Small game heads

[cubs]

Clearing rabbits out of the garden and decided to try a G5 small game head ( similar to a judo but one solid piece with bladed tines) and was really disappointed with its performance.  I made what I thought was a really solid shot to the vitals of the rabbit, and while I knocked the rabbit for a loop it jumped up and dove into the briar thicket.  I tried my best to go after it and saw a small amount of blood and fur.  I feel really bad for wounding an animal without a clean kill.  I know the hit was solid but the head did not seem to really get any penetration. Am I off base in my shot placement?  Head suggestions?

[illianabowhntr67]

My buddy uses wing nuts screwed into the inserts.Then he grinds a edge on them.A lot cheaper and he's knocks the heck out of small game with that set up.

[waiting4fall]

I CAN tell you these fly perfect, weigh 98-102 grains, are very durable, & extremely cheap to put together. I CAN'T tell how they do on critters yet, because I've yet to connect.    

 

[ChuckC]

cubs,  those are not designed for penetration, but rather a really powerful whack and some cutting blades to boot.

Where did you hit,  and what bow weight / arrow weight are you shooting ?

One fault I find with that and the judo is . .  with the arms sticking out, they tend to catch on grass and brush on the way to the rabbit.  Unless the animal is in the wide open, I have issues with that.  Hex heads, or even old nutters are my choice for bunnies and skwerls.

Also,  you need to hit them in the front. .   head, neck, front of chest.
ChuckC

[Arwin]

Talons from Red Feather Archery are mean little heads.    

 I gave up on judos too for small game after a couple injured squirrels.    

[Charlie Lamb]

Take a hint from ChuckC. For most effective performance from any "blunt type" head you've got to be shooting some steam.

Under 50-55 lbs. an old broadhead will be a much better choice.

[steadman]

Talons

[lpcjon2]

Check this thread out Terry makes a great small game head.
 http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000055

[Ken Taylor]

I love judos but they are not my first choice for small game because of clearance problems as stated above.

I have had good results with regular rubber blunts slipped over light metal blunts. However, I shoot over 70#.

I use them mainly for grouse, etc. although I have shot several snowshoe hares.

 However, I believe Terry's modified broadheads would be the most efficient for animals the size of rabbits and up (including geese).

[Frank V]

I like the Ace Hex blunt.
Frank

[Smallwood]

One time I shot a cottontail with one of those
g5 small game heads from 5yds with a 55#longbow and the arrow bounced off of it!      
 
That's why now I shoot broadheads,hex heads,
vpa small game thumpers, or hammers from 3 rivers.    

[Stone Knife]

Steel blunt 45 pound Bear.

   

  Steel blunt 48# Hill
     

steel blunt same Hill

   

Steel blunt Hill again

   

Steel blunt Hill one more

   

[Chris Shelton]

I use judos, which are very similar to the G5's as you have already said.  I would not use judo's with my lower poundage bows.  However, I have found a similar alternative.  I have found that muzzy grasshoppers behind a feild tip out penetrate judos but still provide plenty of shock to take down critters with the lower poundage bows.

[the longbowkid]

I've had good experience with the g5's, but definitely shoot for the head. a body shot will almost never produce a kill with a lower poundage bow.

[Arwin]

Nice shooting James!!    

[Shawn Rackley]

i really like the hammers from 3 rivers. they pack one hell of a punch.

[String Cutter]

Ace Hex or a blunt with a bleeder blade. The blunt route is really cheap and easy to make..

[Mike Vines]

I love the Ace Hex Heads, that is how I took the goose in my avatar. Instant dispatch to the head.  Cheapest way I have found is to glue a .38/.357 to the end of shaft.

[LimbLover]

A Saunders screw in plastic blunt works great on rabbits. Not a chance on squirrels. Ripforce told me he bounced a judo right off a squirrel's back at 15 yards with a 50lb bow. I don't use those anymore.

I actually just bought some 8/32nd screws and some wingnuts and am going to sharpen them up and try Wingnut's idea. I've got a 50g brass insert behind them and they are around 150g. For $1.30 total, you can't beat that.

I haven't connected with a steel blunt. I tried dull Zwickey Eskimos once and that didn't work out well either. They just burrow into the ground or get stuck in logs. Maybe for rabbits - not for squirrels.