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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: threeunder on February 10, 2013, 11:18:00 PM

Title: Min. draw weight for 3 blade head for deer/hogs?
Post by: threeunder on February 10, 2013, 11:18:00 PM
What is everyone's thoughts on the min. holding weight you need to be shooting to use a 3 blade head like VPA or WW for deer/hogs?

Reading a bunch of previous posts, it seems there are a lot of people who recommend not going to 3 blade until your effective draw weight is about 60 lbs.

Ken
Title: Re: Min. draw weight for 3 blade head for deer/hogs?
Post by: David Yukon on February 10, 2013, 11:23:00 PM
Really? I would thing that 45# would be plenty... I guess you should check what is the minimum draw weight in your state for these animals? I would think that a 45# bow, with well tuned, well placed arrow, tipped with a razor sharp BH of your choice would do the trick. Even a lighter draw weight would do the trick to!
Title: Re: Min. draw weight for 3 blade head for deer/hogs?
Post by: KevO on February 10, 2013, 11:24:00 PM
I have no problem shooting through mid-western deer with a WW out of a 53 lb. recurve.  I would not be afraid to shoot anything in N. America with this set up.  I use a carbon shaft & use a steel adapter in the broadhead.  Arrows weigh around 530 grains.
Title: Re: Min. draw weight for 3 blade head for deer/hogs?
Post by: Skipmaster1 on February 10, 2013, 11:25:00 PM
I've shot vpa's, woodsman and snuffer broadheads through a lot of critters with weights between 49 and 60 pounds. Some big bodied pigs and deer too. The VPA is by far my favorite head, by far
Title: Re: Min. draw weight for 3 blade head for deer/hogs?
Post by: screamin on February 10, 2013, 11:28:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by David Yukon:
Really? I would thing that 45# would be plenty... I guess you should check what is the minimum draw weight in your state for these animals? I would think that a 45# bow, with well tuned, well placed arrow, tipped with a razor sharp BH of your choice would do the trick. Even a lighter draw weight would do the trick to!
+1

Years ago a custom bowyer told me that he had a lady customer that had killed 6 elk with a 40lbd'er. I wouldn't go that light for elk, but it's nice to know that I could if I had to.
Title: Re: Min. draw weight for 3 blade head for deer/hogs?
Post by: Tucker on February 10, 2013, 11:39:00 PM
I shot a 180# whitetail buck broadside through the chest, from 20yds with a 40#@27" r/d longbow, 29" Sitka Spruce shaft (light!), and a regular glue on Wensel Woodsman. The shot centered one rib breaking it in half, the broadhead was sticking about a foot out the other side. 30yard dash and crash.  

Your "mileage" may vary....
Title: Re: Min. draw weight for 3 blade head for deer/hogs?
Post by: Bjorn on February 11, 2013, 02:39:00 AM
IMO deer and hogs are completely different targets. If you want to shoot 45-50# shoot a 3 blade for deer and a good 2 blade at the hogs. I would not use a 3 blade on hogs regardless of bow weight, others will have differing opinions.
Title: Re: Min. draw weight for 3 blade head for deer/hogs?
Post by: LV2HUNT on February 11, 2013, 07:26:00 AM
Bjorn, I know you have a lot of experience with hogs so I wonder if you could elaborate on your reasoning?
Title: Re: Min. draw weight for 3 blade head for deer/hogs?
Post by: RedStag5728 on February 11, 2013, 07:34:00 AM
I believe shot placement is more vital than the actual peak bow weight. Afterall, I've heard of kids killing deer with 35# bows. So long as you don't put that arrow IN the shoulder, you will get enough penetration to bring it down. You don't necessarily have to get a full passthrough to bring them down, having the broadhead remain in the cavity is much more damaging while the animal is running.

Hogs have tougher hides than deer so I would agree with Bjorn about going with a 2 blader, you will have less friction of the head going through the body as opposed to 3 blades. With deer, you can kill them with a sharpened stick if you gotta!    :archer:    :biglaugh:
Title: Re: Min. draw weight for 3 blade head for deer/hogs?
Post by: tarponnut on February 11, 2013, 07:49:00 AM
I have used mostly 2 blades for hogs but have had good results since switching to Woodsmans.
I shoot between 48 and 50#.More blood on the ground is everything to me with hogs.(We track quite a few, in some nasty places)
Deer are lighter skinned and less heavily boned. I carry Snuffers for them(not that I ever shoot one,though).
Title: Re: Min. draw weight for 3 blade head for deer/hogs?
Post by: tarponnut on February 11, 2013, 07:51:00 AM
Having said that, I carry one arrow with a scary sharp Magnus 2 blade (in case a truly big hog comes in).
Title: Re: Min. draw weight for 3 blade head for deer/hogs?
Post by: fisherick on February 11, 2013, 08:11:00 AM
I've never hunted hogs, but the last 3 bucks I've shot with a 45# @ 28" recurve bow, 35/55 GT arrows with 50grain insert, four 4" feathers, and a Wensel Woodsman for a total of 480 grains. All three where pass thru to the fletching and dropped within 40 yards.
Title: Re: Min. draw weight for 3 blade head for deer/hogs?
Post by: Blaino on February 11, 2013, 09:09:00 AM
woodsman was created for lighter weight bows.
Title: Re: Min. draw weight for 3 blade head for deer/hogs?
Post by: Swinestalker on February 11, 2013, 05:26:00 PM
Have not used the Vpa's, however, have taken several hogs with Woodsman Elites and trad bows in the low 40s weight range. One was 370 pounds and got a complete pass through. I do pull 30 inches however.
Title: Re: Min. draw weight for 3 blade head for deer/hogs?
Post by: Bjorn on February 11, 2013, 05:59:00 PM
lv2hunt wrote:
Bjorn, I know you have a lot of experience with hogs so I wonder if you could elaborate on your reasoning?

I have not gotten very good penetration on hogs with 3 blade heads; I know shot placement is a key factor, and if you get it in the right spot it is going to work; well hogs are not all the same sometimes there is almost no shield other times it is thick and goes waay down the flanks. Anyway 2 blades offer less resistance and more penetration; so that's my story and I'm sticking to it!   :archer:
Title: Re: Min. draw weight for 3 blade head for deer/hogs?
Post by: awbowman on February 11, 2013, 07:30:00 PM
I'd be comfortable shooting 3 blades with 45# and above.  Even then, with a good SHARP WW I wouldn't be too worried about going a little less #s and inside 20 yards.

I'm not convinced that there is much penetration difference between a WW and a fairly large 2 blade.

Make sure the tip is a chiseled so as not to curl
Title: Re: Min. draw weight for 3 blade head for deer/hogs?
Post by: Mike Bolin on February 11, 2013, 07:55:00 PM
Ken, I have been shooting mostly 50#-55# bows for years. Have had complete pass thrus on black bear, caribou, whitetails and a pig (115#). Sharp as you can get them on a reasonably heavy arrow and hit 'em in the right spot! Good luck! Mike
Title: Re: Min. draw weight for 3 blade head for deer/hogs?
Post by: RC on February 11, 2013, 08:01:00 PM
I have a friend that has killed hundreds of pigs and deer with a 45 lb longbow. Using Muzzy three blades ,Simmons ,Phantoms and Woodsmans.He does not have internet so he doesn`t know his bow is not heavy enough....RC
Title: Re: Min. draw weight for 3 blade head for deer/hogs?
Post by: S.C. Hunter on February 11, 2013, 08:25:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by RC:
I have a friend that has killed hundreds of pigs and deer with a 45 lb longbow. Using Muzzy three blades ,Simmons ,Phantoms and Woodsmans.He does not have internet so he doesn`t know his bow is not heavy enough....RC
I hear you, if you don't hear it on the internet you'll never know your wrong. I like your thinking.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Min. draw weight for 3 blade head for deer/hogs?
Post by: threeunder on February 11, 2013, 09:48:00 PM
Thanks to everyone for their input.  It just struck me that I have all these WW and VPA broadheads and my heaviest bow is 53# at my draw weight...lol.

The depth of knowledge here on TG is just incredible.

Ken
Title: Re: Min. draw weight for 3 blade head for deer/hogs?
Post by: Vig on February 11, 2013, 11:26:00 PM
RC, you make me laugh.  Your honesty and humor are refreshing in this never-ending debate.

Vig
Title: Re: Min. draw weight for 3 blade head for deer/hogs?
Post by: legends1 on February 12, 2013, 12:29:00 AM
Im a two blade guy, never had any problem with two blade. I agree with Bjorn when it comes to hogs. I always set up for all game. Elk, Hogs, ect. Only shoot magnus II broadheads. Before that it was Zwickeys just as good. Very simple set up. Works great why change.
Title: Re: Min. draw weight for 3 blade head for deer/hogs?
Post by: ddauler on February 12, 2013, 09:41:00 AM
RC, I'm pretty sure Ishi didn't have internet either and he used a 40# bow according to Dr. Pope.
Title: Re: Min. draw weight for 3 blade head for deer/hogs?
Post by: Terry Green on February 12, 2013, 10:37:00 AM
In my experience with both deer AND hogs....Deer are NO problem IMO with 45#s with a 28inch draw if the heads are bevel level and sharp...actually the WW was designed to work out of light weight bows....

As far as hogs and WWs I would say an increase to 52#s at 28inch draw....and at least 10 grains per pound arrow....11 being even better.

I would look for a post from RC and Izzy....Izzy shoot lighter bows, and runs WIDE 2 blades heads through them...and RC used multi blades at time with lower poundage as well.

I will add....just saying that because its a 3 blade it wont penetrate as good at a 2 blade is a falsehood.  I have seen, with my own testing, 3 blade WWs out penetrate SOME 2 blades on four different target mediums...so its shouldn't be a broad brush statement that 2 blades always out penetrate 3s or 4s.
Title: Re: Min. draw weight for 3 blade head for deer/hogs?
Post by: Terry Green on February 12, 2013, 10:38:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by RC:
I have a friend that has killed hundreds of pigs and deer with a 45 lb longbow. Using Muzzy three blades ,Simmons ,Phantoms and Woodsmans.He does not have internet so he doesn`t know his bow is not heavy enough....RC
There ya go....I didn't see there was a second page till I posted.

How true Robert.    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Min. draw weight for 3 blade head for deer/hogs?
Post by: RC on February 12, 2013, 02:52:00 PM
The guy I`m talking about does shoot "different" equipment than most. He has a 28" draw and shoots long 2020 shafts. I asked him once if it was for penetration and he said heck no....you can hardly bend them suckers..lol.RC
Title: Re: Min. draw weight for 3 blade head for deer/hogs?
Post by: Piratkey on February 12, 2013, 03:11:00 PM
I dont recommend you 3 blades for hunting hogs with a bow weight les than 60#
With 2 blades ,45# bow weight,heavy arrow and profil shoot at short distance can be good.
Title: Re: Min. draw weight for 3 blade head for deer/hogs?
Post by: ddauler on February 12, 2013, 04:13:00 PM
Love them 2020's RC they also good for "taming" all that racket my Black Widow likes to make and yep they sure are tough. My son dug a brand new dozen shafts out the other day and wants me to fletch them up for "his" Black Widow!
Title: Re: Min. draw weight for 3 blade head for deer/hogs?
Post by: David Mitchell on February 12, 2013, 07:30:00 PM
You absolutely do not need 60# to kill hogs with a 3 blade head.  My 48-50 lbers do just fine with them. It sure won't hurt anything to go that heavy if you can shoot it well, but many of us just can't handle that weight with any degree of accuracy.  I have proven to myself that I don't need it.
Title: Re: Min. draw weight for 3 blade head for deer/hogs?
Post by: Roughrider on February 13, 2013, 01:56:00 PM
While I prefer heavy bows, Ginger can only draw in the lower 40's at her 25 1/2" draw. As I've said on here before, she shoots a WW Elite on a Easton FMJ 500 for just under 600 grains total arrow weight.  The last 8 or so deer and a pronghorn she shot, all were complete passthroughs, except 2 where the arrow held on the off side by the fletching, and fell out in a few yards.  

She shot about a 175 pound hog a couple years ago and the broadhead was out the off side.  

Since we're hog hunting now, maybe more to report in the next couple days.
Title: Re: Min. draw weight for 3 blade head for deer/hogs?
Post by: David Mitchell on February 13, 2013, 03:04:00 PM
Roughrider, was that hog a shielded boar or sow? That can make a huge difference.