Grizzly broad head meets a mule deer shoulder

[Conner Parry]

"these pictures are somewhat graphic, view them at your own disgression" My Dad is a taxidermist and so I get some "left overs" every once in a while. These shoulder blades came off of a medium sized three point mule deer buck. I tried some broad head testing and these were the results. The testing was done at 10 yards, with a 56lb recurve bow. My arrow is a gold tip, three 5" feathers, brass insert, weight tube and a 125 grain rw bevel grizzly broad head, total arrow weight 627 grains. I don't know all of the technical names for the anatomy of a shoulder so please be patient. All of the hits on the main shoulder "scapula" had complete penetration and the trademark grizzly damage, breaking and shattering the bone. The two tips that bent were hits that connected in the joint on the heavy bone section. They achieved full penetration of the broad head but did bend on the tip. I am sure there have been many tests done on grizzly heads but this kept me busy and I had a lot of fun doing it. Thanks for looking.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Cottonwood]

Just curious why the shoulder is being tested on a deer, as the scapula is not connected by a joint ball/socket.  I always go for a double lung, so this is why I ask.

[Steve H.]

The academic question is what happens when there is slight operator error and I'd say the results are favorable.

[Ben Maher]

Thanks for sharing this ... This reinforces why I am in favour of a well made two blade broadhead above everything else.
Good stuff.

[J. Holden]

Arghh!  I wish I could sharpen those good.  I'd be shooting them for sure.  Thanks for sharing.

-Jeremy  

[ssoden]

Jeremy ..try the new Grizzly head, very easy to sharpen compared to the old ones.

[Conner Parry]

Let´s not make this too technical, I am just a guy who had some curiosity about shoulder hits and some free time. I am not making any claims, or trying to even come close to a professional study. I just thought some guys would like to see actual pictures.

[Cottonwood]

The pictures and test are great.

[Maxx Black]

I have these broadheads on my list to order from 3rivers, Thank you for taking the time to confirm my decision.

[Bonebuster]

Is it possible that the arrow is making it through the target and impacting the reinforced concrete wall behind it?

I have used the SAME recurve for almost twelve years. It is 73lbs ay my 29 1/2" draw, and I have always used arrows around 10 GPP. I have used two edge heads exclusively with it, and in that time I have killed almost two dozen whitetails. Other than some nicks from penetrating into the ground, I have never had a tip curl or bend in the fashion your picture shows.

[30coupe]

Originally posted by fdlz58:
Arghh!  I wish I could sharpen those good.  I'd be shooting them for sure.  Thanks for sharing.

-Jeremy    

Get a KME broadhead sharpener. It makes getting Grizzlies scary sharp a no brainer.

[steadman]

Great pics Conner!  

[Bobby Urban]

Good pics and test but I have found that any good broadhead out of a hunting weight bow will punch through the "flat" of the scapula - it is that nasty rib/ridge running along the forward edge that stops you.  I have done the same test with bear shoulder blades with equal results.  I also feel that a live deer with hair and flesh makes penetration a lot tougher than a fully exposed scapula.  I have scapula hanging in camp with a 3 blade hole(woodsman) punched through it from a large deer I shot a few years back.  Keep shooting until you hit that ridge and report the results.  On another note - I have never seen a Griz bend?  Surprised that happened no matter where you hit bone.
Bob Urban

I have blown through the shoulder bones on the exit with a 160 and it did not bend at all.  Perhaps it has something to do with the way the test was set up or the distance.

[J-dog]

Think even ashby had grizzlys bend in his studies. Yeah that flat part is thin but that ridge is a bear! Good tests - I like the griz 160s as my fav Bhead they are tough and bombproof.
The new heads are a mark improvment though they still require some elbow grease to get the right. At least you are not having to change bevel on em.

J

[xtrema312]

Originally posted by Bonebuster:
Is it possible that the arrow is making it through the target and impacting the reinforced concrete wall behind it?

X2  

That is the first thing I though looking at the pic's.

[HB3]

Great info, I shoot the 190's have never seen one bend, even when stoped by bone in the knuckle joint.

[Longspur77]

Looks pretty good

[Conner Parry]

The arrows that were tested did NOT make it through the foam into the concrete wall. The broad head penetrated just past the ferrel on both shots when they bent. I think the only reason that they bent is because I took too much material off of the head while filing it sharp, making it weaker than it should have been. I have 12" of foam behind the shoulders and the maximum penetration of all shots was only 10", the arrow never made it through the foam. I will keep shooting and add more as the test continues.

[chanumpa]

Hey,Cool test Conner.I enjoyed your sharing of it.Goo stuff,I meant good stuff.