Rage 2 Blade vs. 3 Blade??

Hey guys,

After hearing/seeing too many horror stories lately that related to small fixed blade broadheads, and seeing/hearing about the damage that the Rage Broadheads inflict, i’m thinking of making the switch.

For you Rage shooters, do you prefer the 2 blade or the 3 blade??? Common sense tells me that 3 blades are better than 2, but there’s quite a difference in cutting diameter between them.

Also, do you see anything wrong with switching heads midseason? The Rage comes with a practice tip, so I would be able to realign my sight if necessary.

Thanks for the reply

What do you prefer??

i just picked up a pack of 2-blades tonite and plan on using them next time out tommorrow maybe shot the 3-blade last year and they flew just like my field points and wouldnt have any problem using them right away i went 2-blade for the bigger cutting diameter planning a test flight this weekend

I shoot the 3-blade and so far am impressed with the results (one buck and a turkey). No experience with the 2-Blade.

Here’s what I understand:
2-Blade has a larger cutting diameter (2.5 inches in diameter) which leads to a larger entry hole, better blood trails

3-Blade has a more cutting surface and better penetration to go through rib bone.

here is a question i am wondering about. I know that alot of guys use the 2 blade rage to get the 2.5 cutting diameter, the rage is an expandable right then wouldn’t the 2 blade be considered illegal to use here in Minnesota since it has more than a 2″ cutting diameter. pg. 57 in the rule book if somebody could clarify that for me. thanks

No the Rage 2 blade is 2″ when opened up on its own w/o shooting game w/ it. They have seen 2.5″ cut but thats mainly on quartering away shots. But im guessing a few people have had a 2.5″ cut on broadside . I think Rage 2 blade is a love/hate broadhead I have read countless stories about guys shooting deer with them and haven’t found them. Mainly its due to blades not opening or poor penetration Yes it has everything to do w/ shot placement BUT i know there are better broadheads out there that penetrate better than Rage. I just read a story about a guy that shot a 140 class 8 pointer this last weekend and never found the deer. He said he hit the buck at 25 yards in the shoulder and got about 3″ of penetration using the 2 blade Rage
I have shot a few deer in the shoulder using the Rocky Mtn Snypers and have had complete pass throughs and both deer went no more than 60 yards.
Lip just put up a topic on the Deer Anatomy and it shows the lungs are a little in front of the shoulder so a shoulder hit is not a bad shot.
I have the 2 blade Rage and i have heard great stories on blood trails, but more and more horror stories about blades not opening or terrible penetration They aren’t as cracked up to be but thats MHO
I haven’t heard complaints w/ these broadheads: Snypers, Grim Reapers, Muzzy 100’s, Slick Trick 4 blades

I have shot 2 deer with my Rage 2 blades and have had a total of about 70 yards in blood trails. Both pass through and both had great blood trails. If you choose the 3 blade please let us know how they work, I would like to hear some results on them.

I shot the 2 blade Rage last year and had good results, I figured it couldnt be that much different so I switched to the 3 blade this year. I shot two does over the weekend and there was definitely no problem finding blood EASY TRACKIN’

I am mostly concerned with the entry hole, which is reason for the switch. My bow is cranked up pretty high and shoots over 300fps so I dont think that penetration is a problem regardless of what I shoot.

What I’m concerned about is the entry hole, and good blood. Granted a well placed shot will lead to finding the deer, but im worried about what happens if i’m off target a bit…

I’ve witnessed those small cutting diameter fixed blades fully penetrate, but leave a very small entry & exit hole, which can lead to blood clotting almost immediately.

Your thoughts on that???

I have not shot the 2 blade, but I’m totally sold one the 3 blade. The one word of caution I would give people on the Rages is: Make sure the blades are properly seated into the O ring and correct position before using. I think a lot of the horror stories could have been avoided if this was checked. I have gotten into a habit of every time I nock an arrow I check this. There has been many reports of a huge “problem” of blades deploying in flight. Well IMO the problem is they were deployed before the archer even shot.

Secondly, Protour I think your above example of penetration is not comparing apples to apples. There are too many factors to consider the results of penetration to compare that guys penetration to the ones you have witnessed out of a different set up. We know nothing about that guys set up. His arrow weight, bow weight etc. to compare penetration stats. I hit a 3.5 year old doe 2 years ago and I blew through both shoulders on a very slight quartering to /broadside shot @ 22 yards. I pull only 61 lbs on my bow, but my arrow at that time weighed 11 grains per inch. If anything I have seen increased penetration and many more pass thrus when I made the switch to the Rages.

But then again like I said each set up is different. You need to find what works for you, but right now I’m sold on the 3 blade Rages. My penetration is outstanding, arrow flight is exact as field tips, way less arrow drift in the high winds of the Dakotas I hunt and my long range broad head groups have tightened WAY up increasing my effetive range.

I would bet that arrow weight has more to do than broadhead as far as penatration goes. The heavier the arrow the more penatration you will get. just a thought!

I just went with the 2 blade version. I talked with a few guys at Sportmens before I bought them. There seemed to be more instances of the 3 blades getting bound up and not opening. Again though that is just what the archery guys at the counter were saying. The 2 blades that i have been shooting into my target block have opened consistantly. Even though i just spent the $40.oo to get the Rage i still have my trusty muzzys for back up. No game taken yet witht he Rage but I hope to know for myself soon.

FYI – There was a problem last year with some of the 3-blade rages not fully deploying properly due to a rounded shoulder at the tip and they ended up doing a recall. I believe not everyone knew about the recall and may have ended up shooting faulty blades which in turn gave them mixed reviews.

Here’s more info. on the 3 Blade Rage Recall

I agree with rip. I missed a doe last weekend because it came out in an unexpected spot. so i had to do a little shimmying around and just barely taped it on a branch and the blade must have came out. The blood was pumping I let the arrow go and it corkscrewed to the ground. Must check at all times. On aside note i got caught peeing into a bottle the next day while a doe stands and watches me 20 yards away. Its like a comedy show out their.

Sorry to hear about the miss Jorgy!

So you got caught with your pants down.

I shot the Rage 3-blade for the first time last week on an 800lb elk. 30 yds and a pass through, ran about 200yds down steep hill. I was pretty happy with the results. Would recommend 3-blade vs. 2-blade for the larger animals though as even the 3-blade is pretty large diameter for the larger game. It appeared that one blade had hit bone and the other two where clean cuttin.

Congrats WEBSTJ

Way to go webstj!!! Let’s hear the story on that elk!!!