Easton 5.0 high velocity is it just me?

[bsanders8181]

I was in the market to replace some broken 300 spine Axis 5mm arrows, and accidentally ordered the high velocity versions.
Anyways I had them in hand and paid for so I pushed forward. Brass HIT insert, full 75gr, plus the collar that came with the arrows. 3 AAE Max Stealth vanes, with factory nocks.
I played with 125 and 100gr points.
My total arrow weight was 489, and 464 gr versus the similar standard axis build weight of 510gr.

Obviously I picked up some velocity which was attractive. However here comes the issue. Shooting 3-4 arrows at a time sometimes they bump, and I like to flex them. The first time I flexed one it exploded. No snap crackle pop, it burst out into 3-4 sizable chunks.
I had another break in a glance off of my target, but it didn’t click until this morning.

I had 4 arrows in the target and had heard a tap, so I flexed the first one and it exploded. Same with the second two in the tight group… so a total of 4 arrows broken during flexing.

Am I flexing too hard or has anyone else noticed these are brittle?

I’m going back to the standard 10+ gpi Axis. They have been tough as nails for me

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[BigSky]

Here is a recent thread on Archery Talk on your same topic that shows it is, apparently, not just you:

Easton 5.0 hand grenade.

I wanted to give this some time before I posted something like this but I’m honestly let down. I chose to move away from gold tip and invest into Easton to support my friends that made the move as well that shoot professionally for the company as of now. Strike one: I nock tune arrows...

www.archerytalk.com

 

[TheTone]

With lower GPI comes thinner sidewalls and thus decreased durability

 

[Jbehredt]

I really wanted to try these but your experience is not uncommon. Read enough about them being fragile to steer clear.

 

[dtrkyman]

Blak eagle carnivore are light gpi and i have never broke one flexing it or any way other than missing and hitting rocks or a robin hood.

Seems like the 5.0 may not be durable from reports thus far?

 

[yoopshoot]

You’re not alone . In 2 months I’ve broke 6/12 of my 250 spine 5.0s.

Compared to my previous axis and gold tip pierces, the 5.0s have not been very durable with similar moderate impacts. They are crazy accurate but a few have cracked and splintered with pretty soft impacts, have me now using them for TAC this weekend.


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[butcherboy]

I just stick with fmj’s and Axis.

 

[Swampcruiser]

Tried a dozen, lots broke. I went back to axis, they are just tough as nails and I’m done fretting about 30 grains.

 

[alexnelon]

In my experience, all the Easton carbon arrows have durability issues and tend to break when other brands wouldn’t.

My opinion is that the weird French pultrusion machines they bought from Beman (who ironically were well known for splintering on impact) results in an inconsistent inner diameter and is responsible for them being brittle and I think it has to do with the nock fitting either too tight or too loose (which is why all the Easton guys tell you to glue the nock) which puts undue tension on the inside of the shaft and creates micro fractures down the length of the shaft.

 

[Fins_N_Tines]

Just built up half dozen 5.0 in 300 spine with HIT and iron will collar. I will report back how mine shoot, but this has me nervous. The last two years I’ve shot the 4 mm Axis. And even in 4MM I didn’t have any durability issues.