VPA vs. Simmons ??

[silent sniper]

Hey guys I am at a bit of a stand still.    

I am starting to set up my hunting gear for this fall and I am stuck between two broad heads to use.  

My decision has fallen between the 205 grain Simmons Safari and the 200 grain VPA 3 blade.

My set up is a 57# Super K with a 515 grain Easton Axis arrow at 20% FOC.

I have used land sharks in the past with great results, every hit has lead to a dead deer.  I have also tortured tested the Simmons heads and found them to be extremely durable and they really are an impressive head. With my KME I can get them shaving sharp no problem.

With that said, for whatever reason I have been liking the looks of the VPA 3 blade heads. Reviews of them are excellent and they seem to be very well made. I have never shot a 3 blade from a traditional bow, so I have little experience with them.

I like sufficient holes and lots of blood on the ground. But I also want good penetration to get the job done on whatever I may decide to hunt.

Which has a better chance of penetrating through bone?

If you had to choose a broad head on the credentials of durability, sharpness, good blood trails, penetration and overall quality which would you choose.... VPA or Simmons?  

They will both do the job, its just a matter of tastes. I would like to get a feel of what the gang thinks. Lets hear your opinions. Thanks, SS

[Biathlonman]

I'm a big fan of the 3 blade, 200 grain VPA.  I've only shot two deer with them, rigs pretty similar to you, and the arrow never slowed down going through the deer.  Short, good blood trails on the order of 10 and 75 yards.  I find them to be the easiest head to sharpen on the market.  I had some trouble sharpening the simmons but if you got that licked it probably doesn't matter.

[9 Shocks]

love the VPA heads...super easy to sharpen!  I used a 175 grain 3 blade VPA head and put it through both shoulders on a decent sized doe, and that was with a 45lb bow! cant speak for the simmons heads...

[Steve Jr]

I shoot the 205 Simmons Safaris out of my #49 Stalker. I shot two deer last season, both were pass throughs with short blood trails. I bought the wheelie sharpener and it works great. They are big heads but fly like my field points. I tried the 3 blade 200 grn VPA's they flew fine but they were loud out of my Stalker while the Simmons made no noise. There my be a way to adjust them to be quiet but I just stayed with the Safaris. Both are fantastic heads. Good luck with your choice.

[Michael Arnette]

Dang that's a real toss up...both are really nice heads. Never shot the VPAs but woodsman and big snuffers have been a favorite If you have liked the Simmons I'd stick with them...
...save money and treat yourself to new hunting boots or something  

[Stump73]

I've shot both. Right now I'm using 2blade 250gr Vpa. They hold up very well and do some damage. It did a number on the I killed in February. After it went through. It was still razor sharp.

[pdk25]

Both great heads. I doubt one will perform better than the other.  My 2 favorite heads. The only time I favor one over the other is I chose the tiger shark or safari when I expect to encounter a very large hog.

[TURKEYFOOTGIRL]

I shoot the Safari heads and love them. I haven't found any heads to be miracle bone busters out of 55 pound bow I shoot and 500+ grain arrows. Love the Simmons blood trails!

[Iowabowhunter]

I've never shot the Simmons but am a huge fan of the VPA heads. Took a few whitetails with the compound and VPA 3 blade.

Have the 200 gr 3 blades in my quiver right now for spring bear. Crazy easy to sharpen and fly really well. Can't ask for more

[jkm97]

I've killed deer with both, and it is probably a toss up. I can get either shaving sharp, but for me the Simmons might have been a touch easier to sharpen.

[Bullfrog 1]

I've shot both. I think the VPA is simple to sharpen and resharpen. I am using the 150 grain this year. They are a little shorter than the 200 and bomb proof.   Bill

[DaveT1963]

Simmons for last three years - only reason I would see to ever change would be if they became unavailable.  I struggled for a long time to get them sharp - but a simple round file, followed by the paper wheel system gets them shaving sharp rather quickly.  Now I just need to make some form of a holder/angle plate for my paper wheel so I don't have to free hand it  

[kiamichi kid]

I've killed deer with both and found the simmons to be more affordable and open up a really nice hole. I sharpen my simmons with a lanskey and an accusharp and they shave hair just fine.

[buckeye_hunter]

You all are making this choice soooo easy!    

[screamin]

I've shot both into fresh cow shoulder blades. The 3 blade and the simmons penetrate about the same, 18 to 19". The vpa 2 blade went all the way through multiple times.

[calgarychef]

I love the vpa heads but in the future I'll shoot whatever is the cheapest.

[silent sniper]

Thanks for all the replies everyone.   I'm going to stick with the Simmons that I already have experience with and know how to get sharp.   Thanks again for your opinions ! SS

[Tall Paul]

I've never shot a Simmons before, but I'm a big fan of the blood trails I see in photos here on the gang. Fight the urge to fiddle and save yo money!

[widow sax]

I love Woodsman Elites made by VPA.   Widow

[Onlyaspike]

I shot the Woodsman Elites and Simmons Landsharks in the past and BOTH flew GREAT. I sharpened the Woodsman's with a flat file and the Sharks with a ACCU Sharp.....They both would shave hair off my arm. I actually need buy some myself ASAP....If anyone has any laying around- shoot me a pm.....Thanks.