Arrow Inserts: Aluminum, Brass, and Steel Weight Comparison
The insert is the small collar bonded into the front of the shaft that the broadhead threads into. It has more effect on FOC and total arrow weight than most bowhunters realize. Swapping a 16 grain aluminum insert for a 100 grain brass one adds 84 grains up front and can pull FOC up 4 to 5 percentage points.
Common insert weights
| Insert | Material | Typical weight |
|---|---|---|
| Easton 5mm HIT | Aluminum | 16 grains |
| Easton 5mm Brass HIT | Brass | 50 grains |
| Easton 5mm Titanium HIT | Titanium | 22 grains |
| Iron Will Impact Collar 5mm | Steel + aluminum | 45 to 75 grains |
| Ethics Archery 4mm insert | Stainless | 50 to 100 grains |
| Gold Tip 246 insert | Aluminum | 16 grains |
| Gold Tip Accu-Lite 246 | Aluminum | 9 grains |
| Gold Tip GT Brass 246 | Brass | 50 grains |
| Victory Shok Titanium | Titanium | 20 grains |
Aluminum, brass, or steel
Aluminum inserts are the factory default because they hold the arrow’s advertised weight and keep the marketing sheet honest. Brass inserts are the cheapest way to add FOC without buying a heavier broadhead. Steel and titanium collars (Iron Will, Ethics) also protect the front of the shaft from splitting on hard bone hits, which matters on elk and moose. On Rokslide, the phrase “steel collar or bust” comes up in almost every heavy arrow thread.
Installation notes
Cheap two part epoxies fail at freeze thaw. Use a slow cure epoxy like AAE Max Bond or Bohning Ferr-L-Tite Cold and let it sit 24 hours. Score the shaft interior with a bore reamer for grip. Wipe the insert with denatured alcohol first. A rushed insert job on an elk hunt is the leading cause of pulled broadheads on trophy shots.