Happened to be at the archery club last night and was talking to one of the guys about wanting to try hunting with them, just so happens he has alot of them, and offered me as many as i wanted. He said they are good heads and that he killed many animals with them. so just wanted to hear others experiences with them.
A lot of people love these heads, but I myself am not a fan of the ribtek. I have seen many that are difficult to mount straight and also the "ribbed" ferrel isn't as smooth or friction free as would be a taperred ferrel...therefore it is more likely to hang on bone or reduce overall penetration. It would be fine as a small game head though.
They are a worthy head. I personally don't think the ribbed ferrule feature causes any real concern on most game. They are pretty sturdy, sharpen easily and well, and are cheap.
Try em. you might like em
ChuckC
I like the 190's and have taken deer with them, but the lighter heads I tried, around 140 I think, wouldn't line up straight. I had no problem with penetration with the 190's.
I like them. Killed my first deer with them--nicked a rib going in and going out, arrow went at least 7 5/8" into the dirt (shooting from a stand) after passing through the deer. I say "at least", because that was the last place I say dirt when I got the arrow home and measured--it may have gone deeper. No problems here with mounting them straight or getting excellent arrow flight. One of the easier heads to sharpen in my experience. Gobs of really big game has been killed with them, especially in Australia where they originated.
good heads, sharpen great. Getting tip to line up may mean cleaning any burr off the tip. Careful grind on the shaft helps. The ribs should fill with hot melt or epoxy, that settles penetration issues. Had good luck with them. They are tough heads.
chrisg
Rafael, nice of your buddy at the archery club to offer, and I say go for it. Got Ribteks on my hunting arrows, and they have worked OK for me. Like chrisg said, hot melt glue fills up the "ribs" so as the Australians say "no worries mate"! :archer2:
If he has 190s I'd consider buying some. Let me know.
j.scifres@sbcglobal.net
I started using them in 90s....heard the comments about ribbed ferrule but honestly have never had an issue from it....they are strong, fly great....sharpen easily and hold an edge good.
I use 160gr heads if he is wanting to get rid of them and you dont want them. I am about to order 20-40 from Australia so I dont run out. I hate changing equipment just for the sake of change....started with Zwickey...then Ribtek other than an occasional use of Snuffer....but Ribbies are my main head. Until I cant find them anywhere and are forced to change...then will be Grizzly I am guessing.
yup they are ok but i do like fred bear heads better.
The only issue I have with "filling the ribs up with hot melt or epoxy" is then you have an inconsistent tip weight.
Differences may end up being too small to notice perhaps, but when in doubt I choose to "keep it simple" and stick with a ferrel that is smooth.
I have not killed anything with them but they fly great on my cedars and take an edge quickly. I saw a video of a guy shooting them into cinder blocks and they were not bent and did not have rolled tips. So I think anything I might shoot should expire if I do my part!! They are hard to get here in the states now.I haven't seen them for sale in a while.
I shot a 145gr. into a cement wall in my basement. It buried apx. 3/8inch deep. I sharpened it up and killed a doe with it a few months later.
They fly great, very easy to sharpen. From what I have seen the 145's and up are very durable the 125gr. and smaller look a little thin.
I would gladly take half dozen 160's off your hands.
chris <><
thanks guys all info is good to know. he has the 125 grain heads and ill be using them on deer here in Wis. one dollar each !! i figured i cant go wrong. Jeff i also like the old Bear heads if i could find them for a good price i would get those also.
I used them in the past and wouldn't hesitate to shoot them again. They sharpen well and seemed to hold the edge. I killed two caribou with the same 160 Ribtec, and penetration was not an issue.
I love them !
taken everything from Big Big pigs to deer and rabbits with them .
Great head !
160 & 190 Ribteks are two of my favorite broadheads.
I've killed dozens of critters with them including 3 mtn goats, moose, caribou, etc. The 160/190 are probably the strongest broadheads anywhere. Extremely rare to have one damaged on rocks Corrugated metal is stronger than sheet metal. Softer so sharpen easy but don't hold the edge quite as well. I never filled the ferrels with glue and any mounting issues mean your taper is too long (probably).
I found they sharpen easily and are tough. I once missed a shot at the NALS at a steel bear with a cutout. The broadhead stuck in and was perfectly ok. BTW, The wood shaft was just about 1/4 in. shorter and I finished the round with it.
I really like them myself and have had no problem with the ribbed ferrel affecting penetration. I would post a pic of a deer that I have taken with a 125 gr. ribtek but it's not quite suitable for mixed company.
I used the 190s. they look like a flying butcherknife. In fact you could use them for a knife real easy. I killed a nice muley buck with one. They lose and edge fast though and the steel is soft. Good head though.