I put this on the hog placement thread but thought I would post it here:  
I just hit a big sow yesterday and thought it was a perfect shot from about 20 yards, tracked her for 2 hours and finally lost the blood trail. After inspecting my arrow that was broken, I realized that I only got about 9 inches of penetration. I was using a 200 grain stos, 2213 aluminum..total arrow weight of 550 grains, out of a 55 pound recurve that shoots hard. I couldn't believe it. Very disappointed. My broadhead was sharp but not razor sharp. I can get them to cut hair but not "pop" hair like I want. I don't know if that was the problem, but regardless, I will be trying 3 blades to see if I can sharpen them easier or I will be investing in a KME. I know one thing, if that would have been a deer, it would have been coming home with me --  those hogs are tough!

Where exactly did you hit it?

Where do you think the shot was?  If shot like a deer the hog could go very far or you may have missed vitals.

right above and just back of the front leg. it was probably a one lung shot. after the shot, I actually thought it was the best shot I had ever made on a game animal...was positive I had pork coming to my freezer. Couldn't believe it

The lungs are forward and higher than a deer. You may have missed the vitals.  If it was a deer it would of went down for sure.  Assuming the hog was broadside as well.  Tough critters for sure.  I always go for straight up the leg a couple inches on hogs.  Just my opinion and best of luck to you in the future.

I'm not sure about the "just back of" the front leg...because she turned away right after the hit. I'm pretty confident it was a lung shot. There was significant blood in several places along the trail which was about 1/2 to 3/4 mile long, but no big puddles, which didn't surprise me since I was pretty sure there wasn't an exit wound. I'm definitely impressed with the toughness of wild feral hogs though.

dirtybird, I was conscious of the forward situation of the vitals, and was taking it into account. unless I am wrong about the shot, it had to hit a vital. However, 9 inches may have only gotten one lung. if so, wouldn't that allow her to go for a long time?

3/4 a mile is a long way but if she was pushed maybe not, was she really big as well?  Those big sows are tough.

She was big, but not super big. It was my first time to see a wild hog within shooting range, so, I don't have anything to compare with. I'm guessing she was in the 125 to 150 pound range.

Was that 9 inched total counting the bhead...or 9 with the arrow?

9 with the bhead might be questionable...but nine not including the head should have gotten both lungs on most hogs....so you must have missed the vitals or got just live or one lung.

If that was the case, a WW still might not have gotten the hog unless if lacerated the liver or one lung more due to the extra blade.

Some times dried mud and matted hair will turn the edge on your broadhead. Either way big hogs are tough and hard to kill.

I wish I would have gone with you now.  I almost called Saturday night but life got in the way.  It was a great last day of the season.

Terry,
It was 9 inches max, including the broadhead...so thats why I figured it could have been a one lung shot...

Brian, yea..It would have been great if you would have been there. It was an interesting last day. I saw 4 does in the morning, the herd of pigs at about one, and then a herd of elk, at the end of the blood trail. Fun day, but disappointing too.

Terry, I've always liked two blade broadheads, and I really like the Stos. the only reason I am thinking of trying the three blade is to see if I can sharpen them to scary sharp -- which I don't seem to be able to do with 2.

Of course many of us have had experiences (recovered game proof) where we didn't hit the animal where we thought we did. I'm not saying you are mistaken in identifying the hit, but it is possible. It is very tough to be sure (without video)where the animal was hit until you find it.

I've only shot at one hog in my life. I hit him (225# boar south of Antonio, TX) with a broadhead most of you wouldn't believe (or use). I was a guest using the host's broadhead as a trial. The hog was dead in 70 yards. You couldn't even cut yourself with this head by brushing it across your hand.

Have been on several hog hunts with those who knock the snot out of deer thinking they have made a KILLER shot on a hog only to get one lung or liver. LOW and tight to the shoulder angling forward between the legs is the best shot at least for me. Watch em go down with that shot.

Bowwild,
I agree completely about not being sure -- our eyes can really trick us! However, I remain confident about the shot..but the penetration was definitely not what it needed to be. I am just trying to figure out why it didn't go deeper. Do sows also have a shield?

LC,
Count me among them! In the heat of the moment, I forgot to wait for a quartering away shot. It was perfect broadside, but I now know to wait another few steps.

Bowild, that wouldn't by chance have been a Maxihead, would it?

Most guys have more trouble getting three blade heads scary sharp than they do two blades. This is due to the broader angle for one thing. If you aren't able to get a two blade as sharp as you want, I doubt you will gain anything with a three blade in terms of sharpness.

If you want a sharper broadhead, invest in the KME system rather than changing heads. I also doubt you would get as much penetration with a three blade head.