FMJ or Axis

[tzolk]

Yo fellas, I've been shooting gold tip 5575 trads out of my Toelke Super D 56@30 with standard inserts and 200 up front getting good results at times.  Dan gave me one of his practice arrows when I went for a visit which is an Easton Axis 400 75 grain insert and 145 grain point. This arrow fly's amazing! Seem to get consistent results and I'd like to explore the Easton arrows.
How does the FMJ of equal spine compare to the axis, is there some additional stiffness from the aluminum even though they are "spined" the same? i.e. goldtip trads vs hunters.
Also, should I try the light 16 gr HIT insert to keep my point around 200 or go for the 75gr insert and 145 point?

[Orion]

I think the FMJs are supposed to be a tad straighter, though the regular Axis are straight enough for me.  Don't know if one is tougher than the other.  

I like brass inserts.  Can get 70 grain inserts, which break off to 50 grains if you want, and 100 grain inserts. Between the inserts and adaptors of 50, 100 and125 grains, and glue on heads,  I have plenty of flexibility to vary the up front weight from 150 to 300 grains or more.

[CRS]

FMJ's are heavier and will actually bend due to the aluminum.

I got some super cheap, but prefer the the plain Axis.

[habujohn]

I have both and they seem to shoot the same for me even though the FMJ are heavier.  You have to be sure the FMJ are straight though as they can take a bend.  Get great penetration with both of them.

[tzolk]

Good to know about the FMJ bending. Think I'll look more towards the Axis n fused.

[Mike Vines]

After doing about a year and a half of research, I switched my setup this year to hunt moose.  I chose the Easton FMJ .340 with inserts JB welded inside, and a 225 grain Tuffhead with a 75 grain titanium adapter.  I've been shooting/testing the FMJ arrows for about 6 months and have not had a single one bend.  I'm not saying they won't bend, just that it hasn't happened to me (knocking on wood as I type that).

I have not given up on wood arrows, and never will, but I want the best arrow/broadheads combination I can muster for such a large bodied animal, and the setup I mentioned above is what works for me.  Someone might have different results, but we owe it to ourselves to find the best equipment for our Bowhunting needs.

[Charlie3]

Drive down to Black Sheep in CDA and get yourself some Axis Traditionals. They have them in stock already fletched for roughly $10/arrow if you buy a dozen

[tzolk]

Thanks Charlie. I went to North West Pony Express and Bill said he can order a dozen shafts for $75, which seems oddly cheap for a B&M store. I fletch them up my self. Thats a pretty good deal though, $10 a piece complete. There is also a guy, Rod Kelly in MT Dan told me to look up.

[Jake Scott]

Fmj's will bend.  It takes a heck of a lick to do it though.  A lick that would vaporize most carbon arrows.  I've stuck mine in trees, stumps, and glanced them off rocks.  I've had about 2 dozen that get a lot of action in the woods and I've only bent two of them.  Both times absolutely my fault.  They're without a doubt my favorite arrows.

Jake

[tzolk]

Thanks Jake! I've ruined many a gold Tip. Many!

[Roughrider]

Ditto what Jake Scott says.

My wife and I use FMJ's for about the past six years - they're sinfully expensive in my mind, but I still use them!

[stalkin4elk]

I used to have some 300FMJs with 100gr inserts glued  with JB Weld,and 300gr points and they easily bent behind the insert on hard angled hits and flaired the shaft on hard straight hits. They also dented if hit while dinged with another arrow target shooting.With standard carbons you can see the fracture in the shaft but the aluminum clad Fmj hides any damage. Go with the standard Axis and use a footing IMHO. They shot very well but was NOT impressed with their strength especially for the money.