Rocket Ultimate Steel?
07-21-2002, 09:18 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Lewiston ID USA
Posts: 37
Rocket Ultimate Steel?
Has anyone used/tested these heads? They look pretty nice, but was hoping to get some opinion on them. This will be my first year of bowhunting and have yet to buy any broadheads, but probably should soon and start shooting them.
Whatchu talkin' bout Willis?
Whatchu talkin' bout Willis?
07-21-2002, 01:20 PM
#2
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Vinton VA
Posts: 2,978
RE: Rocket Ultimate Steel?
I plan on testing them, but have not picked any up yet. I will have them tested way before most bow seasons start though. I will say that the one thing that concerns me is the 7/8" cutting diameter. I realy prefer a little more than that. on a three blade head I like a minimum of 1 1/8" or at least 1" on a 4 blade head.
TAKE YOUR KIDS HUNTING AND YOU WON'T BE HUNTING FOR YOUR KIDS
TAKE YOUR KIDS HUNTING AND YOU WON'T BE HUNTING FOR YOUR KIDS
07-21-2002, 07:52 PM
#3
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Southeast PA
Posts: 242
RE: Rocket Ultimate Steel?
I saw these heads at a large bow fair yesterday and I believe that they will be the best flying, toughest, best penetrating heads on the market. That being said, I think Rocket blew it big time with these heads - the cutting diameter is just too darn small for my tastes. Especially with 3 blades. Nobody else seemed real impressed with them either - I didn't see anyone buy any. If Rocket could just figure out how to make them with 4 blades and a 1" diameter, I think they would have something.
07-21-2002, 08:06 PM
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Cincinnati oh USA
Posts: 626
RE: Rocket Ultimate Steel?
they look tough as nails but I too would like a bit more cutting dia. I like 1 1/8 myself but anything less than an 1" is a little shy in my book. I guess size does matter! lol <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
07-27-2002, 02:54 PM
#5
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: , Alaska USA
Posts: 89
RE: Rocket Ultimate Steel?
I picked up a pack of them yesterday. They are bad to the bone, and super accurate (pro-shop guy was grouping tighter at 40 yards with the Rockets, than he was with his field points), But I too am perplexed by their cutting diameter.
My understanding of this, is that the larger the cutting diameter, the better the bleeding, thus quicker the kill, and easier the tracking.
The flip side of that is the bigger the blades, the more wind they can catch, and thus the more vulnerable they are to accuracy issues.
I under stand Rockets idea of presenting the smallest amount of surface area possible, but is it enough?
Their magazine adds state that they also offer the Ultimate Steel in a 125 grain, 1 1/4" version. Will this extra exposed surface area reduce the accuracy of the broad head?
Seems like a catch 22 to me. Hope you guys can come up with some info.
Hunt Alaska!
My understanding of this, is that the larger the cutting diameter, the better the bleeding, thus quicker the kill, and easier the tracking.
The flip side of that is the bigger the blades, the more wind they can catch, and thus the more vulnerable they are to accuracy issues.
I under stand Rockets idea of presenting the smallest amount of surface area possible, but is it enough?
Their magazine adds state that they also offer the Ultimate Steel in a 125 grain, 1 1/4" version. Will this extra exposed surface area reduce the accuracy of the broad head?
Seems like a catch 22 to me. Hope you guys can come up with some info.
Hunt Alaska!
07-27-2002, 09:06 PM
#6
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Heaven IA USA
Posts: 2,597
RE: Rocket Ultimate Steel?
This probably belongs over here anyway. 
I really hesitate to even give any kind of statistical information on broadheads due the fact that is 5 shot’s domain and I highly respect his opinion. However, because in some areas big game seasons are either open or will open next month, I thought this broadhead might not get tested in time to do any of us any good. So I took the liberty of playing around with Rocket’s “Ultimate Steel 100” and here are a few interesting things I found out.
I really doubt if this is the world’s smallest broadhead but at 7/8 of inch in cutting diameter it surely ranks right up there. I know some have commented about concerns that it is to small but there are a multitude of quality heads out there that only use a one inch cut, so the size of this head is not of concern to me.
When I opened the package upon inspection the ferrule reminded me of the Rocky Mountain titanium ferrule. Perhaps a better description of the looks of the ferrule would be to picture a Rocket Steelhead without the expandable blades. The difference is, this ferrule is not black, it is silver or chrome color. The ferrule itself is 1 ½ inches from the tip to the end of the threads. It has three grooves cut in the ferrule and the blades slide in the grooves, tucking up under the point not unlike the Rocky Mountain Titanium or R.M. Ironhead. On the rear end of the blade there is a small nipple/ ear/ wing/ (pick whatever description you want) that sticks out about 1/16th of an inch that catches under a flat metal washer, which in turn locks the blade in place as it is screwed down on the arrow shaft. When I saw the “wing” on the aft end of the blade the thought crossed my mind that it seemed quite tiny and frail. But then what do I know? I can tell you this…these blades are sharp! They easily shaved the hair off my arm and in fact I cut myself putting the first one together and left a good blood trail. (what a dummy!)
I weighed each head to see what kind of variance there would be. Here are the results:
1. 102.1 grains
2. 102.3 grains
3. 103 grains
4. 102.4 grains
5. 102.2 grains
6. 101.1 grains
If you have ever taken the time to weigh your heads you will know that a weight variance of 1.9 grains is very good in the broadhead world.
Each head was spun on my spin tester and every one spun true. The head itself is so small it almost looks like a toy. It mated up well with my carbon express arrows fitting almost flush with the inserts. On larger diameter arrows however I think you will not find this to be the case.
It came as no surprise that these heads shot like a dream, deadly accurate. I really thought that I might have a contender for being the first head to completely penetrate my 3/4 inch plywood “Wall of Fame”. So far in almost 40 different heads tested from the leading manufacturers not one has been able to achieve a complete pass through. Before anyone faints from disbelief I will again remind you that for this test I shoot a moderate 60 lbs of kinetic energy with the “wall of fame” being twenty yards downrange. (Not at all unrealistic numbers that we would see from a lot of hunters.)
I was disappointed when the head did not achieve a complete pass through. There was 1/8 of an inch of the threads sticking out the back of the board and just the tip sticking out the front. Because of the way it buried itself in the plywood I couldn’t see the blades to inspect them. I did see the furrows they made where they entered so I am willing to give it the benefit of the doubt and say they remained in tact. As I said I was disappointed but in all reality penetration was respectable.
It zipped through the steel drum like nothing I have seen since the ‘Bonebuster’ with the arrow flying well beyond the drum. As I was retrieving my arrow I was admiring the triangular hole in the front of the drum. As I passed the drum I turned to see the exit hole and guess what, IT WAS A ROUND HOLE! It looked like a bullet hole! All three blades came off! I suspected the “wings” broke and looked in the drum. Sure enough that is what happened. I should mention that the ferrule looked unscathed.
In the tire test the same thing happened. It completely penetrated the radial but all three of the blades were lying inside the tire. Two of the three blades “wings” were gone.
I think all of us are intrigued to a certain degree with penetration (no pun intended!) That is one of the reasons we spend the time and the money to test what we use. I also know that wood, steel, and rubber do not a deer make. I do believe this head would blow through a deer like nobody’s business MOST OF THE TIME. But what if that B&C buck walked out in front of you and you caught a lot of bone??? I suppose the argument could be made that the blades then act like the old bleeder blades and break allowing the shaft to continue, but I’m not comfortable with that.
Hippo or no hippo I’m sorry Greg. While I do think you're close to making another great head, until I see evidence that the blades will remain intact I really can’t give the 'Ultimate Steel' a high recommendation.
I really hesitate to even give any kind of statistical information on broadheads due the fact that is 5 shot’s domain and I highly respect his opinion. However, because in some areas big game seasons are either open or will open next month, I thought this broadhead might not get tested in time to do any of us any good. So I took the liberty of playing around with Rocket’s “Ultimate Steel 100” and here are a few interesting things I found out.
I really doubt if this is the world’s smallest broadhead but at 7/8 of inch in cutting diameter it surely ranks right up there. I know some have commented about concerns that it is to small but there are a multitude of quality heads out there that only use a one inch cut, so the size of this head is not of concern to me.
When I opened the package upon inspection the ferrule reminded me of the Rocky Mountain titanium ferrule. Perhaps a better description of the looks of the ferrule would be to picture a Rocket Steelhead without the expandable blades. The difference is, this ferrule is not black, it is silver or chrome color. The ferrule itself is 1 ½ inches from the tip to the end of the threads. It has three grooves cut in the ferrule and the blades slide in the grooves, tucking up under the point not unlike the Rocky Mountain Titanium or R.M. Ironhead. On the rear end of the blade there is a small nipple/ ear/ wing/ (pick whatever description you want) that sticks out about 1/16th of an inch that catches under a flat metal washer, which in turn locks the blade in place as it is screwed down on the arrow shaft. When I saw the “wing” on the aft end of the blade the thought crossed my mind that it seemed quite tiny and frail. But then what do I know? I can tell you this…these blades are sharp! They easily shaved the hair off my arm and in fact I cut myself putting the first one together and left a good blood trail. (what a dummy!)
I weighed each head to see what kind of variance there would be. Here are the results:
1. 102.1 grains
2. 102.3 grains
3. 103 grains
4. 102.4 grains
5. 102.2 grains
6. 101.1 grains
If you have ever taken the time to weigh your heads you will know that a weight variance of 1.9 grains is very good in the broadhead world.
Each head was spun on my spin tester and every one spun true. The head itself is so small it almost looks like a toy. It mated up well with my carbon express arrows fitting almost flush with the inserts. On larger diameter arrows however I think you will not find this to be the case.
It came as no surprise that these heads shot like a dream, deadly accurate. I really thought that I might have a contender for being the first head to completely penetrate my 3/4 inch plywood “Wall of Fame”. So far in almost 40 different heads tested from the leading manufacturers not one has been able to achieve a complete pass through. Before anyone faints from disbelief I will again remind you that for this test I shoot a moderate 60 lbs of kinetic energy with the “wall of fame” being twenty yards downrange. (Not at all unrealistic numbers that we would see from a lot of hunters.)
I was disappointed when the head did not achieve a complete pass through. There was 1/8 of an inch of the threads sticking out the back of the board and just the tip sticking out the front. Because of the way it buried itself in the plywood I couldn’t see the blades to inspect them. I did see the furrows they made where they entered so I am willing to give it the benefit of the doubt and say they remained in tact. As I said I was disappointed but in all reality penetration was respectable.
It zipped through the steel drum like nothing I have seen since the ‘Bonebuster’ with the arrow flying well beyond the drum. As I was retrieving my arrow I was admiring the triangular hole in the front of the drum. As I passed the drum I turned to see the exit hole and guess what, IT WAS A ROUND HOLE! It looked like a bullet hole! All three blades came off! I suspected the “wings” broke and looked in the drum. Sure enough that is what happened. I should mention that the ferrule looked unscathed.
In the tire test the same thing happened. It completely penetrated the radial but all three of the blades were lying inside the tire. Two of the three blades “wings” were gone.
I think all of us are intrigued to a certain degree with penetration (no pun intended!) That is one of the reasons we spend the time and the money to test what we use. I also know that wood, steel, and rubber do not a deer make. I do believe this head would blow through a deer like nobody’s business MOST OF THE TIME. But what if that B&C buck walked out in front of you and you caught a lot of bone??? I suppose the argument could be made that the blades then act like the old bleeder blades and break allowing the shaft to continue, but I’m not comfortable with that.
Hippo or no hippo I’m sorry Greg. While I do think you're close to making another great head, until I see evidence that the blades will remain intact I really can’t give the 'Ultimate Steel' a high recommendation.
07-29-2002, 05:36 PM
#7
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: St. Louis MO USA
Posts: 2
RE: Rocket Ultimate Steel?
Antler Eater,
You seem to have tested many broadheads. I was just curoius if you have tested the Rocket Mini Blasters yet? That is what I have been using for a couple years and would like to hear about any testing you have done with these. Thanks.
You seem to have tested many broadheads. I was just curoius if you have tested the Rocket Mini Blasters yet? That is what I have been using for a couple years and would like to hear about any testing you have done with these. Thanks.
07-29-2002, 09:26 PM
#8
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Heaven IA USA
Posts: 2,597
RE: Rocket Ultimate Steel?
Missouri Buck I must admit that due to the light weight of the Miniblasters I do not shoot them. Because they fall in between the Sidewinder and the Hammerhead (both heads I have used and tested) as far as the size of cut goes I can take a reasonably educated guess as how they would perform.
For those people whose setup balances well with the Miniblaster I feel they will be well served. I am a big fan of the Hammerhead 3L if a person shoots enough kinetic energy. The wound channel that these heads produce is something to behold and pass throughs have been the norm not the exception. I would guess that the Miniblasters would not be far behind in this catagory.
My criticism of the head would be the same as has already been mentioned of the Rocket heads in general. The blades could be sharper and the hinge pins could be stronger. That being said I think it is a compliment to Rocket that a number of other companies are copying their design.
Edited by - Antler Eater on 07/29/2002 22:33:41
For those people whose setup balances well with the Miniblaster I feel they will be well served. I am a big fan of the Hammerhead 3L if a person shoots enough kinetic energy. The wound channel that these heads produce is something to behold and pass throughs have been the norm not the exception. I would guess that the Miniblasters would not be far behind in this catagory.
My criticism of the head would be the same as has already been mentioned of the Rocket heads in general. The blades could be sharper and the hinge pins could be stronger. That being said I think it is a compliment to Rocket that a number of other companies are copying their design.
Edited by - Antler Eater on 07/29/2002 22:33:41
