Broadheads for lighter bows

[Jock Whisky]

 I'm currently shooting 47 lb at my 28" draw length and using 175 gn 3 blade VPN heads. I'm happy with their performance. But I'm 71 and the day is coming when I may have to shoot a lighter bow. I have a 42 lb recurve that will fill that bill if and when.
The area I hunt is pretty brushy so a good blood trail is really important. After reading the thread about holes that broadheads leave I'm thinking that Simmons broadheads might fill the bill.  Looking for opinions on this setup with a 42 lb bow.

[ed lash]

I like Zwickey, STOS, and especially Eclipse if you're thinking 2-blade. However, I'm fully aware of some using 3-blade out of lighter bows successfully. IIRC Dale Karch's wife has done this, even in Africa.

[Sam McMichael]

I have used several heads with satisfaction, but my all-time favorite has been Bear Razorheads. Last year, I got a lifetime supply of them. I am no longer in the market for points.

[Alexander Traditional]

Badger broadheads are nice,but they aren't very wide.

[ryonker]

Hi Jock,

Nice to meet you. I am 58 and I for many reasons didn't bow hunt for about 20 years. I decided to get back into huniting last winter.  I also have had issues with one of my shoulders so I hunted this year a 43# recurve. I am four for four on animals this year (3 deer this Fall); all killed with a 190 grain Simmons Timber Shark. I don't think I will hunt with anything else after this. Great head. None of the deer went more than 25 yards. I am trying to attach a pic of the last deer I shot but not sure if it worked.

Deer.jpg

[jhg]

I would run 2 blades and realize a blood trail is only as good as the penetration it represents.

I did an un-scientific penetration test 3 blade vs single bevel the single bevel out penetrated the three blade by a good margin.
I will take a pass thru with 2 blade in an animal over a partial with a 3 any day.

[woodchucker]

I'm a 2 blade guy... Either Bear Razorheads, or Zwickey Eskimos.

I only used the bleeder blades for a couple years, many years ago. I had shot a doe and while gutting her, nicked my wrist with a broken bleeder blade that had broken when hitting a rib and inside the lung cavity.
I bled more than she did!!!

I pick my broadheads on toughness, and the ability to get and keep them sharp.
Bow weight isn't even considered in my selection.

Just one old farts opinion.... 

[SuperK]

I have been bowhunting since the 1970s and I have always been searching for the "perfect" broadhead.  A broadhead that penetrates great and always gives heavy blood trails.  In my quest I have used 2, 3, 4, and even 5 blade broadheads.  I have used wide 2 blades, skinny 2 blades, single and double bevel.  My conclusion?  There is no "guarantee" that you will get a good bloodtrail, no matter what broadhead you use.  It all depends on what was cut and the presence and location of a exit wound. 

[DNewer]

Take or leave it but the Ashby Studies we’re partly conduct using a low 40lb bear silver medal target recurve. When I hunt with my sub 50lb draw weight bows I use grizzly 2 blade single bevels in a weight that tunes.  I focus very hard on getting a great tune and an extremely sharp edge.

[J. Holden]

I think you may also want to take a look at Ace Broadheads.  Great design, great toughness and easy to sharpen in my opinion.  They also have a great selection in grain weight.

-Jeremy

[Friend]

A Timber Shark will serve you well.

[SlowBowinMO]

The heads you're using now would be just fine for whitetails.  If you feel like experimenting, lots of good suggestions and the Sharks you mentioned are great heads.

[Tim Reese]

 Zwickey eskimo or no mercy’s are hard to beat in performance and price.

[blacktailbob]

No Mercy two blade for me.  44lb. Blacktail Sitka

[PrimitivePete]

Magnus Stingers if you want to go with a lighter broadhead

[trad_bowhunter1965]

I am a Grizzly broadhead fan they make a three blade broadhead never use it almost has the same design as their 2 blade been thinking give them a try on some Turkeys.

[the rifleman]

I've had a good amount of experience with low poundage bows and 2 blade broadheads--- single and double bevel.  I've gotten great penetration with arrow weights from 380-550 gr out of 40 ish pound bows.  My three blade experience was limited to one doe w a woodsman.  So this year I tried the 3 blade 200 gr VPA.  I got two holes on this buck at 9 yards.  Angle was pretty steep.  I had very little in the way of a blood trail, which was disappointing as this is why I went to 3 blades.  I did hear him crash and had enough light left to find him before the coyotes did.  I know 1 or 2 deer w 3 blades is not conclusive, but I'll likely stay w 2 blades, if only because I'm able to get the very sharp.  That and meticulous tuning has always given me great performance out of lighter weight bows.  Best of luck sir.

[the rifleman]

P.S.  my experience is limited only to our large bodied Whitetails and squirrels.  If you like 3 blades and tune your arrows well they should work fine in the lower 40# range. 

[Bow man]

Look a good single Bevel My wife shoots 45# and loves the Abowyers they make a great hole she also has used the single bevel grizzly and they do a good job also 

[BRONZ]

I'm a fan of the Magnus Stingers if you go 2 blade. Great people!