5Shot

With all due respect, I cannot support your findings regarding your "deflection" test of the particular broadheads. Without relating a long story, I have a "hands on" forensic related background regarding wounds and wound paths (channels) caused by projectiles.

Based on my knowledge and my personal experiences, I can confidently state that the medium (dry hide and a medium solid and smooth board) you used to perform the tests in an attempt to determine "real life" deflection results was unsuitable for comparison with actual events. In fact, the medium you used would have had a coefficient of friction that could have assisted an angled penetration.

The numerous variables that exist and the control groups that are required to perform such a test are too extensive and too scientific to detail. Therefore, I will summarize in lay terms by saying that sustained energy and coefficient of friction (drag and snag) are two that must be considered regarding your test.

First, let us examine some the rudimentary differences in the two mediums:

Deer: Moving entity with a lubricated, supple and flexible surface, having a greater depth from exterior surface to rib cage, with various types of blood-lubricated sinew situated between the outer surface and the ribcage. The ribcage is also covered with strong and blood lubricated connective tissue. The rib cage is not flat, but has valleys and apexes.

Dry hide and Luan board (Luan board is a very thin and fairly light-weight wood product): Stationary, dry medium, no material to cause unbalanced internal forces is located between the hide and the board. The drag and snag friction of the dry hide and the board would be extremely high.

When a projectile enters a body, animal or human; due to the mass of connective tissues, muscle, bone, and the lubricating factor of blood and other fluids, internal unbalanced forces exist that can cause an arrow to deviate from its original path.

A dry hide laid flatly on a flat board having no give and no flexibility would allow an arrow to better maintain a uniform path. Additionally, the drag and snag affect of the dry medium could create a force (friction) that could assist pulling the arrow inward on an angled entry. If the large and steeply angled blades dug into the board and grabbed, the sudden clutching of the blade by the wood could cause the point of the broadhead to dive towards the board, thus assisting penetration.

On a deer, the instant the arrow penetrated a moving, flexible and, lubricated mass, the various internal forces could easily deflect the path of the arrow. Internal deflection of a projectile is more common than uncommon.

Should a large blade, especially one with a steep angle, dive into the valley between ribs and then impact against the extremely hard and lubricated bone, it is not unreasonable to theorize that the broadhead would be deflected upwards and along the rib cage, taking the shaft with it. Additionally, if the point of the ferrule or a blade edge was to impact (angled) on the apex of a rib, the shaft will most likely be deflect upwards.

In both cases of supposed upward deflection, the arrow has begun to loose most of its energy and will follow a path of the least resistance. This would mean that the arrow would most likely travel through the interior of the deer as is shown in the photos provided by huntmup.

Unless many controlled and scientific tests are performed, the best evaluation lies with consolidated results obtained under actual conditions.








Edited by - c903 on 11/26/2002 10:21:58

Edited by - c903 on 11/26/2002 15:33:38