Aluminum arrow question

[Jake Diebolt]

Just a question for the experts: I've always shot aluminum arrows, never wood or carbon. I've heard carbon or wood arrows can catastrophically fail (eg shatter) when shot if they're damaged by a previous shot. Does this happen with aluminum as well - for example, if an aluminum arrow has bent or has a deep scratch from a near miss with a broadhead? I've got a couple arrows that I don't shoot because of things like that, and I'd like to know.

[M60gunner]

I would not shoot the bent arrows. If they are kinked where the bend is you have an item for the recycle bin. You can get away  with a groove in an arrow but to be safe I would recycle it. Now if those bent arrows can be straighten they would do for Pratice, stumping, etc.

[BOWMARKS]

I am another aluminumn arrow user,I have arrows simalar to what you are asking and still shoot them.
I straighten my arrows if bent and right back in the quiver.
I think they would have to have a crack in them for any problems.

[iohkus]

Have never heard of any "catastophic" failers in an aluminum arrow. Have straightened and used bent arrows, but kinked ones are another story, I could never get them reusable. Never any problem with scratched/gouged shafts.

[Night Wing]

I've been bowhunting with aluminum arrows for 48 years. A little dent, no problem. I don't bowhunt with bent aluminums though. Bent aluminums affect accuracy.

[John J]

Apart from being far less accurate, I have never had any problems like splintering with bent aluminums nor have I heard of anyone else having any. I have seen several pictures of people who have had their carbons splinter on them. It looked pretty bad. That said I do shoot carbons occasionally, though I prefer my aluminums.

Honestly though, I don't see any reason to use bent or otherwise compromised arrows. They will hurt your accuracy. If you are attempting to improve your accuracy, hunt, or plain old have fun, bent arrows will really throw you off. JMHO

John