New arrow help: smaller diameter worth the hassle?

[Eastonsgrandpa]

Hey everyone,

I'm down to six good arrows after using the same dozen for a few years and thinking about getting a new dozen. Currently using VF TKO (standard diameter), but curious about moving to .204 because the RIP TKOs are highly touted.

My question is: do the benefits of smaller diameter shafts outweigh the fiddle factor of dealing with outserts that damage easily or HIT inserts which sound like a PITA to install? Or should I stick to standard? Ideally I'd like something where I can easily play around with insert weights to find out my preferred balance between arrow weight/trajectory.

Use is for both Western big game and whitetail. I had a self imposed max range of 60 on my mule deer hunt this year, but practicing to hopefully extend that by 10 in the future.

Thanks for your input.

I personally like the 5mm and am glad I switched. But if your arrows are working well, there is no big reason to do so. Yes they will buck wind a little better, though I am unsure with my skill set if I am even able to tell the difference. Maybe if I was shooting super long distances but unsure.

If you do go to a smaller shaft, you will have to retune at least the rest as it will not sit correctly on the launcher but will be pointing a small amount down.

 

[renagde]

I like the .204 arrows, higher GPI and I also felt like they were a tougher arrow due to thicker carbon construction. HIT inserts are super easy to install and cheap and I use the Iron Will collars. Hot melt for everything allows me to change out components with hot water and I've never had issues with inserts pulling out.

 

[NXTZ]

Interesting. I do have a couple of the blocks of the hot melt I bought from Podium. I believe it is the Kimsha. I just haven't used it yet. Even bought an adjustable heat gun to do it, but keep going back and forth on the idea.

I guess the good thing with the HM is that if I don't like the process, I can undo what I have started and go back to epoxy.

kimsha is what I use, it’s good stuff. I just hit the inside of the shaft with a .22 bore brush and make sure the inserts are clean (I’ve roughed them up with sandpaper too but that’s probably unnecessary). Use enough glue, I let the excess cool for a little then just peel it off.

And yes, a little hot water lets you tinker to your hearts content with this setup.

 

[Trial153]

Depends. You have to ask yourself what you're primarily hunting if 90% of the time it's white tails under 40 yards. The the answer is no..
However, there is game topography that I do believe a smaller diameter arrow is real benefit.

I also think that how you frame the question is the wrong foundation to start with because it starts on some misconceptions in half truths. First of all hits are not an issue to install at all. There are no hassle and they are pretty much a one and done system. Secondly, most 4 mm components or not fragile at this point, there are plenty of 4mm that are durable and reliable. I'm finding that a lot of people are still spouting off results. They seen 10 and 15 years ago and I've not tried anything in the 4mm components in the last five years or so. I'm speaking for myself with this. I was in that camp. However, there are now four mil component options that are every bit as good as what you're gonna be running for anything else..

With all that said, I think you need to frame the question better that spells out your own needs, and then you could look for an answer.

 

[Beendare]

Well said @Trial153

For most guys the skinny shafts have no advantage.
Then, i’ve seen guys shooting the skinny shafts with FF 360s, that’s like putting 35 inch motors on a Ford escape.

The pros shooting 70 m and 90 m all use 4 mm shafts, that tells us something. If you are shooting very long open country hunting shots there is a very slight advantage to the skinny shafts. I do think it’s only one percent of bow hunters that can tell the difference.

Btw, i’ve said it before here, but I talked to the engineers at Easton years ago and they said it’s a bad idea to use hot melt on the working end of your arrow weakening it.

The epoxy is designed to bond the insert permanently to the carbon for strength to transfer all of the arrows energy into the broadhead. The hot melt does not do that.