More Newbie questions

[Cavalry Scout]

Hey all, I have been shooting traditional for about two years.  Already have my vacation put in for Oct and Nov.  Trad Only!!!  Thats the plan.  I have a set up that is working pretty well for me but, would like some info/opinions from you more experienced folks. (Might start some tinkering)  Just a few questions and Thanks in advance for the replies.
1.  Two blade or three blade broadheads??  Why??
2.  Three under or Split Finger? Why??
3.  High end/Custom Bow or comfortable old friend??
4. Heavy weight up front or ligther/faster? Why?

 Again, Thanks for all the replies in my past questions and Thanks for any you share on this.

[reddogge]

Each question would fill a small book but here goes:

1. Personal preference. I use both and last deer was killed with 3 blade.
2. Personal preference. I shoot split but have been doing so since 1955.
3. Never owned a high end custom bow but do own a few ILF bows. I prefer them to the old classics I used to shoot.
4. All arrows need weight up front and I try to stick to 9-10 grain per pound for good trajectory and speed.

[blakeschack5466]

1. every year people kill north american game with every broadhead configuration you could imagine. that being said every bow hunter should at least read the dr ashby reports; they are posted on this site.
2. from what i gather three finger under is better for gap shooting because it brings the nock closer to the eye and makes your gaps better for closer ranges(inside 40 or 50 yards). instinctive shooters can go either way.
3. never owned a bow that cost more than $200 so i dont know if hi end bow do anything better.
4. again dr ashby reports talk a ton about this. for trad gear it is generally consented that heavy is better. penetration is a function of broadhead efficiency and momentum. momentum = speed X mass.
to get momentum you can either invest in speed or mass.  speed gets taxed by friction, both in the air and a ton of friction as the arrow "flys" through the animal. mass never changes so it is a better investment for penetration. the downside to mass is that you get more of a "rainbow" trajectory. this rainbow trajectory is only a problem when you gap or shoot with sights AND you misjudge the range. rainbow trajectory is not a problem for instinctive shooters.

[mwosborn]

1.  Whatever you like and shoots straight - they both work.  I like 2 blade Magnus.  I can shoot them practicing and then put on a new blade and be ready to go.  I don't like sharpening.

2.  Again both work.  Whatever you shoot the best with.  I go split.

3.  My go to bow is a $200 bow.  

4. Agree with redogge - around 10 grains per #.

[Cavalry Scout]

I think I now have an answer to the 2 blade question,,, got a delivery from 3 Rivers today (Shameless Plug, Awesome, Again)  Put on the Zwicky Eskilites and stepped off 15 yards.  Shoots better and more consistent than my field point!!!!  Looking like Im a 2 blade man!  Think Im gonna get the folks at 3 Rivers to send me a couple different 2 blade broadheads and see what the real answer is.

[twistedlim]

As others have said for 1 and 4 consult the Ashby files link on this site, some very well thought out and tested trials. From what I gather 650 grains is a number to shoot for weight wise and 20% front of center.  These are guidelines but it is a great place to start.

I have always shot split, that is how I learned but I shoot 100% instinctive so I do not use the arrow for any reference.  G Fred Asbell ( a sponsor of the site) has a very informative and well produced video "Instinctive Shooting" that was essential to me when I started to get serious about this stuff.  There are also a lot of great shooting tips in the shooting forum on this site.

Bow wise, shoot the bow and weight you like.  Can't really say much more than that.  $100 -$1000 bows are readily available and  for the most part they very good.  I like a nice bow, it costs a bit more but I enjoy shooting it so the cost is worth it to me.  I am sure there are hundreds of archers who can outshoot me with inexpensive bows though.

Some reading regarding arrows and broadheads:
 http://www.arrowtrademagazine.com/articles/sept_10/Sept2010-TraditionalFocusExtremeFrontOfCenter.pdf