Durable arrow build

[The grunt]

I've been looking at different arrows and arrow articles,threads, ect. and with so many options it's a little hard for me to know where to head in at.. my question is this, if you were to build an arrow with durability being the number one consideration what would it be? I'm not wanting to disregard shaft quality either (ie. Match grade) as I'm kinda hoping for a one and done solution that I can shoot for years and not have to change anything.
I don't care about trendy new shafts or the coolest new diameter or whatever.. just want something accurate and long lasting.

Do I need all the collars and stuff?

What kind material on the inserts

Do arrows tend to get more or less durable as diameter decreases? Hence the "need" for all the add'ons?

 

[wapitibob]

I've shot the same shafts for the last decade; cheap GT pro hunters, regular insert, g nock bushings, and g nocks. Never had a problem with durability, minus the cement wall or an occasional Elk falling over and breaking one.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

there are many ways to achieve a very durable arrow. the already mentioned gold tip hunters have a reputation for being very tough in standard diameters.

i have not tried a ton of shafts, but the first 2 i tried had some durability issues. my current set up has had zero breakage, 18 months of continuous usage, 5 animals killed.

victory rip tko
easton or iron will hit inserts
golf club high impact shafting epoxy to hold things together
optional: iron will collars

one thing that you can learn from others or for yourself is that the half out systems, even the sleeved ones like on gold tip pierce platinum, decrease durability and increase tip wobble/runout.

 

[Mighty Mouse]

A standard (6.5mm) or medium (6mm) diameter shaft of moderate density (around 8.5-9.5 gpi) paired with whatever insert material/weight achieves your desired total arrow weight will give you a durable arrow at a reasonable cost. If you go smaller than 6mm, cost and complexity both increase. Durable 4mm and 5mm arrows do exist, but insert choice becomes important (avoid half-outs) and pretty much every component of the arrow gets more expensive.

 

[The grunt]

Ya I have picked up that half outs arent very desirable from a durability standpoint

 

[Mighty Mouse]

Do arrows tend to get more or less durable as diameter decreases? Hence the "need" for all the add'ons?

The shafts themselves don’t necessarily get less durable as diameter decreases, but the inserts generally do.

At 5mm, the inside diameter of the arrow shaft is too small to accommodate a fully seated flanged insert with standard (8-32) threads. So your 3 options are:

• Flange-less hidden insert (HIT) with 8-32 threads
• Half-out with 8-32 threads
• Flanged insert with “Deep Six” (6-40) threads

HIT is best 5mm option IMO unless you’re already committed to Deep Six broadheads. Half-outs introduce varying degrees of weakness because they leave the unthreaded half of the broadhead/field point shank hanging out in front of the arrow shaft, which increases bending forces at the shaft-half-out interface and increases failure potential.

At 4mm, the inside diameter of the arrow shaft is too small to accommodate any portion of the shank of an 8-32 head/point; the entire shank hangs out in front of the arrow shaft. The only 4mm alternative is a Deep Six HIT, which is a durable insert option but severely limits your broadhead choices.

 

[The grunt]

Ok thanks for the replies! @Mighty Mouse that really helped to clear up my thought process, I was coming to that conclusion I just wasn't sure if I was at all on the right track..

 

[Wheels]

I found that Iron Will collars definitely help with durability for the wayward shot or hitting something hard.

 

[Bump79]

If it was me and I wasn't shooting longer ranges or in high wind situations - then I'd agree and just get a 8.5+ gpi standard diameter arrow.

Once you start getting into the longer range situations that's when you really start splitting hairs. Honestly, it's tough to go wrong with the good ol' Easton Axis 5mm with a HIT and a collar. It's very tried and true. Some don't like collars but I think it's cheap insurance.

 

[The grunt]

@Wheels do you mean they are more durable than a 6.5 or 6mm shaft without a collar? Or just better than a 5 mm shaft without a collar? Does anybody make a collar for the larger diameters or is it simply not necessary at all? I realize a LOT of guys shoot standard diameter without collars so don't need confirmation on that..

 

[The grunt]

Yes I realize there are other factors to consider in building arrows just trying to get a better understanding on what contributes to durability.. good info so far

 

[Bump79]

I'd rank a 5mm with HIT and collar higher in durability than a standard insert on a .244. When you get a 5mm shaft generally they will have thicker walls as it needs more carbon to get the same spine.

A collar encased the carbon with metal and makes it nearly impossible for a insert to push back and blow out the carbon.

 

[Wheels]

@Wheels do you mean they are more durable than a 6.5 or 6mm shaft without a collar? Or just better than a 5 mm shaft without a collar? Does anybody make a collar for the larger diameters or is it simply not necessary at all? I realize a LOT of guys shoot standard diameter without collars so don't need confirmation on that..

I’m just saying that putting a stainless collar over the shaft will keep the shaft from exploding.

 

[Tnarb44]

I have done a bunch of experimenting trying to find answers to the same questions you have. What I ended up settling on is Victory VForce TKO as I have found them to be very durable, light, and true. I don’t thing collars are needed on standard dia. I tried 5mm arrows and the durability was not there and I just didn’t find enough benefit from them to spend the extra money and deal with insert issues. Wind drift difference was not as big of a deal as people make it seem.

I would recommend you get a few different shafts and do some testing and see what you find to be important.

 

[Jake Larsen]

5mm HIT with an impact collar is hard to beat for durability, with a nice balance of wind drift and penetration characteristics

I had great luck with the Easton Axis for years. Between the .003 or .001, they are quite reasonable price wise. If those shafts are too heavy for you, the new 5.0 are awesome.

For a much cheaper alternative to Iron Will for the collars, check out Ethics Archery. Their SS collar or Titaniums are great.


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[Bump79]

5mm HIT with an impact collar is hard to beat for durability.

I had great luck with the Easton Axis for years. Between the .003 or .001, they are quite reasonable price wise. If those shafts are too heavy for you, the new 5.0 are awesome.

For a much cheaper alternative to Iron Will for the collars, check out Ethics Archery. Their SS collar or Titaniums are great.


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For sure - I actually like the VPA footers over the Ethics. More refined IMHO and easier to pull out of bags and targets. Anodized black too so they look nice.

 

[Jake Larsen]

For sure - I actually like the VPA footers over the Ethics. More refined IMHO and easier to pull out of bags and targets. Anodized black too so they look nice.

Me too! I still have a bag of the VPAs, but they quit making them for the Axis 300. They’re down to just a couple sizes now


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[The grunt]

Seems reasonable enough

 

[The grunt]

I’m just saying that putting a stainless collar over the shaft will keep the shaft from exploding.

See above message