My Hunting Rig is Picked..the Winner is...

[Bowwild]

I know there have been many threads about what bow folks are choosing for the 2010 season.  I decided today that I will hunt with my Widow PSAIII: 58", 46#, Beeman MFX 600 Arrows with Strickler's Helix single bevel broadhead.

I'm surprised that I've chosen this bow given some that I like (sorry my widow pals) better. I'm going with it because it is a tad shorter than my Predators and Blacktail. It's finish is dull rather than the glossy Supreme Bear TDs. I like the heft of the widow and I shoot it as well as the others.  However, I'm quite certain my bow from April 2011 on will be a Schafer Silvertip-- most of the time.

I've very fired up about the broadhead because this will be the first time I've used it (the broadhead was a prototype until just a couple of months ago).  I shoot three arrow groups -- one with the broadhead and two with field tips. Except that the broadhead-tipped arrow penetrates several inches further in my target, you can't tell which arrow is which in the group. Perfect!

I've taken the Great Northern off this bow and will likely use a side quiver.

[caleb7mm]

sounds like great setup! good luck this season  

[owlbait]

Hey bowwild, where do you find those Stricler Helix broadheads and what do they weigh? Sounds like your tuned and ready for the hunt to begin.

[Bowwild]

Owlbait,
They come in 85, 100, 125, and 160. I use 100 grain with 70 grain insert.

You can find out more at:

 http://www.helixarrowheads.com/

[owlbait]

Any idea how long those heads are? The video is impressive. Those heads must be sharp the way those animals acted like they hadn't even been hit.

[Bowwild]

I just measured one, it is 1.5 inches long. I'm impressed with the thickness of the blade and how strong the point is. Yes, they come very sharp. I haven't tried to resharpen them yet (they have 40 degree bevel) but Tim says they are very easy to sharpen by laying them flat on a stone. I'm going to try to sharpen on vertical crock stick.

[owlbait]

Thanks for the info. Sorry if the website thing caused problems, I'll ask for a PM next time  

[Ragnarok Forge]

Interesting looking head, let us know how they work for you this season.  I am interested to find out if the wid back end of the head allows the head to rotate in the animal or not.  I love heads that come sharp out of the box.

[Bowwild]

The maker says they do rotate. He used them in Africa earlier this year. The only thing I can tell you now is they really turn in my layered foam target. I have to sort of "unscrew" them about a 1/3rd turn to get them out.  I've shot lots of broadheads in these kinds of targets and I've never had one turn this much (most didn't turn at all). The reason I'm going to use the broadhead is #1 I know the inventor and he wouldn't put out something that wasn't superior. #2 the head is much stronger looking in person than the web pictures. #3 it flies great from my bows. #4 it is very sharp.

I have to admit if I didn't know the inventor I would likely have been turned off by the somewhat abrubt width increase half-way down the head. I've also never used a broadhead that is sharpened on the back.

I'm very curious also.

[LoweBow]

Sounds like a geat setup Roy.  3 weeks and and counting down...Best of luck to you!

[drewsbow]

ok now for the next ?  where did you get the mfx 600's ? never seen them before. Thanks Drew

[Bowwild]

I ordered them directly from Easton Tru-Flight. Very tough arrows, narrow diameter which maintains my centershot, and I like them better than any arrow I've shot in 45 years!  I've lost 4, broke one, and skinned up the exterior on most of them, but I've been shooting them a LOT since early spring.

When buying this arrow I couldn't find it listed among the popular calculators -- 500 was the lightest spine I could find.

[Bowwild]

Lowebow,
Thanks for the good wishes. Same to you!  I'm heading out in a bit to hang a couple more stands.

By the way, I noticed in my origination post I called the broadhead "Strickler's Helix" Duh, It is Strickland (as in Tim).

[drewsbow]

Could you please pm me a website , tried to search with no luck. Thanks Drew

[drewsbow]

TTT

[KentuckyTJ]

Andrew the link is above  http://www.helixarrowheads.com/

Roy, how do they recommend sharpening these heads with that abrupt angle?

[Red Boar]

Best of luck with your set-up this year!    I thought I knew just about every broadhead...this is a new one to me.  I'd love to see a vid of how one sharpens that back 1/3 of the blade.  Looks tough to me.

[drewsbow]

Kentuckytj ; Thanks I was looking for a link to the mfx 600 arrows . Drew

[Bowwild]

drewsbow.
This is a website where you can find the MFX Classic shafts and arrows:  http://www.beman.com/products/mfx-carbon


Red Boar & KY TJ:
The entire blade is sharpened at the same time. You lay the blade flat on a diamond stone with the unbeveled side down (on the stone). Then rub the blade up and down (parallel with the ferrel). Then you turn it over and do the back of the other bevel.  You can either take the screw out and remove the entire blade from the ferrell or use the edge of a diamond stone.  

The steel is 7-17 stainless. Rockwell is 49-52. He tried harder and more stainless but they were too difficult to sharpen.  I've shot the same head into foam many times and it is still scary sharp. The thickness of the 100 grain blade is .062.  The 125 and 160 heads are .072 thick.

The back of the broadhead is relatively relatively abrubt.  This design is an aid to penetration and prevents glance off of quartering rib shots.

[pacopperhead]

broadhead does look cool anybody else tried them