Vintage. Anyone use those?
Thanks, Paul
My favorite used to be Gold Tip Ultralights, but they quit making them. Gold Tip still makes one that's almost the same specs, but in a much higher price range. Any recommendations for 5/16" carbon shafts in the 6-6.5 gpi weight range?
for hunting,,, Carbon express heritage have always been my favorites too because of the heavier shafts and for me one arrow would tune perfect out of many different bows. for my lighter bows 44# max the dark timbers are perfect they end up coming in at a weight that seems to match good with the light weight bows,,, for hunting out of stands i may slip a few lengths of weed wacker line inside them though.
Easton Legacys are my favorites
For Hunting I like the Easton FMJ, for 3D and roving I use the Axis Trad.
Hunt predominantly with tapered and footed wood arrows, but like CE Heritage as back-up.
:campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:
My carbon arrows of choice are Big Jim's
Dark Timber's. Tough as nails and they look very good also.
Arrow Dynamics
My personal favorite carbons are Goldtip Trad Classics with ballistic collars. Yes, they are pricey but buy once cry once.
Gold Tips blems for durability and cost.
Victory for quality and consistency.
Easton Carbon legacys for me too, but I run a lot of 6.5 bowhunters too because they are cheap.
Iron oak by Three Rivers are very good light arrows. 6.1 grains per in. with 600's. Can be loaded up front for FOC. and still not be to heavy! Great for light weight bows..
Used to shoot aluminums, but now another Easton axis fan here. They're straighter than most. I know it's only by thousands of an inch, but I'm already challenged enough so I'll take every advantage I can get with a big fixed blade on the end. They also have a very smooth finish so they're very quiet when drawing. I foot them with about an inch and a half of a 1916 aluminum shaft.
.204's are my favorite, just seem to tune easier. Easton axis is a little heavy but out of the few dozen I've built, I think I may have had to tweak the insert or nock tune of just a couple.
Day6 HD
I've had good luck with the Easton 5mm Carbon Legacy.
Easton don't make Axis anymore do they?
I used to really like the Blackhawk vapor shafts. Wish they still made them. I've been shooting Easton axis shafts since not long after they came out and during that time I shot a bunch of other shafts as well but I always go back to the plain black Axis shafts. I've got so many of the components lying around that I'll just keep shooting them until they go out of business.
Always go back to gold tip xt hunters.