First Look: Carbon Express Maxima Photon SD Arrows

by
posted on May 23, 2023
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Mainphoton 6 Pack

Maxima Photon SD hunting arrows are a strong, accurate and deadly small-diameter hunting arrow from Carbon Express. Structured to offer a terminal blend of strength, integrity, speed and tunability, the .203 (inner diameter) Photon promotes accuracy at all ranges, reduced wind drift, enhanced penetration and does not require special insert systems thanks to an aluminum half-out insert design. Fabricated from a custom weave of 30-ton carbon, the Carbon Express Photon boasts 25-percent faster recovery out of the bow than comparable models. When combined with patented Tri-Spine Technology, with 360-degree spine consistency, this exclusive blend of materials and construction generates up to 4X the accuracy of traditionally-constructed single spine arrows.

The aircraft-grade 7074 aluminum premium half-out insert system comes with a standard threaded 21-grain insert offering the ability to add weight, to customize F.O.C. to each user’s preference, tune and arrow-balance priority. On the nock end, each arrow is furnished with ultra-strong Bulldog nock collars designed to amplify strength on each arrow’s back end and protect the precision-constructed Launchpad nocks. Launchpad Precision Nocks control arrow release and shaft alignment for additional consistency and enhanced downrange accuracy.

12 pack of Photon shafts

Like all arrows in the Carbon Express Maxima series arrows, the Photon’s weaker center section or Red Zone helps generate faster recovery out of the bow, while the distal ends remain stiff to contain arrow oscillation and control the enemy of hyper-accuracy, dynamic spine. This means greater accuracy at all distances, especially from broadhead-tipped arrows. Each set is sorted & matched by spine and weight for best-in-class consistency with a spine-sorting tolerance of +/- .002 and weight-sorting tolerance +/- 1.0 grains. Further enhancing arrow-to-arrow consistency, each shaft is laser checked for straightness to 1/10,000 of an inch.

Maxima Photon SDs are available as 12-pack shafts, or six-pack arrows fletched with two-inch Quadel Raptor X vanes in bright white and smoke gray. The striking design of this new arrows series is as bold and eye-catching as their performance. As an additional bonus, users will be able to better diagnose the location of their shot thanks to the white background of the each shaft’s background art.

For more information, visit feradyne.com.

Available in:

  • .300 spine – 8.9 grains per inch
  • .350 spine – 8.1 grains per inch
  • .400 spine – 7.2 grains per inch

MSRP $249.99–per dozen (shafts)

MSRP $134.99–per six-pack fletched arrows

Latest

Olsen Shooting FN 15 Guardian
Olsen Shooting FN 15 Guardian

#SundayGunday: FN 15 Guardian

On this week's #SundayGunday, we have an AR-platform from one of the finest gunmakers in the world, perfect for hog hunters and home defenders alike. The FN 15 Guardian applies Fabrique Nationale's proven quality to an AR, yielding a gun that runs well through all conditions.  A 16-inch 4150 Chrome Moly Vanadium steel barrel, qualifies the gun as a carbine, perfect for handling through the woods or in a ground blind. Learn more about it in this exclusive video.

How do you Compare to the Average Hunter?

There is no “average” hunter, although don’t be surprised if you’re more run-of-the-mill than you think after seeing the results of the “2025 Hunting Industry Insights” report. The survey, conducted by Untamed Outdoor Agency (UOA), focused on what might be the most active demographic—sportsmen between the ages of 32 and 52.

Says You: Trail Camera Overkill?

Editor-in-Chief Scott Olmsted's monthly response column to questions posed by our members. This week, we're discussing mountain lions, poaching and trail camera use.

New for 2026: Trijicon SRO Green Dot

Trijicon has announced a 2.5 MOA, Green Dot version of the SRO reflex sight. The new model will be available in Black and Coyote Brown anodized finishes.

More Than $6.6 Million in Tribal Wildlife Grants to Advance Conservation

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is awarding more than $6.6 million to federally recognized Native American and Alaska Native tribes to benefit fish and wildlife resources and their habitats. This year’s funding will support 35 tribes for conservation projects across 15 states, benefiting a wide range of wildlife and habitat, including species of cultural or traditional importance to Indigenous communities.

Hardware Review: TriStar KR.22

TriStar is noted for shotguns, but Bryce Towsley recently received a test gun from them that’s much different. Check out his review on the TriStar KR.22.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.