How light is too light for a Snuffer 3-blade?

LimbLover · August 05, 2009, 08:53:00 AM

I've read a lot of posts on the subject and it seems like the consesus seems to be that Snuffers do the job with higher poundage bows but lose a lot of penetration with lower poundage.

I guess my question is: how light is too light for a Snuffer if deer hunting?

I'm using a 45# Samick Phantom but drawing to 30" so more like 52#. I need to have it weighed.

My arrows are 31" Easton 2018s and I planned on using a 125g head.

ChuckC · August 05, 2009, 09:13:00 AM

Use it, it should be fine for deer. Keep the heads sharp. Hit them in the right place. Start the grill.
ChuckC

tarponnut · August 05, 2009, 09:19:00 AM

That is what I use on deer(50#,560 gr arrow), should be fine.
I use a two blade for hogs, though.

LimbLover · August 05, 2009, 09:25:00 AM

Well I have some Zwicks - Black Diamonds, but I really want to try the snuffer as this is the head I want to use for Turkey hunting.

I'm new to bowhunting so I want as much consistency as possible.

I know I'm not going to get as much penetration into bone with a 3-blade but I've been real impressed with the blood trails and wounds I've seen with the Snuffer. I also like that they are vented and easy to sharpen.

leatherneck · August 05, 2009, 12:16:00 PM

One of the guys in our camp uses them with a 45# longbow. I shoot them out of 54#'s. You will be fine at that weight. Keep em sharp. And like I always say" Snufferize" them!

George D. Stout · August 05, 2009, 12:40:00 PM

Whoever says they will not penetrate, offer to shoot into their car door with one at twenty yards and see what happens. :p

Ryan Rothhaar · August 05, 2009, 01:26:00 PM

I would feel fine with even the full sized Snuffers (the 160's) at 50lbs on deer, especially with your long draw. A few years back I shot a couple whitetails and a couple bears with a 52lb Black Widow, 2213's with the big heads (around 525grain arrow) at 28 inches, and shot through them all.

I hope nobody tells the animals on my wall that the Snuffers won't penetrate - if the critters get up and start running around the house it would be a real mess - especially the moose and elk - I reckon they'd knock stuff over.

George - that reminds me of a funny story from way back - I dont remember who shot the bow, but in the early days of compounds and chronographs - maybe early '80's - somebody had one set up at a shoot and somebody else shot through it a couple times with their setup with Snuffer tipped arrows. The arrows went through the straw bale behind the chrony - which was set up againt the crony owners truck fender - don't know how he explained the triangle holes through the fender to his wife....

R

George D. Stout · August 05, 2009, 02:15:00 PM

Now that's funny, right there, I don't care who you are 8^).

leatherneck · August 05, 2009, 02:34:00 PM

I hope nobody tells the animals on my wall that the Snuffers won't penetrate - if the critters get up and start running around the house it would be a real mess - especially the moose and elk - I reckon they'd knock stuff over.

I'm with you Ryan. You'll never see another broadhead in MY quiver.

Mike

smokin joe · August 05, 2009, 03:14:00 PM

Well tuned arrow flight, a heavy enough arrow, and razor sharpness are all important -- probably more important than 5 or 10 more pounds of draw weight.

I would much rather have an arrow at 11 or 12 gr per pound flying straight out of a 45 pound bow than an arrow flying crooked at 7 gr per pound out of a 60 pound bow. Good flight and momentum are important for penetration and cutting power, and cutting is what gets the job done.

Snuffers are great. They cut on contact and they make a really big hole. If you have good arrow flight, decent arrow weight and keep the Snuffers sharp you are in business. Ray Charles could blood trail a deer shot with a Snuffer.

It sounds like you are all set for a good season.
Joe

Mr.Magoo · August 05, 2009, 03:20:00 PM

Since you said you're new to bowhunting, you need to ask yourself if you're going to really limit yourself to quality shots (yeah, I know we all say we won't take this or that shot).

If you're going to limit yourself to broadside or slightly quartering away (and can make the shot) you'll be fine. If you're going to get excited and try straight down, quartering-to shots etc... you won't get the penetration a 2 blade offers.

LimbLover · August 05, 2009, 04:21:00 PM

Nope, I'm a guy who has been shying away from hunting for years because I thought it was inhumane.

It will be a trip to have game in front of me. My goal this year is to position myself so that I have a chance at a deer. I won't be shooting until I have the shot I need. I'm not interested in risking a bad hit. I want the animal to go down fairly quickly - not limp for miles with a broken shoulder while I try to track it and risk getting lost.

Sure, things happen, but I'm looking at 10-20 yards broadside or quartering away or there will not be an arrow leaving my bow.

Michael Arnette · August 05, 2009, 05:47:00 PM

With your draw and the 125 gr. you should do fine.
You might look into the 145 gr.glue on, it is a longer than the 125 gr. with a 1:2.5 cutting ratio. It will leave a bigger whole too.

Michael Arnette · August 05, 2009, 06:00:00 PM

For your 2018 three rivers archery has a glue in insert that can take the place of your screw in insert and glue into the taper of the 145 gr making it about the same weight as a 125gr. screw in. Just a thought. I think you will like the 145's.

RC · August 05, 2009, 07:39:00 PM

I only draw 27" and shoot around 47-52 lb bows and have had no issues with penatration on deer or Pork.

You guys have to forgive me I know you`ve seen this pick a lot but I think its cool. If I remember right its around a 48lb longbow with 600 grain arrow and 145 grain snuffer. Tippets old Pronghorn I named the "Doc".Not a big hog but probably as big or tough as most deers chest.RC

leatherneck · August 06, 2009, 06:21:00 AM

Don't apologize RC, I love that pic!!!!!!!!

Yolla Bolly · August 06, 2009, 06:45:00 AM

Amen, RC---no need for apology. That is pork on the grill!

LimbLover · August 06, 2009, 09:37:00 AM

Yep, I'm going to order some. They don't seem to be coming up used on here without someone buying them in a few minutes.

longbowben · August 06, 2009, 09:53:00 AM

Snuffers

Tim Finley · August 06, 2009, 10:14:00 AM

When my sons were young they shot 40# bows and 2 blades hopeing to get more penetration with the small broadhead. They lost some deer and were getting dicouraged, some were good hits but no blood trail in heavy brush. I got 125 snuffers on their arrows, and even with the maginal hits we found all the deer, and didnt see any difference in penetration. Dont be worried about the weight its enough.