Broadheads-Why?

I’ve been looking a new broadheads trying to decide if i should continue buying the same ones as usual or make a switch. Every bow kill I have, I’ve used the same broadheads, I’m beginning to notice a pattern….the arrow passes through the deer with out any problems. This leads me to believe that i’m not putting the kinetic eneregy to good use. Instead of passing through so easily, I could be inflicting more damage. So this leads me to the question…what is important when selecting broadheads and why? My list looks like this, but is subject to modification.
1. accurate..does it fly well out of my bow.
2. reliable…is it simple, can i count on it to not create problems at the worst possible moment
3. penetration…will it get in deep on a bad shot
4. damage capability…will it create a big enough hole to bring animal down even on a marginal shot.

I’m not likely to change my top 2, but 3 and 4 are where I’m starting to think differently.

What are other hunters’ criteria??? This is not a ford vs chevy post. Let us know your criteria for selection.

Good flight, Strength,and I want to bury my arrow in the dirt every time I would not change a thing if I were you

I agree 2 holes is better then 1!

For the same reason you stated above, I still use Rocky Mountain Razors. I’m not looking to debate the chevy/ford of fixed Vs. mechanical. They make a huge hole, the exist with a big hole, and they cut the heck out of everything in between. I was most impressed with a bad shot I made. Nicked a limb and sent the arrow high. The broadhead had a huge chunk of a vertebrae that it took out of the deer. Again, it was a poor shot, but that deer dropped in its tracks and bled out before I could get out of my treestand. Don’t change what works perfectly for you.

Kenetic energy wont do a thing unless your shooting I think its 2100 to 2300 ft per second. At that speed tissue will be damaged simply by the impact around the projectile…under that speed the only damage to the tissue is what actually comes into contact with your blade, point, arrow shaft etc. This is the same reason when using the proper amo a 9mm round will do ALMOST as much damage as a 40.cal…they both dont have enough speed to breakdown tissue other then the mushroom from the lead its self coming into contact with the tissue. And with the correct amo a 9mm will mushroom almost as much a .40cal… Shoot what your confident in and good luck

I guess what I’m hoping to hear some opinion on is whether other hunters believe penetration or damage potential is more critical. I’ve always believed penetration was more important. But these two factors are a tradoff. Great penetration, limits damage. And massive damage potential limits penetration. Which one would you consider more important?

A hole through each lung or the heart and hes dead doesn’t realy matter if it’s 1″ or 3″ hes not going anywhere. I beleive that an exit hole is more important than more internal damage, if you have alot of internal damage but no exit hole the deer will die but you will probably have a hard time with the recovery if you can’t see him go down. Ide keep shooting what your shooting!

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A hole through each lung or the heart and hes dead doesn’t realy matter if it’s 1″ or 3″ hes not going anywhere. I beleive that an exit hole is more important than more internal damage, if you have alot of internal damage but no exit hole the deer will die but you will probably have a hard time with the recovery if you can’t see him go down. Ide keep shooting what your shooting!

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X2!! I want 2 holes without a doubt. Any shot in the heart and/or lungs will kill, but without a good blood trail it will be harder to find the animal

I’ve got nothing to add, it’s all been said above!

Hey Rush-
IMO, you’re over thinking this deal. What you need to focus on is using a broad head that will pass-thru the entire animal AND one that lacerates as much as possible. I believe it is critical that the arrow completely exit the animal to maximize recovery chances. Have you ever tried to track an animal with just an entrance hole? Depending on the point of impact, it could be easy to impossible.

If you’re getting complete pass-thrus and are able to quickly kill the animal (providing you’re hitting the vital area), like another poster said, don’t change a thing.

Kenetic energy is relevant for one thing in archery…creating an exit hole the far side. Creating damage from kenetic energy should not be a factor. The sharpness of your blades and cutting diameter take care of that.

Tres

Ditto…good responses…

Sounds like you already have your broad head to me. As long as you put the right shot on them the internal damage doesn’t matter, I’d prefer pass through/penetration than overall destruction unless you are planning on making marginal shots.