[Kali4]

Is there any advantages of disadvantages to small diameter arrows? The reason I ask is because I have GT Traditional 3555's that are tuned perfectly to my bow. I have an opportunity to buy a dozen Easton Axis Traditional at half the list price from somebody trying to get rid of them but man are they thin. I have some 1916's and I thought those were thin but the Eastons with the HIT technology are even smaller in diameter. Should I expect any kind of performance difference? Because they are thinner does this affect them with respect to being closer to center? Are thinner arrows more susceptible to form issues when shooting with fingers? These may be dumb questions but I have never seen somebody shooting such narrow arrows from a long bow, usually I see these type of arrows shot from a compound. The price seems enticing but if some GT Blems for $20 will be better for me than I have no problems passing up on the Eastons.

 

[camo_deerslayer]

I shoot the Axis Traditional arrows in my recurve. I noticed no difference in performance and prefer them for hunting. (Actual prefer them period...)


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[GilG]

I shoot Victory RIP XV on my recurve and longbow. Its actually even thinnner than Axis shafts. As long as you tune them right to your bow, it will shoot the same as any other shaft.
I chose the RIP XV not for the diameter but for the increased FOC without bumping the arrow weight too much. I am at 32&foc at 560gr. On a 55#bow

 

[sampb18]

I shoot Carbon Express pile driver small diamater (.265).
I was kinda in the same boat. I was looking for some arrows for my longbow and a store in Dallas had those for under $30 a half dozen. I was a little worried about how they were gonna work out but they fly better than anything else I have tried. They come with a 45 grain "half in" outsert.
They are extremely stiff and I had to leave them a little long and go way up in tip weight. But now I have a 565 grain deer thumper

 

[keb]

I've had the smaller arrows tune better on some bows. (.204) axis size. I tired .166 and could not get them to fly that great out of this bow I have.

I've shot deer with trad .246 gold tip shafts, might be the toughest arrow out there.

I've shot deer with 11/32 wood arrows and got pass thrus, at 42lbs.

I like the smaller shafts, but it's probably more minimual on penetration in the grand scheme

A well tuned arrow, good weight, sharp broad head an ACCURATE SHOT PLACEMENT win in the end.

 

[centershot]

They could shoot a little different being of a smaller diameter. If you shoot with a rest, moving it out a touch should be all your need, or off the shelf you may need to build out the strike plate a bit.

 

[Tradchef]

What Keb said!!! Spot on

 

[tpcowfish]

Easton trads are a good arrow, I think the walls are maybe thicker ? , You may notice a difference in impact to a larger dia arrow as centershot stated, only one ive busted was shot into a tree at a 3 d course, where the bear was standing between the forked tree

 

[olddogrib]

Each shines in its own application...just don't expect to interchange a 5/16th diameter shaft with a skinny of the same spine and expect the same point of impact without some re-tuning.

 

[fishnl8]

I used to shoot GT Trads, then went to Easton Axis, now I'm shooting Victory VAP's... I LOVE the small diameter shafts. Honestly, they all shoot great when they are tuned properly for you bow. I don't know if it really does make a difference or not, but in my mind I believe that they will be less affected by cross wind and are thinner than the broadhead/insert so in theory should have less drag going through an animal. Now when I shoot a Gold Tip Trad it feels like I'm holding a telephone pole, LOL!

 

[Stephen Morley]

If you shoot with elevated rest/plunger and aim off the arrow tip then skinny arrows really helps with more precise aiming, I think this is why 99% of Stringwalkers prefer skinny arrows.

Myself a couple of other people have directly compared VAP's and ACE's, the VAP's grouped at least as good as the ACE's (for me the VAP's were better) but cost a LOT less.

 

[caligator]

I really like the Black Eagle Deep Impacts. They fly really good out of my Bear AuSable and Treadways. Full length with point adapter, 100 grain tip with the 41# Bear and have a nearly perfect bare shaft. I now shoot them and wood only. I may be off base but I think the thicker wall and skinny shaft stabilize quicker than thin walled 5/16's. Could it be that the skinny keeps the arrow closer to the center of the bow on a cut past center bow? I don't know, I'm just a dumb *******. I haven't shot the VAP's but see a lot of people who do. Give'em a try, you will never know if you don't. Downside in 3-D is close shots. could have been a line cutter. You can always put them on the classifieds if you don't like them.

 

[Stephen Morley]

Downside in 3-D is close shots. could have been a line cutter.

Verdict is still out on that one, last year I shot Cheetah 3D's and this year VAP target arrows, on WA3D (similar to IBO) hardly any difference in scores, IFAA (out to 60y) I've seen a nice improvement, last 3D this year (100 3D's) I won by a clear 200 points, so no complaints in line cutters.

WA Indoors the target Archers went to fat arrows, a lot of them seem to be switching back to skinny arrows, I think how well you get your arrows tuned to your bow makes more of a difference than how fat/skinny your arrows are.

 

[caligator]

Verdict is still out on that one, last year I shot Cheetah 3D's and this year VAP target arrows, on WA3D (similar to IBO) hardly any difference in scores, IFAA (out to 60y) I've seen a nice improvement, last 3D this year (100 3D's) I won by a clear 200 points, so no complaints in line cutters.

WA Indoors the target Archers went to fat arrows, a lot of them seem to be switching back to skinny arrows, I think how well you get your arrows tuned to your bow makes more of a difference than how fat/skinny your arrows are.

You are obviously a way better shot than I am. If all your shots are in the 10 ring, it doesn't matter what kind of arrow you shot! I still shoot a five here and there and some of those could have been an 8 if using larger diameter arrows. That is the point I was trying to make.

 

[Bisch]

I did not read all the posts above, but if you are a hunter, a well tuned smaller diameter shaft will penetrate better than a well tuned larger diameter shaft (all else being equal). I switched from Gold Tip to Easton Full Metal Jacket and really like the FMJ's a lot better.

Bisch

 

[Stephen Morley]

Caligator it always down to personal choice and what gives you the most confidence, I think (for me) the more precise aiming of skinny arrows allows me better accuracy and line cutters don't really become an issue (most of the time )