Broadheads: vented vs non vented

8leg-lover · November 14, 2011, 07:52:00 PM

Hey Gang,

I am needing some input on vented vs nonvented heads. I shoot Montecs which are vented. They seem to me to be very noisy going down range. I have never shot a nonvented head so I can't say what they do. I'm also thinking of trying out some 2 bladers and need some input. Not wanting to start a huge debate just some input from personal experience.

I do know from non scientific tests that I've done that it's not so much the bow that deer hear but the arrow coming at them. We all know that feathers are noisier than vanes (I will not give up my feathers) so I want to try to quiet down my killin end.

Thanks in advance!

Rob W. · November 14, 2011, 08:05:00 PM

I have killed deer with both vented and non vented. Vented does have more noise but the deer didn't mind. In theory vents might hinder penetration but I never had a problem.

I shoot a non vented 2 blade with bleeders now. As long as there sharp they will both do the job.

Rob

Looper · November 14, 2011, 08:11:00 PM

My quietest arrows are tipped with non-vented heads. Every vented head I've shot is noticeably louder in flight.

wulf · November 14, 2011, 08:37:00 PM

I'd have to agree that solid (non vented) heads would inherently be quieter all else being equal. Any solid Zwickey, Ace, Magnus, Grizzly, and similar head is dead quiet mounted properly.

TxAg · November 14, 2011, 09:15:00 PM

I've thought about this but end up not worrying about it too much. I'm shooting vented heads now...the deer don't mind.

The other consideration about non-vented heads is the potential to plane in flight....again probably not worth worrying about to much if everything is tuned well.

November 14, 2011, 09:16:00 PM

I use vented GK silverflame XL's (2 blades). I don't notice any noise from the broadheads and they kill stuff real dead!

Bisch

Green · November 15, 2011, 04:21:00 AM

I think bow noise is the more important factor. For accuracy's sake I will choose a vented head on windy days as I have noticed some arrow drift with non-vented ones when the wind picks up. YMMV.

And, listen to Bisch.....stuff just seems to fall over dead....a lot....when he's in the vicinity.

Margly · November 15, 2011, 07:43:00 AM

I think that 3 blade vented bh`s gives more sound than 2 blade vented and much more than a 3 blade novented.

Swamp Yankee · November 15, 2011, 07:48:00 AM

I find non-vented broadheads to be considerably quieter than vented. Quiet is good in this game. I don't know if it really matters or not, but I'm going to do everything I can to minimize the amount of noise my shot makes.

JamesKerr · November 15, 2011, 01:25:00 PM

I have killed many deer with the original vented Woodsman head. I only switched to the elite non vented version for weight and strength.

MikeW · November 15, 2011, 01:28:00 PM

ya know what they say "That hiss is the last thing they hear before they die"
Personally I've never had the hiss problem with the vented WW's.

bornagainbowhunter · November 15, 2011, 01:34:00 PM

I like Non vented heads the most. I shoot the Zwicky Deltas. That being said I have killed deer with Pearson Deadheads, that has to be the loudest broadhead i have ever shot and it never bothered the deer.

God Bless,
Nathan

TxAg · November 15, 2011, 02:21:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by MikeW:
ya know what they say "That hiss is the last thing they hear before they die"
Personally I've never had the hiss problem with the vented WW's.

the hiss of death

November 15, 2011, 02:24:00 PM

If the Deadheads are perfectly straight and you are not shooting them in a cross wind they are quieter. with a hard helical with 5.5" feathers, the large Deadheads can make a remarkable whistling roar. Charlie Bledsoe who liked Deadheads as well, a long time Bear dealer and friend of Fred Bear, said when someone asked me about my Deadheads,"You bet they whistle, they whistle right on through."

ishoot4thrills · November 15, 2011, 04:35:00 PM

I've always used vented heads, except for my first wheelie bow killed deer. I've never heard any noise coming from any of them. I currently use Magnus vented two-blade heads.

Terry Lightle · November 15, 2011, 06:29:00 PM

I have shot non vented for close to 30 years mainly to be as quiet as possible.Do not know if it matters to the animals at the ranges I try to shoot at or not.

bornagainbowhunter · November 16, 2011, 10:51:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by pavan:
with a hard helical with 5.5" feathers, the large Deadheads can make a remarkable whistling roar.

I shoot a 5" feather with a hard left helical, they were/are loud. I would definately agree, they whistle right on through!! They also leave a hole like you hit the deer with an axe!!

God Bless,
Nathan