[Scott S.]

I have shot Gold Tips the last six years and have not had any problems what so ever. I shoot paper, 3-d, and hunt with them.

 

[bowhuntinelk]

Wondering if everybody is still feeling the same way about Gold Tip. I've been shooting them for both my recurve and compound and they are working out well. Don't know if they have improved quality, but the set I just got was matched well for spine and weight and fly nice. They are XT's.

 

[TradArcher]

Well, like I said in my 2008 post... they outsourced to Mexico and quickly learned that was a big mistake. I use mostly 5575 and 7595xt's and shoot them to 80yds and today.... in 2012 still don't have any problem with them.. I do use other shafts, I like to experiment. They include Easton Axis ST and Carbon Express. I like them as well but don't find them so extremely better so as not to use the GT's.

Tom

 

[reddogge]

No problems what so ever with 1535s or 3555s. I don't know what these other people are even talking about.

 

[huntinpool]

I shoot Ultralight pros .500 out of my recurve and longbow . full length with 145 gr points. Hunt with 150 gr bh. Both bows are #52/53 at my draw.
When I play with my Wheelie open rig i shoot the Triple X 's They are heavy but also very fat.
I have shot GT for the past 8 years and overall they are good arrows. I only get the Pro's so i don't know much about the cheaper models.
There were a few bad dozens when NAFTA first started but they have improved since.

 

[aroadik]

I shoot GT-ultralite 600 noticibly better than ST Epics 600 or ST Axis 600.
There ya go ivorycollector - I admit it !!! :lol:

 

[Matt_Potter]

They are to darn short

Matt

 

[DanaC]

I've found the wood-grain 'traditional' shafts to be so-so, better luck with the XT Hunter series.

Has anyone done a study of comparable plain vs. camo or wood-grain finished shafts from the same manufacturer and series?

 

[DRT]

I shoot Ultralite 600 for 3D. Tried ST Epic 600 and they seamed to be more inconsistant and everytime I hit a nock it split the shaft. I'm trying carbon express preditor-2's for hunting but they don't seam to shoot any better than the Gold Tips.

 

[TradArcher]

I believe truly, that the axe that some have to grind was born more than 5yrs ago. Gold Tip has long since corrected their problem.....

Tom

 

[Trillium]

I shot 35/55 arrows GT hunters (black with green label) from my longbows bows in the 40#@30 range. I eventually found them too short, or rather that I learned to appreciate longer arrows. BUT, more of a problem for me was something that has already been mentioned -- I always had a difficult time tuning them to my bows, and because I was not satisfied, I eventually quit using them. I know folks who use them in compounds and have great hunting success with them. But, for me, they are a pretty average quality shaft, reasonably priced, very durable, but not the quality, consistency or dynamic profile I want in a carbon arrow.

 

[TradArcher]

Trillium.... I'm curious as to when you had your tuning problem. i.e., how long ago?

Tom

 

[Blinky]

I believe truly, that the axe that some have to grind was born more than 5yrs ago. Gold Tip has long since corrected their problem.....

Tom

Better usage is "Gold Tip has long since corrected its problem." Gold Tip is an entity and not a group of people.

 

[Trillium]

Tradarcher:
I finally gave up on GTs earlier this year, and went with CX Maxima shafts. I probably purchased the GTs over the period of a couple of years prior. On every one of my bows (three r/d longbows, 40@30# and 42#@30, one 'curve at 37#@30, and an Ibex at 40#@30), the wear pattern on the shelf was identical -- tuning for good flight resulted is significant wear on the outside of my shelf. And those bows represent a range of center-cut as well. Tune to fix the wear, and flight went heck. I tried everything -- adjust spine with inserts and points, without inserts and longer heavier points, FOC, shaft mass, nock point, etc. without being able to solve the riddle. The CX, on the other hand, are perfect from all those bows. Minimal shelf wear where it is expected on a bow. Go figure.

I will give GT due chops, however, for being durable. A GT Hunter shaft with a brass insert is about as indestructible a shaft as there is. I blew the nocks and backs out of GTs from time to time, but never had one actually fail from a bad hit in the field. In contrast, as much as I love the CX shafts, I have snapped three this season, not counting a couple of robin-hoods.

 

[TradArcher]

Thanks for your response Trill. I certainly have no stock in the company and no particular allegiance to them other than I realize they had a problem.. got it fixed and (for myself) am a hopeless experimenter. I enjoy scientific experimentation and finding the reasons for a particular condition/situation... and for me which includes mostly TD recurves but also several longbows, I've never had as much as an iota of problem with them... and therein the basis for my inquiry. Thanks again.

Tom

 

[daniel boon]

I used to use GT Expedition Hunters, and found that when bare shafting at longer ranges the odd shaft would shoow stiff, while the others showed slightly weak. Always the same shaft, and it only happened on 3-4 shafts.(when fletched, they were all perfect.
Have since changed to XT Hunters, and they all bare shaft great.
The only ones I ever broke was with robin hoods, and 2 I drove the brass insert into the shaft (they did not like the brick wall)
Good shafts,and good value for your $

 

[ivorycollector]

Shot GT Hunters for years...must be fortunate never had a single problem with them even with their cheapest blems. Successfully harvested feral goats, boars, aussie buffs, african games and more without any concern. Shoots GT Ultralight and Easton Carbon One for 3D and paper.

 

[BCWV]

I use GT wood grain blems and my wife shoots GT 600 ultra lites. I've read about folks having issues with them but I've not experienced it myself. I just made up a dozen blem trad shafts. They spined within 2 pounds on my tester and weighed within 3 grains out of the 12. The Ultra Lites are right on in spine and weight but cost me 3 times as much as the blems.
I'm not a good enough shot to see the difference that 2 pounds spine makes. I know there are better shafts out there but I think GTs are a very good value for the hunting, stumping and 3D shooting that I do.
I spring for the Ultra Lite shafts for the Mrs cause she's a better shot than me!

 

[bowhuntinelk]

Great to hear some positive feedback as opposed to what I was reading. I still love shooting cedar shafts , but the GT carbons are so darn tough that they are great for stumping and like I said I havn't had a bad experience with them.

 

[larry yien]

Great to hear some positive feedback as opposed to what I was reading. I still love shooting cedar shafts , but the GT carbons are so darn tough that they are great for stumping and like I said I havn't had a bad experience with them.

I'm right there with you as I shoot wood arrows but am leaning towards carbon for practice and when the arrows will take a beating. I've had really good luck with Gold Tip arrows I primarily shoot the wood grain traditional arrows 1535 and 3555. They have been right on for weight and spine, nocks have done me well too.

Before I tried the first quality arrows I ordered some blems, I was promised that they were just cosmetic but when I got them there were 3 shafts that had holes in them like a grinder cut them and one was really stiff in spine. The guy selling them immediately sent out replacements. I wasn't that impressed and I've stuck with first quality now and haven't had a problem.

I just ordered some ultralights and I am not sure if I like them. I bought them originally thinking they would be "loaner" arrows but I've read that they aren't as tough as the standard shafts. I might have to order some plain entrada's next time.

I've developed a loyalty to Gold Tip and don't feel the need to look any further for carbon shafts.