The Easton FMJ Max Match Grade combines Easton’s proven Full Metal Jacket construction with a lighter 5mm platform built for modern hunting setups. A high-strength Acu-Carbon core is wrapped in a 7075-alloy aluminum jacket, giving you the consistency and smooth exterior of an FMJ arrow without the extreme shaft weight associated with some traditional heavy-arrow builds.
With Match Grade ±.001" straightness, Easton’s 5mm HIT component system, and shaft weights that are surprisingly close to the all-carbon Axis 5mm, the FMJ Max gives bowhunters another way to build a durable, moderate-to-heavy hunting arrow while retaining useful speed and trajectory.
Key Features
Carbon Core with 7075-Alloy Aluminum Jacket
The FMJ Max combines an Easton Acu-Carbon core with a precision 7075-alloy aluminum jacket. The carbon core provides the structural foundation of the arrow, while the smooth aluminum exterior gives the FMJ its distinctive construction and helps the shaft move cleanly through foam targets and other media.
5MM Small-Diameter Platform
The 5mm diameter reduces the amount of shaft exposed to crosswind compared with larger-diameter arrows and keeps the overall arrow profile streamlined for hunting applications.
Match Grade ±.001" Straightness
The Match Grade FMJ Max carries a ±.001" straightness specification for bowhunters who want Easton’s tighter straightness grade when building a premium hunting arrow.
Lighter Than Traditional FMJ Platforms
The FMJ Max was designed to provide the Full Metal Jacket construction many hunters like while keeping shaft weight more manageable. That gives you more room to balance finished arrow weight, speed, front-end component weight, and FOC around your individual setup.
5MM HIT Insert System
The FMJ Max uses Easton’s 5mm HIT 8-32 component system. Standard 16-grain HIT inserts are included, allowing the insert to sit internally inside the shaft while accepting conventional 8-32 threaded broadheads and field points.
Match Grade HIT Collars Included
Easton includes Match Grade HIT collars with the Match Grade FMJ Max. The collar reinforces the front of the shaft while maintaining the streamlined 5mm profile.
Microlite 5MM Nocks
The FMJ Max uses Easton’s Microlite 5mm nock system, featuring a compact nock body and redesigned throat intended to provide consistent string fit and improved tunability.
Heavier HIT Insert Options Available
If you want more front-end weight than the included 16-grain insert provides, Extreme Outfitters also carries 5mm Stainless Steel HIT Inserts for heavier hunting-arrow builds.
Increasing insert or broadhead weight also increases finished arrow weight and dynamically weakens the shaft, so spine, finished arrow length, draw weight, and the complete component package should always be considered together.
Who It's Built For
The Easton FMJ Max Match Grade is a strong choice for bowhunters who like the Full Metal Jacket concept but do not necessarily want an excessively heavy finished arrow.
It works especially well for whitetail and general big-game hunting setups where you want a moderate-to-heavy hunting arrow, good component flexibility, and the smooth exterior of an aluminum-jacketed shaft.
The FMJ Max is also worth considering if you spend a lot of time shooting dense foam or cold-weather 3D targets. In our experience at Extreme Outfitters, the smooth aluminum exterior makes FMJ arrows noticeably easier to pull from dense targets than many all-carbon shafts.
If maximum abuse resistance is your first priority, an all-carbon shaft like the Easton Axis 5mm Match Grade may be the better choice. If you value the FMJ construction, smooth target extraction, tight tolerances, and a shaft weight that remains practical for hunting, the FMJ Max becomes extremely compelling.
Specifications
Spine Specifications
| Spine | GPI | Stock Length | Field Point O.D. | HIT Collar Size | Shaft O.D. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 | 13.3 | 33.5" | 9/32" | #5 | 0.280" |
| 250 | 11.3 | 33" | 9/32" | #3 | 0.269" |
| 300 | 10.3 | 32.5" | 17/64" | #2 | 0.264" |
| 340 | 9.8 | 32" | 17/64" | #1.5 | 0.261" |
| 400 | 9.0 | 31.5" | 17/64" | #1 | 0.257" |
General Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | Easton |
| Model | 5mm FMJ Max Match Grade |
| Construction | Acu-Carbon core with 7075-alloy aluminum jacket |
| Diameter | 5mm small diameter |
| Straightness Specification | ±.001" |
| Insert System | 5mm HIT 8-32 |
| Included Insert | 16-grain HIT insert |
| Collar | Match Grade HIT collar included |
| Nock | 5mm Microlite nock |
| Configuration | Bare shaft / unfletched |
| Finish | Hard-anodized olive drab green diamond-plate finish |
| Country of Origin | Made in USA |
| Sold | Individually |
Our Take on the Easton FMJ Max Match Grade
The FMJ Max is interesting because it gives you the advantages people traditionally associate with an FMJ without automatically forcing you into an extremely heavy arrow.
When we compare it with the Axis 5mm in the shop, the first thing that surprises people is how close the shaft weights actually are. In a 300 spine, for example, the FMJ Max is 10.3 GPI while the Axis 5mm is 10.7 GPI. That means choosing between the two is less about one being dramatically heavier than the other and more about deciding which construction you prefer.
The Axis is an all-carbon shaft, and if maximum durability and resistance to abuse are the priority, that is generally where we lean. Carbon can take a tremendous amount of abuse without taking a permanent set.
The FMJ Max adds an aluminum jacket around the carbon core. In our experience, that gives you an extremely consistent shaft with a very smooth exterior. One benefit we notice immediately is target removal. In cold or dense 3D foam, FMJ shafts are substantially easier to pull than many bare-carbon arrows.
There is a tradeoff. Aluminum can bend, and once an aluminum-jacketed shaft takes a permanent bend, it needs to be inspected and potentially replaced. We would rather be upfront about that than pretend every arrow construction has the same strengths.
For someone who wants a premium 5mm hunting arrow, likes the Full Metal Jacket construction, values smooth target extraction, and wants a shaft that still gives us enough room to build a practical finished hunting weight, the FMJ Max is one of our favorite options.
We also like that it uses the same basic 5mm HIT ecosystem as many other Easton hunting arrows. That makes it easy to move from the included 16-grain insert to a heavier 5mm Stainless Steel HIT Insert if the overall arrow build calls for additional front-end weight.
Extreme Outfitters sells FMJ Max shafts individually, and free cut and glue is available with your arrow purchase. That also gives you the ability to test an FMJ Max against something like an Axis 5mm without committing to a full dozen before deciding which shaft you prefer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Easton FMJ Max made from?
The FMJ Max uses an Easton Acu-Carbon core wrapped in a 7075-alloy aluminum jacket. It combines carbon and aluminum rather than using an all-carbon shaft construction.
What is the straightness specification of the FMJ Max Match Grade?
The Easton FMJ Max Match Grade carries a ±.001" straightness specification.
What inserts come with the FMJ Max Match Grade?
The FMJ Max Match Grade includes Easton 5mm HIT 8-32 inserts weighing 16 grains, along with Match Grade HIT collars.
Can I use heavier HIT inserts in the FMJ Max?
Yes. Extreme Outfitters carries 5mm Stainless Steel HIT Inserts for shooters who want additional front-end weight.
Adding insert weight increases total arrow weight and dynamically weakens the shaft, so make sure your spine selection still works with your finished arrow length, draw weight, and broadhead weight.
What is the difference between the FMJ Max and Axis 5mm?
The biggest difference is construction. The Easton Axis 5mm Match Grade uses an all-carbon shaft, while the FMJ Max uses a carbon core wrapped in a 7075-alloy aluminum jacket.
The two are surprisingly close in GPI in comparable spines, so the choice often comes down to priorities. We generally favor the Axis when maximum durability is the priority and the FMJ Max when a shooter prefers the FMJ construction, extremely smooth target extraction, and the characteristics of an aluminum-jacketed shaft.
Is the FMJ Max heavier than the Axis 5mm?
Not necessarily. In several comparable spines, the FMJ Max is actually very close to the Axis in grains per inch. For example, the FMJ Max 300 spine is 10.3 GPI while the Axis 5mm 300 spine is 10.7 GPI. Finished arrow weight still depends on arrow length, inserts, collars, broadhead weight, vanes, wraps, and other components.
Can FMJ Max arrows bend?
Yes. Because the FMJ Max uses an aluminum outer jacket, it can take a permanent bend if the shaft is subjected to enough force. That is one of the tradeoffs compared with an all-carbon arrow. As with any hunting arrow, inspect the shaft and components after hard impacts before shooting it again.
Is the FMJ Max good for whitetail hunting?
Yes. The FMJ Max is an excellent option for whitetail hunting because it can be built into a practical moderate-to-heavy hunting arrow while maintaining a 5mm profile and allowing multiple front-end component configurations.
Is the FMJ Max good for elk or larger game?
It can be. The correct arrow for elk or other big game depends on the complete setup — including spine, finished arrow weight, draw weight, draw length, broadhead choice, and shot placement. The FMJ Max provides a durable 5mm hunting platform with enough component flexibility to build around many big-game setups.
Why are FMJ arrows easier to pull from targets?
The smooth aluminum exterior creates less surface friction against dense foam than many exposed-carbon shafts. We notice the difference most clearly when shooting cold or dense 3D targets.
Can Extreme Outfitters cut and install the components?
Yes. Free cut and glue is available with your arrow purchase. If you need help selecting spine, finished arrow length, or insert weight, our bow techs can also help you build the arrow around your specific setup.
FMJ Max or Axis 5mm?
If you are deciding between Easton’s two premium 5mm hunting platforms, we have tested and compared both. Read our Easton Axis 5mm vs FMJ Max comparison for a deeper breakdown of shaft construction, GPI, durability, components, target removal, and the situations where we prefer each arrow.
If maximum all-carbon durability is your priority, consider the Easton Axis 5mm Match Grade. If you prefer the FMJ construction and its smooth aluminum exterior, stay with the FMJ Max.
Learn More About the FMJ Max
Want a deeper look at how this arrow performs and why we use it? Read our Easton FMJ Max Review for more of our real-world experience with the platform.
