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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: snow leopard on December 13, 2010, 03:36:00 PM

Title: wensel woodsman vs. snuffer
Post by: snow leopard on December 13, 2010, 03:36:00 PM
i did a search on the site pertaining to this topic, and came up empty. i am asking for opinions from those who have used these 2 heads in an attempt to reach a decision on which head to use for spring turkey, and do not wish to spark any controversy. so, this being said, what would your preference be, and thankyou for any input.
Title: Re: wensel woodsman vs. snuffer
Post by: dbishop on December 13, 2010, 03:45:00 PM
Well, I probably wont be much help because I have not gotten to shoot anything with either one yet.  But I will say I have spent a lot of time sharpening each one and although I can get them both extremely sharp, it was easier with the woodsman. Also, the woodsman is a little closer to the 3:1 ratio a lot of people like.  The snuffer is a little shorter in relation to its width.  The both seem to fly well out of my bows.  For turkey, I would not think it would make a hill of beans.  You might want to use heavier heads just because they are not vented and may be quieter.  I don't know if the heavier snuffers are vented or not.

Dave
Title: Re: wensel woodsman vs. snuffer
Post by: NoCams on December 13, 2010, 03:48:00 PM
What is your setup ? How many pounds you shooting ? Lots of folks use the 160gr Snuffers on birds. If you are shooting lots of weight the WW would probably blow right thru. Most like the arrow to stay in the bird if I am not mistaken.
Title: Re: wensel woodsman vs. snuffer
Post by: Friend on December 13, 2010, 04:20:00 PM
Any sharp BH penetrating and hitting the dixie cup sized 'quick death zone' will do.

The key is to have a set-up and shot placement which will immobilize the bird as quickly as possible.

Size does matter in significantly improving the recovery rate.
Title: Re: wensel woodsman vs. snuffer
Post by: snow leopard on December 13, 2010, 04:27:00 PM
they would be shot thru a 50# longbow, arrows spined 50-53.
Title: Re: wensel woodsman vs. snuffer
Post by: Onions on December 13, 2010, 04:36:00 PM
I would highly recommand the WW. I shot a 50lb 'curve, had trouble pushing the big snuffer. So I switched to the WW. Have had great penetrattion (on many many deer).....with many complete pass throughs.

chris <><
Title: Re: wensel woodsman vs. snuffer
Post by: mnbearbaiter on December 13, 2010, 05:16:00 PM
The 160 Snuffer is an awesome head for turkey! I like its larger cutting swath, cuz a turkey is a tough animal/target for a trad bowhunter! Small vital zone, i have missed it before when a turkey took a step forward and i got a gut shot instead! Recovered bird easily, feathers, and a "Good" bloodtrail for a turkey!
Title: Re: wensel woodsman vs. snuffer
Post by: brian brooks on December 13, 2010, 05:53:00 PM
I have shot and killed turkeys with both,and had pass-thru on every turkey with both.Right now i,m partial to woodsmans,for deer,but the snuffer does blow a bigger hole which i like on the turkeys.That being said i would prefer snuffers on turkeys.Been thinking about a rubber washer behind the head to maybe avoid shooting through them.I,m shooting with 55# out of the best bow i've ever owned,a TallTines
Title: Re: wensel woodsman vs. snuffer
Post by: SERGIO VENNERI on December 13, 2010, 06:43:00 PM
Snuffer, they just keep on bleeding!Been using them since 1976, with no penetration problems!
Title: Re: wensel woodsman vs. snuffer
Post by: Morning Star on December 13, 2010, 07:26:00 PM
160 Snuffer all the way.  The 160 head does alot of damage and gives a better chance of the arrow staying in the bird, which can be very important at times.
Title: Re: wensel woodsman vs. snuffer
Post by: stevewills on December 13, 2010, 07:35:00 PM
snuffers...havent had a bird go over 20 yds with one yet
Title: Re: wensel woodsman vs. snuffer
Post by: Lee Robinson . on December 13, 2010, 07:43:00 PM
They are both great, but I kept my snuffers and sold all my WW. When penetration is a "concern" I grab my 2 blade Abowyer or 2 blade Zephyr broadheads.
Title: Re: wensel woodsman vs. snuffer
Post by: Ken Taylor on December 13, 2010, 07:56:00 PM
I have used Woodsmans 125 gr. to kill some stuff but they were not heavy enough for me for different reasons.

I use the 160 gr. Snuffers to kill a lot of stuff.

The last animal I killed this season was with a woodsman elite 190 gr.... I love them.

We don't have those big flying lizards up here but I would use 160 gr. Snuffers on them.
Title: Re: wensel woodsman vs. snuffer
Post by: snow leopard on December 13, 2010, 08:10:00 PM
thanks very much for all the responses. at this point, i'm leaning toward the 160 grain snuffer, but a little concerned if a 50# bow will handle them. thanks again.
Title: Re: wensel woodsman vs. snuffer
Post by: Don Stokes on December 13, 2010, 08:28:00 PM
Snow, I wouldn't hesitate to use the Snuffer. 50# is plenty. I sometimes use them with a 40# bow.
Title: Re: wensel woodsman vs. snuffer
Post by: greg fields on December 13, 2010, 08:34:00 PM
I like the 160's myself, but penetration, at least on deer can be a concern IMO....
Title: Re: wensel woodsman vs. snuffer
Post by: michaelschwister on December 13, 2010, 08:35:00 PM
I have only shot one turkey with a bow and it Was a snuffer. Sure did the job.
Title: Re: wensel woodsman vs. snuffer
Post by: Don Stokes on December 13, 2010, 09:04:00 PM
I've killed a number of deer with 160 Snuffers, with bows from 50 to 65#, and penetration has always been fine. Never lost one with the Snuffer.
Title: Re: wensel woodsman vs. snuffer
Post by: kadbow on December 13, 2010, 10:07:00 PM
160 snuffer for turkeys.
Title: Re: wensel woodsman vs. snuffer
Post by: Tuttu on December 14, 2010, 12:39:00 AM
I've used both heads and had good penetration with them.  I've been lucky enough to kill a couple moose with a snuffer.  With one moose, I had a complete pass through.  I also had a complete pass through on a brown bear with a woodsmen.  I would not hesitate to use a snuffer with your set up (especially for deer or turkeys).  Best of luck.
Chuck
Title: Re: wensel woodsman vs. snuffer
Post by: Chimaster on December 14, 2010, 01:20:00 AM
I've shot 95% of all my animals with 160gr snuffers. Bears, elk, pigs, deer, and turkeys with no problems. Roger always said why punch a little hole when you can make a great big hole.
Title: Re: wensel woodsman vs. snuffer
Post by: Rob DiStefano on December 14, 2010, 05:59:00 AM
having used and blooded both snuffer and woodsman heads, imo i prefer the narrower and higher ratio woodsman.  i think wider cutting snuffers are great killers if the bow horsepower is good.
Title: Re: wensel woodsman vs. snuffer
Post by: 684Kevin on December 14, 2010, 06:15:00 AM
I've used both and both fly very well but always leaned to the snuffers.  They are quieter in flight than the woodsman.  Not as noticeable outside but when shooting indoors they are noticeably louder as they spin going down range.  I cannot tell if the sound is from the broadhead or if the broadhead is placing more resistance against the feather's rotation causing them to be louder.
Title: Re: wensel woodsman vs. snuffer
Post by: john fletch on December 14, 2010, 11:18:00 AM
I find the WW to fly exceptionally well.  The snuffer and other solid blades are good heads and I have not used the WW on birds.  I find some brands of solid blade heads to 'plane' more than heads with open blades that allow air flow.

I don't use expensive heads on birds anyway - don't know why anyone would???

You are going to put more arrows in the dirt bird huntng so I use cheap stuff like MA-2 or some zwickies I got in bulk a long time ago.

They sharpen back quickly after a dirt lunch and back in business.  I try not to hit the body - too much meat loss.  I miss a lot of grouse and turkey trying or just the neck or head - but when I score - good eatin' !

To me its all about the walk in the woods anyway!!!
Title: Re: wensel woodsman vs. snuffer
Post by: mnbwhtr on December 14, 2010, 11:35:00 AM
Snuffers on turkeys and WW on everything else. That said I'd look at bullheads for turkey as thats what I used on my last one and it worked great. You actually can SEE your kill area and they don't run off. I shoot 55# for turkeys but this fall my wife went out without me so I put a bullhead on her arrow and told her to shoot for the waddles and her 42# compund took the head right off her bird.
Title: Re: wensel woodsman vs. snuffer
Post by: TDHunter on December 14, 2010, 11:55:00 AM
I would go with the wensel. I've used the snuffers and they have a pretty steep angle. The wensel are more low profile and will definately get better penatration, especially with 50lb. I also agree if there is any penatration concern with your set up, go with a two blade. I've found a big difference in penatraion. I used a 50 recurve with 3 blades on my first moose and was very disapointed in the penatration. Now anything bigger then deer it's two blade or 55lb plus
Title: Re: wensel woodsman vs. snuffer
Post by: **DONOTDELETE** on December 14, 2010, 01:55:00 PM
Every deer I have taken is with 160 grn Snuffer out of a 50# bow even a #50 selfbow..
Title: Re: wensel woodsman vs. snuffer
Post by: Traddict on December 14, 2010, 06:15:00 PM
Snuffer for birds.
Title: Re: wensel woodsman vs. snuffer
Post by: snow leopard on December 14, 2010, 08:43:00 PM
i just wanted to say "thankyou" to all of you for the awesome response. i am going to go with the 160 grain snuffer for the big bird, although i may also try the woodsman 125 for deer next season. i will get some and see how they fly with my set-up. thanks again.
Title: Re: wensel woodsman vs. snuffer
Post by: chanumpa on December 14, 2010, 11:11:00 PM
Both great heads that you just cant go wrong with.
Title: Re: wensel woodsman vs. snuffer
Post by: 30coupe on December 14, 2010, 11:28:00 PM
Either one will do just fine, but I'm using 160 Snuffers for turkeys. I want a great big hole in those @#@#$@#%$#$^& things!
Title: Re: wensel woodsman vs. snuffer
Post by: TEX-O-BOB on December 15, 2010, 09:59:00 AM
Turkeys are birds. You shoot birds with a shotgun...   :D  
It really doesn't matter what head you shoot at turkeys. If you shoot em in the right spot, (the head) they die every time. Most guys take a body shot on turkeys. I think this is a huge mistake. The vital zone,as mentioned above, is the size of a Dixie cup and obscured by anatomy, feathers, and hard to read angles. The head is the same size and it's right out there in the open. You'll either miss clean or kill the bird. I've seen WAY too many turkeys R.B.I.'d when shot in the body. But, if you gotta take a body shot, shoot the  160 gr snuffer.   ;)
Title: Re: wensel woodsman vs. snuffer
Post by: RC on December 15, 2010, 03:13:00 PM
I like Simmons treesharks for Turkeys and I prefer the Woodsman on furry critters out of my low poundage bows.RC
Title: Re: wensel woodsman vs. snuffer
Post by: Friend on December 16, 2010, 09:33:00 PM
For turkeys, my arrows are designed for penetration and the broadhead
selections are substantiated based on Muzzy’s Slash Factor equation. My real world experience has engrained in me to use the largest BH possible.


Slash Flactor = (BH Dia and/or width /2)*(# of blades)* (Depth for comp penetration)

Note: 6”s was the estimated depth for comp. penetration


   
BH for Turkeys   
Magnus 140 gn 2 Bl   SF = 7.5
Centaur 'Battle Axe' 214 gn 2 Bl   SF = 12.75
Magnus 'Snuffer' 185 gn 3 Bl   SF = 13.14
Big Jim's 'Big 3' 300 gn 3 Bl   SF = 13.5
Simmons 'Tree Shark' 190 gn 2 Bl    SF = 12
WW @ 150 gn 3 Bl SF = 9.0
   

***Immobilization is the key for consistent success***   (JMHO)
Title: Re: wensel woodsman vs. snuffer
Post by: snow leopard on December 16, 2010, 10:43:00 PM
that's pretting interesting, and informative friend. thanks.