Question for single bevel and/or snuffer users

[SuperK]

First of all, I am not trying to start a "2 blade vs 3 blade" argument.  What I am trying to do is obtain info from people who have had "hands on" experience.  My goal is and has been for 35+ years is to find the "best" broadhead for Whitetails with my set-up.  I only shoot around 46 lbs. at my draw length and normally get around 178 fps with a 500 grain arrow.  When I make a bad shot or the deer is wired and jumps the string it seems as if half the time I end up too far back while the other half of the time too far forward. When I hit too far back, I'm wishing I had a big old Snuffer or 4 blade Delta on the end of my arrow.  When the deer ducks and spin and I hit up in the shoulder blade area, I'm wondering why don't I use a single bevel?           Thank you in advance for your comments.  One of the things I love most about this site is the WEALTH of info and experience out there that one can tap into.   Thanks again.

[jjwaldman]

I shoot around the same lb.  I have not been able to get through a shoulder with a single bevel.  Maybe if the deer stood stock still...

[Trumpkin the Dwarf]

I shoot 68 lbs. I can't help, except to give you a bump to the top. Good luck!

p.s. my personal opinion is that you should go to a solid 4 blade; something like the Magnus stingers, or Zwickeys.

[JimB]

I've not used Snuffers but have used Grizzlies for a few years.A Grizzly type broadhead might make it threw the thin part of the scapular flat with a 550 gr arrow or not.There is also the spine of the scapula and the head.You aren't getting through that.

If you are sure of a gut shot,choose the Snuffer.If you are sure of a shoulder blade shot,choose a single bevel and pray.

Of course,I'm being facetious.You can't possibly know.Here's what I think.You need to do everything in your power to avoid both hits.Here are some thoughts:

1.If you tend to get excited,spend more time pre-season,getting close to deer (out of your hunting area).Get used to being close,letting them pass,going through the motions of making a shot.
2.Tune your bow to the max and get it as silent as you can.
3.Of course,always work on your shooting,especially with hunting situation shots.
4.Don't shoot at alert deer.Pick your shots and don't be afraid to pass if everything is not right.
5.Wait for closer shots if that's what it takes to place it where it needs to be.

Neither broadhead will be your salvation.Both are excellent and have their place.I just don't think they are the answer here.A 45 lb bow can do the job and well, when everything goes right but it doesn't leave a lot of room for error.That's why I believe that shot placement is key and anything you can do to assure that is the way to go.

Good luck with it.

[Roger Norris]

I think you are a little light for a 3 blade head.

[awbowman]

I also think you are light for a big snuffer for all angles.  I also believe that the tanto point of the grizzly is not the best for lighter draws either.

Better to go with an ace, stos, etc. IMO.

[Mr.Magoo]

If you've been disappointed with the penetration on the Woodsman there's no need to go with something bigger like a Snuffer.

I've killed deer with Stos, Snuffer, Eclipse, Magnus I and II, Eskimo's, TreeSharks, TigerSharks, Stingers and a few others that slip my mind.

If you want a multi-blade, the 4 blade Stinger is the only one I'd use with your setup.

At the end of the day, it's about shot placement.

[Tim Finley]

When my sons were young they shot 40 to 45# bows and small 2 blades . They lost some deer, no blood trails. I switched there heads to 125Gr. snuffers they got the same or better penetration and had 100% recovery.They are in thier mid 30s now and still use snuffers and woodsmen .
  Hitting the shoulder with a two blade single bevel is not going to give you anymore penetration than anyting else. If you get into the shoulder blade it pinches the arrow and stops penetration. You may get through with a 70# bow and a 700 grain arrow but not 46# unless you hit the thin part of the blade .This is my 50th year of bowhunting, in my opinion and what I have seen I would always go with a multiple blade head on all North American game .

[RC]

I have shot most every broadhead around at deer one time or another. They all work under great conditions. The last few years I have dropped down in bow weight and really focus on getting close and hunting thicker stuff,. thus my shot average the last three years has been 9 yards.15 feet in a tree and shots 9 yards or closer led me to broadheads that were a bit more slim. I killed my first deer of the year with an Ace standard and it did what it was supposed to do. In and out with good blood from a low exit. I shot my second deer this year with a grizzly, same results and the deer were hit almost identical.
   I have been a skeptic of the single bevel craze for a long time. Might say I even "bashed" them some.Then tired shoulders and the need for more penetration got me thinking.Bit I was impressed with Grizz.
Who wouldn`t  want a 160 snuffer or treeshark bloodtrail? The reality of it is not everyone can shoot the pounds to push them.
  My point is I was impressed with the blood trail and penetration from the narrower heads. The Grizz stood out to me because it did cut a "rounder" hole kinda. The Ace was a slit.
  I more than likely other than turkeys will be shooting Grizzlys in the future. Maybe and Ace thrown in now and then. I do have some Bear Razor heads with bleeders for the swamp Roosters this year.
 I purposly shoot or at least aim low on deer, one to allow for the drop and two shoulders are high.RC

[Todd Cook]

The last line of RC's post, in my opinion, will help a bowhunter more than just about anything you can do. Aim LOW! Lots of things can happen on a high hit, and most of them are bad.

[sagebrush]

I shoot heavier arrows than that and my bow is heavier but I have hit two elk in the shoulder blade and went through and into the vitals. This is with Zwickey Deltas. I have been playing with single bevels lately. But after what I have seen I would be using the single bevels. Gary

[ddauler]

I have used tons of both and like RC I have dropped down some in weight. That said I killed tons of deer with 50# hickory selfbows 450 grain woodies and 125 snuffers never had an issue unless hit heavy part of shouler. Aim LOW shoot what you want just make sure its sharp!! I am playing with tiger sharks and snuffers this year.

[SuperK]

Thanks ya'll for your help!  That is exactly the kind of info I was wanting.  Thanks again!

[Chimaster]

I.ve taken most of my game with snuffers, some went through and some not. I've tried some other two blades, I like Stos. But at the end of the day all I can say is try to stay away from the shoulder. I think there's to much focus on this bone splitting stuff. I try not to hug to close to the shoulder. I try to shoot most of my critters quartering away. That seems to let me be a little left or right without hitting the shoulder. Good Luck!!