We bowhunters talk a lot about broadheads, and rightly so, but let’s be honest: It’s the driver of those killing points that puts us in position to make those shots and fill those tags. Arrow technology might not be as cool as a wicked-sharp blade, but believe me, it’s equally as fascinating.

It is to me, anyway.

And while it might seem arrow technology can only go “so far,” what the folks at Easton have been proving over the years is that even modest tweaks to existing designs can vastly improve our archery performance, especially out of today’s high-tech compound bows.

Take the skinny-arrow trend, for example. Skinny arrows took the market by storm more than 15 years ago when companies like Easton (Axis) came out with shafts that not only performed better than what was already on the market, but they did so in a fashion that allowed everyday, average bowhunters go from, well, average, to above average and beyond.

The main reason why you shoot a small-diameter arrow today is to get better penetration, and Axis shafts proved that with incredible performance on deer-sized game. Penetration is key for hunters, but so is accuracy, and one of the things that is often overlooked is skinny arrows create less friction when they are flying through the air. Less friction means less drag, which means higher velocities and, hence, better accuracy. This is especially true for guys who shoot a tad lower draw weight. That difference can literally mean a whole pin on your arrow sight. Instead of worrying about three pins out to, say, 40 yards, you might easily get by with two. I know that is exactly the case for me when I’m shooting skinny arrows versus some of the beefier shafts. And, of course, higher velocity means more kinetic energy and better penetration.

Those are just a couple of reasons why you might want to consider going toward a skinny shaft for your bowhunting setup. A third reason is based on the realities of wind drift. This is especially true for Western hunters and/or hunters who are proficient out to farther distances (50 yards and beyond). When you’re hunting in a stiff wind, it can definitely affect your arrow’s flight downrange. The less surface area you have on the arrow, the lesser the chances are of having wind affect your shot’s “drift” at these longer distances. If you want to visualize the realities of wind drift, just do some practice shooting in your backyard at those longer distances and see firsthand how a 15 to 20 mph crosswind can push your arrow off the mark — even just slightly — at 50+ yards. It’s real, and it’s something a bowhunter definitely has to keep in mind.

Thankfully, I’m not one of those guys. I don’t shoot enough draw weight (my Mathews VXR is only set at 54 pounds, while my new V3 is topped out at 60 pounds of draw weight). For those reasons, my self-imposed max distance at deer is 40 yards (even though I haven’t taken a shot that far in years). But for the guys who shoot higher draw weights, that wind drift isn’t as much of a factor when they are flinging skinny shafts at higher speeds.

Getting Skinny

I took the dive into the skinny pool about six years ago when Easton came out with the Deep Six shafts in their FMJ lineup. These arrows have produced consistent accuracy and impressive penetration on everything from deer to hogs for me on hunts for our D&DH TV show on Pursuit Channel. What I have liked most about them is what I call a “chunky lightness.” I hope that makes sense, but it basically refers to how these arrows have a little bit of heft to them while at the same time possessing those skinny attributes for improved accuracy.

New for 2021

Imagine my surprise when I found out this weekend that Easton plans on introducing a new 4mm shaft to its ever-popular FMJ lineup. Don’t get me wrong, I have loved the Deep Six versions, but this new shaft is all that but without the stipulation of having to shoot different broadheads. That’s huge, in my opinion, and something a lot of regular guys and gals are going to love.

At its core, this new arrow features material carbon/aluminum construction precision for accuracy. The 4MM Full Metal Jacket has also been updated with a new spine configuration, an all-new 8-32 point outsert system and redesigned graphics. The standard 8-32 thread point outsert optimizes front-of-center for easier broadhead tuning and more durability.

If you are not familiar with it, the FMJ arrow combines a full metal jacket over an ultra-micro diameter carbon core that results in the most advanced penetrating arrow ever available to bowhunters. FMJ arrows pull more potential energy from the bow and increase penetration by focusing their mass into a smaller diameter and reduced surface area. This results in less friction during flight for higher speed and more kinetic energy downrange. The ultra-micro diameter also penetrates with less friction within the target for more pass-through impacts to take down game quickly and hasten recovery. The slick aluminum surface further reduces friction for even more penetration, and it offers noticeably easier extraction when pulling shafts from practice targets.

FMJ 4MM come pre-installed with 4MM nocks and includes Easton’s new aluminum point outsert. Compatible with standard thread 8-32 broadheads and field points. Available in the most popular hunting spine sizes: 250, 300, 340 and 400. Offered in both ±.003” standard and ±.001” Match Grade straightness configurations.

More details on this new arrow:

• 4MM ultra-micro diameter carbon core with a 7075 alloy jacket
• Pre-installed 4MM nocks
• 4MM 8-32 aluminum point outserts included (50 grains)
• Straightness ±.003” standard & ±.001” Match Grade version
• Made in USA
• Spine sizes: 250, 300, 340 and 400
• MSRP: $159.99 (Standard) 6-pack fletched, or $179.99 (Match Grade) 6-pack fletched.

For more information, visit your local archery pro shop, or log on to Easton’s website. www.eastonarchery.com