Weight on broadhead or adapter

[Hoyt]

Which is best or does it matter, when the broadheads have same dimension and you want a certain weight up front, is it best to use a heavier broadhead and lighter adapter or a lighter broadhead and heavier adapter?

Thanks for any info..
Hoyt

[Ragnarok Forge]

The benefits have a lot to do with what you want.  If you want a really tough arrow use a steel or brass adapter / insert/.  Aluminum is notorious for bending on angle hits on bone which ensures little to no penetration.  

If you looking to maximize FOC then put the weight in the broadhead.  

Note : Changing the weight between the broadhead and adapter changes the FOC only a little since they are both located at the front of the arrow.

Personally I shoot with brass inserts and heavy heads.

[lpcjon2]

I don't use adapters due to using wood.But I did have some broadheads that I got used and they had the aluminum inserts, and when I tried to get them out the screw in part broke of real easy( what a pain to get the rest out).The brass is probably the way to go.

[jrchambers]

i was wondering the same thing as i shoot 220 so i can take a 190 head with a aluminum adapter or a 125 with a 100 steel adapter and after some sharpening and a hair of grinding on insert comes out right,
wich one is tougher?  I think the lighter head and heavy insert would be my prefrence, those aluminums do bend quite easy, i also like a 145 with 75 adapter.  I shoot field points 160 glue ons with some lead and a aluminum adapter and i bend them all the time when i hit trees.

[Panzer II]

I always go with the steel adapter when given the chance over the aluminium.

[James Wrenn]

I had rather have any weight in the form of a stronger broadhead.Never had the issues many seem to have with standard inserts.To my knowledge I have never bent an insert in over 30 years of shooting.I do make sure my points are screwed in tight of course.jmo

[Rob DiStefano]

insert shafts have that distinct advantage of tunable versatility.  i make great use of that by varying the adapter, broadhead and insert weights to suit my needs.  

the ubiquitous 125 grain broadhead (or field point) can be adapted to weigh 150 to 250 grains, with ease.  the weight matching doesn't hafta be all that perfect, either ... 15 or 20 grains either way ain't gonna matter much.

[Hoyt]

I guess I'll get the heavier broadhead and 21grs adapter. The site I'm looking at shows it black in the picture so I'm assuming it's steel. They have aluminum adapters of the same weight, but they are silver in the picture.

I like to try different setups and already have some of the heavy adapters...probably end up getting two different sizes of the broadheads anyway.

[James Wrenn]

If it weighs 21gns it is aluminum,not steel even if the picture looks different. jmo

[Rob DiStefano]

i keep a supply of short and long alum adapters (21-43 grains, average), and steel adapters in 75, 100 and 125 grains.  and inserts: 25gr alum and 100 grain brass.  also a goodly supply of field point weights: 100, 125, 145, 160, 175, 200, 250, 300.

for the most part, i find that using the cheaper 25gr alum inserts work out fine.  i only use the 100gr brass inserts if i really need to mega boost the front end.

i use 11/32" 135gr judos for roving, and vary the adapters, plus optional slip over steel and brass nuts, to adjust the weight as needed.

 

[Ragnarok Forge]

Yet another great idea from Rob!  

I have all of the original collection of items Rob mentioned for heads and various inserts for playing with arrows.  I had not thought of the glue on Judo's with long and short inserts and particularly the idea of adding the brass nuts to run the weight up on the head.  

Another personal archery problem has been solved without excessive research and expense.  I will be working up some glue on Judo's for stump shooting now.

Thanks again Rob for awesome input and providing options to those of us who still have plenty to learn.