Has anyone shot any 5/16 diameter carbon shafts that don't mushroom when you hit something hard.
I've found the Beman MFX are really hard to break but I don't like 9/32 diameter
Those that have an aluminum footing installed.Seriously,adding an aluminum footing to the front greatly strengthens that area,especially on hard,frontal hits.
These hit rocks dead on and the arrows survived.
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a140/jbrandenburg/P1010786.jpg)
Gold tips are tuff,but like Jim said adding a footing would be your best bet.
Ditto on the aluminum footings. Works great.
Ditto the ditto on the aluminum footing. Tough!
The Gold Tips have been really good for me also but I foot every carbon arrow.
If you haven't seen them,there are a couple useful charts in the "How To Resources" section that can help you pick the appropriate size aluminum.
http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000132
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000098
Do those that use aluminum footings cut the arrows longer so you aren't drawing the footing onto the shelf at full draw?
I have pretty good luck just using a 100 grain brass insert. It is much tougher than an alluminum insert and I rarely have an arrow mushroom.
Steve, I use a 1" sleeve, and I usually leave that much just for broadhead clearance anyway. As a rule, I use carbons longer than that, even, for tuning purposes. You could bevel the rear edge of the sleeve with a case deburring tool or the like for a smoother transition.
Killdeer
That is what I do.My arrows are 1" longer than my draw and I use a 1" footing.I also put a 1/4" piece at the nock end for good measure.
I do like the 5/16" shafts due to the variety of of nocks,inserts etc available for them.
I shoot Gold Tips with the 100gr brass insert. The insert sticks out in front of the end of the carbon about 1/4". I have messed up a few on some really hard hits but have had many more survive. I do not foot mine either.
I have not messed up enough to make me go to the additional trouble to foot them.
Bisch
I use 3-Rivers carbon collars. Pretty good and only 5 grains.
I also use 50 grain brass inserts on 5/16 carbons and they stick out, are slightly beveled on the back end and provide some protection.