New arrow build for 2026 - Muley & Whitetail

[180splitg3]

One of my concerns is that if I use a collar, I want it to fit tight around the shaft. My RIP TKOs have an OD of 0.266. If I go with a 0.263 collar - how much sanding would be required? Seems like it wouldn't be much but it's hard for me to grasp how much 0.003 is

 

[realunlucky]

I used the ethics archery collars (ss steel collar aluminum insert) on my TKOs. I wanted my arrows to weigh the same (keep same arrow speed) but bring more wieght up front and have less wind drift. Components in general add a bunch of cost to any arrow. I glue all my components in with the victory glue. If you heat it up you can remove them. Note it sets up fast so ready when you put the pieces together.

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

 

[ResearchinStuff]

Iron will c on rip tko 300 spine. The gap is imperceptible

 

[180splitg3]

I used the ethics archery collars (ss steel collar aluminum insert) on my TKOs. I wanted my arrows to weigh the same (keep same arrow speed) but bring more wieght up front and have less wind drift. Components in general add a bunch of cost to any arrow. I glue all my components in with the victory glue. If you heat it up you can remove them. Note it sets up fast so ready when you put the pieces together.

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

do you remember what size you went with (or what spine TKO you have) and how much the insert and collar weighed? I am trying to stay around 440-445 TAW with a 125 grain point, lighted nock and wrap. I am left with about 25 grains to play with for the insert and collar to stay in that range. I have already put way too much thought into this - lol

 

[realunlucky]

do you remember what size you went with (or what spine TKO you have) and how much the insert and collar weighed? I am trying to stay around 440-445 TAW with a 125 grain point, lighted nock and wrap. I am left with about 25 grains to play with for the insert and collar to stay in that range. I have already put way too much thought into this - lol

I needed 65 grains. I'm shooting 300 spline arrows so .267 end cap which weights 40 grains.

You'll likely need titanium to stay within 25 grains. Ethics does have an aluminum end cap that might offer an cheaper alternative not sure the wieght difference.


Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

 

[Mighty Mouse]

What are your thoughts on hit insert material durability? I have 16 grain aluminum hit inserts laying around. I have also been looking at the 15 grain titanium inserts from IW and also the 25 grain stainless inserts from IW. Then there are also collars of various weights. I plan to use a 125 grain broadhead moving forward.

I don't know if I want to use collars or not. Obviously this determines my total arrow weight. I have killed a lot of game with my axis arrows without collars and never had an issue - but I have had virtually no hard impacts on game to know if they would have bent (I currently have brass 50 grain). Any thoughts on collars? I have seen you post quite a bit about archery gear and you seem to know your stuff so I wanted to ask you. The arrows I have had break have been when I have hit rebar and/or wood framing around my targets. But the collars will cost me $50 - which would cover the cost of 2-3 new arrows as well (I could buy a few new arrows if needed if I splinter the front of one instead of putting money into the collars)...

I personally don't think a collar is necessary, but if you wanted something cheap to provide a little external reinforcement, you could use a Top Hat protector ring as a miniature collar.

 

[OSUsmokey]

Just locally here in Oregon. My arrow came out to 381.6gn with 15% FOC. Hitting about 6-7in higher now at 60 compared to my old 438gn arrows

 

[180splitg3]

I personally don't think a collar is necessary, but if you wanted something cheap to provide a little external reinforcement, you could use a Top Hat protector ring as a miniature collar.

Thanks for the response - might check out these top hats. I've been bowhunting for 20 years without collars - so it's hard to believe collars are such a necessity. Seems like everyone on rokslide uses them though and I'm feeling like I have to now . I'm not against trying to improve my current setup - just not sure the collars are needed for what I'm hunting. I didn't think this would be such a hard decision!

 

[Back_country_blacktail]

Rip tko elite 300
easton 50 grain hit insert
Easton titanium collar
G5 megameat
Dca mini sabre 4 fletch
Have performed flawlessly so far on every deer i have shot! Arrows roll in right at 466 grains with a solid foc and getting 302 fps out of the lift. Super durable when it comes to misses at the range also.

 

[ND1612]

Can confirm that the RIP TKO 300's with the IW insert and collar will work on whitetails! Shot this one at 12yd tonight. Used the IW 100gr since i was shooting through the mesh on my blind window, otherwise a SEVR 1.75 hybrid likely would have made the trip.

The full setup is right around 445gr.
RIP TKO Elite 300 @ 27.75"
IW 25gr HIT and 25gr collar
4x AAE Max Stealth & reflective OneStringer wrap
100gr head

Running 292 ft/s from a LiftX @ 70# and 28"

 

[180splitg3]

Can confirm that the RIP TKO 300's with the IW insert and collar will work on whitetails! Shot this one at 12yd tonight. Used the IW 100gr since i was shooting through the mesh on my blind window, otherwise a SEVR 1.75 hybrid likely would have made the trip.

The full setup is right around 445gr.
RIP TKO Elite 300 @ 27.75"
IW 25gr HIT and 25gr collar
4x AAE Max Stealth & reflective OneStringer wrap
100gr head

Running 292 ft/s from a LiftX @ 70# and 28"

Congrats on the buck! Thanks for sharing your setup.

 

[Beendare]

Gotcha - thanks. I bought some of the Easton match grade collars and they even have some play. They are the #2 with a 0.266 ID. Not sure if I will keep them or not. I'm still not positive I want to use a collar at all. Was hoping to find one that fits tighter...

I shot the collars for awhile years ago....and IMO they are a wasted effort for a minor benefit in a very small % of scenarios if at all. Then there is the big negative in some targets like carpet bales and the Morrell type targets with pulling your arrows.

I think Collars are a solution looking for a problem. Many threads on the HIT inserts- the experienced guys like them and have not had problems. The half outs CAN be a problem when it comes time to get your BH's perfectly concentric.

IME, you are focusing on the wrong factors. Pick a over spined arrow shaft [more durable], mill the ends on a jig squaring them pre assembly- [the saw leaves a ragged edge] That squared end makes the whole assembly stronger with your BH's seated better on the shaft and insert mitigating the need for anything else like collars and half outs.

Assembly has proven to be more important than all of these expensive components.

 

[180splitg3]

I shot the collars for awhile years ago....and IMO they are a wasted effort for a minor benefit in a very small % of scenarios if at all. Then there is the big negative in some targets like carpet bales and the Morrell type targets with pulling your arrows.

I think Collars are a solution looking for a problem. Many threads on the HIT inserts- the experienced guys like them and have not had problems. The half outs CAN be a problem when it comes time to get your BH's perfectly concentric.

IME, you are focusing on the wrong factors. Pick a over spined arrow shaft [more durable], mill the ends on a jig squaring them pre assembly- [the saw leaves a ragged edge] That squared end makes the whole assembly stronger with your BH's seated better on the shaft and insert mitigating the need for anything else like collars and half outs.

Assembly has proven to be more important than all of these expensive components.

Thanks for your thoughts. Are you using the standard, aluminum hit inserts? I am with you on the expensive components - I've never had the end of an arrow fail on game and I don't use collars. But in the past I have ben using axis arrows which are a thicker walled arrow. That's part of why I am considering some type of collar. The tophats might be a good compromise - they would offer some protection without a large cost or weight addition...