Broadheads: The New Dilemma

[pintail_drake2004]

Hey yall, I was wondering if any of you experts could help me out. After I lost my second deer using spitfire expandable broadheads I have decides to go back to fixed blades. This little incident cost my the buck of a lifetime    
I used to shoot muzzy's but I never liked putting the damn things together. I seemed to always cut my thumb on the 3-blades. But I do like their 4-blade 125gr. I am use to shooting 100gr but that should not be a big difference. I was wondering about the G5 series of fixed blades? Are they worth the money; how do they shoot; do they hold up as well as the muzzy's?

[Charlie Lamb]

I have no experience with the G5, but I'd sure consider Muzzy's traditional offering... the Phantom. It's a good, solid, cut on contact, 4 blade in stainless steel that comes in a number of weights.  

[Charlie Lamb]

By the way guys... lets not go on a rant about expandables. That ain't cool here.  

[beachbowhunter]

G5s aren't sharp out of the pack and if my sharpening guru Hoodoo Arrow has trouble sharpening them, I wouldnt have a prayer.....Charlie's recommendation is a good one.

[Sneakypete]

Fixed 2-blades, like the Zwickie, Eclipse, STOS and several other good ones, are as easy to sharpen as a knife and will provide the highest odds of pass-through on all game and in all circumstances. But I'm guessing you're using aluminum shafts? Some of these are available in screw-in. The best component head I used back in my aluminum days was the Thunderhead 125 3-blade. Killed deer real good, but had a couple of tragedies with elk. Whatever you switch to, it will be an improvement! Good luck.

[Teacher_of_the_Arcane]

Mr. Drake,

I'll throw a twist into the discussion....I've used 160 grain Snuffers for years and years (20??)  They don't wear out, but I loose one now and again on a shoot through.

Lobo in West Virginia

[Bill Carlsen]

I'll second Charlie on the Phantoms. They are one of two bh's that I really like. The other is the Razorcaps....a really great three blade head that is stainless, comes in weights from 100-200 in 25 grain increments and they take an edge second to none and are very tough. I shot two deer with them this year and neither of them made it more than 25 yards. My experience with the Phantom is similar but I do not think that they are as tough but I do not hesitate to use either if that is what is on the arrows I want to hunt with.

[Bowmania]

Look at a G5 from the rear - 1 inch wide.  Not worth shooting at any price.

Bowmania

[Wudstix]

Magnus makes some good 2 and 4 blade heads.  STOS or good.  Ribtek is the best for the money.  I personally like 145-160 grain heads or heavier.

[katman]

If your sharpening challenged go with the razorcaps, just change out the blade catridge, simply unsrew it off the ferrule.

[RIVERWOLF]

2CTS IN FOR BEAR RAZ.  great ,solid head, and tough ! come in 100gr,125gr, and 145gr all screw-in heads ! Use as 2 bld. or 4 bld. with Raz. >>>------>RIVERWOLF

[mallard_drake85]

howdy yall, im pintails bro...he aint sharping challenged...he could put a razor edge on a spoon !!!....i use the stinger magnus 2 blades, and although i have never been able to shoot a deer yet with them, on paper and targets, they are great. they take an edge easy and hold one for a long time.
i guess he is just gonna have to try a few out to see which he likes best....
thanks for yalls in-put
mallard and pintail

[Van/TX]

I ain't sayin' nuthin'        ...Van

[Wudstix]

Van, you did.  

[LUCKY MAN]

STOS

[Wudstix]

Slicker Than Owl S#@!

[Kindred Mark]

Razorcaps, Woodsman, or muzzy phantoms are all good heads.  Even the G5's are good heads, mine were sharp out of the box.  Easy to sharpen too.  If you can sharpen a fixed 3 blade you can sharpen a G5 that will shave hair.  I'm not a big fan of 2 blade heads.  If the arrow blast through your target that's good enough for me.  I think most would agree the blood trails from a 3 balde head are better than a 2 blade.

[Jimbob]

I would have to vote for the zwikies 4 blades. I have had good luck with them and they are tough. I have yet to damage one. I wont spend more than four dollars on a broadhead. They can be tough to sharpen, but once you get the hang of it they get sharp and stay sharp with little effort.

[DarkeGreen]

I too tried expandables as a part of my broadhead testing. Even though I was sure I understood them I felt it necessary to confirm the expected results. I however used a single cam bow to improve my chances. I was successful in my persuits but the results confirmed you've made a good decision to leave them behind.

There are a couple of choices for Traditional hunters that I think can never be viewed as a mistake. If you want three blade broadheads the woodsman or woodsman type heads are a great choice. In two blade designs I think you find Zwickey and Magnus proven designs.

I pretty much agree with all the other post though. Almost any fixed blade cut on impact traditional broadhead will work great on deer. pick one that floats your boat and keep them sharp. It's all grins after that!

[waterone]

One clarification, only the 85 gr. Montec broadheads are the 1" diameter.  The 125 and the 140 gr. have a diameter of 1 1/8".

I haven't used the G5 Montecs, but I have a friend who has done well with them.  With a lower weight 50 recurve, has had success with whitetails and hogs.  BTW, the ones I saw were sharp, and could be touched up like Woodsmans and Snuffers.

The one thing that seems to be less than optimum is the steep angle of approach on the blades, but then again the 125 and 140 gr. heads look better than the lighter ones.