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Discussion Starter · #1 · (Edited)
Shartac/Edgetac 375g BH and FPs

Back in Feb 2022, I was contacted by Dave at Shartac to see if I would be willing to test these BHs. I reluctantly agreed but expressed my reservations.

I tested with a BD400 and an X1.

The BD arrows were 20” Zombies, 110 insert, flat plastic nock and AV3 vanes, made by Boo. Weight total - 691g. 287’/sec (27.3 FOC)

The X1 arrows were a rough prototype of the new KI match or heavy arrow. 22” KI shafts, non-indexed , 130g inserts, ARC nocks, and 1 degree offset Heat vanes. Weight total 750g. 289’/sec (26.3 FOC)

I tested at 20,30,40,50 and 60 yards. 20 yard accuracy was 1-hole for each. 60 yards was the farthest tested and accuracy was excellent.

A prototype KI scope with a minimum speed setting of 340 was used on the BD. Again, actual launch speed was 287’/sec. I sighted in at 20 yards on the scope’s lowest setting of 340’/sec. I then shot at 30, 40 and 50, and it was shocking dead on!! This scope was the one that had poorly spaced 60 and above range lines. 60 was off virtually the same as it was with the KI 390g arrows. The trajectory was surprisingly flat. I called Brian Miller who stated that he was having a similar experience. The ballistic coefficient had increased so much that the trajectories of the arrows from both xbows were drastically affected for the better. From Brian Miller: stock KI arrow BC - 0.083, with 375g point - 0.125, with 775g point - 0.269. Those are big jumps. Trajectory-wise (when initially sighted-in @ 20 yards) much of the velocity loss is made up for by the increased BC.

Accuracy (60 yards). Many of the times i tested the field points through the X1, the groups were essentially 1-hole. Other times, up to 1” and always vertical. The BHs consistently hit within 1/2” of the field points and generally grouped 1/2”. The AV3 vanes were significantly more accurate than other vanes through the BD. I got the same level of accuracy out of the X1 with the KI shaft arrows.

The 375g BHs were very hard on my 18-1 targets and I used a 1/4” plywood backstop.

Summary. Extreme accuracy through 60 yards. Surprisingly flat trajectory. Very quiet, as can be imagined. I expect they would pass through virtually anything and whatever is hit will die very soon. No need, out of these two drastically different xbows , to practice with the broad heads since they truly hit where the field points hit. Note: all testing was with the broad heads indexed @ 12/6.

Pictures with captions will follow.
 

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Discussion Starter · #8 ·
Just like 4 years ago, when I first reported on the original SWAT, I have just tried to report objectively my findings. The SWAT surpassed my highest expectations. Maybe that was fairly transparent.

The accuracy of these BHs out to 60 yards was truly amazing. I never expected this. I’m just sharing what I found. Hopefully other testers will soon also. The construction quality of these single bevel BHs is excellent.
 

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I wonder if that big broadhead would act like a Traumahawk so some degree if it hit a deer with the arrow fletched with the AV3s? The Traumahawk weighs 175 grains but has a very flat, blunt tip. The extreme mass of the Edgetac 375g broadhead would not stop rotating very quickly. On the other hand, I wonder if the extreme mass would stop the AV3s from spinning the arrow as fast as it would need to in order to do damage from rotating in the animal? Interesting!
 

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Be interesting to see if you get that lazy S entrance and exit when you kill something. I used to see this all the time using a 180gr Grizzly left single bevel with left wing feathers.

There was a outfit that bought unground VPA heads and gave that 3 blade head a right single bevel grind.
Also shot another single bevel 2 blade both from a Mission 320. Neither gave a indication they rotated. Target or deer.


The Grizzly clearly rotated in a broadhead target as you had to learn to pull it out as it spun in or unspin it to pull it out. If you tried to pull it straight out it was very hard and tore up the target.

Kinda left me wondering if there was a speed limit to the single bevel heads. Looking forward to your finding on this :).

As always good review and shooting.
 

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Be interesting to see if you get that lazy S entrance and exit when you kill something. I used to see this all the time using a 180gr Grizzly left single bevel with left wing feathers.

There was a outfit that bought unground VPA heads and gave that 3 blade head a right single bevel grind.
Also shot another single bevel 2 blade both from a Mission 320. Neither gave a indication they rotated. Target or deer.


The Grizzly clearly rotated in a broadhead target as you had to learn to pull it out as it spun in or unspin it to pull it out. If you tried to pull it straight out it was very hard and tore up the target.

Kinda left me wondering if there was a speed limit to the single bevel heads. Looking forward to your finding on this :).

As always good review and shooting.
I experienced this shooting the Shartac head into my 18-1. Could not pull it straight out because it rotated clockwise going into the target. Couldn't turn in counter clockwise to get it back to its entrance hole to pull it out because the head would loosen up. Ended up having to cut the target to get the head out. 😬 I have since built a layered cardboard target and plan on putting a 1x4 in front of it to slow it down. I just haven't had a chance to test it yet and see if it works. I need a smaller honey-do-list!!!!!
 

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For those interested in seeing how they spin, this Youtube video is ballistic gel testing of Edgetac 375 grain and 775 grain broadheads. You can see the rotation though ballistic gel. Double bevel (standard) blades have a greater tendency to get stuck in bone, while the rotational force generated by single bevel blades enable them to better penetrate and break though bones like thick ribs or shoulders.

 

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I experienced this shooting the Shartac head into my 18-1. Could not pull it straight out because it rotated clockwise going into the target. Couldn't turn in counter clockwise to get it back to its entrance hole to pull it out because the head would loosen up. Ended up having to cut the target to get the head out. 😬 I have since built a layered cardboard target and plan on putting a 1x4 in front of it to slow it down. I just haven't had a chance to test it yet and see if it works. I need a smaller honey-do-list!!!!!
Honey-do-list is the least of your problems! Mister, "I want to own every bow known to man", LOL.
 
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