Fletch,
Without a doubt a head with 3 blades is going to use up a bit more energy than the comparable head with 2 blades......it has too. But there are also other factors to consider....
All good broadside shots are not the same. Did you actually check your entrance and exit wounds to see what was hit? The reason I ask is that there are a lot of ribs in there and penetration hitting 2 ribs square will be affected more so than 2 ribs missed.
Style of tip will also affect a heads penetrating ability......ESPECIALLY in the event of a single or dual rib hit.
The "Pathfinder", "Trocar" or whatever you want to call them tips do much better than the chisel style point such as your Miniblaster's.
Blade sharpness will also be a factor.....a razor sharp blade has less drag than a dull one. Rocket heads aren't razor sharp out of the package....did you touch them up?
Also....Did you spin test each head?.....Are your arrows tuned to your bow? as either of these will limit penetration power.
See what I'm getting at? Lots of things to consider other than 3 vs. 2 blades.
Results can vary drastically from shot to shot......I'll give you an example from experience.......
I have killed probably 12 deer with the Miniblaster alone so I've seen many different results. I shot a really nice 9 pt with a heavy body 3 years ago at 18 yards slightly quartering, shot thru him like he was a stick of hot butter with my arrow burying hard into a tree root. 2 days later I shot an average sized doe at 10 yards dead broadside and just "TACKED" her.....guess what? the arrow passed thru, but hung up at the fletching and fell out at the first jump.
The difference? RIBS. I slid between the bucks ribs and wound up with bent blades and a very dead deer.......But CENTERED 2 ribs on the doe.
At the time I was shooting 69 ft lbs of KE.
The Miniblaster 3L is a great deer head.....but if you want more consistent performance on bone and a higher percentage of pass thrus, get a package of the "Pathfinder" tips and replace the little black chisel ones....or go to a Rocket Sidewinder.
There is no reason to switch to a 2 blade head with your set-up, you have plenty of energy to make a 3 blade with that cutting diameter (1.5-1.75"
work for you.
I admire the fact that you are desiring the best performance your set-up can give you, but I don't think going "backwards" to a 2 blade is the answer in your case.
I think if you take my advice and slightly alter the STYLE of 3 blade head to incorporate a "Pathfinder" style tip , make sure you spin test every head, and keep your set-up well tuned (not saying you don't already)you'll be pleasantly surprised at the results.
I don't shoot too much more KE than you right now at about 76-77 ft lbs and I am shooting thru deer like they weren't there with a 4 blade Rocket Sidewinder.
Edited by - Matt / PA on 10/29/2002 23:13:32