All-carbon arrows -- what's the attraction?

[TJ Mason]

What advantages might all-carbon arrows offer for target shooters? I can see how they'd be useful in short-range shooting, such as indoors and hunting, but what about longer-range target shooting?

Has anyone had experience with both Alu/Carbon arrows and all-carbon arrows? How does one type compare to the other?

[Dave]

I'm not an expert on such matters so I can't really go into technical details, but I did buy a set of cheap* carbons and shot them outdoors - and to quote Di from BOPAS "when they miss they really do miss." Consequently I've got 3 left out of a set of 8! I've found my carbon alloys (ACCs) much more forgiving and still have a full set - however, this could be down to the fact that they were much more expensive so I'm probably a bit more focused on my shooting


*when I say cheap I mean cheap - first end all the nocks flew off them....

[pitprops]

Our club doesn't allow shooting with all carbon outdoors. Reason being a carbon/aluminium arrow you stand a reasonable chance of finding with a metal detector, an all carbon, the only metal part is the pile, so it may not even register. Makes sense to me as we shoot in a primary school playing field.

[Field Archer]

I use both, each for a different purpose. ACE for target and Carbon Express CD Select for unmarked field. Both are the same weight and similar spine. The ACE are ideal for both target and field, but they are too expensive to be lost or broken at field shoots. The all carbon arrows are OK for field because this is usually under more sheltered conditions, being a larger diameter, they do suffer in the wind, they are also about a third of the cost of an ACE.

[Tuck]

The problems with finding carbons are well known, and they are generally not allowed at many outdoor clubs/shoots. Fat carbons are good for indoors being relatively cheap so easily replaced and good linecutters. Outdoors A/C arrows are thinner - less wind effects, similar weight per inch - good sight marks and straight to good standards. Thin carbos are available and have most of the advantages of A/C but difficult to find, plus 1/2 price of A/C.

try this link for a detail on arrows - download a catalog and tuning guide

http://www.eastonarchery.com/

[Archery1st]

I have used alu/carbon (every type) and all carbons, personally if you get good quality all carbons then they are every bit as good as their equal priced alu/carbon.

In fact when I was shooting the CarbonTech McKinney's I set almost all my PB's and set many records, also gained my purple rose, 1350 star etc with over 13 Fitas over 1350 to a max of 1370. The only reason I'm still not shooting all carbon is due to the fact that now CarbonTech don't sell the McKinney shaft there is no other equal to them. Saying that I do shoot GoldTip all carbons indoors and for shoots where I'm just shooting for fun, their shafts at the moment are the same size as Easton ACC, in fact some of my testings show that the GT carbons are giving me as good a score as ACE's, X10's etc in all but very windy conditions.

All carbons also are great arrows for ALL other events, field, indoors and 3D, their ability to withstand considerable abuse without damage, bending etc, plus they are normally found faster than their equivalent carbon/alu brothers giving gains to sight marks. With some carbon manufacturers you will find different versions/qualities of the same name, these will normally relate to quality in straightness and weight variances, if you can afford the better versions go for them, they are worth the extra. One useful bit of info, all carbons, including those from Easton, 99% of straightness errors will be found in the ends, usually the last 1 - 2" each end, so if you have enough shaft length trim from both ends and you'll find they are even closer matched than the advertised specs.

I understand that some clubs put a no all carbon ruling on their shoots, this is I know for safety but when I was shooting all carbons I would not go there. I find it a pity that even when using the 'safety' clock that some just don't realize that arrows cost money and sometimes getting the best possible value for money does mean all carbons.

Hope some of this helps, as usual if you have any questions just ask.

[MrC]

Hi TJ,

What advantages might all-carbon arrows offer for target shooters? I can see how they'd be useful in short-range shooting, such as indoors and hunting, but what about longer-range target shooting?

I used to shoot Beman all carbon arrows and when I returned to archery a couple of years ago I was quite disappointed to see that they'd been swallowed up by Easton.
I think they were great and shot some great scores with them, I'd still be shooting them if it wasn't that my draw length has expanded and they're too short for me now

Pros: very fast - good sight mark
Cons: occasionally hard to find if you miss - don't miss!

MrC

[wingate_52]

A compund archer has lost 3 Beeman energy arrows shooting at 60 yards. So far we have spent over an hour with the metal detector and rake to no avail. We will have to return again and look as the archery field is also a rugby field. Short grass and hard soil. A bit of a problem!

[goa dan]

Originally Posted by wingate_52

A compund archer has lost 3 Beeman energy arrows shooting at 60 yards. So far we have spent over an hour with the metal detector and rake to no avail. We will have to return again and look as the archery field is also a rugby field. Short grass and hard soil. A bit of a problem!

Same thing happend to us except it was 6 arrows with a recurve and over an hour with the rake looking for them as we also shoot on a rugby field. Very annoying . But i can still see the attraction of carbon arrows as they are durable good arrows for a wide range of things but i just dont think they are best suited for outdoor target. I am thinking of buying some fatboys for indoors though as they can be very usefull for linecutting and so on.

Originally Posted by wingate_52

A compund archer has lost 3 Beeman energy arrows shooting at 60 yards. So far we have spent over an hour with the metal detector and rake to no avail. We will have to return again and look as the archery field is also a rugby field. Short grass and hard soil. A bit of a problem!

A bit of a worry, a compound archer missing three times at 60yds, he needs to take up fishing.

I think carbons are great value for money, shame the safety stuff has just about killed them off. I do feel they are a bit too light for target work with a compound, but they are great for getting the longer distance with a recurve at a very reasonable price compared to an ACE. Not much point though if you arn't allowed to used them. Ideal field arrow though.