For deer hunting I will be shooting a recurve pulling 54# @29" draw. Shooting a 440 grain GT .400 spine, 31" long. I acquired a supply of Zwickey Eskilites, some factory adapters and some with the glue-ins. They weigh just under 150 grains and fly very well for me. However, I would prefer to shoot a three blade Snuffer, just for the extra cut.
I still have concerns about the potential penetration reduction when using the Snuffers vs the Zwickeys.
If you were shooting this rig, would you switch to the Snuffers for extra cut or stay with Zwickeys for the extra penetration potential?
Get either one sharp and put it in the right spot and it won't matter which one you are shooting.
Read the above comment....nuff said.
agreed with the first two guys.
If you're pulling 29" you have enough horsepower to shoot snuffers. (I really like snuffers because I can get them sharp).
A 3 blade is far superior in cutting surface. Just think about how the 3rd blade makes the cross cut.
But i do not think a 2 blade is at all lacking ANYTHING is "killing power".
with that being said, I'll be shooting 2 blades this year! lol.
Stick with what you have, make a good shot and you wont have to worry about much.
Agree with the guys above... especially for deer sized and smaller animals.
Now, go out and prove it!
Good luck.
this is from a different post. take it for what it's worth to you. If you want Snuffers PM me...
I tried 2 different broadheads, shot both into 15 layers of cardboard (that's all I had not 20 sorry). The penetration was fairly consistent +/- 1" or so. here are my averages from 10 - 20 - 30 yards
Equipment
Bow: Hoyt Dorado 45@28 I draw 27 ¾, with below arrow with 125 grain field points it chrono's 198 fps.
Arrow: Easton Stalker Extreme 500's 31" with 4" feathers. 265 grains with no point.
Broadheads
Zwickey Eskilite w/5/16" bleeders 135 grain, total arrow weight is 400 grains.
Magnus Snuffers 125 grains, total arrow weight is 390 grains.
both broadheads were sharp enough to pop rubber bands/shave hair.
10 Yards
Zwickey, 24.5"
Snuffers, 19.5"
20 Yards
Zwickey, 23.5"
Snuffers, 18.25"
30 Yards
Zwickey, 10"
Snuffers, 5"
If they fly great already, I wouldn't change anything, not for the extra cut or the extra penetration but because they fly great and both will work just fine anyway.
ChuckC
I would shoot both broadheads and purposely short draw and have a bad release because that is most likely what I do in a hunting situation and then I'd take whichever broadhead flies the best under these conditions. All joking aside, I agree with ChuckC, if the broadhead you are using now flies will in hunting situations, I would keep using it.
There is a reason a Zwickey has been around so long. The same can be applied to the Snuffer but if what you got is shooting fine then don't mess with it.
How about a 4 blake Zwickey Eskimo? Best of both worlds.
If you think a three blade is superior in cutting surface, you haven't shot simmons heads. The tree shark makes a hole you could put your hand through, and it'll do it on a whitetail, bear, or pig out of a 45lb bow.
The weight of your arrow (440 grains, 8gpp) will have as much to do with penetration as which of these two broad heads you choose. If you want to increase penetration, bump up your arrow weight with a 100 grain insert behind the head.
You have plenty of steam for Snuffers, there is nothing wrong with your Zwickies though. I would likely get a few Snuffers and carry both in my quiver for however the mood strikes me. I honestly can't remember the last time I had only one kind of broadhead in my quiver.
Gordon may have been joking, but even Byron Fergusson takes the shorter drawn hunting shot on game into consideration. If your arrows go totally out of wack with an inch shorter draw that is something to consider.
Zwickeys work for me,and like already said above,they have been around a long time. Somethings working right!
(http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr330/livrht/0101110922.jpg) (http://s496.photobucket.com/user/livrht/media/0101110922.jpg.html)