Pros and cons of aluminum arrows

[3children]

When you think about it the alumimum arrow will always out penitrate the carbon due to weight! The more the shaft weighs, the more energy it has absorbed from the bow, to a certain point. Picture a bicycle and a big truck, both going the same speed, ok a motor bike. Both hit a tree, which one will do more damage, the heavier one of course. The same goes with arrows.

[Big Hat]

3 aluminum, 3 carbon, 3 for pigs and 3 for deer

[rocky]

3 aluminum, 3 carbon, 3 for pigs and 3 for deer

Are they the same diameter and/or spine?

[Mudslinger]

Not only what Rocky ask, but are the completed arrows the same weight? If any of those 3, especially the spine and weight are not the same there is hardly anyway they could shoot the same.

[Bill]

Just curious, in what part of the country are aluminum arrows still really popular?

Carbons are more durable since they don't dent or bend, and can be significantly lighter weight than an aluminum arrow for higher velocity. Penetration has been debated on archery web sites for 10+ years.

[Robbie93hunt]

Alluminum arrows bend real easily

[Mudslinger]

I will debunk the myth about aluminum arrows bending easy. It all depends on the wall thickness. the 12's 13's and 14's have a tendency to bend easier, but go with a 16 or higher and there are almost as sturdy as carbon. yes aluminum will crease if another arrow hits them, but a carbon will crack or splinter with the same thing. how many threads on here have you seen with carbon arrows in someones hand and people begging others to check their carbon's before they shoot them. Yea the debate on penetration of light vs heavy will always go on, but it will sure help on a bone or marginal hit on thick skin bigger animals if the arrow is heavier. Probably more evidence to back the heavy side of an arrow than the light. i use to think the same that a light arrow with more velocity was better until this year and going from a 410 grain to a 560 grain made a lot of difference in my shooting/accuracy and penetration. I am a converted speed freak and will never look back.

[Bill]

We agree on weight. I shoot 510 grain CT Rhinos from my compound bow. I've never seen a carbon damaged from a glancing hit from another arrow next to it in a target, like with aluminum. I think in 15 years spending time on bowhunting web sites, I've probably seen 4 injuries from a carbon arrow splintering, which considering how many millions of arrows have been shot, the injuries are real and serious but very low probability especially if you check them. Shoot what you trust I guess is the best.

[Mudslinger]

Bill, I have creased and cracked or splintered quiet a few carbons in my years of shooting them. All the way from ACC's to Gold Tips. Bill there have been probably 4 injuries reported on AT this year alone. i know of one I saw personally but it was a wooden arrow shot out of a compound.