Fiberglass Arrows

[teamnelson]

Did a search and it appears as though no one has discussed fiberglass arrows around here for some time. Seems like they'd be pretty inexpensive for target practice, but most folks locally shoot aluminum. Any pros & cons to picking up some fiberglass for beginner target practice?

[stubshaft]

They are heavy and not usually spined for a light bow.  For beginner bows (15# - 25#) I usually set them up with 1916's and feather fletch.

[bigbird09]

I wouldn't use fiberglass arrows outside of bowfishing.  Over on archerytalk at one time was a thread where a guy made some arrows from dowel rods, that would be good for practice,  he used them for tree rats and such.

[hoot gibson]

could you be thinking of carbon arrows ?  if so carbons do take alott of punishment , always stay straight . but just keep checking them for cracks . h

[teamnelson]

No, they're fiberglass. Like tonight I saw a dozen on Ebay, fletched with field points for $38. Sounds like they're somewhere between wood and aluminum as far as durability, and appropriately priced. My local shop only carries aluminum and carbon; I'm planning to start off with aluminum with field points. Hopefully by next year's season I'll pick up some carbon with broadheads. I'm PCSing to VA in the Fall, so might be set up by winter urban season.

[bigbird09]

Honestly if you can afford them the carbons would be the better route, unless you want to stick with the traditional side with the aluminums.  A good set of carbon arrows will be much more durable and you don't have to worry about them bending as you do with aluminums.  I started out on aluminums and it was hard for me to make the switch over, but once I did I was much happier, plus I didn't have to buy as many arrows as I did with the aluminums,  A dozen good carbons should last your for a couple years.

[Silvertp]

Team Nelson...I see nothing wrong with shooting fiberglass arrows, in fact they make quite a bit of sense.  In the day everyone shot cedar arrows.  When fiberglass arrows came on the scene, the were a big accuracy improvement and much more durable than cedar.  I can remember my group sizes being cut in half (still not that great) by switching from cedar to glass, and broken or split arrows were not nearly the problem.  They were great for field-roving target practice as they were tough.

When  aluminum arrows became available my groups once again were cut in 1/2 over the glass arrows, but the aluminum were easy to bend or ding.  Of course they could be hand straightened but I never could get them to shoot true.

No doubt the carbons are great to shoot, they are true, lightweight and durable and fly very fast and flat (for an arrow) all contributing to great accuracy.  They are also very expensive as buying a dozen is getting expensive.  If you are only shooting under conditions where lost or broken arrows are not expected then I would expect shots/$$ they are no more expensive than other arrows.

Im thinking that if you can buy the fiberglass for the right price they would make a great practice, roving and small game arrow. 

Don't expect the accuracy, speed or penetration you can get from carbon which would be my choice for big game or serious target shooting.

Silvertp

[bigbird09]

Not really sure the price on fiberglass as  never had the need to shoot them,  but you can get carbons for fairly cheap and still be good arrows.  I shot wally world specials for a couple years at 3 buck and arrow, about the same price as their aluminums.  Of course you get better arrows for more money usually, I've been out of the game for a couple years now and easton axis where about the best out there.  The last arrows I bought where Beman ICS for about 60 bucks for the dozen and only broke one hitting a rock.  Also don't be shyd away because of carbons being "light",  my bemans with 125grn tips only weighted in at 420 grains I believe, but you can get heavier gpi ones, as well as getting weight sticks that go inside the arrow for added weight.  I know a guy that was shooting carbons with his 80# long bow that weight 790 grains.

[handirifle]

I shot some glass arrows as a kid, haven't since then.  I really didn't care for them much.  Seems
ed to me they broke just a little slower than wood, but broke none the less.  Today, I would imagine there might be a tough issue finding the right size inserts for heads etc.

My preference would be for aluminum, especially starting out.  They will bend when hitting things at an odd angle or a hard shot into a hard background, but overall I like them better than most anything. 

I use carbons with my Mathews, but they are more expensive.  Never used carbons with a recurve, as I like heavy arrows in a traditional bow.

[bigbird09]

Never used carbons with a recurve, as I like heavy arrows in a traditional bow.

Not saying you should switch, but more for information for other out there, don't think that you have to go with aluminum arrows to get heavy arrows.  There are several options for heavy weigh carbon arrows, as well as weighted insert for "lighter" arrows.  Not sure about your area, but more and more around me carbons are getting about as cheap as aluminums.  True you do sacrifice some quality,  but even with them your get more durability and just as good accuracy,  especially have you have shoot your aluminums a few times and they have lost that extra .001inch striaghtness that you tend to get with aluminums.

[teamnelson]

Appreciate the feedback - I wound up getting a dozen Easton Gamegetter xx75 2117s from my local shop. ($10 coupon from Easton). So far they're great - I wouldn't know the difference though, to be honest. Still too new. Bent one enough to make a difference - hit the metal frame at the public range on the 20 yd target. I believe it can still be straightened though.

I'm on version 3.0 of my homebuilt target for the garage archery range. This one is made up of tightly rolled carpeting in a heavy gauge box, with the underside of the carpet as the target face. The 2117s penetrate about 4" through the weave and it doesn't twist the tips like stacked paper did.

[bigbird09]

build you a box and fill it full of pallet shrink wrap,  should be able to get it from just about any retailer, for next to nothing if not free,  does a pretty good job,  but you have to be careful to make sure you get it packed evenly,  had a friend that build one for his indoor range ,  it was like 5x20x12  and it stopped everything we flung at it, except it did have a few loose spots.  before that he used lots of layers of carpet to fill the target, and it worked pretty good.