STOS Broadhead

[Mike Lee]

Anyone know where the weight differance  is on the STOS 130 145 and 160s. Is it the thickness of the main blade?

Thanks Mike Lee

[SlowBowinMO]

Yes, the dimensions are the same, just varying thicknesses of steel to change the weights.

[Orion]

FYI, the last two packs of 1/2 dozen 160 grain STOS that I bought came in at 154 to 156 grains, with a few at 150 grains, on my electroncic scale.  Pretty sharp out of the pack, but I rework on true angle hones and round or tanto the tips, which takes off another 5 grains or so.  Excellent heads.  Really did a job on an elk for me last fall.

[1/4 away]

Orion, The last 160gr STOS heads I bought all weighed in the mid 150's as well. I emailed the owner of the company and he sqaid that this was normal. Didn't seem right to me though I love the heads. I subsequently went back to Ace 160's.

[snag]

STOS heads are great heads. They are one of 2 heads most often used in Africa. If 5grs. difference bothers you then get the little brass washers and use them. But I can't believe anyone would notice 5grs difference.  I put a tanto tip on them as well.

[monterey]

Originally posted by 1/4 away:
Orion, The last 160gr STOS heads I bought all weighed in the mid 150's as well. I emailed the owner of the company and he sqaid that this was normal. Didn't seem right to me though I love the heads. I subsequently went back to Ace 160's.

I weighed a bunch of heads in my local shop one day and only the Ace broadheads weighed as advertised.  Ended up using the 145 for deer and it worked just fine.

Fellow I just talked to a few weeks ago used the STOS on moose and was very happy with the results...so... guess those few grains don't matter all that much anyway!

The real Mike Lee  

[Rick McGowan]

I would stick with the 160 grain version of the STOS, I have seen excellent results from it, but I have seen the lighter versions curl up bad on bone. I use the "160" Magnus head a lot and it weighs 153/154 also. I contacted Magnus and they said, "it is what it is". As long as you don't assume that a head is as advertised, its no problem.

[Orion]

I offered my FYI to help in selecting a broadhead weight.  Regardless of the starting weight, we always reduce the weight further through sharpening.  If you want to end up with 145 grain heads, might be best to start with the 160s.  And, Rick makes a good point about the heavier steel in the 160s.

I should also note that it's not at all uncommon for broadheads to not exactly weigh the stated amount.  Most brands that I've tried have varied by 5 grains plus or minus, some even more.  A difference of plus or minus 5 grains or so is minor, less than we take off in sharpening, and not enough that most us us could tell the difference in shooting.

In fact, if we didn't have these new fangled and inexpensive electronic scales, most of us would be none the wiser.  Didn't mean to split hairs here.  I'll be shooting the 160 STOS until I can buy their 180-200 grain left-wing single bevels when they become available.