Crossbow specific mechanical broadhead testing

[Ranger488]

Has anyone tested the new crossbow specific mechanical broadheads on the market this year that claim to be rated for 400+fps (i.e. Rage, Grim Reaper, Spitfire, etc). I'd appreciate any feedback and results that you've gathered. I've read Len's impressive results and review with the Fathead broadheads, but wanted to consider mechanicals if they provide similar results. Thanks!

[OkieBowie]

Originally Posted by Ranger488

Has anyone tested the new crossbow specific mechanical broadheads on the market ...

Grim Reaper recommends their X-Bow 1-1/2" Cut 3 Blade for the faster, 400 fps arrows. Likewise, Grim Reaper does not recommend their Whitetail Special 2" Cut 3 Blade for the faster speeds.

With that said, this past deer season I successfully used Grim Reaper's Whitetail Special 2" Cut 3 Blade with my TAC 15. In both cases, the distances were fairly short (~25 yards), thus any effect on accuracy by the Whitetail Specials would have been minimal.

Still, I have used the practice versions of Grim Reaper's Whitetail Special 2" Cut 3 Blade out to 75 yards at the local gun range (the archery range is to short) on non-matched arrows to hit a target in a 3" area.

Now this is just my opinion: I believe the biggest issue facing TAC 15 shooters is not the arrow heads, but the matching of the arrow shafts: same shaft weight and shaft flex, along with the shaft flexing in the same direction with regard to knock and fletching.

I hope the above is of some help.

[Ranger488]

Thanks for the helpful information Okie.

I bought a pack of Grim Reaper X-bow practice heads and broadheads a couple of weeks ago. I'll take your advice and try the mechanicals on numbered shafts to note any shot pattern variations. I've read related postings about folks experiencing variations in the TAC15's shaft weights and flex patterns.

I contacted NAP archery a few weeks ago about using Spitfire ProXP and Spitfire Maxx broadheads that I have left over from previous compound bow seasons. NAP replied saying the ProXP and MAXX series would work great with the fast shooting TAC15. I plan on shooting some of my NAP practice heads and mechanical heads through paper to see how they fly and if the blades stay closed at longer ranges.

I've never had a problem with Spitfires or Rage mechanical heads deflecting on deer at quartering angles and I've never had a problem getting complete pass through shots using my Mathews compound bows during past seasons. I'd prefer to use the larger diameter mechanical heads with the TAC15 if they hold tight shooting patterns, minimize wind planing, create larger wound channels and if the blades stay intact after pass through shots.

Thanks again...

[jon.henry755]

Hi OkieBowie,

I just wanted to add my compliments about the information you're providing. I know the very early part of this year was somewhat of a learning experience for you when you joined the likes of Konrad, Super91 and myself, but you absorbed and learned an unbelievable amount of knowledge and information very quickly.

As such, most of your advice and responses are as solid as if any of us were giving these answers ourselves. When you're right, you're right and there's no contesting that you've learned well and have a great foundation of information to share with others. It always warms my heart to see people like yourself that absorb and understand all the technical aspects of archery. It means that our efforts to share this information have not gone to waste.

By the way, I' neither for nor against either type of a broadhead and like Ranger488, I'm always on the lookout for a really good 85 or 100 grain mechanical head that I can test. In actual hunting situations I use the 100 grain Phat Heads, but mechanical heads do have certain flight advantages over fixed blades that make them interesting.

While that's accurate, I thought it might also be worth outlining one of the drawbacks to mechanicals that nobody ever seems to openly talk about. This fact is not limited to mechanical heads, but also applies to most of the heads on the market today.

Statistical fact that any broadhead that is not designed as a cut-on-contact head requires 20% more energy to puncture the hide of game animals than a cut-on-contact head. This means that a non-cut-on-contact head loses 20% of its Kinetic Energy (Stored Energy), when entering an animal. This is why "Big Game Hunters" in Africa or other continents will never use anything other than a 2 blade Cut-On-Contact Broadhead when hunting serious game. 20 percent is a huge amount of energy and they want everything they can get out of each shot.

That said, I'm chasing flies with an elephant gun, so I can't advise on one head over another, since each has good and bad points. You need to understand what your requirements are and test different heads to meet your own requirements.The information supplied above is only to throw some water on the argument about which type of head is better. This seems to have become a religious argument for many.

Jon

[OkieBowie]

Originally Posted by jon.henry755

Statistical fact that any broadhead that is not designed as a cut-on-contact head requires 20% more energy to puncture the hide of game animals than a cut-on-contact head. This means that a non-cut-on-contact head loses 20% of its Kinetic Energy (Stored Energy), when entering an animal.

Duly noted!

The following isn't exactly the same as the two blade cut-on-contact head, but it may be close enough to reduce the 20% wasted energy to the point it is acceptable on a Mechanical.

New Archery Products Spitfire XP Pro Expandable Broadhead
Grim Reaper Broadheads

I just realized something. Maybe I need to go with a whack-on-contact broadhead. Since, all my TAC-15 shots have blown through the Deer and ended up wasting the remaining energy burrowing into hard dirt.

PS: I am an old, old Razorback Five fan, that switched to NAP's XP for my (cough) regular vertical bow sticks. But went with the Grim Reapers for my TAC-15 arrows.
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...azorback_5.jpg

[jon.henry755]

Now you know why I had to end my thread with the statement that I'm hunting flies with an elephant gun! 154 pounds of kinetic energy for whitetails is ridiculous. I thought maybe I could shot deer and dig earthworms all at the same time.

Jon

[infantrysold]

Im not to fond of mechanicals but i love the way my feild poitns work with the tac 15 so i tried the montec T3 mechanical broadhead 1st shot I could of sweared my arrow hit sideways on the target 2nd shot my arroe helicoptered oout of range there goes a good 20$ i beleive the blades open in flight and when i looked at the target i dont think 1 of my blades opened on my first shot my buddie shoots rage i beleive its a 2 bladed mechanical broad head and had good results..As for me i will never shoot mechanicals again i did have great results with montec G5 fixed blades