single bevel question?

[PaLongshank]

does it really matter if bevel is right or left for a right or left wing shooter??  just curious.....what would be the down side to shooting a right wing feather with left bevel or vice versa???  any thoughts??

PaLongshank

[njloco]

Simple, has to match or,  why bother shooting them ?

[Orion]

Yep.  If the arrow is spinning in one direction and then needs to change direction of spin entirely when it hits the critter, energy is lost.  Now, it might not make a lot of difference on deer size critters, but it will on tougher game. Why waste the penetration potential if you don't have to.

[Machino]

I think the idea is the bevel continues the momentum of the spinning shaft.  If you put a RW bevel on a shaft with LW feathers, energy would be lost trying to stop the arrow spinning one way, and then try to spin in the other.  Match them up or you wasting energy.

[old_goat2]

Yep, they continue turning through the animal, you don't want to switch directions when it hits  I think it would matter even on deer!

[Pat B]

...but before Dr. Ed Ashby wrote his thesis on arrow penetration lots of folks killed lots of game with single bevel heads like the grizzly shooting both right and left hand feathers. On deer size animals it probably doesn't matter but if you can shoot right with right or left with left then you probably should.

[Stixbowdrew]

Does not have to match, but you harness more of the power if they match.

[Bowwild]

My first season hunting with single bevel was 2010. Unknowingly I was shooting LW feathers and RW single bevel. I shot fine and killed two deer that year. Complete pass throughs on both (21 and 16 yard shots from about 47# draw weight bow with 414 grain Beman MFX Classic carbon arrows).

However, I was horrified when I learned what I had done.  This very afternoon I've realized that once again the broadhead I want to use is a LW single bevel 155 grain. I'm going to have to shave the feathers off brand new FMJ Injexions and put on LW feathers to make sure I get the most out of my set-up.

[old_goat2]

I know of a guy that knocked the broadhead off of the insert without realizing it and killed a bull elk, just because you can do it doesn't mean it's a good idea;-)

[nineworlds9]

Originally posted by old_goat2:
I know of a guy that knocked the broadhead off of the insert without realizing it and killed a bull elk, just because you can do it doesn't mean it's a good idea;-)

[PaLongshank]

OK...thanks!

I started using single bevel head (225gr Right Bevel steelforce that I had won at a raffle) last year. I shoot about #52 at my draw length w/GT Trad 35/55 arrows w/5.5" LW feathers and 100gr insert. Smoked a nice doe from very steep angle entering top of shoulder and exited brisket.  She did not go far.....BUT little did I know it does matter.  I am hoping to harvest an elk in Sept but I will be using the 225gr left bevel w/left wing feathers!  hope I get the same results....

thanks...PaLongshank

[kevsuperg]

what about arrows that don't spin or barely spin.
 i use a RW with a slight offset,1 or 2 degree's no helical.about 15% FOC.  they barely spin.
 i dont buy into the single bevel idea. with the speed and energy behind an arrow i dont see how very much energy would be lost if you mix and match BH and fletch.
 i would think that by that reasoning, a double bevel would stop an arrow spinning instantly upon striking game, yet on pass thru's i see left or right slices in and the opposite out. just saying..

[Machino]

You should read Ashby's reports and you might change your opinion.  He has killed much more than deer and the idea is is that double bevels (which are plenty lethal) do not split bone like single bevels.  He calls this mechanical advantage.  If you shoot a double bevel through fresh bone it does not split and causes much arrow drag.  A single bevel will want to continue rotation and split bone or whatever it encounters and leaves a bigger hole for less drag and more penetration.  I would think putting opposite feathers and heads would diminish this mechanical advantage, though yes, it might still kill a deer.  

All of Ashby's articles are full of great information and well worth the read.

[tim roberts]

The real advantage of the single bevel broadhead comes in to play when the BH hits bone. The BH will want it spin/push away from the side that is beveled, when bone is hit the spin/push causes the bone to break, thus increasing penetration.  On deer size animals it is not as relevant as larger size big game animals, but on shots taken from a stand where heavier ribs can be hit, it can mean the difference of getting an exit hole or not.
Thanks,

[tracker12]

I do believe that some broad heads due to something create better blood trails like I have experienced with the 3 blade VPA.  I'm still not convinced a single vice double bevel makes much difference.  As far as bone I have no problem cutting thru a rib or scapula with a double bevel.  If you hit ball joint your sol not matter what you are using.

[old_goat2]

Ye of little faith! ;-)