Aluminum vs Carbon

[Rick Butler]

I've pretty much always shot 2016 Legacy's thru my Widows but I'm thinking about trying some carbons.  I'd like to hear from those of you who shoot carbons what the real advantages are over aluminum?

[Buckeyehunter]

The only real advantage I see is durability.  You can't bend carbon.

[Jeff Strubberg]

They are quieter (maybe not on the shot, but every time you ting em against something).

They aren't cold like aluminum.

More durable overall (although heavy wall aluminum is darn durable).

They front load better.

They are either straight or they are broken.

[DBerrard]

Nothing beats a legacy though.  

[Jeff Strubberg]

It's a terrible thing to have as many good choices as we do.

One thing to be aware of, you will have to make some concessions to get a carbon flying for you if you are shooting 2016's now.  Your going to have to load up the tip or leave some extra length to get the spine you need.

[ishoot4thrills]

I second the Legacy 2016s. Aluminum is easier to work with. Like using heat to turn/remove your inserts so your broadheads will line up the same on all of them. And you don't have to worry about scraping old fletching off of aluminum shafts and damaging them. Carbons will crack on the point end too. Aluminums, generally, are cheaper, too. But, I know if they get a dent/ding in them, then they are done. I've shot both, but only aluminum in trad. Still, I prefer aluminum for the above reasons.

P.S. Let me know if ya wanna trade off those 2016s. I may have something you need, who knows?

Doug

[Rick Butler]

Yeah I don't think I'm gonna give up my Legacy's, but just toying with the idea of trying Carbons

[Shawn Leonard]

Have to disagree with every statement made about aluminums. They are noisier at the shot, they do not tune as easily as a carbon and a dozen carbons will outlast a dozen aluminums 5 or 6 to one. I would rather shoot wood than aluminum, it is as durable is quieter at the shot and easier to tune. Sorry but I never have liked them, for the guys who do, good for ya! Shawn

[SuperK]

Hey Rick, I spent the better part of this past weekend messing around with some GT 3555 arrows/shafts.  I too use 2016 when I shoot aluminum.  Long story short..to heck with the carbon!  When I finally hit on the right combo of point weight/length, etc; they didn't hit where my woodies and 2016's did.  If 'ya just got to find out for yourself (like I did !), only buy a few (or borrow) to play around with.

[KentuckyTJ]

I've found the opposite of SuperK. I shoot 2016's and 3555's. I find the 3555's shoot faster, quieter and are much more durable as stated already. You will go through at least three dozen aluminums before you would go through a dozen carbons.

Finding the proper spine is the key so if you do get them, take just one arrow and shoot it full length and then cut it down a half inch to an inch at a time to find the best spine for your bow before cutting all of them. I shoot them out of all four of my recurves ranging in poundage from 50-56 lbs.

Love the 2016's as well but the carbons are wonderful. The 3555's are lighter than the aluminums so I use a 100 grain brass insert to pump the FOC up.

I wish I knew where someone was selling a test kit like they do for the Sitka's  so you could test them without buying a whole dozen. I think I've seen half dozens on the big E auction site.

Good luck.

T.J.

[mcgroundstalker]

Carbon? ... Wood? ... 2016s? ... If you ask me they are all good! Carbon is a bit of a chore to tune but if they are (footed) front and back are almost bomb proof. Although they look funny that way. Wood is just cool and smells good when it's cut. Takes time, if you have it, to prepare into arrows. Can't have enough 2016's! Great for all sorts of target shooting and some hunting too.

BUT... For deer hunting with a longbow I just gotta use wood. That's what my heart tells me anyway. If I ever take my TFV off the wall I will be using Carbon Express w/100 gr. brass inserts and a heavy broadhead.

... mike ...

[George D. Stout]

I like my aluminums and have for forty years.  I've found them super easy to tune and the multitude of sizes allow for easy pickin'.  I think choices are great and carbon will develop into a better arrow for the traditional shooter.
If you like those extreme fronts of center that everyone is touting nowadays, carbon is the way to go.  Just be tickled there is so much available.

[Dartwick]

Ive shot aluminum for 15 or 20 years.
Im getting a new bow this spring and I plan to shoot carbons in it from the start.

It seems that for all the reasons I had chose aluminum, with the current carbon I can do as good or better(price, durability, consistencyand etc).

Im kind curious and excited to see how they work out.

[Rick Butler]

Michael, Cedar is all I shoot out of my Hill bows, can't bring myself to use anything else and half the fun of using them is making them.

[shootist1952]

The thought of carbons scare me big time and I would NEVER use them,they will/do splinter,and if you have ever gotten a shaft thrue your bow hand you'll think twice about wood and thrice about carbon,at least with wood if a catastrophic failure occurs you will have biodegradeabel slinters.If you doubt the very real threat of this happening just go to Easterns website and read the precautions about carbon shafts from the producer of them.I would never risk eating venison shot by a carbon shaft...ooo yum carbon splinters.I'm not trying to be a wise guy here as just about everyone knows more than I do,but every time I hear about people loading up the front to get the shafts to bend I just cring,some guys are really aching for the bacon.Of course its all just bull until it happens to you,I hope it never does.

[Jeff Strubberg]

You don't want to use carbon, that's your choice.  
Carbons have been in use as arrow stock for a decade, and in golf club shafts and fishing poles for longer than that.  Carbon isn't any more likely to splinter than aluminum or wood are to break, and the bunk about carbon splinters in meat is just exactly that, bunk.

[shootist1952]

????...OOOKEEE..DOEKEEE. I am speaking from real life experiance and published data from the manufacturer as well as pictures I have seen of carbon shafts that have failed and gone thru peoples bow hand.I'm not trying to upset anyone,just trying to help keep people safe,course its none of my bussiness what others do,just saying it hurts like hell and its probably not a good thing?

[Jeff Strubberg]

Can it happen?  Sure. Aluminum can also fatigue and come apart ont he shot.  Wood can have flaws that don't reveal themselves until you put the material under strees.

Does it happen?  About as often as a million dollar slot payoff.

Let's try and keep the discussion over shafting open.

[KentuckyTJ]

I agree Jeff.

[ishoot4thrills]

Ouch, Jeff. Little harsh?