Howard Hill was clear about his preference for 3:1 heads based on his results but that pretty much died down until the Ashby papers. And, like JohnV mentioned, many misunderstood where Ashby was going with his work.

Whitetail deer don't need 24" of penetration. 12" or so gets a pass through on all but the largest deer. Black bears are not dangerous big-boned game. Pretty much any sharp broad head will do the trick on them. I've never hunted elk or moose but I'd probably be more concerned with arrow weight than what broad head I used.

I'll never hunt grizzlies or go to Africa but if I did I'd probably give more thought to my choice of broad head. But for my hunting Razorheads, Zwicky heads, Woodsman's, the old Magnus heads and similar heads work just fine. Maybe a wider head like a Simmons would give a better blood trail but that hasn't been a problem so far.

Quote from: JohnV on December 30, 2025, 07:11:51 PMZebra and eland are big.  Draw weight is okay but i think your arrow weight is light for these two.  Also want a very good penetrating broadhead.

Would you say a 600gr arrow would be suitable, or recommend even heavier?

Although my favorite shaft is usually an Easton FMJ......I have tons of 2016 aluminum shafts.

Pirate, that's a beautiful Widow, congrats!

In the past I have shot 2219 from 65# bows but now that I use 55# I am satisfied by the EASTON FMJ400,with my prefered point I am at 600 grains.

I love this thread.Talk to me about the 3:1 ratio. Why? Not just becasue Howard Hill said so....what is the physics? Why are so many broadheads roughly 3:1?

Thanks Bue and yes, we all need a peaceful 2026.
 Let us know how your project goes.

I've been shooting wood for many years now almost exclusively. I enjoy making a good matched set.
But before I always shot 2018 and still have some. But I also have some 2016 I made for my now lighter bow. I
never understood the complaint about bending them. Yes I did but not often and I learned how to straighten them properly 40 years ago. The hits I took that would bend my aluminums would have destroyed a carbon arrow.
I've never owned a carbon arrow and don't plan to as long as I have my woodies.

Thank you for answering and I hope we all have a peacefull 2026.

Quote from: Tajue17 on December 31, 2025, 05:00:28 AMIm not a gap shooter but a local friend has long arrows that are a specific length so his gap distance works,, maybe thats why the longer arrows but im just guessing,,,, if not i agree trim them back.

If using the arrow tip to aim, a longer arrow will shorten your point on distance, whereas a shorter arrow will lengthen it.