60+ years using regular inserts & have never bent an insert yet. Would NEVER shoot an insert/outsert they are JUNK as far as I can see!

 

Thank you for taking the time to not answer my question and insert information that I didn't ask for. I am aware of the advantages of regular inserts, but I did not ask about regular inserts.

 

There isn’t such a thing. I would probably try Firenock though if you just must have aluminum.

 

I guess what I'm trying to get at is whether it's worth the cost for titanium and which other options have proven to be durable. I'm looking at direct glue-in options and deep six HIT/collar options because they seem pretty durable because they don't stick way out front like a halfout/collar style.

I'm hoping that people with first-hand experience will chime in.

 

Probably the best you’re going to find is between the VAP stock options and Day Six

 

the new easton match grade inserts come in at 55 grains for aluminum but I think as far as price your getting pretty close to the titanium range also looks like they are struggling to keep them in stock as far as durable they are fairly new so I don't think people have had enough time to really put them through the ringer yet.

 

I've looked at those. They seem similar to the Shok TL, but I like the smooth collar portion better than the ribbed Shok version.

The Altra and Day Six components look very similar and I've heard very good things about Day Six.

If there were more broadhead options for the Swhacker LRP it could be a contender.

 

Im in the same boat here. Looking at doing 4mm for a deer hunting arrow. I believe our options are pretty limited as far as durable half outs. I’ve always been told to stay away from aluminum because they’re junk. So I’ve also looked into titanium and steel. As far as I know those are the options to be able to stick with regular field point. I think the best option is an iron will HIT insert and collar. But you’ll have to switch to a deep six head. You probably already know all that so I’ve contributed nothing hahaha.

 

I think the Deep Six and straight glue-in options will be the strongest for sure, just a pain if you already have standard thread broadheads you like.

 

Something comparable to the ironwill hit/collars but a bit cheaper would be the easton hits and ethics makes a 40-45gr steel collar. I believe the easton deep six hits are steel and around 20gr it would keep you in the weight range you're looking for.

 

I have been shooting the 55? Grain Easton Ti half outs. I have not done any testing on durability yet. I’m not really sold on them for how much leverage they add to it. I only bought 3 so I could test them before buying a whole dozen. The new match grade ti and steel look pretty slick but buy the time I add 125 grain head I’ll be at 200 up front and end up with a 550 grain arrow. I have debated on going either with the evolution glue in system or the iron will Snyder core system. Not sure if limiting my self to one broad head option is the way to go though. Sorry that probably wasn’t much help.

 

I don’t love the idea of an outsert. They work fine for hunting but i bend one every now and then just shooting. I get a glue in tip the same weight as my insert plus feild point. easier to pull out and you won’t bend it.

 

I've had good results with the Gold Tip system for the 4mm stuff. Which is weird because I HATE aluminum and I thought they would be destroyed. However if your setup is tuned and the arrow goes straight into the target it should be fine. One arrow I smacked into a rock at 137 yards (intentionally, trying to break it) and it came out just fine. Shot into a concrete barrier with my 78# Mach 34 and it is still in a quiver ready to rock (pun intended).

Many guys out there claim they break at low poundage and whatnot. Maybe if you have side load from an angled shot?

In general, the greater the length inside the shaft compared to outside the shaft will be stronger. I don't like deep six stuff because the threads become the new weak point and it seems to break or bend really easily due to how thin the walls are.

But a wad of used gum will be stronger than the Victory stuff. Not a fan at all.

 

I agree that the Gold Tip components are top notch. I really liked the stainless halfout and collar from the Airstrike when I used them on some RIP XVs. Really tight tolerances. If Gold Tip made a stainless version of the 4mm insert it would be even better, but I have seen some torture tests and the Gold Tip aluminum stuff held up great.

 

I went down the 4mm rabbit hole a few years ago and got sick of trying to find components that work well.

I'd go with the new Easton Match Grade if I went back to 4mm shafts. That won't happen because I'd much rather use a 5mm, 6mm or 6.5mm for the type of hunting I do.

4mm arrows are much more of a hassle than they're worth imo.

 

I like Ethics options. Aluminum post with SS collar could work. Little heavier than 50 gn but solid set up. Loved it on my Black Eagle X-Impacts

 

The ethics static option is 50 grains and with the longer post it strengthens your arrow. Never bent one and I have it rocks and other foreign objects.

 

A durable aluminum alternative does not exist as far as I’ve experienced after a decade or more of vaps. Stainless held up for me for almost a year. Snyder core is good so are Easton and podiums ti half out. Ti is where it’s at. Bite the bullet or go deep six. Or save yourself the headache n sell the vaps n stick with .204 or larger. That’s what I’ve done.

 

Just go with the components that come with the arrow, like Easton.

 

I only use iron will deep six style inserts in my .166 arrows. Not exactly cheap, but if you use hot melt you will be able to use them forever. So its a really good investment in my opinion…the weight options, durability, and tolerances are worth it.

 

I've had good luck with Firenock outserts and Black Eagle FOCOS. Zero bends with Firenock. I've bent three aluminum FOCOS but the design makes them easy to replace. To be fair, all were pass throughs on the local 3D range. Two buried into hard ground and the other bullseye'd a tree. I've started shooting the steel FOCOS and haven't had any issues yet.

I've been shooting 166s on and off since I first saw them in a catalog back in the 90's 😅. It's been a love hate relationship ever since. Love the arrows, hate the outserts 😂. But if you want to shoot skinnies, it's either that or commit to Deep Six and limited broadhead selection.

Good luck and happy shooting!

 

I have just been shooting the regular aluminum insert with the collar from gold tip and have great success on my 4mm pierce arrows .. 4 for 4, no issues.

 

I love .166 but hate components so I’m not using them this year . Switched to glue in target tips and glue in broadheads. Trying Thrive gonna play with add on weights from 140 to 180. So far u love the performance of 140 flight is fantastic just gotta test it on a real animal yet.

 

You asked if there was a durable substitution & I gave you one BUT it WASN"T what you wanted to HERE!

 

I asked about 4mm components and you started talking about standard diameter components.

Great grammar, too...

 

That's the beauty of those skinny arrows..........

 

For what it's worth, I'm shooting the 50gr that come with the Axis 4mm and haven't had any issues. I looked at all of the options and decided the one I already had was the best one. I'm sure I could bend them, or make them fail, if I tried but happy so far and will put the extra cash to more arrows. Just my 2¢

 

Yes, I'd love to go with Titanium. No, I don't want to pay for titanium.

Stainless would be good, but I'm wanting to keep insert/outsert weight around 50 grains, 75 grains max. Is there a durable aluminum design out there?

Pros/Cons to using a Deep Six HIT/collar vs a post/collar vs a one piece post/collar?


Shafts are VAP SS. I do not care for the Shok TL.

Old post but….
I just picked up a dozen VAP TKO’s and ordered the 2 piece Podium titanium outserts for them. 60 total grains
Should be here by the end of the week.