Carbon Force Radial X Weave Pro.

Beman ICS Hunter.

Better Mousetraps
As carbon arrow technology advances, never-before-seen designs await the archery hunter. I rank Easton’s Axis Full Metal Jacket (FMJ), Carbon Tech’s Panther and Carbon Express’ new Aramid KV or high-end Hunter Series shafts (Maxima, Terminator Lite) as advancements worth exploring for added bowhunting performance. The alloy sheath found on Easton’s FMJ arrows not only serves as rugged protection for the interior carbon fibers, gives the shaft added straightness, but makes shooting more fun by making arrows easier to pull from targets after the shot.

Last year’s CT Panther shafts include a “tru-tapered” design placing more weight up front for better broadhead control, and provide increased arrow clearance at the rear during launch. Spine is controlled by cutting the shaft from front or rear, increasing spine by cutting from the nock end, decreasing it by cutting from the insert end. This allows one shaft to handle draw weights from 40 to 80 pounds.

Carbon Express’ Built-In Weight Forward technology is nothing short of ingenious. The front two thirds of the shaft is constructed to provide increased mass, the rear third not only lighter, but stiffer to further aid in harmonic recovery after launch for shorter settling time and tighter groups with broadheads. The front end is sheathed in proven BuffTuff material that makes it impervious to damage and less susceptible to breakage; like the footed shaft of old but made of space-age carbon (the Aramid including a Kevlar layer; see sidebar for more details). Maxima Hunters serve as a rugged middle-ground option, at eight to 8.9 gpi, Terminator Hunter Lites and Aramid KVs a tad heavier (8.9 to 9.8 gpi, 4560 and 6075 gpi; 8.9 and 9.8 gpi 250 and 350). For 2008, Carbon Express offers a Mathews Edition Maxima Hunter in Mathews’ Lost Camo.

There are more choices than ever, but these choices give you an edge, no matter your bowhunting endeavor.