10 replies to this topic

[damascusblademaker]

I'm new to trying mechanical broadheads and I'm kind of leary of them performing like there suppose to, so before using them I'd like to do a little test target shooting to make sure they open properly. Do you think shooting a plastic milk jug filled with water would be comparable to a deer as far as resistance goes in opening the blades. If you have any other good ways that would be comparable to deer I'd like to hear about them.

Thank you,

DBM

[dmznimrod]

how about setting up a high speed camera or cam corder to watch the flight of the arrow. i don't see the point of the water jug??? if the head opens in flight the jug  is nothing more than a back stop.jmo

[Zrt1200]

If the head opens in flight you will see a major flight path change and the POI will be all over. The milk jug will work just find for what you want to test. The only problem with mechanical's is if you are at a extreme angle, other wise they work great. I shot a doe at 25-30 yards last week with NAP spitfires(My first crossbow / bow deer ever). It punched a 1" hole through both sides and the blood trail was great which was good as I have never had to track a deer before then. I have gun hunted for the past 36 years.

[Big-Bird-VA]

If you're concerned on early opening put  a single sheet of newspaper a couple of inches in front of the target. You'll know if it's open and newspaper isn't enough to make a mechanical open up.

[damascusblademaker]

Thanks guys, No I'm not worried about early opening, if they open early they'll either fly badly or the head will will be cutting as it enters the jug. And as stiff as these heads are (Innerloc mechanicals)I'm sure they won't open in flight, my concern was finding a target comparable to shooting a deer that will let me know forsure there opening on contact. Thats why I was wondering if a milk jug filled with water would be comparable to a deers hide/body to test and make sure they opened.
Yesterday I did shoot a jug filled with water and the head punched a small hole going in and all 3 blades were fully opened on exit, so if a deers hide is as tough as a milk jug they should work perfectly.  If anyone has a good target idea  for testing mechanicals to make sure there opening on contact, I'd like to hear about them.

Thanks,

DBM

[Big-Bird-VA]

A deer has higher level of resistance after the hide than water. Now if it was jello that would be closer. Then you could eat your target after testing.

[mopar1969]

Zrt1200, on 23 October 2010 - 08:37 PM, said:

If the head opens in flight you will see a major flight path change and the POI will be all over. The milk jug will work just find for what you want to test. The only problem with mechanical's is if you are at a extreme angle, other wise they work great. I shot a doe at 25-30 yards last week with NAP spitfires(My first crossbow / bow deer ever). It punched a 1" hole through both sides and the blood trail was great which was good as I have never had to track a deer before then. I have gun hunted for the past 36 years.

I use NAP spitfires as well no problems they fly where you point them and rip a huge exit hole.  

Always check that you mechanicals are close all the way before loading. If you have the Rage w/ the o-rings make sure the rings are good and in place. No problems.

[Grim Reaper]

Zrt1200, on 23 October 2010 - 08:37 PM, said:

If the head opens in flight you will see a major flight path change and the POI will be all over. The milk jug will work just find for what you want to test. The only problem with mechanical's is if you are at a extreme angle, other wise they work great. I shot a doe at 25-30 yards last week with NAP spitfires(My first crossbow / bow deer ever). It punched a 1" hole through both sides and the blood trail was great which was good as I have never had to track a deer before then. I have gun hunted for the past 36 years.

Inmost cases I would agree, in fact I never had any confidence in mechanicle's till I saw the idependent DVD showing a test of the top brands out there. Grim Reaper test,shot a sheet of 3/4 plywood at 60 degree angle and it had a complete pass through. The blades set back 5/8 in. and it stops deflections. The heads are built like no other I have seen to date. If you see the DVD you will more than likely change as I did. I have kills that normally I see them drop and I have since lost 0 deer in the last 3 years with this head verticle bow included. just a note I am a retailer and I carry all major brands I choose to use Grim Reaper's on my own hunts. They do the job extremely well. They fly like a bullet/field point. also for the extreme fast X-bows they have a X-Bow head this year, i have not seen a bow that will open this head in flight. It was a little stronger spring used in the X-Bow Head.

[Fman]

I also have tested many heads.. I chose the Gator XP. Used to be made by Rocky Mtn. Now Bass pro makes them. They go on sale for 19.99. leave a hole like a rage and fly like exactly like a field point out to 50 yards for me. the grimms are nice to, just more expensive, and I don't trust the rubber bands or o rings on any heads... Gators do not use them at all. I have killed 2 nice bucks the last 2 years with them. Neither deer made it past 45 yards max.

[Fieldtip]

I would try the sheet of newspaper a few inches from the jug, tape it to a frame to keep it tight, remember that your fletching will tear the paper also. I would expect the entrance hole on the jug to show the blades open, the jug should make the blades open and the hole should reflect this.

[SPECIALIZED]

Using my Tenpoint Turbo I have field tested the NAP spitfire 125s this season and last ,taking 11 deer and 2 turkeys, shots taken from 18 yards to 37 yards.The NAPS performed perfectly,The game going down within sight,with good blood trails.
The only downside,the blades were sometimes damaged and for me they are kind of difficult to replace.

Just to see what would happen,I shot some older NAPs in the open position at a target placed at 20 yards ,The point of impact was only  1 to 2 inches different than shooting the NAPs in the closed position,all shots were still very much in the kill zone.
The result may be very different at longer ranges,but never tried a longer range.