Ideal Arrow diameter for hunting/ back yard shooting?

[WWBC]

So I just broke my second last victory Vap arrow and will soon be in need of a fresh half dozen arrows.

The Vaps shot well except the inserts have a tendency to bend and don’t stand up to shooting groups very well.

Thinking that maybe a standard size shaft with pin nocks might be a better choice for durability. However, I’m concerned that I’ll miss out on the extra Hunting performance(?) of the micro diameter.

Are micro’s worth the extra hassle and cost or are they all hype?
What’s a good all round arrow for hunting that will take some back yard abuse?

Any recommendations would be great.

shooting a prime black 5, 65lbs @ 28.5”

[whitlers]

I dont get the whole micro hype. A well built standard diameter arrow will do everything you need and will be more durable. I have been through Gold Tips, Black Eagles and now onto Maxima Reds. I would say the GT Hunters were the most durable, Black Eagle Carnivores were garbage and I haven't put the Maxima Reds together yet.

[WWBC]

I see Big Game Archery in Abbotsford is advertising “red trail arrows”. Not much info on the web about them, I wonder if they’re any good.

The gold tip Hunter was my go to before shooting the Vap’s. Great arrows

[whitlers]

I see Big Game Archery in Abbotsford is advertising “red trail arrows”. Not much info on the web about them, I wonder if they’re any good.

The gold tip Hunter was my go to before shooting the Vap’s. Great arrows

I know a few people who have had good luck with Wayne's arrows. I wouldn't count them out either.

[The Hermit]

I swear by Gold Tip ProHunters. Super durable and very consistent and straight. Pricey though...

[WWBC]

Thanks for the reply’s

Thinking the GT hunters will be the arrow of choice. Probably drop down a spine and get some 100 grain Brass.
inserts. Maybe 50 grain aluminum and build up weight with fact weights so I don’t end up under spined

[KBC]

I’m trying the 5mm Easton axis arrows this year. From what I’ve read the smaller diameter is better in wind but you can still use regular sized heads etc. Apparently they are the most consistent out of the box for spine and weight.

[Blacktail]

dont be hyped up on weight.
Lighter weight usually means lighter spine.
Shoot an arrow that is properly spined for the draw weight and broadhead/target tip you are using.
I had a buddy thinking the way you are and it nearly cost him his left thumb and index finger as on release the arrow shattered and splinteed into his hand

[WWBC]

dont be hyped up on weight.
Lighter weight usually means lighter spine.
Shoot an arrow that is properly spined for the draw weight and broadhead/target tip you are using.


Very good point.
I’m shooting 340 spine right now with 100 grain points and they fly well. However, If I put 125 grain points in those same arrows the spine acts soft and arrow group poorly. Big difference a few grains can make. That would be scary to have an arrow explode on the string!

If anything I’d want a heavier arrow ( 450 grains) still relatively good speed and a bit more momentum.

[JPederson]

I put together some Gold Tip Hunter XTs with 70gr inserts to add more FOC to my hunting arrows (500gr total weight). They seem more forgiving at longer ranges. I use the mobile version of OT2 for selecting the right spine. Penetration is really important. Speed is great but I think momentum has alot to offer in the penetration department.

[WWBC]

JPederson that sounds like a good arrow setup. Just typed a 500 grain arrow into the backcountry bow hunting calculator and it looks like I would be just under 270 for arrow speed at that weight. Seems like a good balance of mass and speed? What arrow speed were you trying to stay at with that setup? How are your pin gaps?

For fun
I loaded a bunch on screw in fact weights into the back of an old hunter 300 and the reduction in noise sure was nice.

[JPederson]

JPederson that sounds like a good arrow setup. Just typed a 500 grain arrow into the backcountry bow hunting calculator and it looks like I would be just under 270 for arrow speed at that weight. Seems like a good balance of mass and speed? What arrow speed were you trying to stay at with that setup? How are your pin gaps?

For fun
I loaded a bunch on screw in fact weights into the back of an old hunter 300 and the reduction in noise sure was nice.

I wasnt exactly trying for a particular speed. OT2 has me around 280 ish. My pin gaps arent too bad. I dont plan to hunt beyond 50 and the range I practice at only goes out to 70. I was putting in for an Elk draw so I wanted some arrows with a little more punch.

[fdjva]

Not many arrows hold up well if you shoot groups, in my experience. try shooting different spots on the target, that seemed to greatly improve the arrow life. I shoot kill and stick arrows and they have held up well shooting groups and even better now that I stopped shooting groups.

I have no experience with the micro shafts, so can't help you there,

[WWBC]

I put together some Gold Tip Hunter XTs with 70gr inserts to add more FOC to my hunting arrows (500gr total weight). They seem more forgiving at longer ranges. I use the mobile version of OT2 for selecting the right spine. Penetration is really important. Speed is great but I think momentum has alot to offer in the penetration department.

just did the same thing

100 grain brass inserts gold tip hunter Xtreme 300’s
OT2 has me spines perfect at a 65 pounds and 28” arrows.

If I cut the arrow down 1” I can crank the poundage up a little more.
Cool program. according to the app this should get me 275 FPS at 475 TOW.

Its amazing how easy it is to be under spined. If I want to shoot at 70 pounds at a similar arrow build I’d need 250 spine and more point weight or a longer arrow.

[dapesche]

black eagle spartan's with 50gr insert up front. 65# draw / 29" DL and those arrows are flying at 274fps.
These arrows are not micro. They have inserts...not outserts Was looking them up for more details as I already had the black eagle carnivores and saw that a 'youtube celebrity' elk hunter used them. He seems to kill a lot of elk .... :)

Had a shitty shot when I was dialing in my new sight and it penetrated through one 2x4 and halfway into the next 2x4 . That was at 50yds.

[troutseeker]

I shoot aluminium Easton XX75’s. Great arrows haven’t let me down
since 1982!

[WWBC]

Trout seeker is that a target shaft? Haven’t seen our much of aluminum outside of target archery.

[Hunter gatherer]

Victory Vforce are a very durable arrow. They are reasonably priced and seem to hold up well. Specs are good and you can get them in .001 straightness

[Bear Brawler]

I shoot aluminium Easton XX75’s. Great arrows haven’t let me down
since 1982!
Do you have any inserts for them? I'm rebuilding my buddies old set up, he has those arrows. I need 6 inserts and then to re fletch all his arrows.

[Bear Brawler]

Ok, here my thoughts, as an arrow builder for many people these days I've made some conclusions and some assumptions haha. Goldtip arrows are like home depot power tools, not bad and will do what most people want from them. Easton Axis arrows are like Honda Civics and can be used in most regular shooting situations. I've shot Eastons, BlackEagles, Carbon Express, Goldtip and a few others. They all have some nice arrows in their lineup I'm sure, however I can say, Victory Arrows are by far the most consistent, straightest, best coated shafts around. The newTL Shok outserts are amazing(sorry ethics) and should have some more weight options soon.
The small diameter shaft is less affected by wind, less resistance while passing through an animal and pulling from a target. You definitely get what you pay for, as the VAP TKO"S and VAP SS's are not cheap. They have multiple straightness options available and most times if cutting more than an inch off the shaft, the .003's can spins as good as the .001's.

[WWBC]

Thanks bear Brawler

i think my next arrows will probably be victory again. That’s who Valkyrie used for their fancy arrows.

Seems like lots of component available for them also. My 500ish grain gold tips arrows are flying really well with decent speed. I’d like to try heavier point weight on my next arrows if I can get the spine to work don’t think loosing the extra speed will be that much of an issue?

Currently with 200 grains of point weight on a 300 spine I had to turn my bow to about 67 lbs to get good arrow flight.

[troutseeker]

Trout seeker is that a target shaft? Haven’t seen our much of aluminum outside of target archery.

It’s a hunting shaft, works on targets too. I don’t worry much about arrow speed,
I like to shoot a heavy arrow for penetration. I tried fast bows and light arrows, but am back to heavier arrows and a slow bow. Lol