Broadhead suggestions/ reviews

[Hunterman57]

Hi Everyone,

I've put a lot of work into building my own arrows this winter and am now focused on finding a good broadhead that will shoot well with my arrow set up (28" 400 FMJ, 4 fletch at 535 grains) Here are a few specifics that I'm looking for, which are based loosely on Ashby recommendations.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.

2 blade, single bevel
Weight between 150-200 grains
Ferrule diameter at or above 5/16
Reasonably easy to sharpen
Screw on
Above 54 Rockwell hardness
Tanto tip
3:1 length to width diameter ( or close to it)

I've had decent luck with the Magnus stingers but would like a try 2 blade ( no bleeder blades)

The Fred heads were great, but I can't find them anymore.

Muzzys Fred Eichler Phantom is ok but I don't think they make them over 125 grains.

The Alaska Bowhunting supply lines appear great but are very expensive.

I'd like to avoid the woodsman head because they are 3 blade but  am interested in the performance on bone.

Has anyone had good performance out of the Eclipse 2 blade?

What about Zwickeys screw on 2 blade?

[VictoryHunter]

I used woodsmans for a season and liked them fine but I got away from 3 blades and as far as performance on bone I couldn't say as I only killed one deer with them. I switched to 2 blades last year and I'm trying Zwickey's No Mercy heads this year. If you like a heavy head check out Tusker broadheads at Braveheart Archery. Only reason I'm not using them this year is because they don't make a screw in 170 gr. Hope this helps!

[awbowman]

Grizzly broadheads with insert glued in

[TOEJAMMER]

Try the VPA two blade heads.  One piece, machined from bar stock, screw in and wide assortment of weights that include your specs mentioned.

[Alexander Traditional]

Simmons Sharks. They cut a big hole and fly great.

[PastorSteveHill]

Helix Broadheads by Stricklands archery are very nice... All weights and sizes too...  Single Bevel and fly great!

[Kris]

You will not find commercially a 3:1 (or close to it), single bevel, 150 - 200 gr., Rockwell Hardness (RH-54), here’s the kicker…screw-in.  The limiting factor here is the weight you seek.  

You can satisfy most of what you want with the A&H Abowyer Brown Bear.  Bjorn on this site, will endorse these heads...talk to him.  I have shot a few deer with Brown Bears with good outcomes (dead deer but anemic blood trails).  The Screw-in Brown Bears are 265 gr. or thereabouts.  I use them and a few other 3:1 ratio heads.  If you'd like to PM me for more info, I’d be happy to comment.  

Your best bet would be a Kodiak (formally Grizzly) of “fill in blank” weight used with a 50 gr. steel broadhead adaptor.  That combo could get you under 200 grains but I would be more open minded and use what shoots the best.  More weight up front is desirable (EFoC) provided all other characteristics are met.  

I too, have been heavily influenced by Ashby’s writings but am rethinking that data for deer sized game, based on my own experience and the experience of those close to me.

Lots of possibilities.  What you think you want, will likely not be what you end up with.  For deer, consider the 3 blade VPA’s (I know what Ashby says about 3 blades, but forget that Re: deer)  This has been an ongoing interest of mine for 30 years. Lots of oipinions Re: this subject.

Have fun -

Kris

[Kris]

Also, a very good head I will be trying this fall is the Big Game head by Centaur archery, it has a very interesting profile, huge concave single bevel 2 7/8" long x 1 3/4" wide, 0.64" thick steel, RH 52+ I believe.  I will also be trying the Simmon's Tree Sharks, which get amazing endorsement here on Trad Gang.  Do a search Re: "Tree Sharks".

Kris

[Hunterman57]

Thanks guys. Has anyone tried the Eclipse heads (http://www.eclipsebroadheads.com/)? What about the insanely priced Alaska bowhunting supply broadheads?

[JimB]

There have been some issues with the Alaskan heads chipping from being too brittle.The Grizzly 200 gr Kodiak would be close to what you want.The Tuffhead is one of the very few 3:1 broadheads and comes in 190,225 and 300 grs.You can also look at Tusker Concords.Check out Braveheart in the sponsor classifieds.

[Bjorn]

Yeah the Abowyer Brown Bear is my head of choice. 2 blade single bevel; arrives 'hunt ready' and sharpens or touches up well.
My son and I have used them on Elk and Hogs-lots of blood and penetration-no disappointments!

[Trumpkin the Dwarf]

With a big "IF":
Simmons Sharks = excellent
Zwickeys = excellent
a zillion other heads = excellent.

Now to the previous "IF": RAZOR sharp and don't hit the leg/shoulder bone.

Assuming this is for deer, shoot the biggest head you can that is razor sharp. I believe it is Terry who has some saying about white tail deer being "a trash bag filled with some coffee grounds, banana peels,... and a baseball" Just don't hit the baseball and you should be good to go.

[damascusdave]

I shoot 200 grain VPA two blades on my 340 spine FMJ's and 175 grainers on my 400 spine...tough arrows and tough broadheads...cannot imagine there is any animal in North America they would not be more than adequate for...just be ready for the initial shock of the small size of those broadheads

DDave

[frassettor]

Originally posted by awbowman:
Grizzly broadheads with insert glued in

Yup! Shot all my animals with Grizzly's, great head

[damascusdave]

Not sure you can do better than an Eclipse in a reasonably priced head...I bent the point on one of mine shooting it into a small rock which gave me the idea to chisel point them...takes a few seconds on a bench grinder and then sharpen with a whetstone...I use the 125 grainers with a 100 grain steel screw-in adapter

DDave

[Terry Green]

Just curious....what bone do you think your are going to passing through and on what animal?  Why are you so worried about hitting bone?

I got the 535 grain arrow...what's your bow weight?

See your arrows are 28 inches...what's your draw length?

[jackdaw]

That Eclipse broadhead takes one of the best edges in the business.....great broadhead. My new go-to broadhead...

[JamesKerr]

For most of North American big game 3 blades work fine if you are using over 50# of bow weight. I have been shooting Woodsman's for around five or six years and the VPA's almost exclusively since they came out. In my experience the 3 blades penetrate just as well as just about any 2 blade. If you are dead set on the 2 blade 150 to 200 grain single bevel I would say go with the Grizzly 120 or 130 grain and a 75 grain steel adaptor. I have not played around with single bevels much but the ones I have shot the edge is so thin that it is much easier to dull than a standard double bevel 2 blade. For almost all of my hunting I use multiblade heads but I always am shooting over 55# and 600+ grain arrows.

[sweeney3]

 
Pick one you like.

[Knawbone]

You can shoot any glue on head you want by getting steel screw in adapters. 3R sells them in 75 100 or 125 grn for 11/32. Just glue the BH onto the adapter,and then screw it into the insert.