GT Kaos vs Airstrike

[WesternHunter]

I have a dozen 200 spine GT Kaos shafts, and a dozen 250 spine GT airstrike shafts. Was considering doing 2 different arrow builds but I’m starting to think that’ll be too much of a headache.
So I’m wondering if anybody has real experience with either of these arrows? Pros and cons? I’m probably going to build just the one and sell the second dozen.
Also any other 250 spine arrows you guys swear by? Only looking at .204 ID arrows right now.
Setup is Mathews traverse at 70 lbs and 31” draw.

 

[Zac]

Man I'm really interested to see how the Airstrikes perform. Haven't really heard much on them. I think people really like the BE Rampage.

 

[Gumbo]

I tried Kaos before BE Rampages...the Rampages were the clear winner in terms of straightness and tolerances. The Kaos weren't even close...I sold them. Only bad thing about the BEs is that they aren't the most durable shaft, but they are lighter so I can get a reasonable balance of speed and front weight with my 28" draw. Anyway, I'd sell both of the GTs and go Rampage, or Axis Match Grade if you are OK with the extra shaft weight.

 

[WesternHunter]

So I’ve got 2 votes for the BE Rampage then. That’s interesting.
I haven’t got into the actual build of either arrow yet but I’ve heard the Kaos were a very durable arrow. I don’t mind the heavy weight on the shaft. These 200 spine are 11.6 GPI so they’re up there.

 

[Ucsdryder]

So I’ve got 2 votes for the BE Rampage then. That’s interesting.
I haven’t got into the actual build of either arrow yet but I’ve heard the Kaos were a very durable arrow. I don’t mind the heavy weight on the shaft. These 200 spine are 11.6 GPI so they’re up there.

I’ve heard black eagles aren’t very durable. My gold tip kinetics have been awesome so far. Coming from Easton axis that broke if you looked at them funny. I like a durable arrow.

 

[Gumbo]

I’ve heard black eagles aren’t very durable. My gold tip kinetics have been awesome so far. Coming from Easton axis that broke if you looked at them funny. I like a durable arrow.

Black Eagle rampages aren't super durable, but they are lighter than comparable shafts which I really like, can't have your cake and eat it too. But it isn't like they break easily or are dangerous, but if you hit them with another arrow they crack easier than Axis shafts. And as for your comment about Axis shafts breaking easily...you are the only person I've ever heard say that. Axis are very durable shafts in my experience.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Compared to the gold tips they aren’t durable. They loved to break right behind the Brass hit inserts. I accidentally shot a gold tip kinetic into a cinderblock (83lbs and a 560gr arrow). It survived unscathed.

 

[Zac]

Yeah GT is always gonna have durability locked down. Axis and BE are always gonna be more consistent. If I were to use BE, I'd use IW components. Aron Snyder has good durability stumping and what not with a 600 plus grain Rampage with IW components. The BE Focus system is also very good.

 

[WesternHunter]

Durability isn’t everything... but it sure makes it nice when you make a bad shot and it doesn’t cost you $20 in arrow to add salt to the wound.
At the same time if I can’t get them to spin straight and tune out I’m not going to be happy. I bought two dozen GT pro hunter 300 spine shafts like 7 years ago and I still have a bunch of them hanging around. Super durable arrows! On the flip side I got some Pierce 250 spine and I swear if I look at those things wrong they brake and the tolerances were not good. This last build is kind of my last chance for GT after the Pierce disappointment.

 

[WesternHunter]

Decided to roll with the Airstrike for now. I’ve already got them and should be able to build a little higher FOC arrow without getting crazy heavy. Adding Easton HIT brass inserts, Iron will stainless collars, and a yet to be determined 100 grain head on them.
When I started looking at the GPI on the BE Rampage the finished weight would be super similar to that if the Airstrike. I also like the slick outer coating on the Airstrike. I’ll spin them tonight, if the tolerances look good then that will probably do it for me. Hopefully they live up to the reputation of GT and are tough arrows!
Still open to suggestions though! I may end up trying those Rampage, or my buddy has me looking at some Victory RIP TKO arrows as well. He’s shooting those and has been very happy.

 

[Zac]

I think that's going to be an awesome setup. Light durable shaft.

 

[ajwcotton]

Just saw this, I got a dozen airstrike 340's and have broken 4 of them already. 2 I hit wood and they exploded into 4-5 pieces. The other 2 I barely shafted in a target and when I flexed them they snapped like a twig.
I really like GT but I dont like these arrows. I thought they would be bomber with the ballistic collars at both ends but I was disappointed. I'm going back to hunter pro's.

 

[Ontarget99]

I have both Rampage in 300 and Kaos in 300. The Kaos are more durable for sure, but no doubt that the Rampage are more consistent. All my Rampage arrows were within spot on in weight out of the box and great in the spin department.. The Kaos ranged from 8 grains to 4 grains off and some had a little wobble I had to deal with. It was nice to get more FOC out of the Rampage with the FOCOS system and keep my arrows (both sets) around 486. Here is the deal, Kaos at 486 had 10.5 % foc and the Rampage at 486 had 15.5 % foc. So if foc is your thing Rampage will be easier to get the results without going into the low to mid 500's in grain weight on the Kaos to get the higher foc. That said both shot a Magnus Black Hornet perfect out to 70. I use the kaos for practice because I had already built them and rampage with the focos system for hunting.

 

[Topo_trekker]

Kaos is one of the most durable arrows on the market.


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[Zac]

Just saw this, I got a dozen airstrike 340's and have broken 4 of them already. 2 I hit wood and they exploded into 4-5 pieces. The other 2 I barely shafted in a target and when I flexed them they snapped like a twig.
I really like GT but I dont like these arrows. I thought they would be bomber with the ballistic collars at both ends but I was disappointed. I'm going back to hunter pro's.

Man that's really disappointing, I was kind of excited to give this arrow a shot.

 

[ajwcotton]

I know some people over at vista outdoor and once the world settles down I'm going to talk to one of the GT product managers and see if there is anything going on with these or if they are just weaker than some of their other arrows.

 

[WesternHunter]

I know some people over at vista outdoor and once the world settles down I'm going to talk to one of the GT product managers and see if there is anything going on with these or if they are just weaker than some of their other arrows.

I’d be interested to hear their feedback. Lots of guys really like those Pierce but I had terrible luck with them.
As @Ontarget99 mentioned above, at the same weight I will get much higher FOC with the Airstrike which is why I want to go that route. Either build will end up 500+ grains.
Yours breaking has me a bit concerned though...
@ajwcotton were you shooting any aftermarket collars on them or just the factory provided components?

 

[feanor]

Do aluminum or brass inserts up front give any shock advantages vs stainless? Like on a missed shot hitting wood etc, would it conceivably mushroom a bit before? I’ve had unbelievable misses with GT hunter xt and they’re still alive! But I gather thats more about the carbon than collar probably.

 

[D.Rose]

I hunt with Airstrikes and have shot them a ton. I will agree they are a little more brittle than anything else Gold Tip offers. These are very high grade carbon so you get much better tolerances arrow to arrow. But with any high grade carbon comes the trade off of being a little more brittle. Unlike the GT XT Hunters or that price range arrow most have some type of fiberglass blended in to give them the toughness factor that is a selling point to most people. The airstrikes are a top of the line arrow and are for people looking for the tightest tolerances possible in an carbon arrow. I think under normal hunting use they will serve you well. They're definitely not an arrow I would want to be shooting at squirrels with out of my treestand. But if I had to build an arrow for 100 yard shooting they would be one of the first arrows I would look at.

 

[Vandal 44]

I am surprised that no has mentioned the Victory RIP or the RIP TKO. I find them very consistent in straightness, weight and spine consistency. I am shooting the same Victory RIP Elites that bought two years ago, granted I am broke a couple when I shot a few animals and did not get a pass through they fell on them and died, I lost one and and hit a rock with one that broke. The Victory RIP are the .204 they take the Easton Brass HIT insert no problem and the Easton nock. The Victory nock are not very good in my opinion