aluminum vs steel BH adaptors

[jhg]

I may need to use a 32 grain aluminum adaptor to hit target weight for broadheads- and I am choosing between  heads that only offer glue-ons, so screw-ins are out.

Any experience with aluminum that is negative?

Thanks

Joshua

[khardrunner]

They certainly are not as good as steel or brass, but they work fine. I have had issues with hitting hard objects at an angle. They tend to bend or break a lot easier. As long as you hit the animal though I would expect them to work just fine.

[Night Wing]

I've used aluminum broadhead adapters for decades and they've worked fine for me. I take broadside lung shots.

[SuperK]

This past year is the first year I have ever experienced any problem with aluminum adapters.  I was using the short 25 grain adapters with Woodsman bhs.  On two different shots, I drove the broadhead thru the "goodies" and stuck it into the offside shoulder blade/leg bone.  Both adapters broke clean off.  Very dead deer but the first time I have ever had that happen and it happened twice.  Go figure?

[jhg]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll try some.

J-

[SlowBowinMO]

The aluminum adapters are not as strong as steel but they have worked well for decades.  I wouldn't build a dangerous game arrow with one but for deer and such I wouldn't (and don't) give it a second thought.

I have bent a few, but usually on a hit so hard the arrow was stopped anyway IMO, much like SuperK described and something like that can bend or break steel adapters too.

I like to put weight in the broadhead first, adapter second and insert last.  The steel adapters are definitely stronger than the aluminums but I won't sacrifice broadhead strength or weight just to use a steel adapter.

[SlowBowinMO]

I should have added the brass insert/adapters that are available are another great option for strength and weight at the crucial area at the base of the broadhead.  They eliminate the joint at the most critical area.

[JamesKerr]

I don't like using alluminum adaptors as I have had quite a few bend after missing game and hitting rock in the ground.

[Guss]

I've had exactly the same thing as SuperK the last 2 yrs.
Two very dead deer, but the adapters failed on both occasions.

[Hoyt]

Originally posted by SuperK:
This past year is the first year I have ever experienced any problem with aluminum adapters.  I was using the short 25 grain adapters with Woodsman bhs.  On two different shots, I drove the broadhead thru the "goodies" and stuck it into the offside shoulder blade/leg bone.  Both adapters broke clean off.  Very dead deer but the first time I have ever had that happen and it happened twice.  Go figure?

Exactly same scenario with me. I use them because the lighter weight works with my setups.

[Gufunk]

Don't mean to steal a thread but i'm looking at reaching 250grn on the end of my arrow. I have 170grn Centaur BHs now. Should i add a 75grn steel insert into the BH or a 32grn into the bh and a 50gr brass insert into the shaft. Just shootin deer and like game.

[Reaper TN]

Your kind of stuck with aluminum if you shoot lighter weight heads.  I shoot heavy broadheads, 200-250 grains depending on the bow, I like the steel adapters.  Just got some 75, 100, 125, grains from Braveheart Archery today in the mail! I don't think the make steel in anything lighter than 75 grains.  I did see some titanium ones somewhere on the net, but can't remember how much they weighed.  Do remember the were pricey though!

[SlowBowinMO]

Originally posted by Gufunk:
Don't mean to steal a thread but i'm looking at reaching 250grn on the end of my arrow. I have 170grn Centaur BHs now. Should i add a 75grn steel insert into the BH or a 32grn into the bh and a 50gr brass insert into the shaft. Just shootin deer and like game.

Both of those would work, I'd lean toward the 75 grain steel of the two you mentioned.  

You could also use a 100 grain insert/adapter which would be stronger still, no joint at the base of the head.  170 + 100 = 270 minus the standard insert you replaced of 11 to 15 grains puts you in the 255 to 259 range, close enough.