Boredom and the Mad Scientist! ( unscientific penetration test)

[Brett Hammons]

Well, the title explains it all!  I haven't made a post on here in years, but I visit the site often.  I was bored today, and had a thick hard cover Cabelas catalog lying about the house and thought maybe I should shoot broadheads into it for "research".   I used my light poundage recurve the venerable Martin X-200 @ 35# draw weight at 28".  Arrows were CX Heritage 90's and all shots were from 12 yards. Results:
175 grain Eclipse Werewolf (2 blade) 802 pages
125 Magnus Snuffer SS (3 blade) 924 pages
125 Slicktrick Razortrick (4 blade) 725 pages
I thought it was interesting I got more from the 3 blade coc broadhead.  Like I stated unscientific, but fun and interesting for sure.  Also, should be noted that a tuned 35pound bow is plenty for deer sized game.  At least at my 28" draw.  

[Alexander Traditional]

I like messing around like that too. I saw a you tube video where a guy got more penetration out of the three blade as well.

[Longtoke]

It's all relevant to the medium being used to test penetration. Go buy a bunch of meat and shoot through that, or get a bunch of drywall, or plywood.  I bet the two blades will edge out the 3 blade in some. Heck I bet a blunt would be the best penetrators on some of those tests. It's important to remember that none of these mediums are a good representation of the way broadheads work in live game.

[Shadowhnter]

Originally posted by Longtoke:
It's all relevant to the medium being used to test penetration. Go buy a bunch of meat and shoot through that, or get a bunch of drywall, or plywood.  I bet the two blades will edge out the 3 blade in some. Heck I bet a blunt would be the best penetrators on some of those tests. It's important to remember that none of these mediums are a good representation of the way broadheads work in live game.

X2!!!!!

[Brett Hammons]

I think the main point being all styles will penetrate through the deer regardless.  Even with a low poundage bow.  Pun intended.

[nineworlds9]

I shot a 46# Zipper once and missed the bag at 25+ yds.  The 10gpp arrow with field point completely penetrated one side wall of a galvanized steel fence post that was part of the target stand. I'm pretty sure a traditional bow can get the job done when called upon.

[Pine]

Something to consider , when shooting a deer sized animal , the head and arrow get lubricated on the way through .
This makes me wonder why there is so much concern about penitration and the silly gimics like Teflon coating .
Did enjoy your experiment , it reminds me of one done back in the 1960s comparing broadheads to hunting rifles . Was done with a New York phone book .
The broadheads from a 45# bow far out penetrated the rifles .

[Brett Hammons]

I want to see how Underwood 10mm ammo does against the evil Cabelas Catalog.

[Sam McMichael]

The problem with these tests is that the sample is usually too small to get a reliable statistical result. Even when one logs the hits on game, there is often great variance. I don't think it really matters, though. If a broad head is sharp, and the arrow is well tuned, it will kill a deer. That is all the testing I need to see. I guess I don't share the same level of curiosity some others do.

[YosemiteSam]

If I had to, I'd feel fine lobbing an arrow at medium-sized game with my 30# recurve.  Modern recurves, laminates, R/D bows & fast flight strings easily add 5-10# over the average primitive bow.  Heavy arrows are hard to stop at any speed.  

Thankfully, I don't have to...

[Brett Hammons]

So I shot the same book, but this time with a 2 blade Magnus classic and it went through the whole 1200 page book.  Well the tip punctured the back cover anyways.  After I pulled it out it still shaved hair!  Makes me wonder why I bought Silverflames earlier this year?!

[monterey]

It seems that At 12 yards there can be a wide variation in the quality of flight of the arrow. Wonder what the results would be at 20 to 25 yards?

[Steelhead]

I think the main benefit of the 2 blade in regard to penetration is when you hit bone.Especially heavier bone.