Hey guys, still got broadheads on the brain.
Would you say Elk or Black Bear is harder to penetrate? Or is there a noticable difference? Am I correct in assuming both would be noticeably different than a deer?
On another note, how does a cut on contact 3 blade like a grizzly instinct/woodsman compare in penetration to a large wide 2 blade like a Simmons interceptor/Centaur big game head? Or even to the supersize ones like a treeshark/Battleaxe?
My basic idea is to run the widest head for deer that I can as long as arrow manners stays great. Then for elk/bear I would think I might want something more long and thin. Where are you guys at on this?
Not to be curt, but you may be over-thinking this a bit. Look at posts here with the variety of broadheads used, look through back issues of Traditional Bowhunter Magazine articles on elk and black bear. Consider Ed Ashby's exhaustive study concerning penetration. It would seem that heavy, properly tuned, straight flying arrows will kill game with quite a few different sharp broadheads.
Pick one good one that will work on all and perfect your sharpening skills. I would suggest the Cutthroat from www.rmsgear.com (http://www.rmsgear.com) a single bevel machined from a solid piece of steel and super easy to sharpen with a KME sharpener!
I have not used the Sharks - but there are a ton of critters from elk bear and whatnot taken by them. If it is sharp you'll get through most NA game with ease.
I used to do the same thing really digging and seeing different BHds and styles and whatnot. It is fun and I do enjoy a good BHd discussion, but you can overthink it like Jim said (Curt!).
I found I need to put more thought in my form and arrow flight and just keep the BHds of cop how've razor sharp.
J
I prefer to use the same setup for everything as I could easily encounter deer,bear or elk anywhere I hunt plus it just keeps things simple.This means I build an arrow that I think would be good for elk.
Black bears by the way are very easy to penetrate if you stay off of the shoulder bones.The skin is thin and ribs are as well.
I'm a real fan of Bill Dunn's Grizzly series because of the 3:1 taper ratio primarily. You can go with the single bevel, or the 3 blade with excellent penetration if you keep the arrow placement in the right spot....
I think that if you are staying at 50# or heavier for elk i'd have no hesitation of using a 3 blade.
But i'd stay with a single bevel at 45#. Those elk ribs are pretty thick, and the single bevel would do a little better at lighter draw weights.....
A smaller diameter shaft with outserts really help penetration a lot, if that's a concern for you. Like a victory VAP shaft.
I am a fan of the Abowyer Brown Bears. Kill anything I hunt with those heads on a cedar or fir arrow.