I have tuned my bow (Sammick Sage 40#) with Easton axis Trad 600's w/150 grain tips and it shoots well. However, I'm starting to stump shoot a lot and would like to switch to Gold Tip trads or something cheaper... Any suggestions??

Do you think an equally spined arrow of a different brand will fly the same?

I think you will find they fly similarly but the gold tips are not as durable in my experience.

You could just put a footing on your axis shafts.  It will only add 10-12 grains and will make the axis at least as tough as the gold tip.  It will also be much cheaper than buying new arrows.

Get yourself some Gold Tip blems from Big Jim. I think he has the 600's in stock. They are still a nice arrow and a lot cheaper.

I agree with dark timber. Foot the axis shafts. I have done it and they are solid. I believe I footed mine with 1916 aluminums

Keep in mind that gold tips are going to look like cigars after shooting the smaller diameter axis.

If stick with the Axis and foot them, much more durable. I shoot goldtips at the moment and love them too

I also love Axis arrows.  Carbon Express Heritage are cheaper and pretty good arrows also.  I get them on E-ay fairly cheap.  3Rivers Traditional Only is maybe another option.

To answer the second part of your question - No, not all shafts marked with the same spine fly the same!
There are variations from brand to brand on their actual spine deflection, grains per inch, diameters, and shaft construction. Sometimes brands might fly pretty close to each other and other time they are way different.

I find the gold tips to be much more durable for stumping than the Easton or Three rivers. Other guys will probably say the opposite.

I've shot both, both good arrows, the wood grain finish is better on the GT. It rubs off on the Easton and Beman (Centershot) arrows rather easily. The 3 Rivers Trad Only shafts are actually the Beman Hunter (.003) arrow in a new wrapper. I've stumped with all these arrows, and they're all pretty close, as long as you don't hit really hard targets. No matter what arrows you shoot, they will only take so much..

I thought my axis where surprisingly weak for stumping I'm double footed and broke three this year on stuff I was sure they could handle. Had heard great things but wasn't impressed for what I payed think I'll be going back to AD's it took me two years to break my first one of those.

A Gold Tip with a 1" 2216 aluminum footing makes a fine stumping arrow.

Ive quit using the GT trad shafts after a number of years.

Why? Because they aren't any better than a standard GT hunter IMO. They are a tad heavier, and they look cool, but cost a lot more.

I just shoot GT hunters now, (preferably camo for the added weight but only if they're the same price) and use the 100gr brass inserts. For less than a dozen GT trad shafts you can buy GT hunters and 100gr inserts.

I know this probably has some people spitting but, call me cheap, I can't pay for wood colored paint anymore.

Details on "footing" an arrow?

Cutting a 3/4" to 1" piece of aluminum arrow shaft that just slides onto the arrow shaft behind the point.  Epoxy it in place, it really adds to the durability of the shaft.  Although it's not "fool" proof.

"Footing" a carbon with a 1-2 piece of aluminum shaft is pretty easy. I foot all of mine. I did my black Axis shafts and have hit rebar head on and not broke the arrow. I bent the point  and split the foot but shaft is still perfect. I use golf shaft epoxy to glue them on.. I also taper the rear of the foot so it not as hard to pull arrows from targets.

Gold tip kinetic has ballistic collars, they work good, I shot them at all kinds of stuff and not broke one yet

Same size as axis and gt gold tip new arrow but lighter

You won't find them in 600

Black eagle makes numerous shafts axis size with stainless steel outserts

But you can't beat the standard gold tip trad about as tough as they get period

QuoteOriginally posted by hawkeye n pa:
Cutting a 3/4" to 1" piece of aluminum arrow shaft that just slides onto the arrow shaft behind the point.  Epoxy it in place, it really adds to the durability of the shaft.  Although it's not "fool" proof.

Even with the axis having a smaller diameter arrow this will still fit properly?

What is stumping?

I have found GT's are not very durable and have had spine inconsistencies in the past.