13 replies to this topic

[SEW]

I have a SF and a Parker Saf Mag #175. They shoot my 438g arrows at 383 and 339'/sec respectively. I shoot Red Hot arrows/125g points. The SF burried too deep for my on hand tgts. I bought a Block Elite(for x-bows with 400+'/sec).  From 20-100+ yds the arrows go only about 1/2 way to fletching, field tip or broadhead(Thunderhead or Spitfire). Both of my x-bows shoot exactly the same with all 3 points. This is out to 81 yds with the SM and well over 100 yds with the SF. This is repeatable time and time again, not just a one time occurrence. I plan to buy no more "broad head" targets, just field point tgts. The Spyderweb would have been much more cost effective. The Block Elite, isn't exactly free.
Indexing of broadheads is impt. I've found 2,6,10 to give impacts closest to field points with fixed broadheads and 12, 4,and 8 with expandibles.
Summary: both of my x-bows shoot field pts, expandibles, and broadheads exactly the same. I expect many of other x-bows do the same. If they do, there is no need for a broadhead tgt/the expense thereof and for not tearing up a broadhead tgt thru practice.

[briarpatch]

In your case...you're right....but I never had the good fortune to trust a broadhead to fly the same....am shooting expandables with my Parker...

[SEW]

briarpatch said:

In your case...you're right....but I never had the good fortune to trust a broadhead to fly the same....am shooting expandables with my Parker...

I think many of us shot v-bows prior to our x-bows. Our arrows gave some when we shot them. A broadhead would 'bite" into the air and normally displace the arrow flight low and right or left depending on whether we are shooting a left or right hand bow. Our arrows are so spined that if the geometry of the x-bow is right on, the arrow comes out perpendicular to the string and there is no up or down and no left or right displacement. Both of my x-bows must be this way. The "trust" can be gained or lost by shooting at a nomimal range such as 40-50 yds with your expandibles and field points and seeing if there is an impact difference. With me even at 81 and 108 yds with the two bows, the impacts of all 4 points were the same time after time(Thunderhead, Spitfire, Spitfire practice blades, field point). My Parker Saf Mag #175 is every bit as accurate as my SF. Even @ 81 yds all 15 shots I took recently were in the black circles on my Block tgt. This was with the above tips except the actual Spitfire.

[Cyclonic]

I would never take a shot on game with something I had not tested. I firmly believe in shooting broadheads before taking to the woods with them.

[G Money]

I agree with Cyclonic.
It wouldn't take you long -or cost much- to shoot (2) arrows each Sunday afternoon of hunting season to verify your claims.
1-field tip (or several).
1-broadhead.

That broadhead target would last a long time this way.

[SEW]

G Money said:

I agree with Cyclonic.
It wouldn't take you long -or cost much- to shoot (2) arrows each Sunday afternoon of hunting season to verify your claims.
1-field tip (or several).
1-broadhead.

That broadhead target would last a long time this way.

If a person shoots multiple shots out to past any normal shooting distance with 3 different styles of points(Thunderhead,Spitfire,Field Pt), and they always group exactly the same every time: IOW's, they are proven to have the same impact points, why would a person want to continue to shoot points that damage to a target when they have a point that is much easier on the target?

[G Money]

suit yourself.
Maybe just take a fiew field tip shots every afternoon before heading out?
Nothing more than to check the sights.

Edited by G Money, 12 October 2009 - 03:25 PM.

[SEW]

:)I have thoroughly read each of your responses but feel that I still have not been understood.
What I stated is: that if extensive testing shows clearly that there is no difference between field point and 2 different broad head impact points, then there is no need to continue to shoot those broad heads time after time in order to re-check sight-in, practice, etc.
This testing has clearly shown that I can "trust" these 2 broad heads/configuration to shoot the same as field points. Maybe others can too.
I realize that normally this hasn't been the case for most of us when shooting field points and broad heads.  I can think of  no scientific or other reason that they should now start shooting differently.
In reference to another response: these broad heads HAVE been thoroughly  tested, didn't think I had indicated otherwise. These broad heads have been tested prior to taking them to the woods.
I don't see the need to continue to test weekly that they fly the same. If they fly the same after many shots of testing they should continue to do so.

What I had tried to do with this post is to show that in some cases field tips and broad heads will hit the same and that a person can then practice with the field point and have less wear on the target. This is what I tried to share.

[G Money]

I understand, but don't know why you started this post? Don't want to spend Money, eh? LOL.
I trust your setup and it sounds like your are dialed in.
wHAT works for you.

Here's my method, FWIW:
(Same bow with same arrows)...
Sunday evening, I'll set up both my field tip and broadhead target at 20 yards and shoot each.
-Field tip XX amount of times.
-Just 1 or 2 broadhead shots to verify is all it takes.
My broadhead target will last for years this way.  It's a Rinehart 18-1 with 18 sides.
-Money

Edited by G Money, 13 October 2009 - 01:26 PM.

[Cyclonic]

In your setup is what matters, if you gain confidence this way, that is great. I need a litlle more proof in my my mind. I get it by shooting broadheads at leasy once a week or so. I use the same heads, but different blades. this builds my confidence to a point where I know in the moment of truth, all I have to is point and shoot, concentrating on my intended POI, and hit there. If you get the same confidence with your practice method, that is great! If I burn through a few more target than you do, it is worth it to me.
  I will still practice with broadheads and have complete assurance in what I can do with them.

[SEW]

G Money said:

  don't know why you started this post?    

I started this post to share something I think is significant: that with x-bows it is very possible that there is no longer any need to continue to destroy targets by practicing with broad heads IF their x-bow happens to have exactly the same performance with both their chosen broad head and field points. By shooting both my x-bows from very close to extreme range with a traditional broad head, an expandable broad head , and field point and finding repeatedly that they have exactly the same impact points. So with these particular broad heads, I can practice with any of these points and KNOW that either of the others would hit the same.  This differs from v-bows where this does not normally occur. I think this is a significant finding. I also tried to explain the reasoning of why I think this occurs: no arrow flex so the broad head doesn't bite into the air and displace it during launch. Once it is well established that a certain broad head hits the same as a field point, I don't see a need to continue to see if somehow physics has changed.
Hope I haven't offended anyone. I was just trying to help.

[Loggy]

One i shoot both field point & BH and verified POA is identical...I then do not continue to shoot BH's.  I normally shoot a few again just before a hunt for a reality check though!!  Thats just me.

[SEW]

Loggy said:

One i shoot both field point & BH and verified POA is identical...I then do not continue to shoot BH's.  I normally shoot a few again just before a hunt for a reality check though!!  Thats just me.

I'll have to confess, I, too, occasionally slip in a broad head while confirming sight settings - to make sure nothing has affected scope, just to see if "physics has changed".

[Cossack]

I feel exactly the same about my Slick Trick mags, don't bother to shoot them at targets.