which type of arrow

[zinndl]

Here is another newbie question. Assuming the arrow you are using is spined correctly for your bow, is there one arrow material that is more accurate, or forgiving? I am currently using gold tip 3555 carbons. I just watched a Byron Ferguson video and it looked to me like he was using aluminum.

[McDave]

I like the carbon arrows because they seem to last longer than the aluminum arrows and stay straight until they break.  The 3555's are easy for me to tune because I can add weight to the front and/or back of the arrow.  I also like them because they seem to shoot and handle more like wood than the aluminum ones do; maybe that's just me.

Aluminum arrows come in many more sizes than carbon arrows, so tuning is more a matter of choosing the right size and then maybe trimming a little off the front of the arrow than adding weight.  Aluminum arrows start out straighter than carbon arrows, and are more consistent in weight.  But this may be a distinction without a difference, when you compare either one with a wooden arrow.

[NDTerminator]

I personally prefer alums with my Trad bows, but use carbons with my compounds.  The reason is as McDave said above.

With Trad bows the arrow is tuned to the bow via arrrow spine (length) & adding weight up front, where with the compound's adjustable rests & draw weights the bow is tuned to the arrow.

In many if not most situations you can get a closer starting spine with the length you want for a Trad bow with an alum.  Alums tend to be heavy enough that you don't have to add extra weight (brass inserts or weight tubes)to get an acceptable overall weight, as is often the case with carbons.

Alums are by & large cheaper than carbons, which may or may not affect your decision.  I find them much easier to work with when fletching and tuning broadheads, and if I bend one I can often straighten it in a snap (I have a pro shop model straightener)....

[scriv]

I have been shooting aluminum since giving up fiberglass in the 70's.  Recently while purchasing a new bow the bowyer suggested I try carbons.  He claims the "recover" quicker and get going in the direction you pointed them sooner.  My informal testing seems to confirm this.
 
 As far as weight goes.  I bought a recurve in Jan that is 45# at my draw and my 2018's weigh about 550 grains for that bow.  (I have a 31" draw.  The carbons I have for my 42# longbow weigh 570 grains without weight tubes or inserts.  I shoot CX heritage 150.

 Aluminum gives you more options for tuning, but I am beginning to feel that carbons may be the way to go provided you get them tuned.  Nothing beats a properly tuned arrow no matter what it is made of.  In the end all that matters is that it delivers the point to the mark.

[rbaustin]

Woodies and fiberglas(mj logs) easy to tune and mj logs are almost indestructable

[Aaron Proffitt 2]

Wow...talk about a tough question to pin down.

I've shot carbons and alum. outta my longbows, and keep going back to wood. It's just me,but seeing a carbon arrow knocked on my longbow is sorta like using a cell phone while on horseback.Just seems off. But again,it's just me sayin' that.Got nothing to do with performance.

That being said,I think you'll find both materials to be superior to wood as far as weight consistency and straightness go.

Course,you might also be surprised how good you can get a 'curvy' arrow to fly or how little 50/100 grains difference makes to a deer when the shaft slips thru his ribs.