Sunday, August 06, 2006
Aluminum Or Carbon: That Is The Question
My Buck Pole Archery Shop sells all kinds of things. Obviously, the C.P. Oneida Black Eagle bows. The Pollington 33mm red-dot sight is another item, and the Gator-Jaw release.
There are some books available by Dave Richey and Ted Nugent. Oh, I almost forgot. We also have arrow, both aluminum and carbon.
Arrows right now seem to captivate the bow-hunting public. They want fast, straight, strong and tough arrows. For some people, choosing which arrow shaft to shoot is a perplexing problem.
I’ve narrowed the choice down for my customers. There are the Eastman Outfitters Carbon Express carbon arrows and aluminum shafts from Easton. Many (up to 75 percent of my arrow sales is made up of carbon shafts, and the other 25 percent are aluminum).
It’s been my habit for many years to shoot aluminum shafts, and I still like them but carbon shafts have, over the last several years, proved to me (I was perhaps the toughest sell of all) that all the hoary old tales and myths spread years ago about carbon shafts are unfounded.
My biggest seller is Eastman Outfitters Carbon Express series of carbon shafts, and the arrow most people buy are the Maxima Hunter shafts.
Their new 2006 model features “Front Of Center” design. This breakthrough in carbon arrow technology allows archers to shoot with exceptional down-range accuracy.
It fuses BuffTuff Crossweave on the rear of the shaft with BuffTuff Timber Illusion camouflage on the front. The gradual weight forward distribution significantly reduces spine torque. The result is an exceptionally strong arrow that flies true with greater accuracy and stability.
How good is this arrow shaft? As voted by archery retailers nationwide, the Maxima received the Inside Archery 2006 Best Buy Honorable Mention award in carbon arrows.
The Maxima shaft has a straightness factor of plus-minus .0023-inch maximum, and a weight tolerance of plus-minus 1.0 grain. The three Maxima shaft outer diameter sizes for the Model 150 is .284; the Maxima 250 is .289; the Maxima 350 is ,294; the Maxima Hunter 250 is .295; and the Maxima Hunter 350 is .297.
It is the arrow that discriminating bow hunters use. Noted outdoor writer Dave Richey, author of the highly acclaimed fishing-hunting website ( Outdoors With Dave Richey) < [url=http://www.daverichey.com]http://www.daverichey.com[/url] > puts it this way.
“I’ve been at the forefront of shooting carbon arrows for many years,” he said. “I knew there had to be something better than aluminum, something straighter and tougher. I’ve shot Eastman Outdoors’ Carbon Express arrows since Bob Eastman first started making them.
“They fly straight and true, and are incredibly tough. Two years ago I shot a big 8-point that was directly underneath my stand. At the time I was pulling 60 pounds, and Eastman’s Carbon Express arrow and a 90-grain FirstCut broadhead took that buck down through the spine, and exited the sternum (breastbone). I later inspected that arrow, and it looked fine, and later shot it. It was every bit as accurate as before passing through that buck. Now that is one tough arrow!”
Deer hunting is all about using the best equipment. A premium bow, premium arrows, and great engineering skills enable manufacturers like Eastman Outdoors and my C.P. Oneida Eagle Bow Company to produce the best equipment on the market.
Hunters are advised to shoot the arrow shafts they like and have confidence in, but many people are unaware of the massive changes that have occurred over the past 10 years in the carbon arrow industry.
My shop still stocks both aluminum and carbon arrow shafts, but when you discover that about 75 percent of the arrow-shaft market share is made up of carbon arrows. it should make a person give some serious thought to which arrows to buy the next time.—The Whitetail Wizard