Any reason not to shoot the Easton Sonic 6.0?

[Bmoore]

So I have been running Victory Rip tkos for a few years, but through a combination of user error, and equipment failure I’m running low on arrows. So I’m getting ready to buy a new dozen and get them built. Doing some research and the 6.0 seems pretty awesome. Any complaints?

For those wondering the user error is I incorrectly installed a half dozen hit inserts too deep or too shallow making 6 arrows unusable. The equipment failure is I’ve had about 6 arrows now where the Easton 2 part epoxy didn’t hold in the TKO and the inserts pulled out. So I’m kinda sick of dealing with the hit. For 8.8 gpi I can run a 6.0 in 300 spine for the same basic build as the TKOs with a 50 grain iron will hit. The kicker is that the sonics would cost a heck of a lot less.

So I’m just wondering if it’s worth it just to switch over to a more standard insert with the sonic (still 50 grains brass) for a big price decrease over the hit inserts in a tko. Thoughts?

 

[Mighty Mouse]

Go for it. The slight increase in shaft size (.020”) will not be noticeable in practice. Your arrows will cost less, and flanged 6mm inserts are easier to install than HIT’s.

 

[Elk Wallow]

The sonics are great imo. I shoot the 300’s with .003 straightness with 50 grain brass inserts and 125 grain heads. They are quite durable too. I’ve only broke one arrow all last year. It’s nice using regular inserts instead of hit or half outs. They’re tough to beat for the price.

Kevin

 

[Bmoore]

The sonics are great imo. I shoot the 300’s with .003 straightness with 50 grain brass inserts and 125 grain heads. They are quite durable too. I’ve only broke one arrow all last year. It’s nice using regular inserts instead of hit or half outs. They’re tough to beat for the price.

Kevin

That’s about the setup I’m looking at building. I like the idea of a standard style inserts as opposed to the hit. And I can’t seem to find a bunch of negatives to the 6.0 anywhere. So it looks like that’s the direct I’ll go.

 

[ATL]

6mm shafts are easy to work with. I enjoy building/shooting them so much more than small diameter shafts. The Sonic 6.0 is a great option, I shoot the BE Spartan.

 

[BCSojourner]

So I have been running Victory Rip tkos for a few years, but through a combination of user error, and equipment failure I’m running low on arrows. So I’m getting ready to buy a new dozen and get them built. Doing some research and the 6.0 seems pretty awesome. Any complaints?

For those wondering the user error is I incorrectly installed a half dozen hit inserts too deep or too shallow making 6 arrows unusable. The equipment failure is I’ve had about 6 arrows now where the Easton 2 part epoxy didn’t hold in the TKO and the inserts pulled out. So I’m kinda sick of dealing with the hit. For 8.8 gpi I can run a 6.0 in 300 spine for the same basic build as the TKOs with a 50 grain iron will hit. The kicker is that the sonics would cost a heck of a lot less.

So I’m just wondering if it’s worth it just to switch over to a more standard insert with the sonic (still 50 grains brass) for a big price decrease over the hit inserts in a tko. Thoughts?

The Sonic 6.0s got a lot of hype before the new 5.0 hv came out about a month ago. I bought some as well and am looking forward to fletching and shooting them. They are available at a great price point and you know they will be spine-consistent. For my setup there is only 0.3 gpi difference in weight between the 6.0 and the 5.0. I also like the flanged insert much better than the HITs or outserts that come with the 5 mm shafts. Have a feeling the 6.0s will be even more affordable going forward given the launch of the 5.0s. Doubt if I'll notice any difference in penetration or wind drift. You put an IW on front of that shaft, it will more than make up for any difference in the slightly larger diameter for hunting.

 

[Eastonsgrandpa]

Personally, I won’t go back to a bigger shaft. I wish components were better for 4.0 as I’d go that direction. I am shooting the new 5.0 after switching from the RIP TKO. If you get the match grade they also come with collars. Smaller shafts buck wind better and penetrate further. It may not be real noticeable in most situations but I’d rather have those incremental edges wherever they are available.

 

[Bmoore]

Thanks for the input everybody. Anyone have input on spine. I used to have the pinwheel app but it’s no longer available on iPhone. And I hate that Eastons spine chart give two spines. My brain won’t get over it and I get the paralysis by analysis problem. It says 250-300.

I shoot a Mathews phase 4 33
30 inch draw
65 lbs draw weight

I want to build some of the Sonic 6.0s with the 50 grain brass inserts and 125 grain heads. Arrow cut carbon to carbon at 29 inches. Would you guys run 300 or 250?

Thanks

 

[Elk Wallow]

Thanks for the input everybody. Anyone have input on spine. I used to have the pinwheel app but it’s no longer available on iPhone. And I hate that Eastons spine chart give two spines. My brain won’t get over it and I get the paralysis by analysis problem. It says 250-300.

I shoot a Mathews phase 4 33
30 inch draw
65 lbs draw weight

I want to build some of the Sonic 6.0s with the 50 grain brass inserts and 125 grain heads. Arrow cut carbon to carbon at 29 inches. Would you guys run 300 or 250?

Thanks

I shoot a Mathews V3x with the same specs as you. I shoot 300 spine with 50 grain brass inserts and 125 heads. They are cut to 28.5 inches. Total weight is 467 if I remember correctly.

 

[aMurderOfCrows]

FWIW I’ve been shooting the Sonics for about a year and a half. Very happy with them. They are more durable than I thought they would be. Shoot both regular and match grade and no difference at all with broadheads.

300 spine, 27” carbon to carbon with 75 gr. Brass and a 100 grain head. Great arrow.

I used the previous version, Hexx in 250 spine and they were really weak. Cracked them just twisting them out of a target. The Sonics, even in a weaker spine, have been much better.

 

[Fins_N_Tines]

FWIW I’ve been shooting the Sonics for about a year and a half. Very happy with them. They are more durable than I thought they would be. Shoot both regular and match grade and no difference at all with broadheads.

300 spine, 27” carbon to carbon with 75 gr. Brass and a 100 grain head. Great arrow.

I used the previous version, Hexx in 250 spine and they were really weak. Cracked them just twisting them out of a target. The Sonics, even in a weaker spine, have been much better.

how they shoot at distance? you notice any wind drift versus 5MM shafts?

 

[aMurderOfCrows]

how they shoot at distance? you notice any wind drift versus 5MM shafts?

They shoot awesome at distance. Dont notice any drift at all and I’ve been messing around with a lot of 5 mills lately.

For what it’s worth, the whole wind drift thing is overdone. It sounds good, makes sense. A physics or math guru could really draw up some convincing arguments but in practical application it’s a non factor. I experimented for years and years on this and found arrow weight and front of center have WAY more impact on arrow drift in windy conditions than shaft diameter.

 

[ddowning]

how they shoot at distance? you notice any wind drift versus 5MM shafts?

I shoot the .003 straightness, not match grade. I nock tune the bare shafts at 20 yards. On a good day, they will consistently shoot 4-6" at 100 yards for 6-8 arrows per end. Obviously, when I'm not shooting that well, the groups aren't that tight.

If they are not nock tuned, I don't know what they will do. No tuning with bare shafts, groups at 20 yards are usually 2-3". With some nock tuning I can usually get them all to be touching the x on a Vegas face. That's about as good as I can shoot, especially with bare shafts. I shoot each shaft at it's own target and look at the location of the hole in the target to tune after shooting each arrow 8-10 times. It helps weed out the human error factor.

As far as wind, there is not really a noticeable difference with a hunting bow. As was said, foc will play a role. There is a difference, but people are just parroting target shooters. They want every advantage they can get no matter how small because 1/64" can be the difference between a big check and paying your own travel expenses.

There is zero chance I want to mess with half-outs, they were phased out in the '90s for a reason. HITS are also a pain. If I found an application where I really wanted a skinny arrow, I would be using glue-in points only. I am more likely to shoot a .246 than a .166.

I'm extremely happy with the sonics. I doubt I'll be changing anytime soon. That said, a good .246 shaft that fits the gpi you want is going to functionally do the same thing.