What do you guys prefer for deer size game. Woodsman type 3 blade or a super wide 2 blade like a Treeshark? Thanks. BILL
I use 175 grain VPA or 180gr XL silverflames..they are both shaving sharp. So far the hogs nor the deer have been able to tell the difference! :)
I use the 1 1/2" wide 2 blade Geman Kinetic Silverflame XL.
Bisch
I use 2-blade stingers. I like the RFA Pheonix heads (3-blade, single bevel) the best but they don't fly as well as Stingers do for me. Deer won't know the difference with a well placed shot.
The simmon's heads will leave better blood trails for deer than a three blade head in my experience. If you put the broadhead in the right place they will all kill deer. If you have a marginal hit (which will happen if you shoot enough) the Simmon's heads help with the recovery.LCH
I have had good luck with Woodsman heads, but I am going to try some Simmons next year. The pictures posted here have been very impressive!
1 1/2" Magnus I or Zwickey Delta. Next season I will be trying Simmons Tigershark.
i vastly prefer the original woodsman. it's easy to sharpen and flies great. they make a big hole and good blood trails. too bad they're not around any more ... maybe? i hope that 3rivers brings 'em back!
i shot a nice pig with a sharp snuffer out of a 52# longbow and though i thought the hit was good it didn't get the penetration i thought it should have. i think that wider 3 blade head is best suited to a 60# or greater holding weight.
i'd be concerned with penetration using a wide blade head, or any concave kinda head like the simmons shark, with my light 50# longbows, particularly on hogs.
i did use a razor sharp tusker concorde twin left single bevel that pretty much hatcheted a small pig a few years back. dead not 15 yards from where i hit it. i like that head, too - narrow and long and ... sharp
My woodsmans have left absolutely crazy good blood trails this year. :scared: I have toyed with the idea of trying something else like Centaur's or Simmons, but am so impressed with the ease of sharpening and results that I can't justify it. Especially with the price of the woodsman original 6 pack for around $30.. dang hard to beat in my opinion!! But I admit those massive two blade heads look good and ornery on a shaft! :thumbsup:
I am with Rob,while i would love to try some tree sharks out on a deer, im not so sure they would be the best thing for hogs,especially big ones.I do like the old 3 blade bodkins except for them being hard to get an edge on.If someone would make a three blade the size of the bodkin but better steel i would buy some just for hogs.Still,it is hard to beat the old zwicky delta.Easy to sharpen and the price is right too.I have only used the two blade delta but i can see an advantage in the 4 blade version to cut down on arrow pinch for big ol hogs.
1 1/8" on everything for me, even a 200 grain, brass ferrule Helix.
Treeshark ,interceptors, vpa 1 1/4 250s and big Jim big 300s. With the Simmons being my favorite.
I cannot recall ever hearing of anyone here losing deer on a less than perfect hit when using the Simmons heads...
I know several here have recovered deer on marginal hits with the Simmons heads...
Sure it is all hearsay evidence...but I'm sold.
I am a Woodsman Elite all the way person that is all I use for everything deer to elk. Widow
I have used Woodsman and Zwickey 2-blade Deltas with great results on deer. The Woodsman fly like a field point and are better if your setup isn't as well tuned. The Delta's (in my experience) seem to penetrate bone better and are more durable. Haven't used any Simmons yet but the 135 grain Tiger Sharks would be the right weight for my arrows. I hope the orginal Woodsman hasn't gone the way of the Bear Razorhead.
Smaller 3 blade for me. :thumbsup:
Picked up a couple packs of Treesharks to use on the turkeys this spring. I've never used a single plane head on game before, although I haven't ruled them out for deer next fall.
I should have added that the reason i would not be comfortable with tree sharks for big hogs is because i usually shoot bows 50 pounds or less.If i shot heavier bows i still dont think i would use a tree shark on them but the land shark im sure would be great.
The longer I hunt deer the bigger my broadheads get. Sharks, Snuffers and Zwickey Delta 4 blades are the norm for me anymore. The smallest head I've shot a deer with in the last few years was a Tusker Delta, which is Tusker's biggest two blade head. Most of my set ups are in the low 50's at 28" and pass throughs are the norm.
Hogs are another matter entirely, while I don't get to hunt them near as much, when I do I still generally opt for a multi-blade, but "long and lean" definitely permeates my thinking in broadhead selection.
I haven't shot a broadhead that flies any better than a big 2" wide Simmons Tree Shark. The holes they leave speak for themselves.
I shoot them out of a 50lb bow and they go through both sides of deer.
I don't hunt hogs anymore, but if I did the Tree Sharks would be what I would use.
Will use them for gobblers this spring.
I had outstanding results with vpa 3 blades last year and would lean that way. Just picked up a bunch of MA3 heads and have had no trouble getting them shaving sharp. Have bought a pile of smaller Zwickeys and Ace expresses over the winter and will probably run them next fall just to experiment a little. Really not a lot of bad traditional heads out there anymore.
VPA 1 & 1/8" 3 blade. No reason to use anything else for me.
Absolutely love the Simmons Interceptor. May try the Tree Shark some day for the heck of it, but I have been shooting traditional since about 1968, and have never seen a broad head that I have been more impressed with than the Simmons Interceptor. Awesome flight, and incredible short blood trails.
QuoteOriginally posted by JamesKerr:
VPA 1 & 1/8" 3 blade. No reason to use anything else period.
Period huh. Interesting.
Dang...just found out I've been using the wrong head for 30 years. Danged O'l 4 blades....how did I ever kill all those deer with such a low yardage recovery rate? Not to mention all those big hogs! :D :D :D
And come to think about it....so has Charlie Lamb!!!
Oh, the horror ... :scared: :scared: :scared:
What's your bow weight ....draw length....arrow weight?
QuoteOriginally posted by JamesKerr:
VPA 1 & 1/8" 3 blade. No reason to use anything else period.
guess i need to sell off my 2+ dozen wensels and get the far better vpa heads. :eek:
Hey Rob,
If you want to get rid of them give me a call.
WW 3 blade is all I use.
Mike
I prefer a big 3 blade. But I have killed deer with all different kinds, so I say just use what you like. :thumbsup:
Ive shot hogs deer bear antelope and other game with the wensel woodsman.Its my favorite head. Ive also shot deer with the Simmons Tiger Shark if I was going to use a 2 blade thats what it would be .My friend shot a buck with the wide Simmons (2")and he had a tremendous an short blood trail. It doesnt need to pass through although the broadhead getting complete penetration helps alot on the blood trails. When my sons were young they shot 40 to 45 # bows, with snuffers on the end of thier arrows and had good penetration on deer. They all work !!
Treesharks for me. I don't like making a hole I can plug with my thumb.
I have used the VPA's and thunderheads with good results. VPA heads are nice because even I can sharpen them! I really have an itch to use the 200 grain Ace heads though. I just have to get someone to sharpen them for me:)
I`ve killed dozens of hogs with Simmons heads with bows around 50@27 or less.Even more with Magnus I heads.Some more with Snuffers....woodsmans....zwickey delta....Muzzy 3 blade...Bear razorhead....Ace...RC
Point of my post was... before I hit the wrong button on this puter is...The broadhead "style" matters much less than folks think. It just has to be sharp AND WELL PLACED.
. I like woodsmans and simmons interceptors. I shoot a 63# longbow with a 680gr aluminum arrow. The original woodsman to me is the perfect size for a 3 blade. I shot several deer and turkey that had no idea how many blades went through them. Keep them sharp and put them in the right spot, the rest is personal preference and opinion.
QuoteOriginally posted by RC:
Point of my post was... before I hit the wrong button on this puter is...The broadhead "style" matters much less than folks think. It just has to be sharp AND WELL PLACED.
Right on the money
One quick thought on shot placement...
You always hear that brought up anytime there is a discussion on broadhead preference. "Put it in the right place and they'll all do the job." The statement is absolutely true. But shot placement is the one thing that we do not have 100% complete control over. We can control every other aspect, draw weight, arrow selection, broadhead design, level of sharpness, etc., but placement isn't a controllable factor of the equation.
Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
As usual...what RC said. I have killed tons of deer with grizzlies, zwickys 2 and 4 blade, bear razor heads, hill style, and snuffers. 20 plus with 50lb selfbow and snuffers. Sharp and in the goodies! I do love that hole left by a snuffer and yea I have a tiger shark on my #1 arrow in my quiver waiting to try it out.
I'm not a fan of 2 blade broadheads.The first time i tried them had no blood trail on a good hit good thing i saw where he went the deer traveled 200 yards across the fields and holed up in a brier thicket.Never had that problem with a 3 blade.My son loves the woodsmans.
I love these broad head threads..
QuoteOriginally posted by Landshark160:
One quick thought on shot placement...
You always hear that brought up anytime there is a discussion on broadhead preference. "Put it in the right place and they'll all do the job." The statement is absolutely true. But shot placement is the one thing that we do not have 100% complete control over. We can control every other aspect, draw weight, arrow selection, broadhead design, level of sharpness, etc., but placement isn't a controllable factor of the equation.
Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
Yeap, I agree, any head will work if perfectly placed ...but some aren't as animals take steps, uh, mostly forward steps not backwards and about 90% of the time those ill placed shots are too far BACK....NOT forward...so the 'Big Chop' is really your best option for preparing for the 'most likely worst case scenario' on deer.
If you are preparing for a hit too far forward, you are preparing for the least likely worst case scenario and the percentages/odds are against you hitting there AND the lack of grantee you will not stob the shoulder.
I like WWs on hogs...as well as and No Mercy 4s(even though I've killed some large ones with Z Delta 4rs)....but like bigger heads on Deer 100% of the time....
Deer are nothing more than a paper grocery bag full of shaving cream with a few tinker toys thrown in and one ball joint. Just stay away from the ball joint as there is NO grantee you will pass through it with any type head.
Either of your choices will work most likely...but I like wide with 4 blades with my set ups....but the heads Chris shoots are very damaging as well, and certainly will bleed out more than normal heads. Just look at some of his kill pics.
Still like to hear you set up....
Good thing we have ALL these proven, excellent choices in BH's! Trad archery has come a long way! Good time to be a part of it.
Kris
Did Bullfrog croak?
I would like to hear his specs also.
With just your two choices, n Deer I'd take the wide 2 blade, stressing that word *wide*. If I was after hogs, I would take the 3 blade.
But, that is with my specs.
Did Bullfrog croak?
I would like to hear his specs also.
With just your two choices, n Deer I'd take the wide 2 blade, stressing that word *wide*. If I was after hogs, I would take the 3 blade.
But, that is with my specs.
3 blade Woodsman or VPA
So which broadhead are you guys saying penetrates the best, slim 3 blade or wide 2 blade ? Or is it 12 in one hand, a dozen in the other ?
Nathan, I don't think there is an issue with penetration on deer with most set ups. Both should blow through a deer.
Just what head will do what damage on any given shot and still make two holes. Maybe 6 of one half dozen of the other like you said.
I've always liked the WW and have had good luck with them for deer and elk. Bought a little heavier 3-blade VPAs to try on elk this year but never took a shot. Somewhere I picked up some Centaurs, might try those for whitetails next year. I am shooting bows in the 50-53# range with an arrow wt of 525 gr. (period)
Owen Jeffery gave me some great advice on broadheads.... "they all work and none of them work"
I took that to mean shoot what gives you the most confidence.
QuoteOriginally posted by Blaino:
Owen Jeffery gave me some great advice on broadheads.... "they all work and none of them work"
I took that to mean shoot what gives you the most confidence.
It could also mean that sometimes with ANY broadhead you can get great performance (excellent penetration, heavy bloodtrail,etc.) and on the very next shot, with near identical placement, with the SAME broadhead, less than identical results! There are so many variables that come into play when that broadhead slams home, that a computer would melt down trying to figure them all out.
That's why this site is so important. You can gather info from hundreds of different trad. hunters with years and years of experience and compare the results THEY have experienced and base your selection on observed facts. Once again,that doesn't guarantee you will get the exact, same results but it does give you a solid idea of what to expect.
Well said. I agree 100% SuperK. I think the real question is: what head gives you the most consistent and reliable results? Not which one gives the best result sometimes.
Yeah....I have more confidence in heads that do more damage....and still give me two holes....
Danged O'l 4 blades :D
Don't underestimate your equipment....IF its tuned. Deer are not armor plated or Kevlar coated... :campfire:
QuoteOriginally posted by JamesKerr:
VPA 1 & 1/8" 3 blade. No reason to use anything else period.
James, how many animals have you killed with them?
How many animals have you killed with a bow?
Just curious, you have a lot of answers for everything for a 19 year old.
I have killed a couple deer with a two blade and lost count of how many with a three or four blade. More blades are better for me. I just was not impressed with two blades at all for deer in comparison to three or four. If I was hunting something a lot bigger than deer, I would take a serious look at a big two blade. The right two blade will have better bone splitting and penetration in general. The four blade is also a great option and Ashby test indicate four is better than three for bone hits. I just like how easy a three blade is for me to sharpen.
QuoteOriginally posted by Nathan Killen:
So which broadhead are you guys saying penetrates the best, slim 3 blade or wide 2 blade ? Or is it 12 in one hand, a dozen in the other ?
The question of the year. I've seen both sides of the fence on this one. I've seen 160 snuffers on a "perfect hit" and blood stop after less than 100 yards. I've also seen 2blades crack a shoulder at 12 yards and get no penetration. I think Chris said it best earlier in this post that we have no control of what the BH hits under the skin. Glancing blows off of bone can go anywhere. We can shoot them both under controlled conditions and say this one out penetrates the other. But the fact of the matter remains we can't control it once it leaves the string.
Use what your confident in and keep em sharp! The quest continues"...............
Hi Bullfrog.
If you're shooting 40#+, drawing 27"+, and keeping your shots 20yds ( all could have "or so" added to em) and under you'll be good.
Both of your choices are good heads for sure.
I'd choose whichever one I could get sharper.
I've heard the accusharp works on simmons just fine.
I know an accusharp can get a head darn sharp from personal experience.
A 3 blade almost needs some stones to sharpen them.
After I learned how to sharpen a 3 blade quickly,easily, and scary sharp I switched to them.
In my compound days a killed a number of deer with 2,3, and 4 blade heads.
I preferred the holes,penetration, and trails I got with 3 blades. None of the 2 blades I used were BIG though. They were all(2,3,&4's) around 1.25"
One way I like to compare heads of 2 or 3 blade design is this...
Say you have a 2" 2 blade. It has 2" of cut. Pretty simple..
Now let's say you have a 1 1/8" VPA 3 blade.
If you figure each blade cuts the radius of that 1.125" hole. so 1.125" รท 2 = 0.5625"
Then take that radial distance and multiply by 3
0.5623"x3=1.6875"
So even with a "small" 3 blade you still have 1.6875" of cutting going on.
Now I KNOW that holes rip and open up and nothing is this exact when hunting.
BUT critters only bleed from where they're cut.
Makes that 3 blade not seem so small anymore.
I like the thought the smaller profile of the 3 blade is less likely to steer the arrow around in the wind, bad release, or just improperly mounted.
The simmons with their fairly unique design are less prone to those problems than other WIDE 2 blades.
Most of this stuff is just mental games I play.
But it gives me some confidence and I like it..lol
i shoot muzzy phantoms 4 blade 220 grains..great blood trails,and penetration....i am not changng anything if it aint broke