IronNoggin
12-08-2012, 01:59 PM
Following this and last season's successful hunts, I find myself now searching for a new broadhead. In short, I was rather unimpressed by the Excalibur Boltcutters this season. Yes, they fly extremely close to my field tips of equivalent weight, and that I do Enjoy...
But...
My Hunting Partner uses a 175 lb 10-Point Bow vs my 225 lb ExoMax.
We had near identical shots on relaxed animals, near identical ranges, and near identical hits.
His animals collapsed with 30 yards on every occasion, and left a HUGE blood trail (to me important especially when there is no snow) from point of impact to where the animal laid.
On occasion over the past two years, the animals I took ran in excess of 100 yards. It made tracking difficult, time consuming, and without many years of experience in doing so, they may have been lost.
All were double lung hits.
The only difference beyond the bows is that I was using Boltcutters and he was using 125 grain 4-Blade slick Tricks.
I did consider the Slick Tricks simply because my Partner enjoyed such success with them. And I do believe they will fly fine from the Exomax given the 6 degree helical Big John was so kind as to install the blazer vanes with. That said, I recognize that the mechanicals offer a MUCH larger diameter cutting surface, and I am rather interested in that parameter. Larger hole should equal more damage and better blood trail... Not?
I have read and heard about both Shwackers and Spitfire Maxx broadheads. But having never shot any mechanicals, I am at a bit of a loss in which direction to go...
Here is my understanding at this point:
While the Shwackers appear to perform very well, there is the issue of dealing with the bands. I am of the Old School mentality wherein the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) Rule very much applies. Don't much like the idea of fiddling with the bands and would greatly prefer some type of set-up that avoids this issue.
On the other hand, the Spitfire Maxx does not require bands to hold the deploying blades in place - a positive in my mind's eye. The possible negatives I see with this one is that they do not fully deploy the blades on contact, rather AFTER they have entered the target (opening as they go through, not completely deploying on impact). My understanding is that the results would be a smallish entry wound with a much larger exit (and given the power of the Exomax and the ranges I shoot I believe pass-throughs would be the predominant result). To me this suggests very little blood loss from the entry wound, and the distinct possibility of lung (or other) material blocking the larger exit hole, again providing for little in the way of blood loss for trailing. All fine of course, unless the critter bolts a hundred yards and then I'm back to square one - something I am hoping to avoid by doing my research now...
I also like the look of Excalibur's X-Act mechanical. Wish it came in a 125 grain option as I wish to stick with that weight as my minimum (LOVE the FOC and arrow flight accuracy as a consequence of that with my set-up).
Perhaps I am over-analyzing this? I understand that most modern broadheads will get the job done. Yet that little voice inside my head keeps telling me there simply HAS to be a "Perfect" broadhead out there for my set-up. One that is reasonably simple, will provide for Massive Damage and Good Blood Trails for those less-than-ideal tracking conditions we sometimes encounter...
So I ask each of you that might use either what your thoughts on these two choices are? Pro's? Cons?
I will be looking at 125 grain heads in whichever I choose. And I am sincerely hoping I will find some informed and sage advice here as to just what that choice may be...
Thanks in advance for any and all advice!! Looking Forward to your replies...
Cheers,
Nog
But...
My Hunting Partner uses a 175 lb 10-Point Bow vs my 225 lb ExoMax.
We had near identical shots on relaxed animals, near identical ranges, and near identical hits.
His animals collapsed with 30 yards on every occasion, and left a HUGE blood trail (to me important especially when there is no snow) from point of impact to where the animal laid.
On occasion over the past two years, the animals I took ran in excess of 100 yards. It made tracking difficult, time consuming, and without many years of experience in doing so, they may have been lost.
All were double lung hits.
The only difference beyond the bows is that I was using Boltcutters and he was using 125 grain 4-Blade slick Tricks.
I did consider the Slick Tricks simply because my Partner enjoyed such success with them. And I do believe they will fly fine from the Exomax given the 6 degree helical Big John was so kind as to install the blazer vanes with. That said, I recognize that the mechanicals offer a MUCH larger diameter cutting surface, and I am rather interested in that parameter. Larger hole should equal more damage and better blood trail... Not?
I have read and heard about both Shwackers and Spitfire Maxx broadheads. But having never shot any mechanicals, I am at a bit of a loss in which direction to go...
Here is my understanding at this point:
While the Shwackers appear to perform very well, there is the issue of dealing with the bands. I am of the Old School mentality wherein the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) Rule very much applies. Don't much like the idea of fiddling with the bands and would greatly prefer some type of set-up that avoids this issue.
On the other hand, the Spitfire Maxx does not require bands to hold the deploying blades in place - a positive in my mind's eye. The possible negatives I see with this one is that they do not fully deploy the blades on contact, rather AFTER they have entered the target (opening as they go through, not completely deploying on impact). My understanding is that the results would be a smallish entry wound with a much larger exit (and given the power of the Exomax and the ranges I shoot I believe pass-throughs would be the predominant result). To me this suggests very little blood loss from the entry wound, and the distinct possibility of lung (or other) material blocking the larger exit hole, again providing for little in the way of blood loss for trailing. All fine of course, unless the critter bolts a hundred yards and then I'm back to square one - something I am hoping to avoid by doing my research now...
I also like the look of Excalibur's X-Act mechanical. Wish it came in a 125 grain option as I wish to stick with that weight as my minimum (LOVE the FOC and arrow flight accuracy as a consequence of that with my set-up).
Perhaps I am over-analyzing this? I understand that most modern broadheads will get the job done. Yet that little voice inside my head keeps telling me there simply HAS to be a "Perfect" broadhead out there for my set-up. One that is reasonably simple, will provide for Massive Damage and Good Blood Trails for those less-than-ideal tracking conditions we sometimes encounter...
So I ask each of you that might use either what your thoughts on these two choices are? Pro's? Cons?
I will be looking at 125 grain heads in whichever I choose. And I am sincerely hoping I will find some informed and sage advice here as to just what that choice may be...
Thanks in advance for any and all advice!! Looking Forward to your replies...
Cheers,
Nog