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Arrow diameter in hunting arrows

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JFBfishhunt

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Looking for input from those who have researched and made decisions on which arrow diameter (.166 or .204 or other) when matching up with a fairly heavy total arrow weight (say 500 to 600 grain) and FOC in the 12-15 range (and I’ll be using a cut on contact fixed head).

Why did you choose the diameter you did and which brand and why? Thx for any input
 
#2 ·
I used to shoot 166 id shafts almost exclusively, but after a lot of testing, I opted for 204 ID Gold Tip Kinetics 200 spine with a 400 GT Trad series half-out, 78 grains and have found it to be the most forgiving, hardest hitting, nearly indestructible arrow I've ever built.
 
#6 ·
I shoot .245 ID shafts and at 30 yds with 500 grain arrows, I have pass thru's unless I double shoulder them. At close range, arrow shaft dia. is not as important. Out west with longer shots and wind, it might be a totally different story. Just my thoughts. Oh, and I shoot 60 lbs with slick tricks.
Ches.
 
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#7 ·
I'm running Axis 4mm with Ethics up front. SS sleeve with the AL post. Insert and broadhead weigh 210. TAW is at 515. They fly great, especially in the wind. I am going on an elk hunt in NM this season which is why I went with the micro becasue of the potential for longer shots in windy conditions. If I were doing it again, I would probably go with a 5mm arrow with HIITs and sleeves as I think the components are better. A 6mm arrow is probably fine if youre just shooting close ranges for whitetails. I believe I have one of the best component setups with getting outrageously heavy, and they still bend from time to time on hard impacts. I am shooting an 80# Levitate, so we are asking alot out of a couple little pieces of metal.
 
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#8 ·
I shoot Easton 2413 aluminum shafts which are .375" OD. I shoot them because I like aluminum and get excellent results with tuning and passthroughs from the 520 grain total arrow weight. FOC with 165 grains up front is 13%.
 
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#9 ·
I've hunted with .166" up to 23/64" arrows with weights ranging from 360gr all the way up to 613gr and 11-18% FOC.

My current hunting arrow is a .204" diameter 450gr and 15% FOC Kill'n Stix Ventilator. This arrow gives me the right balance of speed/trajectory and I wouldn't think twice about hunting anything in North America with them.

This being said, when I go through these arrows (get lost or broken) I'm going back to standard diameter shafts for hunting. For no other reason than components are much more reasonably priced.

In my opinion, unless your hunting out west with longer shots, there is no benefit to shafts smaller than standard. I know there are folks who disagree and that's ok. I sell them what ever shafts they ask for.
 
#10 ·
I used to use .166 and found components were lacking and bending (at the time). I went back to .204 and had piece with my component selection.

I found the Iron Will system great, but expensive and a bit of work. The new Victory system is easy, but I really like the 50gr Titanium inserts from Podium Archery; super long insert and easily clean installation.

Btw I’ve heard so much about the .166 cheating the wind better but haven’t seen a noticeable difference, even past 100y.

Image



Ti insert next to the newer Victory SS.

Image



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
#11 ·
I shot 608 grain, 2317 XX78/75's for decades. I tried many carbons but never found any I liked enough to switch. In 2015, I bought a new bow and the shop included 6 VAP's as part of the deal. I planned to sell them, but decided to try them first. I ended up liking them so much I've built 6-7 dozen 478 grain VAP's and VAP TKO's since then. FOC%'s are 13.3-17%. It's really easy to tune micros, for me. They're also less affected by crosswinds at longer ranges. They blow right through bucks and bulls just like my old 2317's did, only with flatter trajectories. When I first got 'em, I thought, "There's no way these skinny little things will ever work." Go figure...🤣
 
#12 ·
My hunting bow is set up at 28.5” DL With 60# DW. Was using Easton axis long range. Was not happy with the component selection. Switched to Victory RIP TKO 300 spine 28.5” carbon to carbon. Podium archer Ti inserts with additional 50 grain screw in weight up front. 3 2.75 TAC drivers with left helical with lighted nock. 490 gr OAW with whatever 100 gr head I choose to use, usually a QAD Exodus. This arrow set up is all I will be using for a very long time. Flight and penetration are both phenomenal.
 
#14 ·
Diver160651 said:
I used to use .166 and found components were lacking and bending (at the time). I went back to .204 and had piece with my component selection.

I found the Iron Will system great, but expensive and a bit of work. The new Victory system is easy, but I really like the 50gr Titanium inserts from Podium Archery; super long insert and easily clean installation.

Btw I’ve heard so much about the .166 cheating the wind better but haven’t seen a noticeable difference, even past 100y.

Image



Ti insert next to the newer Victory SS.

Image



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Click to expand...
Wow, some good looking arrows
 
#15 ·
I prefer. 204 or 6mm/.246 diameter arrows compared to micros. The ease of building and components selection is great for those diameters. I personally never found the advantage to 4mm or micro for hunting ..because after I put the appropriate fletching or fixed blade on..I think the whole micro arrow argument of wind cutting goes out of the window. Currently shooting 6mm Easton Sonics and they were unbelievably easy to tune.
 
#16 ·
I honestly don't think there's much advantage either way you decide. They all will achieve what you want. Don't overthink it. Go with what you can readily get, build some arrows and go shoot.
 
#17 ·
From the testing I’ve done and Information and testing from others is 204 is the way to go for most because stock components tend to be better in 204 shafts the HIT style seams to be preferred or a glue in head the most testing I’ve seen is by Arron Snyder and he says for stock stuff the best you can go is Easton Axis 5MM but if you don’t mind the cost you can shoot 166 or other 204 shafts if you prefer with aftermarket components. I have a set of Axis I’m trying now but will probably go back to Black Eagle Rampages, Carnivores, or Spartans with after market inserts for them
 
#18 ·
Been Hunting for 27 Years with Easton XX75 & XX78 2514"s! They Tuned Well back in 1995 when I first found them when these Tuned the Best with My New Bow Back Then.
The Easton Chart offer this Arrow as slightly Heavier but the Brand Bow I use Likes this Size. With a 30 Inch Draw Length, 60 lb Draw Weight and 125 Point Weight Works the Best. Prior my Arrows fishtail out of A Darton and A Martin. Once I Got my First Oneida Aero Force my Arrow flu straight and true. Could not ask for more! I now Use an Oneida Lite Force Magnum just 4 inches less ATA than the AF. Tried GT 7595 & Easton Original FMJ's but with Carbon's ability to "crack / splinter" and the FMJ's having the HIT Insert getting Pushed back in to the arrow at 110.oo a Dozen then I went Back to the 2514 the Insert Could Never be pushed back as It has a "Collar" and Never Have a 2514 "crack / splinter" and No Flexing! So Since I have Always Got "Complete Pass Thru's" If I do my Job and Make The Shot. That is what Matters to ME! And prior to the 2514 being Discontinued I found some at 49.99 a Dozen Shafts have 3 Dozen Still never "Bend" any this far. So If It Works Why CHANGE"? If a 2514 Can Pass Thru Don't see the Need to worry about Diameter Size as So Many Here seem To DO!
Each Archer Has Their Idea what Works and My Choice of Equipment has!!! So no longer see a Need To Change Anything. As Proof is in the Pudding!!!
LFM
 
#19 ·
Tested a lot of different arrow setups and landed on a standard diameter Black Eagle Carnivore, regular insert and 200 grain VPA single bevel @ 510 grains TAW. I saw zero difference in wind drift or penetration on live animals between 204 and standard diameter.
 
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