Easton axis vs fmj?

[RedShaft]

For those of you who used them. What do you prefer?
I know with some force the fmj can bend so it has me a little Leary of going to them. The axis are carbon type. How do they hold up? Any preference?
How do you like going to a skinny shaft like that?

[Michael Arnette]

I shot the axis traditionals for the first few weeks of season this year and really liked them. they are super durable and a little quieter than larger diameter carbon shafts. I'm shooting gold tips now just because they fly well from my lighter weight set up.

I've never used the full metal jacket but I'm sure they make a great shaft!

[Longbowlogan]

I've shot both and went with the Axis instead of the the FMJ. I bent to many FMJ's this summer and was not happy about it. The Axis shafts have treated me very well so far and are really tough! I plan on footing mine soon to make them that much stronger, I'm about to buy another dozen of the Axis shafts soon for a hog hunt I'm going on.

[AZ_Longbow]

Axis if you want to have a better FOC, FMJ if you want heavy. I shoot and like them both. Though I preference GT velocitys with a HFOC, I add a aluminum footer on everything as well. All of them held up well. Did not see much of a different durability hitting dirt and trees. Side impacts the FMJ and gt  held up better though.

[damascusdave]

I bent a perfectly good Full Metal Jacket a while ago by shooting it at an angle into the concrete in my basement...short of that they are not all that easy to mess up...having partnered with a friend to distribute Widowmaker arrows in Canada I will be going that way from now on...they are smaller diameter that the Easton arrows, use an outsert, and are both incredibly tough and well made

DDave

I shoot FMJ's. They are really tough. I go stump shooting with them, and have yet to bend one. I have never shot the regular Axis.

Bisch

[meatCKR]

Whichever way you go, strongly consider footing them.  I shoot Axis Traditionals and foot them with the little carbon collars from 3rivers.  Makes for one tough arrow.  Overshot my block target the other week and straight into a rock.  Field point bent about 5 degrees but the tip where the footing is was still intact. Just hammered it straight and back in the quiver.  All good.

Steve

[Mike Gerardi]

I shot an antelope buck in 2014 with a 340 fmj. It was a 32 yard heart shot pass threw. The cock feather came off and I went to refletch it when. I noticed the shaft was bent from just going threw the animal. I switched to the axis traditional  when I got home. I shot a whitetail buck this year with a Easton axis trad carbon 340 and again it was a pass threw and worth putting back in the quiver. When the fmj bends it stays bent.

[jeffroa2001]

I have been fortunate to shoot both, and I would say to go with the FMJs. Reason being is you do not have to worry about the collar splintering out on a hard impact. I have gone through a couple of the Axis from hitting hard targets such as trees, where the collar will splinter out. Regardless, you cant really go wrong with either. I will say that the FMJs are slightly harder to fletch using Fletch Tite. Just be patient when you fletch them and they will settle nicely.

Originally posted by Mike Gerardi:
When the fmj bends it stays bent.

Not if you have one of these:

   

I have starightened a couple using my Arizona Arrow Straightener. I won't hunt with them after I straighten it, but it is fine for practicing and 3D. I can get them within .002" straightness.

Bisch

[Warden609]

I really like both axis and FMJ. The FMJ is what I've been shooting the last two years. Like above I have an arrow straightener and use it sparingly. The FMJ hold up extremely well for me. I killed four deer with the same arrow this season. The only thing I don't like right now is I can't find any camo FMJ.

[Mike Gerardi]

How much did that set you back Bisch.

[Steve O]

I can't recall bending that many FMJs. I've actually broken a Snuffer and a judo shooting them directly into a steel plate to test then screwed on a new Snuffer on the same shaft and had perfect flight. I like all the Axis shafts but FMJs are my favorites.

[medic77]

I'm an FMJ fan here.  Axis are great too but I love the weight and feel of th free FMJ.  I have yet to bend one and I shoot the heck out of them.  They are footed as well and almost indestructible

[BDann]

I would love to try either of those shafts, but they need to make them just a little longer!

[md126]

I've shot both and like both. I currently shoot the Axis only because I feel like I get more consistent and better arrow flight with them, not for durability issues

Originally posted by Mike Gerardi:
How much did that set you back Bisch.

I paid about $125 for it years ago. I think they are around $175 now. It you shoot aluminum arrows, they are worth their weight in gold!!!!!

Bisch

[last arrow]

I have shot both.  As far as durability I think they are about the same, rarely breaking or bending either.  If you get a side impact the axis will break and the FMJ will bend, so both end up damaged.

The advantage of  the FMJ is they are easier to re-fletch because you can strip fletch, crown dips or caps with less risk of messing up the shaft.  You can also use hot melt glues to change out inserts with less risk to the shaft.

I feel the FMJs are more consistent but have no way to proove that.

[Mike Gerardi]

Thanks Bisch. Never tried one before.

[Iowabowhunter]

I really prefer the FMJ's. Much easier to pull from targets, I've never had issues with them bending in normal shooting situations. I think the aluminum jacket on the outside of the arrow could possible help w/penetration as well, but not sure exactly.

Using JB Weld, I've never had an insert push in on the FMJ