Reed arrow shafts have a reputation for breaking with repeated use (or sometimes even when you release the string). Therefore, while reeds are ideal for the most authentic "show and tell" pieces, prospective Classical archery reenactors should consider using bamboo shafts in arrows they intend to actually shoot. Bamboo looks somewhat like reed (far and away better than wood, at least) and has an excellent reputation for strength. Amphictyonia poster Nadeem Ahmad informs us that it's also authentic for Indians and some other Achaemenid allies/subjects. On top of that, they're also widely available and fairly inexpensive, in the form of garden stakes.
Without further ado, Home Depot Garden Stake Bamboo Arrow Build-a-Long, courtesy of the Primitive Archer forums.
I haven't yet tried the process myself, and will refrain from adding my own commentary. If you're willing to pay quite a bit more, you can get bamboo shafts partly- or fully-prepared from various vendors like The Bamboo Arrow Company or 3Rivers Archery.
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