Science Fair Project

[BobinTN]

Hello out there;

My 4th grade son wants to do a science fair project comparing penetration and arrow point type (blunt, target, broadhead).  I was wondering whether there is a target material where a blunt arrow point would penetrate further than a broadhead.
Anybody got any experience with this?

Thanks for any info.

[lpcjon2]

If you google home made ballistic gel you can get a recipe to make it yourself(it's not hard)and that would be a cool way to show penetration.

[Shan]

Originally posted by BobinTN:
  I was wondering whether there is a target material where a blunt arrow point would penetrate further than a broadhead.
Anybody got any experience with this?

Thanks for any info.

I have a layered target. The field points always penetrate farther than the broadheads because they just slip between the layers.

[BobinTN]

Thanks for the idea of the ballistic gel.  I will look up the recipe.

Also, Sequoia, what type of layered target.  What exactly do you mean by 'layered'?

Also, any other thoughts out there?

[Slasher]

Layered is stacked thin layers of foam(can do cardoard too) usually with a board on top and bottom then a band or ratchet strap to hold them together...

I've also seen them where someone used allthread rod and bolts to hold them under compression....

Commercial examples like the block(the original) or black hole are ones that come to mind...

[Shan]

Bobin its a Block target. Called the "black hole". i bought it a while back but i think they still make them.

layered- hundreds of foam layers compressed together by cables. it stops the arrows by friction.

I think that that any target will show that field points will penetrate deeper than broadheads. Less surface area = less friction upon entering the target

[Gav]

BobinTN,

I think I can help here. I'm a 4th grade teacher and have worked with a lot of kids setting up projects and have judged many a Science Fair. The target material you use is really not as important as the consistency of the testing procedures and materials. As long as you are shooting into the same medium with all of the points you will preserve the integrity of the experiment. I'd use one bow and the same arrows and just change out the points. I generally recommend at least 5 variables for the experiment. I would use 6 types of points with 3 different weights for each. This will give a good set of data. Three different field/bullet points and 3 different broadheads should work well if you have those available.

The key is having enough data to show whether you prove or disprove the hypothesis.

I hope this helps.      

Steve

[BobinTN]

Thanks Steve.  I appreciate the advice.  it sounds like a good bit of shooting.  In this case it sounds like we are comparing target penetration based on 3 field points of different weight and 3 broadheads of different weight?