Fact checked by Steven Lines, lifelong Hunter, and Outdoorsman
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High-quality arrows are some of the most important tools you’ll need in your arsenal if you plan to succeed in archery. However, there are many different types of arrows available on the market. Generally, though, it’s recommended that you choose a carbon arrow over an aluminum one.
But what are the reasons why carbon arrows are better than aluminum?
There are several advantages that a carbon arrow will be able to provide. For example, they tend to be very durable, ensuring that they will last for a long time. Carbon arrows will also offer a higher wind resistance, recover faster, and have better wind resistance. There are many different types of carbon arrows to choose from, depending on your needs and budget. Because of this, carbon arrows tend to be most popular amongst both hunters and target shooters.
There are plenty of significant differences between carbon and aluminum arrows. You’ll need to explore each of these to decide which type of arrow will be best for you. To help you do this, let’s look at some of the reasons why you might want a carbon arrow is often the best choice.
In this post, we'll cover:
Carbon Arrows Are More Durable Than Aluminum Arrows
Carbon arrows are made from more robust materials than aluminum ones. Because of this, they will be more resistant to twisting or breaking. As a result, these arrows tend to last for a long time.
While carbon arrows might be more expensive than aluminum arrows, they are made from stronger materials. This ensures that they will be more resistant to being bent or twisted out of shape. This can be very important if the arrow becomes embedded in a target.
This can often work out better in the long term. Because they are more durable, a carbon arrow will be able to last for a long time. On the other hand, the cheaper aluminum arrows are more likely to break and need to be replaced frequently.
This durability has another benefit. Because it takes more pressure to bend a carbon arrow, you’ll have confidence that it will stay straight. This ensures that these arrows will remain accurate over the long term. Because of this, you’ll re-use the arrow multiple times, as long as you properly take care of them.
Higher durability can be a significant benefit for hunters. It’s common for hunters to miss shots at animals. This can often cause your arrow to fly into undergrowth or trees. A carbon arrow will be able to better deal with this damage than an aluminum one, which can often be scratched or damaged.
Finally, despite their durability, some carbon arrows might get bent after several uses. This is particularly common with hunting arrows, as they’ll need to penetrate through the thick hides of animals. In some cases, you might be able to repair the damage yourself, bending it back into shape.
Carbon Arrows Are Lighter Than Aluminum Arrows
Another benefit of using a carbon arrow is how light they are. This presents a few distinct advantages. First, it makes it easy to carry, which is essential for hunters. It also ensures that they will always be accurate.
Carbon is a very lightweight material, especially compared to some of the other options on the market, like wood and aluminum. Depending on how you intend to use it, there are a few distinct benefits to using a lighter material.
For example, many hunters don’t want to expend too much energy by having to carry heavy equipment into place. This is especially important if you need to travel long distances to track animals. The higher speed can also help them overcome any issues that they might have made when estimating the range.
Target shooters also prefer lighter arrows. This allows them to put more pressure onto the string and achieve higher speeds. By doing this, you’ll be able to give yourself the best chance of hitting the target. This can also be a great way to limit the impact of weather conditions on your shot accuracy.
Carbon Arrows Offer Higher Penetration Rates Than Aluminum Arrows
Carbon arrows tend to be thinner and travel faster than aluminum options. Because of this, they offer a better penetration rate. This can be especially beneficial for hunters, though target archers will also appreciate this.
Nothing is more frustrating for a hunter than lining up the perfect shot, only not to have the arrow penetrate deep enough. When using a carbon arrow, there is less of a chance that this will happen. This is because of the way that the arrows are made.
Most carbon arrows will feature a thin point when compared to other arrow types. This, combined with the higher velocity allowed by their low weight, makes it easier for them to penetrate through the target.
This will have the most benefits for hunters, as they will have a higher chance of landing a good shot against their prey. However, target archers will also appreciate this feature, as it will allow them to have improved aerodynamics, ensuring that they will get more accuracy on the range.
There Are Plenty Of Accessories Available For Carbon Arrows
When shooting this type of arrow, you will be able to find plenty of accessories. This will allow you to customize your arrow better to suit your shooting style. This will enable you to improve your shooting style or make you more likely to take down your target species when hunting.
There are plenty of reasons why people use accessories on their arrows. For some, it’s a way of improving their accuracy when on the range. For others, it’s a way of making sure their arrows have a more significant impact on the target species.
There are plenty of accessories that you choose from, depending on the type of things you want to do with your bow. For example, you might want to try placing a new kind of arrowhead on. In other cases, you might want to change the fletching.
You’ll also be able to adjust where the weight sits on the arrow. This can be helpful for more advanced archers, letting them fully customize the shooting experience.
While accessorizing the arrows is becoming more popular, not all accessories will be compatible with carbon arrows. As a result, you want to double-check that the products will work before you make the purchase.
Carbon Arrows Recover Faster Than Aluminum Arrows
Carbon arrows have a faster recovery time when compared to aluminum arrows. This means that, when bent, they snap back into their position faster. This makes it easier for you to tune your bow.
If you’re shooting regularly, you need to make sure that you’re turning your bow frequently. This ensures that you’ll always be able to hit the target accurately. In most cases, you’ll want to tune your bow every few months. Though, if you’re frequently shooting, you might need to tune it more often.
The process of tuning a bow isn’t overly complicated. Though it’s often easier when using carbon arrows than aluminum ones. This is because carbon arrows have a faster recovery time.
This ensures that they can snap back quickly after being bent from the forces exerted when fired. As a result, your bow will be able to handle a more extensive array of carbon arrows.
Once tuned, you’ll only need to make a few minor to work with a different size or weight of carbon arrows. On the other hand, you’ll often need to spend more time adjusting your bow if you intend to change between different aluminum arrow sizes.
The faster recovery speeds are also indicative of the tremendous amount of pressure required to bend a carbon arrow out of shape. Because of this, they will retain their straightness, no matter how many times you shoot the arrow. This contributes to the ability to last for many years.
Carbon Arrows Have Better Wind Resistance Than Aluminum Arrows
Carbon arrows tend to deal better with windy conditions. Despite the increased wind resistance, they will be able to stay on target. This can be a big benefit for anyone who will be shooting outdoors.
When shooting, it’s common for wind resistance to play a significant role. In strong winds, the arrow can be pushed off-course. This can lower your accuracy. Thankfully, carbon arrows have a few features which will allow them to offer better wind resistance than aluminum arrows.
As we mentioned earlier, they’re lighter. Because of this, the archer will be able to place more draw strength onto the bow. This will increase the speed at which the arrow is traveling, helping it cut through the wind.
Also, a carbon arrow is more aerodynamic. This is because it has a thinner tip, allowing it to cut through the wind more efficiently. It also has smaller fletches than the ones needed for aluminum arrows. As a result, it will be less likely to get pushed off target.
These features can be very beneficial to those who plan on shooting outdoors, where you’ll have less control over the elements.
Carbon Arrows Are Easier To Use Than Aluminum Arrows
Carbon arrows tend to be a lot easier to use than aluminum arrows. This is because of a combination of their low weight and high durability.
If you’re just getting started with archery, it can be a difficult skill to learn. This learning curve can often take its toll on your equipment. However, carbon arrows tend to be the best choice, especially if you’re trying to teach your children how to shoot safely. There are a few reasons for this.
First, they are lighter than aluminum arrows. This makes it easier for you to load them into the bow. Also, when you are first starting archery, you might not have a lot of draw strength. This can make it easier to fire a carbon arrow.
Also, you’re likely to have arrows that miss the target frequently. As we mentioned, carbon arrows will be able to take a lot of abuse without getting bent out of shape.
There Are A Wide Range Of Carbon Arrows To Choose From
There is a wide selection of carbon arrows available on the market for you to choose from. This will ensure that you’ll find the right one for your preferred style of shooting.
There are dozens of types of carbon arrows you to choose from. This will ensure that you can get something that will fit your specifications. For example, if you’re a hunter, you might want to get an arrow that delivers better penetration. On the other hand, if you’re a target shooter, you might prioritize accuracy and wind resistance.
These arrows are also correctly weighted, with the front of the arrow heavier than the rear. Because of this, you’ll be able to achieve tighter groupings, giving you a better chance of hitting the target.
Related Questions
- Are carbon arrows more dangerous than aluminum ones? All arrows, if misused, have the potential to do a lot of harm. However, carbon arrows aren’t any more fragile than aluminum arrows. If you take care of them and follow the rules on the range, you should be able to use carbon arrows very safely.
- How long do arrows last? This will often depend on the way that you use them. For example, you’ll need to make sure that they’re kept out of direct sunlight. In most cases, though, the right arrow should be able to last for many years.
Final Thoughts
Carbon arrows tend to be a better choice than aluminum arrows. The way they are shaped ensures that they will be more aerodynamic. This ensures that they will encounter less wind resistance and deliver higher accuracy. Also, they tend to be highly durable, so they’ll last for a long time.
They also tend to be lighter, so you’ll be able to place more pressure on the string, to achieve higher speeds and better penetration. Because of this, carbon arrows are an excellent choice for both hunters and target shooters.
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Steven Lines is a hunter and outdoorsman from Safford, Arizona, USA. Since he was a child, he has been hunting and fishing and has over 20 years of outdoor experience. Steven works as a hunting guide in Arizona during his spare time and runs a Youtube channel dedicated to sharing his outdoor adventures with others.