Hi All,

I'm sure this has been done, but my searching didn't seem to work.

I have a couple of longbows, all around 45# at my 26" draw.  I've been using Easton 2016's but am thinking of switching to carbon.

My dealer of choice sells Beeman, Carbon Express, Carbon Impact, Easton, GoldTip, Vapour, and Victory.

I've only seen the Carbon Express and Carbon Impact.

I want a heavy, robust arrow for hunting and stump shooting.

Is there a clear winner?  Are there any to avoid?

Much obliged.

You could get the GT traditional in 35/55.  Put 100 grain brass in front with 125 head.  I'd guess you would have to leave them at about 29" for your draw or go with a heavier head.  They'll be about 480 grains w/FOC over 20%.  

I've never put tubes in them, but that's another option.

My favourite is the carbon express,but all you've named will do the job.
Your only real issue will be tuning any carbon to get a good hunting wheight.
I find Carbons are all pretty stiff when your talking lighter wheight stringbows.
You can do it for sure but you have to think about up front wheight and extra length more than you might with a compound or heavier wheight stringbow.
LKH's advice on the GT's is good stuff,but I'd start with the CE 90's simply because I personaly like that brand.

Good luck.

i've always used carbon express arrows( but it was for my compounds) sturdy and reasonably priced. i'm no help to you as far as which, if any, brand works the best for longbows. i imagine they all would work well if set up correctly, just need to find which is a good price and works for you, good luck

Here another vote for the Goldtip Traditionals. Look at this:   http://heilakka.com/stumiller/   It might help you!

I shoot Gold Tips 3555s and Carbon Express Heritage 150s with my longbow, as stated spine and tuning are critical with any arrow choice!

I vote for the Beeman ICS bowhunters and the Beeman MFX classics.  If money is not a issue, then the classics are awesome.  super slim, and heavy, put a brass insert in there and you will be good to go!  I shoot the Beeman ICS bowhunters cause I am poor, lol.  And they do a good job too, I have them cut and tuned, 29.5 inches, with a 100 grain brass insert, and have 447.8 total grains, and 18.64% FOC.

I'm with Chris on the Beman ICS Bowhunters in 500 spine. The are inexpensive, but tough as nails. Here is my setup for my 46# Kanati.

FOC   ARROW   length                   30"
   shaft+feathers+nock wt      245
   separate insert weight?      30
   adapter weight?              100
   point weight              135
   total arrow weight           510
   balance length              22.38
      FOC %   24.60
         
GPP   draw wt 46   
       arrow wt 510   
       GPP 11.09

I use the factory insert and a 100 grain steel adapter.

I draw 28". With your shorter draw, you may want to try the 600s. Either way, leave them full length and trim to tune. Don't trim more than 1/4" at a time though. Carbons are very touchy about length.

I find the GT 3555s to be very stiff. I ended up with about a 630 grain arrow to get it to tune. They were real hammers, but man, did they drop!

CE arrows also run to the stiff side. I haven't tried the 90s, but I think that is what you would have to go with.

Hope this helps.

Carbon Express

Thanks everyone.  I know it's a newb sort of question, but I don't want to shell out for one arrow brand just to find they are notorious.

I'm enjoying that arrow calculator.  I tried a carbon express 150 and it tuned OK using just a bit longer arrow and a 150gr point.  I know a fellow with the same bow who liked the 3555's as well, though he used a brass insert.

Thanks again.  I'll ask a few more people at the range and just do the tuning carefully.