Arrow testing - Pick the best

[92xj]

I bought 4 different arrows to shoot, weigh, compare and decide which I am going to go to for this season.
Elk and deer hunting.
0-60 yard range
Hoyt AlphaMax 35
28.5 Draw
68lbs

1. Carbon Express Maxima Hunter 350
125 gr head
4" wrap
3 blazer vanes
414.4 gr total arrow weight
FOC = 11.7%
Total length, point to nock = 29.125"
Speed 1 arrow length in front of riser = 285.25 fps

2. Black Eagle Spartan 300
125 gr head
4" wrap
3AAE Max Hunter vanes
462.5gr total arrow weight
FOC = 10.8%
Total length, point to nock = 29.6875"
Speed 1 arrow length in front of riser = 271.25 fps

3. Axis Match Grade 5mm 340
125 gr head
4" wrap
3 AAE Max Hunter vanes
453.2gr total arrow weight
FOC = 9.9%
Total length, point to nock = 29.9375
Speed 1 arrow length in front of riser = 271.75 fps

4. FMJ 5mm 340
125 gr head
4" wrap
3AAE Max Hunter vanes
505.8gr total arrow weight
FOC = 8.9%
Total Length = 30.25"
Speed 1 arrow length in front of riser = 258.75fps


I have, on order, 150gr field points that should be here this week. I will be redoing the calcs with them to see if there is anything better than what I have above.

Out of the 4 above, which do you pick and why?

 

[TBarron]

Out of those I’d roll with #3. I like to cut my arrows as close to my rest and possible and then move more weight up front. I have a a 30in draw and shoot a 28.25in arrow. You may want to consider lopping some of that weight off the back then just shifting it to the front with the 150g field point. That would get you the same speeds but just more FOC


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[Elkhntr08]

Well, I shoot the CE Maxima Reds for Deer, bear and turkeys. I have the FMJs set up for elk and hopefully moose. I get the weight I want with the FMJ.

 

[colersu22]

I am very curious on which option you pick, I have been using the gold tip kinetic kaos for the last 2 years out of an alphamax 32 but they discontinued them so I was looking at the FMJ 5mm to replace them.

I was planning on using the 5mm FMJ, gold tip Kinetic insert, 4" wrap, 3 2" blazer vanes and 150 grain ironwill solid broadheads which should get me close to the setup I have now with the kinetic koas arrows.

 

[92xj]

Out of those I’d roll with #3. I like to cut my arrows as close to my rest and possible and then move more weight up front. I have a a 30in draw and shoot a 28.25in arrow. You may want to consider lopping some of that weight off the back then just shifting it to the front with the 150g field point. That would get you the same speeds but just more FOC


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Thanks for the opinion and thought!
I just pulled one arrow out of each test group, drew back and had the wife mark right in front of rest, I will get these four cut down on Friday and see what the new numbers are.
I will also have the 150gr heads here by then and get to run those numbers as well.

 

[Blockcaver]

I’d use #2 or 3 whichever shot best with broadheads. I shoot a 330 spine arrow at 65# and 29”’draw. You might find 340s a bit weak with 150 gr points? Good luck!

 

[92xj]

I’d use #2 or 3 whichever shot best with broadheads. I shoot a 330 spine arrow at 65# and 29”’draw. You might find 340s a bit weak with 150 gr points? Good luck!

What will my signs be if the spine is too weak?
I admit my lack of knowledge in the department and just go off the charts of weight vs length to determine my spine.

 

[TBarron]

What will my signs be if the spine is too weak?
I admit my lack of knowledge in the department and just go off the charts of weight vs length to determine my spine.

I’m far from an expert, but arrows hitting to the right and not being able to tune them back in. Check it at at least 40yds.


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[EsteemGrinders]

What will my signs be if the spine is too weak?
I admit my lack of knowledge in the department and just go off the charts of weight vs length to determine my spine.

340's will be fine as far as spine goes. No need to even think about it IMHO.

 

[92xj]

Thanks TB and Esteem,
I'm excited about the testing this weekend with the 150heads as well as the shafts that I cut down and recalculate.
Hopefully I'll have a final decision made.

 

[doverpack12]

I like the maxima hunter combo. I shoot 72-73 pounds at 29.5 with a 27” long 450 grain arrow. I put two 20 grain gold tip weights behind the insert. AAE Max Stealth vanes with 100 grain points. Always shot broadheads well and they are a pretty tough arrow. Can’t speak for the black eagles but axis and FMJ don’t seem to be as durable partially due to insert options and partially due to construction. Maximas just outlast anything else for me and are a good performing arrow.

 

[92xj]

When cutting arrows I've always just cut the insert end but now I'm wondering while sitting at work, why not cut off the nock end instead?
On the carbon express with the weight forward shafts, cutting the nock end seems like the best option to keep and help the foc, on uniform shafts from insert to nock, doesn't really matter which end I guess.
Just thinking out loud here.

 

[Beendare]

I bought 4 different arrows to shoot, weigh, compare and decide which I am going to go to for this season.
Elk and deer hunting.
0-60 yard range
Hoyt AlphaMax 35
28.5 Draw
68lbs

I used Maximas for 3D 5 years ago and they were the least durable shafts I've tried.

I like the 5mm dia shafts for all around performance.

I shoot the Axis 300's out of a setup like yours......... I can use a beefy BH....currently the VPA 150's. I don't like 100g BH's.

60 yd shots are no problem.....80-90 stacking pins for a followup if need be all good too....trajectory not an issue as a long shot like that is RF'd.
_______

I choose my arrow for; a smooth quiet bow....and arrow performance. I don't want to be close to underspined....a little overspined tunes great and gives me a more durable arrow.

 

[92xj]

I used Maximas for 3D 5 years ago and they were the least durable shafts I've tried. I like the 5mm dia shafts for all around performance.

I shoot the Axis 300's out of a setup like yours and like that I can use a beefy BH....currently the VPA 150's. I don't like 100g BH's.

60 yd shots are no problem.....80-90 stacking pins for a followup if need be all good too....trajectory not an issue as a long shot like that is RF'd.
_______

I choose my arrow for; a smooth quiet bow....and arrow performance. I don't want to be close to underspined....a little overspined tunes great and gives me a more durable arrow.

How different is your setup than mine, as I run the 340s and you the 300s. Should I jump down to the 300s?

 

[Trial153]

Number 2

 

[Beendare]

How different is your setup than mine, as I run the 340s and you the 300s. Should I jump down to the 300s?

You don't need 300's if you are sticking with the light BH's...

I shoot the heavier spine because I like a big strong BH.
______

Lots of good options for arrow setups. FWIW, I can tell you a lot of the more experienced bowhunters I know all settled on and arrow between 450-550gr arrows

 

[92xj]

You don't need 300's if you are sticking with the light BH's...

I shoot the heavier spine because I like a big strong BH.
______

Lots of good options for arrow setups. FWIW, I can tell you a lot of the more experienced bowhunters I know all settled on and arrow between 450-550gr arrows

Is 150gr in the light category? And fine in my 340 spine range?
I don't ever plan to go over 150. The test above were all with 125. This weekend testing and calculating will be with 150 heads. Out of all those test this weekend and the ones above I'll pick the best option, numbers, flight and accuracy wise and stick with that all spring and summer prepping for the fall.

 

[92xj]

Got the arrows cut down to the shortest they can be with my rest and riser. Here are new numbers.
Same bow setup
Hoyt AlphaMax 35
28.5 Draw
68lbs

1
Carbon express 125gr head / 150gr head
Length tip to tip 27.9375" / 28.3125
Total weight 410.3gr / 435.8 gr
FOC 13.1% / 14.5%
Speed 286.6fps / 275.7fps

2
Black Eagle Spartan 125gr head / 150gr head
Length tip to tip 28.0" / 28.375"
Total weight 444.4gr / 469.9gr
FOC 11.2% / 12.3%
Speed 276fps / 266.3fps

3
Axis 125gr head / 150gr head
Length tip to tip 27.9375" / 28.3125"
Total weight 433.4gr / 458.9gr
FOC 10.9% / 12.25%
Speed 279.3fps / 270fps

4
FMJ 5mm 125gr head / 150gr head
Length tip to tip 27.875" / 28.25"
Total weight 479.2gr / 504.7gr
FOC 10.3% / 11.5%
Speed 265.25fps / 259 fps

 

[5MilesBack]

If it was me, I would gravitate towards the Axis Match grade and cut the arrows down as you did. Then I would use the 50gr brass HIT's with 125's and be done with it.

 

[92xj]

I was playing around with a kinetic energy calculator and the jump from 150 up front to 175 up front is when the advantages of speed and energy switch. With a tick more speed and the 150 head I have more energy than a tick less speed and 175 great up front.

Blackovis has the axis (non match grade) on sale right now and still accepts the rokslide discount on top of that sale price, so I ordered a dozen last night. I hope I didn't shoot myself in the foot by ordering a dozen that I didn't test but the numbers are the same minus the straightness tolerance. I don't believe my shooting is precise enough to tell the difference in .002. We shall see and I hope I didn't waste 100 bucks if there is that big of a difference.