carbon vs aluminum
#1
Typical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Wichita Kansas USA
Posts: 699
carbon vs aluminum
I asked the ? once before and got no responses, but I am hardheaded and will try again. Is anyone shooting both aluminum and carbon thru the same setup? Does it work or what are the fall backs to trying this? My bow shop is telling me it won't work, but I would think the minor variation in diameter would not be prohibitive. I have a new ovation coming and was considering carbon for the first time, but I still have a good supply of aluminum. Let me know your thoughts on shooting both.
#2
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,175
RE: carbon vs aluminum
If you tune for carbon and shoot an aluminum out of the setup, it might fly perfect. It might even have exactly the same point of impact without moving your sights. At least, out to 20-25 yards. Beyond that, all bets are off.
I've done it. I know others who've had the same results.
But a bow tuned for carbons won't be perfectly tuned for the aluminums. Broadhead flight with the aluminums might be okay. It might be really bad. Depends on whether the bow will let you get away with it or not.
You need to pick which arrow you intend to shoot, tune up for it, sight in with it and stick with that arrow. It's not uncommon to have to totally retune a bow simply because you switched from Brand X carbon to brand A carbon. Much less switching from carbon to aluminum or vice versa!
I've done it. I know others who've had the same results.
But a bow tuned for carbons won't be perfectly tuned for the aluminums. Broadhead flight with the aluminums might be okay. It might be really bad. Depends on whether the bow will let you get away with it or not.
You need to pick which arrow you intend to shoot, tune up for it, sight in with it and stick with that arrow. It's not uncommon to have to totally retune a bow simply because you switched from Brand X carbon to brand A carbon. Much less switching from carbon to aluminum or vice versa!
#3
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: raleigh nc USA
Posts: 311
RE: carbon vs aluminum
kansas,
I just switched from alum to carbon and did not change my set up. Up to 30 yards they both shoot the same but after that the alum seems to drop faster. I have not paper tuned my bow yet because I'm not sure that I will stay with the carbon. (Like you I still have a good supply of alum arrows)
I just switched from alum to carbon and did not change my set up. Up to 30 yards they both shoot the same but after that the alum seems to drop faster. I have not paper tuned my bow yet because I'm not sure that I will stay with the carbon. (Like you I still have a good supply of alum arrows)
#4
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Columbus Ohio USA
Posts: 225
RE: carbon vs aluminum
I am a finger shooter and the change in diameter makes a big difference with my rest (plunger) so I cannot shoot them both. FYI, I went to carbon last year and I have been very pleased. I don't think I will go back.
#6
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Grand Forks BC Canada
Posts: 760
RE: carbon vs aluminum
It seems to me, as long as arrow choice is done correctly and the spine is right for both, that there's no reason why both wouldn't shoot equally well.
I do shoot carbons (2 kinds) and aluminums both out of my Razortec. There is no detectable windage difference in any of them. As you would expect, however, the vertical impact point differs with the weight (and therefore speed) of the arrows. My aluminums chrono at 228 fps and the light carbons I use for 3D move along at 270.
As far as having tuning trouble switching, that problem never cropped up. Perhaps I was just lucky.
BTW, I use a dropaway rest, so there are no potential arrow/rest contact problems either.
I do shoot carbons (2 kinds) and aluminums both out of my Razortec. There is no detectable windage difference in any of them. As you would expect, however, the vertical impact point differs with the weight (and therefore speed) of the arrows. My aluminums chrono at 228 fps and the light carbons I use for 3D move along at 270.
As far as having tuning trouble switching, that problem never cropped up. Perhaps I was just lucky.
BTW, I use a dropaway rest, so there are no potential arrow/rest contact problems either.