Hunting Arrows

[WapitiTalk1]

A dozen fletched arrows range from $80 to $180. Is the quality, manufacturing tolerance, durability, and overall accuracy significant enough to buy towards the high end of the scale versus the lower end?

[>>>---WW---->]

Unless you are a top flight target shooter, I'd have to say no. Others may differ.

[Swede]

Don't tell the elk I hunt, but I go cheap. The elk I hunt think they are special, and I don't want to offend them, but they just think I go high end. The same goes for broad heads. I bought out Mall Warts inventory of Muzzy when they went on sale in January a little over a year ago.

[cnelk]

I hunt for stupid elk.
Many stupid elk have deceased by me using cheap arrows.

And I have missed both smart elk and stupid elk using expensive and cheap arrows....

[pointysticks]

i want to try Deer Crossing archery arrows!! CHEAP!

they are getting good reviews over on AT. i think $60 per dozen, with norway fletchings. $80 per dozen gets you half of the package loaded with lighted nocks, and the remaining six with regular nocks that are weighted the same. nice touch.

my current arrows are complicated. over-spined with added insert weights to bring it into spec..leaves me a high FOC. not sure deer archery arrows can accommodate me.

[buglmin]

Sorry, but you get what you pay for...you buy cheap, you get cheap.
That being said, the Beman ICS Hunter shafts are as low as Im willing to go. And as a custom arrow maker, I wont sell a customer cheap shafts. If they want cheap, go elsewhere!! All of my personal arrows will shoot in the same hole from a shooting machine, something you dont see with cheap arrows. Owning and then working in an archery pro shop gave me lots of time to play with arrows. And the fact that you get wht you paid for shows.
The difference in .001 and .003 is not enough to notice, but shafts three pounds off in spine will give you very bad broadhead flight.
I only shoot the best, and that inlcludes BEA Rampage and Deep Impact shafts, Easton FMJ's, ACC's, and Gold Tip Pro series shafts.
If you want good prices on arrows, look into ebay. You'll find good shafts cheaper then I can make them...

[Freebird134]

My interest in an arrow usually starts with the insert. No matter how tight the shaft tolerances, if the insert isn't seated square a broadhead won't fly well. That being said, I usually end up with a higher priced arrow that has a "fancy" insert.

[POk3s]

A few years ago I used the "Carbon Express Maxima Hunter" Arrows. Darn near the most expensive arrows you could find at that time. I could never get them to shoot well enough for me to continue to spend that kind of cash on them shooting at grouse, antelope, and whatever else so I switched to Easton Axis. As long as Easton keeps making these arrows I will continue to buy them. I mesh well with them and they are not nearly as expensive as some of the others.

[Backcountry]

"Cheap" arrows can be made to fly just as well as the more expensive sets. Gold Tip is considered cheap by many, yet remains one of the toughest and cheapest you can buy. Carbon Express on the other hand, is entirely overpriced IMHO. Their "dual spine" technology is a joke.

It's all relative, but with some research a guy can definitely put together a deadly cheap arrow setup as others have demonstrated.

[ElkNut1]

Skinny Easton Axis arrows fly excellent & are one of the toughest arrows I've hunted & tested. They run 80.00- 90.00 a doz or so & I'd have them in my quiver any day!

ElkNut1

[diggerson]

"Cheap" arrows can be made to fly just as well as the more expensive sets. Gold Tip is considered cheap by many, yet remains one of the toughest and cheapest you can buy. Carbon Express on the other hand, is entirely overpriced IMHO. Their "dual spine" technology is a joke.

It's all relative, but with some research a guy can definitely put together a deadly cheap arrow setup as others have demonstrated."

My first few years I used the cheaper Gold Tips (Expedition Hunter), then got caught up in the FMJ craze. After shooting those for a couple of years, and being down to my last 4 good FMJ arrows, for practice I pulled out and refletched a bunch of those "cheap" Gold Tip shafts. With some lengths of weed trimmer line inserted, I was able to match the arrow weight of my FMJs (and get close on other specs), and now again have a full stock of arrows that shoot the same as the FMJs. To a really good archer, there may be a difference, but I can't outshoot the difference. I may "upgrade" to GT Hunter XTs for my hunting arrows, as I have a few of those in my arsenal as well, but doubt I can make these outshoot the Expeditions either.

[pointysticks]

i love goldtips.

one day, sipping coffee on my buddy's mom's property, we saw a huge flock of mountain quail. my friends says, you have your bird stamp? "why yes!"

we spend the morning running and gunning shooting judo tips at those birds. i'm embarrassed to report we hit NONE of them, but it was giddy fun. goldtips XT hunters 5575's

in the end, i was the only guy not to break a single arrow. i was center punching rocks, trees..pretty much everything except a quail. that "no rangefinder" rule my friend implemented was stupid.

now with my newer bow, i shoot GT velocity XT300's. i have broken a few, not many. 3? i get that south shore archery guy to build them for me. when i heard he may retire, i quickly ordered another 2 dozen. i have 3.5 dozen bullets now. i hope and pray any new bow i get can shoot them well.

GT are regular prices. not cheap, not expensive. i like them.

[buglmin]

The Gold Tip Pro series shafts aint vheap, and its the lower grade of shafts that are the cheap ones. And with the Carbon Epress shafts, its a spine Issue that most guys cant get them to tune perfectly. It takes more time to tune then with a shaft like the Axis that isnt built weight forward.
Having to use something in a set of shafts to get matched weights tell me that I wouldnt be using those shafts...
Squaring up inserts is something I do on every arrow I build, and with the HIT insert shafts, squaring the shaft is a most also.
The Axis, Beman MX shafs are great shafts, til you shoot the Injections, VAP's, and the BEA Rampages...a lot better arrow for a few more dollars.
But, say what you want, the Easton ACC is a great shaft that is very hard to beat. Its been around for a long time, and was the shaft most shafts were compared to.

[Backcountry]

The Gold Tip Pro series shafts aint vheap, and its the lower grade of shafts that are the cheap ones. And with the Carbon Epress shafts, its a spine Issue that most guys cant get them to tune perfectly. It takes more time to tune then with a shaft like the Axis that isnt built weight forward.
Having to use something in a set of shafts to get matched weights tell me that I wouldnt be using those shafts...
Squaring up inserts is something I do on every arrow I build, and with the HIT insert shafts, squaring the shaft is a most also.
The Axis, Beman MX shafs are great shafts, til you shoot the Injections, VAP's, and the BEA Rampages...a lot better arrow for a few more dollars.
But, say what you want, the Easton ACC is a great shaft that is very hard to beat. Its been around for a long time, and was the shaft most shafts were compared to.

I was referring to carbon express' claim that their arrows are weight forward, when in fact they are not.

I believe the reference in adding weight to arrows to match up to the others was a reference from two different weighted shafts from two different companies... I.e. adding a weight tube.

I do agree, ACC's are and were an excellent shaft

[Lefty]

Im cheap and on a budget,. so I get arrows and gear on sale.I had bumped up my draw weight and saw my arrows tail walking , so I bought stiffer and shortened my arrows and stayed with Montec broad-heads they seem to fly nearly as good as my target arrows.

My father-in law says ammo is the cheapest part of the hunt, so Ill include arrows. I lost a quiver , a few arrows while hunting and unfound shot arrows,.. over 4 years, 8 arrows , still cheaper than a couple of scouting trips, or flat tires ( I average two destroyed tires per year hunting and scouting)

I spend more on September gas for the truck than any two months combined
So if it cost me $15 per year more shooting much better I can live with that


I spoke with a friend of my brothers last summer, big white-tail killers, Mostly Iowa but trophy in other states, they kill lots of deer, most of their arrow set up are all from Walmart

[buglmin]

Sad that you spend so much on a bow, sight, arrowrest, and then buy cheap arrows. In reality, thats one of the most important part of a great tuned set up and broadhead flight.
I experienced yhe same thing with my arrows recently, the tail wagging, and it was caused by a high FOC. A change to a lighter broadhead and 3" vanes corrected the problem right away. Now my arrows are 13% foc...

[Backcountry]

Sad that you spend so much on a bow, sight, arrowrest, and then buy cheap arrows. In reality, thats one of the most important part of a great tuned set up and broadhead flight.
I experienced yhe same thing with my arrows recently, the tail wagging, and it was caused by a high FOC. A change to a lighter broadhead and 3" vanes corrected the problem right away. Now my arrows are 13% foc...

I think you were seeing "tail walking" issues from a weak spine, not a high FOC.

[Triplebhunters]

Check these out from campfire. http://www.camofire.com/?utm_source=Elk ... onsor+Link
Wish I could find acc pro hunters for that price

[buglmin]

No sir, all my arrows are always the same spine, no matter how I build them, and no matter what bow they are built for. I have very tight tolerances for my arrows in spine and finished arrow weight. I do things most guys wold never consider to my arrows, even the arrows from my recurves are built to very tight specs...

[Backcountry]

No sir, all my arrows are always the same spine, no matter how I build them, and no matter what bow they are built for. I have very tight tolerances for my arrows in spine and finished arrow weight. I do things most guys wold never consider to my arrows, even the arrows from my recurves are built to very tight specs...

How did you keep the same spine on the same shaft with two different head weights? That's impossible.

With a heavier weight upfront (higher FOC) your spine gets weaker.

[ElkNut1]

I can see if you're a hunter with tight spine tolerances to poundage & draw length shot that that a mere 25 grains could impede spine issues. I've had as much as 300 grains up front on arrows shot out of compounds, in order to do this I had to go to .300 spine arrows because 340-350 spine was too weak. Heavier spine allows heavier tip weights weaker spine allows lighter weighted tips. All depends on how heavy of an arrow setup a guy/gal wants to hunt with. Speed can be a factor as well.

ElkNut1

[Huntography]

Been hearing good things from Deer Crossing Archery as well.

My good friend Jesse, who I filmed shoot 3 deer in two days last year in West Virginia for my 3rd Deer hunting DVD , will be using their new SD arrows this year while I film his first elk hunt in Colorado.

I may get him to make some for me as well.

Here's my setup for elk:

Bow: Bowtech Insanity CPXL
Arrow: Easton Axis
Insert: Deep SIX
Spine: 300
Weight: 500gr
Speed: 294
Kinetic energy: 95.99
Broadhead - Helix 125 gr
Vanes - Blazer right helical
Sight: Montana Black Gold Ascent Ambush
Rest: DOA

Rudy


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

[Freebird134]

Here's my setup for elk:

Bow: Bowtech Insanity CPXL
Arrow: Easton Axis
Insert: Deep SIX
Spine: 300
Weight: 500gr
Speed: 294

That's pretty dang fast for a 500g arrow and a CPXL. Is that measured or estimated fps? I have never got my CPXL over 284fps with 470g arrows, 70# @ 30" draw length. My software suggests I should be around 290s...but I've never got that on a chrono.

[pointysticks]

seriously..fast!!

a 500gr arrow flying at almost 300 fps second is unreal!! poor animals standing in the way. what is the DL on this bow?

my 416gr arrows fly at a paltry 268..shameful!

[POk3s]

Yep....that's as close to perfect as you can get I think! I shoot a 450 gr arrow and last I checked I was at 293 fps out of my 82nd airborne.

[Washington Wapiti]

For me no. I'm slummin' it these days. Stalker Extremes this year to fit my budget! I love the Beman ICS Hunters, been using them for 5 years. I switched to the FMJs for a short period, and I do dig those. And gosh, they sure look pretty. But I bowhunt small game AND big game in equal parts. I shoot a buttload of cottontails and grouse. After a season of doing that with FMJs, losing them or damaging them . . . it is hard to justify $13+ dollars an arrow. Even when hitting your furry little bunny, there's a chance for damage to your shaft. I didn't see a huge difference in my groups between the FMJs and the Bemans at longer yardages . . . .0.001 versus 0.003. My brother jokes that the Stalker Extremes and Bemans are made at the same factory in China, they just slap a different insignia on it. Hes' probably right, and he nails something every year with them. So, I'm giving the Stalker's with blazers a shot this year. No pun intended. Maybe when I have my own hunting show, and I'm semi-rich and famous . . . I will switch back to the higher end stuff. Until then, it isn't worth the stress of "babying my ammo," when I seem to shoot as well regardless.

[diggerson]

"Seriously..fast!!

a 500gr arrow flying at almost 300 fps second is unreal!! poor animals standing in the way. what is the DL on this bow?

my 416gr arrows fly at a paltry 268..shameful!"

I'm guessing Rudy has a ridiculously long DL, since he's six-foot-forever tall.

[Huntography]

Thanks Diggerson It's true, I am a bit of a sasquatch ya know.

Everything was tested, calculated and chrono'd at one of my local archery shops when I set up my new bow.

I have a 31.5 in draw.

After we calculated the KE, a couple of guys were standing by and said I should just go to Africa now

When I shot with Bnsafe, he asked what I was shooting because my arrow went much deeper into the first 40 yard target than his.

I love this bow. My second Bowtech.

I originally wanted injections but they did not come in a 300 spine so the shop guys said I should go with the Easton Axis and the Deep Six insert so it could accommodate my 125 gr Helix broadhead. So far, I'm happy I did.

I can't wait to get a shot at an animal with it.

Speed goats are up first.

Rudy

[Freebird134]

31.5"!!! That explains the speed!

[Buglemaster]

I have always been satisfied with either Beman mfx or Easton axis arrows. They are not the cheapest nor what I would consider high end arrows, but they work for me. I just picked up a half doz bemans off the classifieds on archery talk for $30. New to boot! Works for me.

[pointysticks]

31.5"!!! That explains the speed!

Yup. I hate shooting with my tall friend. Bow tech also. I can barely pull out his arrows with my little short arms. Awesome. Fast heavy arrows are awesome.

[Washington Wapiti]

I have a 31.5 in draw.



Whoa.

[scrubs]

For me no. I'm slummin' it these days. Stalker Extremes this year to fit my budget! I love the Beman ICS Hunters, been using them for 5 years. My brother jokes that the Stalker Extremes and Bemans are made at the same factory in China, they just slap a different insignia on it. Hes' probably right, and he nails something every year with them. So, I'm giving the Stalker's with blazers a shot this year.

Are you guys running fixed blade broadheads? If so, how are the Stalker Extremes grouping with bh`s, especially at longer ranges?

I have been running the Bemans ICS`s for years. A few years ago I bought some of the SE`s for stump shooting and grouse arrows. Got them on sale for $45.00 a dozen for raw shafts.
I was told that the SE`s and Beman hunters were the exact same shaft and that they were made in the USA????

I have never tried them with a bh, might have to give that shot.

[Washington Wapiti]

Hey Scrubs, sorry, didn't see your reply here! Yep, I had to move from Rages when I was in Utah, to fixed when I moved back to WA, so there was a little bit of adjusting. Other than having to correct my windage on a fixed versus mechanical, I've been perfectly happy with my groups out to 70 yards with the Beman's/SE. The SE and Bemans are both of .003 tolerances, and I don't seem to have a problem using them interchangeably. I can pull either one out of my quiver and excpect basically the same flight. So, that doesn't surprise me that they would be the same shaft! I cannot tell a difference whatsoever between the two. That's great to hear they are made in the US. I've never actually checked into it . . . but the bro and I just joke around like that cuz that's how we are. I should qualify what I said in my earlier comment. I did have to make an adjustment to my elevation, (maybe windage too I can't remember) when switching to the FMJ and back to the Beman. I was not able to shoot those interchangeably. But when shooting the two arrow types at their respective positions, my groups weren't any tighter or looser . . . if that makes sense.

[scrubs]

Thanks for the info Washington Wapiti. I will have to give them a try with broadheads. They are a tough shaft, I`ve burned thru 2 dozen (SE)over several years of stump shooting and grouse hunting. I rarely break them.

[WapitiTalk1]

So far, I like the Stalker Extremes for a relatively lower end of the price range arrow. I bought a dozen three or so weeks ago and fletched them up with blazers (X4). Incidentally, this is my first ever fletching attempt. Total cost for the dozen was pretty low as I bought the pre-cut shafts with inserts/nocks only. These arrows seem pretty comparable to the Beman's I've been shooting for the past few years. Here's my recorded shot from the "cold shot" thread. It's 60 yards with a shuttle T. Not too bad. The arrow hit left as I pulled it that way . They seem to fly, well, straight as an arrow

[elknturkey]

BEA 350 rampages, 125gr tricks, and 50gr brass insert. 418 grains with like 21% foc and fly plum awesome. Shot axis for years and they are very good as well. Tried vaps but the insert/outsert is the weak point and even with the beloved firenocks aren't up to snuff.

[scrubs]

So far, I like the Stalker Extremes for a relatively lower end of the price range arrow. I bought a dozen three or so weeks ago and fletched them up with blazers (X4). Incidentally, this is my first ever fletching attempt. Total cost for the dozen was pretty low as I bought the pre-cut shafts with inserts/nocks only. These arrows seem pretty comparable to the Beman's I've been shooting for the past few years. Here's my recorded shot from the "cold shot" thread. It's 60 yards with a shuttle T. Not too bad. The arrow hit left as I pulled it that way . They seem to fly, well, straight as an arrow

Pretty darn convincing right there

[WindedBowhunter]

For hunting most bowhunters will not see a difference in .001 shafts over .003, as I generally recommend the .003 for most bowhunters that like to tune their gear.

Expensive is all subjective... Most of the time, you get what you pay for.

There are a lot of good arrow manufacturers making great arrows. Some of these manufacturers make a "cheaper grade" shaft, for the archer that doesn't want to pay for their top-end shafts.

I would recommend by the best that you can afford and that would make tuning at least a little easier.

Then be confident in your equipment that your shooting, no need for second guesses when you're at full draw on an animal...

[Washington Wapiti]

Thanks for the info Washington Wapiti. I will have to give them a try with broadheads. They are a tough shaft, I`ve burned thru 2 dozen (SE)over several years of stump shooting and grouse hunting. I rarely break them.

The grouse hunting arrow of choice! LOL

[Washington Wapiti]

So far, I like the Stalker Extremes for a relatively lower end of the price range arrow. I bought a dozen three or so weeks ago and fletched them up with blazers (X4). Incidentally, this is my first ever fletching attempt. Total cost for the dozen was pretty low as I bought the pre-cut shafts with inserts/nocks only. These arrows seem pretty comparable to the Beman's I've been shooting for the past few years. Here's my recorded shot from the "cold shot" thread. It's 60 yards with a shuttle T. Not too bad. The arrow hit left as I pulled it that way . They seem to fly, well, straight as an arrow

Nice! LOL How'd the fletching job go? I haven't ventured into this area myself, but have thought a lot about it. Did you put a helical on it? It's funny, I actually have never had the helical done on the SEs or Bemans. The proshop I was going to during my FMJ phase, just did it when they cut and fletched my arrows, and I liked it. Wicked spin!

[Washington Wapiti]

Then be confident in your equipment that your shooting, no need for second guesses when you're at full draw on an animal...

Indeed . . . Thanks WindedBowhunter!

[WapitiTalk1]

Washington Wapiti, the fletching job (my first) went pretty well and they seem to be staying on. I just picked up an inexpensive single fletch jig with both a straight and right offset attachments. I used the right offset for the arrows and they seem to fly really well. It didn't take long to get a good battle rhythm going on the fletching jig but it takes a "long" time to fletch a dozen, attaching one blazer vane at a time, four times per arrow. Each fletch you attach needs to sit for a good 10 or so minutes before you rotate the arrow and do another fletch.

[scrubs]

Thanks for the info Washington Wapiti. I will have to give them a try with broadheads. They are a tough shaft, I`ve burned thru 2 dozen (SE)over several years of stump shooting and grouse hunting. I rarely break them.

The grouse hunting arrow of choice! LOL

Yes indeed they are

[mtnmutt]

Phantom, you may want to try fastest gel. I use the easy AZ fletch tool. I do all 3 vanes and only wait 3 minutes per arrow for blazers. Its 5-10 minutes for feathers, but I do not do feathers.

[WapitiTalk1]

Phantom, you may want to try fastest gel. I use the easy AZ fletch tool. I do all 3 vanes and only wait 3 minutes per arrow for blazers. Its 5-10 minutes for feathers, but I do not do feathers.

Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely check it out. RJ

[Washington Wapiti]

Washington Wapiti, the fletching job (my first) went pretty well and they seem to be staying on. I just picked up an inexpensive single fletch jig with both a straight and right offset attachments. I used the right offset for the arrows and they seem to fly really well. It didn't take long to get a good battle rhythm going on the fletching jig but it takes a "long" time to fletch a dozen, attaching one blazer vane at a time, four times per arrow. Each fletch you attach needs to sit for a good 10 or so minutes before you rotate the arrow and do another fletch.

That battle rhythm is important! Cool, one of these days I'll get motivated . . . its is hard enough just to find time to write on the forum, let alone fletch my own arrows lol

[slim9300]

I am not the norm obviously. My arrows are about $160 per dozen fully built and the only person on the planet I trust to build them is Jerry over at South Shore Archery. Every arrow is spine indexed, 4 fletched with blazers perfectly I may add thanks to a Firenock jig, squared on both ends, spine matched, and within 0.5 grains total weight. I am not necessary partial to Gold Tip but they are Velocity Pro .300's with a 50 grain aluminum insert (new from GT) and 24 grain Firenock (or practice weight version) for a 455 grain total weight arrow.

I can't really see the difference in arrows from 40 yards and in, but from 60-110 yards it's very easy to see the difference. I try not to shoot animals past 60 yards but once an animal is wounded I'll keep shooting out to 110 yards. I have actually 're-shot' a few elk at 80-100 yards when they just stood there wondering what happened. It had always resulted in a quicker and more effective kill.

Having the perfect arrow allows me to shoot 'tight' groups at ungodly long ranges. It is however only one piece of the puzzle.

[FemoralArchery]

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1376496488.274245.jpg (95.63 KiB) Viewed 49278 times

I've been getting mine ready. I'm shooting Gold Tip hunters and I have half a dozen Nugent arrows laying there too.

I think with wraps and after fletching, I'm in them about $57 a dozen.

[WindedBowhunter]

I am not the norm obviously. My arrows are about $160 per dozen fully built and the only person on the planet I trust to build them is Jerry over at South Shore Archery. Every arrow is spine indexed, 4 fletched

Jerry is the master of arrow building for sure! And a great guy with no ego!

[stickflngr]

This is a tip I got from a Goldtip rep a few years ago when I owned my archery shop....

If you buy .003 shafts, then cut 1-2 inches off the nock end before you cut it to size, more time than not you will end up with an arrow that is closer to a .001 than a .003 as usually the run out is at the end of the arrow..

I did some shooting with arrows cut this way and with some just cut from one end out of a hooter shooter at 60 yards and there was a noticeable (2") in group size. I shoot FMJ's myself but still cut from both ends and I do think it helps.

[WindedBowhunter]

This is a tip I got from a Goldtip rep a few years ago when I owned my archery shop....

If you buy .003 shafts, then cut 1-2 inches off the nock end before you cut it to size, more time than not you will end up with an arrow that is closer to a .001 than a .003 as usually the run out is at the end of the arrow..

I did some shooting with arrows cut this way and with some just cut from one end out of a hooter shooter at 60 yards and there was a noticeable (2") in group size. I shoot FMJ's myself but still cut from both ends and I do think it helps.

GREAT TIP, Thanks for sharing! Yep, as the center of the shaft is generally straighter. We cut our arrows equally from both ends.

[dotman]

I am not the norm obviously. My arrows are about $160 per dozen fully built and the only person on the planet I trust to build them is Jerry over at South Shore Archery. Every arrow is spine indexed, 4 fletched with blazers perfectly I may add thanks to a Firenock jig, squared on both ends, spine matched, and within 0.5 grains total weight. I am not necessary partial to Gold Tip but they are Velocity Pro .300's with a 50 grain aluminum insert (new from GT) and 24 grain Firenock (or practice weight version) for a 455 grain total weight arrow.

I can't really see the difference in arrows from 40 yards and in, but from 60-110 yards it's very easy to see the difference. I try not to shoot animals past 60 yards but once an animal is wounded I'll keep shooting out to 110 yards. I have actually 're-shot' a few elk at 80-100 yards when they just stood there wondering what happened. It had always resulted in a quicker and more effective kill.

Having the perfect arrow allows me to shoot 'tight' groups at ungodly long ranges. It is however only one piece of the puzzle.

Conlan, Jerry delivered that exact setup to me in the BEA Rampages. Amazing job he does and top of the line customer service. I have in the past always done my own arrow setup but lacking time this year to play I went with Jerry and will go with him again.

[Washington Wapiti]

I am not the norm obviously. My arrows are about $160 per dozen fully built and the only person on the planet I trust to build them is Jerry over at South Shore Archery. Every arrow is spine indexed, 4 fletched with blazers perfectly I may add thanks to a Firenock jig, squared on both ends, spine matched, and within 0.5 grains total weight. I am not necessary partial to Gold Tip but they are Velocity Pro .300's with a 50 grain aluminum insert (new from GT) and 24 grain Firenock (or practice weight version) for a 455 grain total weight arrow.

I can't really see the difference in arrows from 40 yards and in, but from 60-110 yards it's very easy to see the difference. I try not to shoot animals past 60 yards but once an animal is wounded I'll keep shooting out to 110 yards. I have actually 're-shot' a few elk at 80-100 yards when they just stood there wondering what happened. It had always resulted in a quicker and more effective kill.

Having the perfect arrow allows me to shoot 'tight' groups at ungodly long ranges. It is however only one piece of the puzzle.

Slim, you must be a fan of the FMP guys. no doubt to what you are saying, as any small variance is only hugely amplified at those longer yardages. It is great that you take that kind care and mulah to ensure the accuracy of your arrows when shooting 80+ yards out. I would NOT be shooting grouse and rabbits with an arrow of that stature.

BTW, it appears we are UW Alumni brothers. College of Forest Resources - Widlife Science. I was THE last to graduate with that particular undergrad degree before they changed the degree pathways in CFR . . . woot, woot!

[Washington Wapiti]

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1376496488.274245.jpg

I've been getting mine ready. I'm shooting Gold Tip hunters and I have half a dozen Nugent arrows laying there too.

I think with wraps and after fletching, I'm in them about $57 a dozen.

Blood Sample Here . . . LOL! Love the Nuge arrows!

[Washington Wapiti]

This is a tip I got from a Goldtip rep a few years ago when I owned my archery shop....

If you buy .003 shafts, then cut 1-2 inches off the nock end before you cut it to size, more time than not you will end up with an arrow that is closer to a .001 than a .003 as usually the run out is at the end of the arrow..

I did some shooting with arrows cut this way and with some just cut from one end out of a hooter shooter at 60 yards and there was a noticeable (2") in group size. I shoot FMJ's myself but still cut from both ends and I do think it helps.

GREAT TIP, Thanks for sharing! Yep, as the center of the shaft is generally straighter. We cut our arrows equally from both ends.

Indeed, great tip!