Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Rando on August 15, 2024, 10:18:58 PM
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I've been the proud shooter of Rothaar Snuffers for most of my 40+ year hunting career. Sadly, my personal supply has diminished and replenishing them is hit or miss... So, I have been exploring other 3 blade options - I'm actually amazed at the COST and profile options available from different manufacturers - all good stuff I'm sure, but I am going to miss my Snuffers. Anyway, through research I've kinda landed on VPA as a good option at a now-reasonable (?) price but I see that you can get the same 200 gr. head (my target weight) in 1-1/8" or 1-1/4" versions - the 1-1/8" being sleeker and maybe less prone to tuning or less-than-perfect release issues under hunting conditions.
Just wondering if anyone has thoughts on which fly better while still being very effective on game (MN whitetails primarily), efficiency and quick kills being the ultimate goal always!
Thank you for any feedback.
Randy
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I've killed deer with both the 1 1/8 and 1 1/4 inch heads weighing 200 grains. I didn't notice a difference really, and both flew well and performed well for me. I was happy with the holes that they made and the blood trails that they left.
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VPA 3 blades are great. Can’t go wrong with either width. Had most deer drop within sight. You’ll have no regrets.
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I shot the 1 1/8" 3 blades for some time, great blood trails, took quite a few deer with them. Last year I got some of the 1.25" and they were shorter and wider but same 200 grain weight. I was a little concerned at the length but shot a fair sized buck day before rifle season and it stuck in the dirt other side. 46#@ 28", 530 grain carbon.
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I don't shoot them but believe that concern over 1 1/8" vs 1 1/4" is a moot point. You're only talking a 1/16" on each blade which I don't believe is a concern.
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I’m a VPA fan. My go to is the 250 Grain 1-1/4” 3 blade. I’ve used 175 Grain 1-1/8” 3 Blade as well in the past. They all fly great for me and I’m having no trouble with penetration on the 1-1/4” so I like the additional cutting surface for maximum trauma and blood trail. Either are great options :campfire:
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My main concern was the blade angle on the 1.25" as they look a little stubby, not the diameter, but no prob!! :thumbsup:
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My main concern was the blade angle on the 1.25" as they look a little stubby, not the diameter, but no prob!! :thumbsup:
Understood, the 250 Grain units have a longer profile which I do prefer.
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Haven’t taken anything with the 1 1/4 200 grain 3 blades, but man do they fly nice & sharpen up extremely well for me
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Vpa’s are great heads. Killed lots of critters with them. I’ve definitely noticed better blood trails with them since I started sharpening on a 6” pvc pipe/ sand paper. A little better blade angle I guess.
J
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I don't shoot them but believe that concern over 1 1/8" vs 1 1/4" is a moot point. You're only talking a 1/16" on each blade which I don't believe is a concern.
Good point that this is only 1/16" each direction! I agree with others that I appreciate a sleek profile vs short & stubby. Probably a mute point on a well designed and constructed broadhead, but confidence in equipment is key.
Probably go for the 1-1/8" version to have maximum confidence in my choices.
Randy
Appreciate all the positive responses - sounds like VPAs are a good choice!
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What animals are you planning on hunting with them?
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What animals are you planning on hunting with them?
Primarily whitetails and black bears here in Mn. Hoping to eventually venture out of state (West) for antelope and possibly elk, that'd be a year or two out...
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All of those sound fine with the 1 1/4 ecept maybe the elk. What bow and arrow weights?
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All of those sound fine with the 1 1/4 ecept maybe the elk. What bow and arrow weights?
Shooting 53lbs @ my draw, arrows are ~520grs.
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This is just my take....
I'd go with the steeper attack angle of the 1 1/8 for elk and big hogs.
Best of luck! :campfire:
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I've been shooting the 1 1/8" VPA heads since they first hit the market. When I started shooting them, I was shooting bows in the low 50# range. Shoulder issues have dictated a couple of drops in bow weight to the 40# range. Since dropping to 40#ish I have killed 10-12 whitetails and all but one were a complete pass thru and the other hit the leg bone on exit. VPAs are solid, well-made heads and I find them very easy to sharpen. If you ever bend one (I haven't), I believe that they will replace it for free...at least that used to be their policy. I did a pig hunt with the owner several years ago and he was hunting with a longbow as was one of his employees that was on the same hunt. They know what we trad guys need! Good luck!!>>>------->
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VPA is a good head, when I run out of Snuffer and Grizzly Instinct they will be on my arrows. The poundage I shoot makes the 1/16" difference in width moot. Keep 'em sharp.
:campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:
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For what its worth, I'll be bringing the 1.25 inch heads after elk in a couple of weeks. if I get some data I'll report back on how they perform. As of right now I have no concerns about them though.
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I have actually shot quite a few critters with the vpa heads, both the standard 1 1/8" diameter and the 1 1/4". I have shot both the short stubby 1 1/4'' as well as the somewhat longer profile that the 250 grain heads have. Here are some of my thoughts.
On hogs, I have noticed significantly better and more consistent blood trails using the 1 1/4" heads, but I doubt that I have ever not recovered an animal by using the 1 1/8" heads.
I have found no significant change in how well my arrows fly or tune between the 2 different diameters.
I haven't seen a change in penetration between the 2 different heads, but I may shoot a little more energetic setups than some. I seriously doubt that using the short stubby 1 1/4 200 grain heads will cause you any issue on bear and deer. Now, if you hit heavy bone it may, but then you have other problems to deal with. Honestly with 53#, I have a hard time believing that you would have trouble penetrating elk or hogs as long as your arrows are flying straight, but that is only my opinion. Good luck with whatever you choose. If you have any doubts regarding penetration due to the profile, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the 1 1/8" heads, and I really can't speak to how the heads perform on elk, because I haven't shot an elk yet.
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I shot 250 grain VPA’s one of the two years I had to shoot left-handed due to a bad shoulder. I believe they were the 1 1/8”. Went 7 for 7 on deer with complete pass thru’s on 6 of the 7 deer with a 51# bow.
My thoughts: They are Damm good broadheads! Unless you are going for moose or bison or shooting a bow under 50#’s, I would use the larger broadhead for everything else in North America.
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My thoughts: They are Damm good broadheads! Unless you are going for moose or bison or shooting a bow under 50#’s, I would use the larger broadhead for everything else in North America.
I am of the same mindset
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Have harvested deer, turkey, hogs, yotes, coons, crows, groundhogs, rabbits and a red stag with a 250 gn 1 1/8” three blade VPA….No issues….Fine Broadhead…
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I have never shot the 1 1/4 heads, but I have probably taken 25-30 critters with 1 1/8, deer and bear. My setups have been 47-54. No issues whatsoever. I hope to take a Javalina and maybe a hog with them at LTR.
DP
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Along the way I have accumulated way too many broadheads.
Zwickey, Delta Nubbins (110 &130 grains), and Snuffers in 100 and 125 without inserts. My preferred is the 100 Grain Snuffer with inserts yielding 125 - 130 grains. I though about trying g the 2 blade Nubbins this year just for the 2 blades vs 3 as I am now shooting 46#.