3 blade heads with lighter poundage

[bowmaster12]

I know and understand the benifits of foc and 2 blade heads.   Im going to be getting a new bow 45 lbs i will be shooting wood arrows.  For some reason im really liking the idea of shooting a 3 blade head with this new setup. Im thinking id like ro be in the 12 gpi.  Would it be a mistake to shoot a 3 blade head?

[Mike Bolin]

I have had nothing but positive results with 3 blade heads and my mid 40# bows. Original Wensel Woodsman's and the the new VPA 3 blades.

[Wudstix]

Listen to Mike.
 

[Wheels2]

All 45# bows are NOT alike and draw weight is misleaing.
A 45# Bear Grizzly has much less performance that a 45# Covert Hunter.
Lots of folks here will tell you of their success with various 40#-45# bows and 3 balde heads.
I will let others step forward and tell you that their light rig did not work.
Last year I shot a doe with a 46# Morrison Max 6 ILF and 125 Snuffers on a 390 grain Easton Aftermath.  196 fps.
Hit her at last rib, angled forward and came out 4 ribs forward.  Well, almost.  When I shot the last inch or so of the fletching was showing but the arrow worked through wen she ran.
This year I hunted with 48# and alluminum XX75 2117 and the same Snuffers.  I felt the need for a bit more momentum.

[huckbuck]

I recently switched back to Woodsman broadheads after using two blades for the last few years.  Although I'm shooting a 50lb longbow, I don't feel I gave up anything as far as penetration goes. Both deer I shot this year were pass throughs. I believe carbon arrows and razor sharp broadheads help more than anything.  JMOA.

[Wudstix]

I don't shoot light bows, but would imagine the bow design/performance combined with the profile of the head i.e., Snuffer vs Woodsman or VPA will be large factors in penetration.  All apples are not the same.  Personally, I like wider heads like Snuffer, however appreciate the extra weight of VPA and Grizzly Instinct.  Have Woodsman, as well, but have not hunted them yet.  They may get a ride from my MOAB if/when she comes out of semi-retirement!
 

[smokin joe]

I like 3-blade broadheads. If they are shaving sharp they will do an impressive job. Blood loss is what kills with a bow, and 3-blade heads specialize in blood loss. I will take a sharp, relatively slender 3-blade with a modern 45-pound hybrid bow any day. I am shooting a 45# Centaur with 3-blade broadheads and I don't feel handicapped at stick bow range. I am one of those lucky guys who can get a 3-blade wickedly sharp, and that is important.

[Dave Lay]

I’m new to bows under mid 50’s , and am currently shooting a RD longbow at 45lb at my 27” draw. I’ve been shooting some older filed down 2 blade zwickey deltas that come in around 160 gr or so on 2016 eastons. I was kinda worried about trying a 3 blade . I’ve had good luck out of my heavier bows with 200 gr 1 1/8” VPA’s
 And may give the 175 gr a try. I trust Mikes opinion on this

[Mike Bolin]

I should've mentioned that I am shooting almost 12 grains of total arrow weight per pound of bow weight...11.7777 to be exact. My arrow has quite a bit of FOC, but I haven't calculated the exact percentage. I take my time and bare shaft tune to get the best arrow flight that I can. There is no doubt that that a heavier arrow gives you better penetration and while I didn't strive for a high a FOC, I did end up with it.

I was thinking that this is the lightest bow that I had ever taken game with as most of my bows for the past 30 years have been in the mid 50# to mid 60# range. I remembered that in 2001 or 2002 I traded for a MOAB that was listed as 51#@28". Lighter than what I was used to shooting, but I wanted something for late season when I was all layered up. Received the bow and took it out and shot a dozen or so arrows after work under the dusk to dawn light and it shot perfect for me. It felt really light and smooth, but I had been shooting 60# so I expected it to feel that way. I took the MOAB hunting the next morning and shot a doe at 25 steps. Pass thru and she went over the hill about 45 yards and dropped. Great blood trail using an old Wensel Woodsman with a 125 grain steel adapter.

Took care of the deer and was cleaning up my gear and took a good look at the bow. It was marked 51# at 31". I couldn't believe that I'd shot a deer with a kid's bow!! Pulled it with my hand held bow scale and it was a tad under 45#@28". Even though I had just made a clean kill with the bow I wrote it off to luck and put the bow up for sale. I was firmly entrenched in the "you have to shoot at least 50# to kill a deer" mindset. I sure wish I had that bow back now! Beautiful black and white ebony MOAB that shot like a dream.

[Terry Green]

What animals are you going to shoot with that set up?

Until then,  no real answer can be made.

[bowmaster12]

Wisconsin whitetail and a black bear tossed in there once and awhile. Maybe a Wyoming mule deer. I also have a 55 lb recurve that if i get the opportunity to go after larger game I can use.  Plan on using the lighter bow to work on form and build up my back muscles so i can shoot properly. It will also be nice to have for our late season up here.

[Wudstix]

As Mike mentioned arrow flight and head sharpness are main factors.  If it flies good and cuts on contact then go with it.
 

[guspup]

Hey Mike, which VPA are you using, the 160g glue on? That is what I have been experimenting with for wooden arrows. I love the quality of VPA broadheads

[Mike Bolin]

guspup-I am shooting carbons right now so I using the 250 grain screw in VPA. 250 grains is what worked the best for me. I am planning on putting together some woodies this winter and I'm hoping to use the 160 grain. Been a long time (30+ years) since I've shot wood arrows, but now that I'm retired I have bit more time to spend at the arrow bench! You are 100% correct...can't beat the quality of a VPA head. I was on a pig hunt with the owner several years back and he is a great guy. I emailed him once and told him I had a head that I couldn't get to spin true. Not complaining, just letting him know as he is serious about his product and quality control. 2 days later I received a 3 pack of broadheads in the mail. I emailed his to thank him and reminded him that it was only one broadhead. He said that one was one too many!

[Terry Green]

Bowmaster12...

Yep, should be good to go.  When the Wensels came out with the Woodsman they stated that they designed it so it would also work on lighter weight bows.

Just make sure you use a cut on contact  head close to those dimensions and not a short blunty design.

Have fun!

[Wudstix]

The Woodsman and VPA slender heads are good, if you have the horsepower Snuffer heads are great.  Rule #1 - keep 'em scary sharp!!!
 

[Yooper-traveler]

I know and understand the benifits of foc and 2 blade heads.   Im going to be getting a new bow 45 lbs i will be shooting wood arrows.  For some reason im really liking the idea of shooting a 3 blade head with this new setup. Im thinking id like ro be in the 12 gpi.  Would it be a mistake to shoot a 3 blade head?

I use them every year with bows below 45#.  Woodsman (VPA) and Kustom King trailmakers (also VPA??) glue ons mostly.  Last year to complete passthrus on a doe and a bear.  Usually the same story every year unless I screw up.  I'm usually in the 10-11 GPI if I remember correctly. 

[acolobowhunter]

I used the Rocky Mountain Cut Throats (2 blade beveled) when I went to Africa and was really impressed.  They now have a new 3 blade model out.  I looks very tough - something you 3 blade shooters might want to check out.  Rocky Mountain Specialities of Denver has then.

[Orion]

Killed a number of white tails with 45# recurves and mild r/d longbows and 3-blade Woodsmans.  That's plenty bow to drive a skinny 3-blade like a Woodsman through deer.

[Terry Green]

Killed a number of white tails with 45# recurves and mild r/d longbows and 3-blade Woodsmans.  That's plenty bow to drive a skinny 3-blade like a Woodsman through deer.

This!... and I'm still shooting 60  to 70#s

If I can kill a 2000# plus bison with a WW surely you can kill a whitetail...