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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Scott E on May 26, 2015, 10:27:00 PM

Title: Broadhead Torture Test: Am I being too hard on them?
Post by: Scott E on May 26, 2015, 10:27:00 PM
I shot a series of broadheads into bones just to test durability. I had no idea that I would get so many curled tips and chipped blades.
Broadheads tested so far: Exodus, Slick Trick, Helix, Land Shark and Abowyer.

Here's the test video

https://youtu.be/JOT4BB2bgPw

What do you think am I being too hard on them? Either way it sure is fun to watch the bones explode in slow motion.
Title: Re: Broadhead Torture Test: Am I being too hard on them?
Post by: Ray Lyon on May 26, 2015, 10:42:00 PM
It doesn't look like you are using green  (fresh) bone.  Dried out bone is much harder than what you meet with a live animal.
Title: Re: Broadhead Torture Test: Am I being too hard on them?
Post by: Stump73 on May 26, 2015, 11:00:00 PM
See if you can find a deer that will volunteer his or her leg bone for an few shots.lol
Title: Re: Broadhead Torture Test: Am I being too hard on them?
Post by: Msbow on May 26, 2015, 11:29:00 PM
I do not think you are being to hard on them! That's kinda the whole idea, right? Cool video and keep up the good work!
Title: Re: Broadhead Torture Test: Am I being too hard on them?
Post by: Stump73 on May 26, 2015, 11:31:00 PM
I was surprised about abowyers. They just seem thicker and stronger. Nice video and thanks for testing and sharing it with us.
Title: Re: Broadhead Torture Test: Am I being too hard on them?
Post by: Scott E on May 26, 2015, 11:37:00 PM
I might try some fresh bone next time. I have some badger broadheads and the new magnus black hornets to do some testing with also.
Title: Re: Broadhead Torture Test: Am I being too hard on them?
Post by: Bakh on May 27, 2015, 02:56:00 AM
Scott.
speaker on my computer is not working.
What about poundage of your bow and arrow weight?
Title: Re: Broadhead Torture Test: Am I being too hard on them?
Post by: Jayrod on May 27, 2015, 06:10:00 AM
Nice video definately some proof there....great song too keep up the testing!
Title: Re: Broadhead Torture Test: Am I being too hard on them?
Post by: Orion on May 27, 2015, 06:56:00 AM
Worth looking at.  In fact, I'm a bit surprised by the results.  They all held together enough to kill a critter.  So what if the tip bends a little.  I'll give up one broad head to take a critter.  BTW, doesn't looked like the Abowyer bent, just chipped a little, which just about any blade will do when shot into something as hard as dry bone.  

You did your test with a compound, right?  Think you would have gotten the arrow sliding off the bone more (rather than plowing through it) with a lower poundage trad bow.
Title: Re: Broadhead Torture Test: Am I being too hard on them?
Post by: ChuckC on May 27, 2015, 08:08:00 AM
Seemed about right,  Nobody says those heads are indestructable.  I agree with Orion on the assessment on the Abowyer.  Remember, the actual edges of a single bevel head are thinner in profile than those of a double bevel.  Looks like they all did a pretty good job, PLUS, they all went thru the bone and pretty deeply into the foam.

What kinda bones were used ?
ChuckC
Title: Re: Broadhead Torture Test: Am I being too hard on them?
Post by: joe ashton on May 27, 2015, 10:04:00 AM
Well. that was fun.
Joe
Title: Re: Broadhead Torture Test: Am I being too hard on them?
Post by: monterey on May 27, 2015, 12:10:00 PM
Maybe once the season is open you could get some fresh bones from a local game processor.
Title: Re: Broadhead Torture Test: Am I being too hard on them?
Post by: Scott E on May 27, 2015, 05:31:00 PM
They are beef bones that my butcher shop boils and sells as dog bones. I have dozens of them around the house because my dogs love them.

I got tired of stepping on them and so I started shooting them   :archer2:
Title: Re: Broadhead Torture Test: Am I being too hard on them?
Post by: Steve Jr on May 27, 2015, 05:59:00 PM
That's pretty impressive, thanks for sharing your tests.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Broadhead Torture Test: Am I being too hard on them?
Post by: md126 on May 27, 2015, 06:45:00 PM
Jim Neaves shoots them into cinder blocks and steel drums so I'd say you're doing ok. If you're going to test them better to be too hard than not
Title: Re: Broadhead Torture Test: Am I being too hard on them?
Post by: BigJim on May 28, 2015, 07:38:00 AM
You should try some VPA heads if you want something that won't curl. I'm sure they will take the abuse and won't even bend.

I have bent an insert or a few while shooting VPA's but never bent a tip, or head for that matter.
I don't know how you can bend a brass insert without bending the broadhead, but it happens.

BigJim
Title: Re: Broadhead Torture Test: Am I being too hard on them?
Post by: sticksnstones on May 28, 2015, 08:14:00 AM
I don't think you are being too hard on them. I do a lot of destructive arrow testing and the whole point is to subject them to something at the extreme end of what you might use them for in the field.

Since you've started off with dry bones I'd stick with that for consistency. Do you want to compare a couple more single bevels? I could spare a 200gr and a 225gr out of my stock.
Thom
Title: Re: Broadhead Torture Test: Am I being too hard on them?
Post by: KentuckyTJ on May 28, 2015, 08:29:00 AM
Bone is a good test but the thing with it is its inconsistency of wall thickness and strength. You may hit a thin weak spot with one head and a more dense spot with another. Thanks for posting. Would like to see you try a 185 Grizzly single bevel.
Title: Re: Broadhead Torture Test: Am I being too hard on them?
Post by: Elkchaser on May 28, 2015, 08:36:00 AM
That was fun to watch!! Great job on the video.    :thumbsup:

I think overall, all of the heads performed admirably. I would not hesitate to use any of them, based on this test.
Title: Re: Broadhead Torture Test: Am I being too hard on them?
Post by: Carpdaddy on May 28, 2015, 08:47:00 AM
If I had made that video I would spend most of my day editing out missed shots! Lol. I have used the same Abowyer heads for several years and taken several deer with them, there are a few chips but overall have held up very well. Never shot any dry bones but have encountered some pretty hard rocks after a missed shot or pass through. Good video.
Title: Re: Broadhead Torture Test: Am I being too hard on them?
Post by: Caleb Monroe on May 28, 2015, 10:48:00 AM
I think Dr. Ashby said a curled tip reduces penetration more than a broken tip.  Good video. Surprised at the damage to the abowyer.
Title: Re: Broadhead Torture Test: Am I being too hard on them?
Post by: L82HUNT on May 28, 2015, 01:25:00 PM
Nice video.  What weight was the helix?   From the testing I've done they have performed at the very top, with the 125 grain vs other 125 grain heads.  And better then alot of heads that have a lot more steel
Title: Re: Broadhead Torture Test: Am I being too hard on them?
Post by: RLA on May 28, 2015, 02:45:00 PM
My Zwickey's can bend & break just as good for a fraction the price, think I'll stick with them. Good test  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Broadhead Torture Test: Am I being too hard on them?
Post by: Bjorn on May 28, 2015, 03:11:00 PM
That looks like fun and really well videod. You even coralled an advertiser! I am surprised the heads did so well. That bone is tough. I really expected the 2 blades to pretzel  from that impact. Nice choice of music!
The Abowyer was really impressive considering the cutting edge is so angled flat and sharp. You will not encounter that kinda' bone in the woods. Well done!
Title: Re: Broadhead Torture Test: Am I being too hard on them?
Post by: Scott E on May 28, 2015, 11:53:00 PM
I got the badger broadheads in today for my next video and they seem like a solid head. I think they will do well in the testing.

I also got the new magnus black hornets in and they are an interesting little head.

BigJim I'll place an order for some 125 grain vpa 3 blades in the next day or two and I'll add them to the next video.

In the next video there will be some mechs so don't shoot me    :archer2:
Title: Re: Broadhead Torture Test: Am I being too hard on them?
Post by: tracker12 on May 29, 2015, 06:47:00 AM
Not sure I would expect any different results with most BH's on the market.  Bone is a very hard material and damage should be expected.  The finer the edge or point the more damage that can be expected.  It's a trade off.  Plus the objective is not to hit the bone:)  Just saying.

VPA 2 blade would be nice to see.
Title: Re: Broadhead Torture Test: Am I being too hard on them?
Post by: wingnut on May 29, 2015, 07:39:00 AM
I've used laminated counter top and aluminum plate to test BHs in the past.  Either would give a more consistent medium and still destroy the heads.

Dry bone is very hard material.

Mike
Title: Re: Broadhead Torture Test: Am I being too hard on them?
Post by: Crittergetter on May 29, 2015, 11:08:00 PM
I wonder how an eclipse 2blade would hold up to that test?  I missed a deer last fall (don't tell anyone) in west tx and stuck one in the rocks. Did not curl the tip but chewed up one edge a little. They have a lifetime warranty against bending or breaking. Just curious!  Matter of fact if you want to try one pm me your address and I'll send you an old 125 grain just to see!