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A new mechanical king? Rocket Nail Driver results
Rocket Nail driver 100grain.
Plywood 5 points Steel drum 6 points Orange 3 points Cutting diameter 3 points Accuracy 5 points Blades 2 points Total score: 24, with a blade sharpness rating of C. The Rocket Nail driver is a two blade swing open style mechanical broadhead. It is very similar to the Steel head in both size and shape. The blades are held in the close position by tiny rubber bands. The cutting diameter is 1 1/8”. This is one of those “surprise” heads. I really thought it was a two blade Steelhead, nothing more or less. I fully expected it to perform the same as well. I was wrong. Yes the heads do look alike, and operate in the same way. The blades also appear to be the same, but I can’t say for sure. The difference is the Nail drivers penetrate better than the Steelheads, and they hold onto there blades in every test material! I found the accuracy to be excellent, just what I expect from rocket mechanicals. In the orange test the head had fully opened by the time it exited the back. In the plywood the Nail driver fully penetrated, and the blades were in good shape. The steel drum is the test to end all tests. It will destroy poorly made heads, and no broadhead has fully penetrated both sides and been able to keep all of it’s blades intact. That is until now. The Nail driver fully penetrated both the front and back of the drum, and the blades were fully serviceable. They were bent up some, but the cutting surface was intact on both blades. I was very surprised to see the head sticking out the back of the drum, with 2” of arrow shaft, but I was even more surprised to see both blades still attached! Rocket makes some very good mechanicals, but their weak link has always been the blades. The Nail driver seems to have solved this problem. The blades are still not as sharp as I believe they should be, but many people use Rocket heads as they come out of the package with excellent results. I was very impressed with this head. It doesn’t have the huge cutting diameters of some of their other heads, but it has out penetrated every other broadhead I have tested, including fixed blade heads. That is saying something. I would love to see a 4 blade 1” version of this head, but as it stands now, those looking for a super accurate, and great penetrating mechanical broadhead will not find a better one than the Rocket Nail driver! TAKE YOUR KIDS HUNTING AND YOU WON'T BE HUNTING FOR YOUR KIDS Edited by - PABowhntr on 10/01/2002 08:05:48 |
RE: A new mechanical king? Rocket Nail Driver results
Chris,
I know you wanted to be proper in putting an equipment review thread in the equipment review forum but this place just doesn't get the traffic that the bowhunting and/or technical forums get. If you don't mind, I am going to send it over to the bowhunting forum for a little bit and then I will move it back here. Just so folks see it....:) |
RE: A new mechanical king? Rocket Nail Driver results
Wow, penetrated both sides of the barrel, I'm impressed. Just wondering if you shot the barrel more than once. Thanks for the report.
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RE: A new mechanical king? Rocket Nail Driver results
"A new mechanical King?" Well, is it? :)
5-shot, based on it's performance, would you recommend this head for lower ke bows? What would be the ke threshold? The knock on fixed two blade heads has always been that they cut a slit that may seal up, preventing an adequate blood trail. Do you think the nail driver will mirror this potential or leave a good hole like the other rocket heads? |
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RE: A new mechanical king? Rocket Nail Driver results
Anyone have any pictures of these heads?
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RE: A new mechanical king? Rocket Nail Driver results
Lets see if I can get this to work. I could only get a picture of all of the Rocket heads, of which the Naildriver is listed.
 Edited by - PABowhntr on 10/01/2002 12:54:35 |
RE: A new mechanical king? Rocket Nail Driver results
5 shot,
First off, I want to say that I'm NOT trying to poke holes in your test methods or any of your data. I'm sure that you've established these tests to try to bring some level of sanity to an oft-debated topic. Without having to go back and search for any tests you've performed in the past, I want to run my thoughts by you. My experience would tell me that penetration distance (depth) would depend on how quickly KE is dissipated in the target. That would have a direct correllation to the surface area of the broadhead. I would immediately assume that a 2-blade head would effect less area (and therefore lose less energy in the target) than would a 3- or 4-blade head of the same diameter. Also, I would think that a 4-blade head would penetrate a solid target medium half as much as a 2-blade head would (assuming the individual blades were the same size on both heads.) The only reason this might not actually be achieved is that the 4 blade head doesn’t have exactly twice as much surface area, because the area atributed to the body/point of the broadhead is not being doubled in the 4 blade head (only the surface area of the blades is being doubled.) Anyway, I might have misunderstood your statement. Clearly, you find several benefits in the design of this head compared to other mechanicals, but I was just wondering if you were saying you would expect to see the same amount of penetration in a 4-blade version? Do my thoughts on penetration match the results of your other tests to any degree? |
RE: A new mechanical king? Rocket Nail Driver results
You know I've always used Fixed. Maybe this year I'll try a mechanical. I've always heard they are far more accurate than the fixed but not as reliable. Of course that was years ago when the bugs of mechanicals hadn't been worked out. That "Buckblaster" looks like one mean mother doesn't it!?!
Ok - probably the stupid question of the week but... can you use mechanicals more than once? Can they be resharpened? Or would you not for fear that they wouldn't expand on impact? Signed curious in Illinois |
RE: A new mechanical king? Rocket Nail Driver results
Rangeball,
Quick question: I've never heard your statement floated before that the nock on mechanicals was that the openings they produced would seal up... Why? What would make a wound produced by a mechanical more apt to "seal up," as you put it? Once the head has passed through the object, it's through -- period. The object doesnt' know if it was a mechanical or a fixed after the fact. In fact, due to the wider cutting diameters most mechs offer, I've usually seen the opposite -- that they open up devasting holes! My experience would certainly bear that out as well; any well-placed shot has produced extremely quick kills, and the blood trails have looked as if they were poured out of a five-gallon bucket! Discipline -- not desire -- determines destiny. |
RE: A new mechanical king? Rocket Nail Driver results
Bob, the drum has been shot more than once, but I strive to make every shot enter in a new place. This drum is about to be retired to trash buring detail, but I assure you the nail driver hit fresh still on both sides. Rangeball, based on what I saw from my testing I would have to say that this head would preform well out of a bow going way down on the KE scale. I believe 45 ft/lbs would not be out of the question. I may have to get some replacement blades and get my wifes bow out and see how it does witht he naildriver. Capstone Your statement is basicly correct. I have tested 2, 3, and 4 blade heads. Their are other factors to consider though. The total length of the blades, the tip style, and how long, and or large the ferule is. All of these come into play. For example Muzzy 3 blade heads out penetrate their 4 blade heads, but the three blade heads have a 1 3/16" cutting diameter vs the 1 1/8" of the larger 4 blades. The 4 blade 100 grn penetrates about the same as the 100 grn 3 blade, but the 4 blade only has a 1" cut, but more overall blade surface. cut on contact heads dont' do any better as far as penetration goes in hard materials. They do however penetrate hide quicker. It really gets comlicated going over all the factors. That's the main reason I developed the scoring system, and standerized the tests as best I can. It's not perfect, but it is a good way to compar heads. The nail driver penetrates so well becuase it has a short ferule, only 2 blades, a large tip that also cuts and busts up hard material, and it has a modest cutting diameter. The steel head (3 blade heads) penetrate almost as well, but they lose every blade in the steel drum test, and sometimes loose on or two blades in the plywood. Click on my profile and follow the links to a website that lists my scoring system as well as some of the heads I have tested. The sight will be udated as time permits.
TAKE YOUR KIDS HUNTING AND YOU WON'T BE HUNTING FOR YOUR KIDS |
RE: A new mechanical king? Rocket Nail Driver results
Thanks, 5shot. You have provided a tremendous service to the members of this board with these tests. I would like to say that your tests have saved me a lot of money, but actually I've changed broadheads twice since reading your reports. lol. Anyway, thanks a lot for all your work.
By the way, did you shoot another one through the barrel to see if the results were consistent? (Just curious. I know you may have only had one Nail Driver to test or may have not wanted to use more than one.) I am trying Muzzy 3-blade 100's this year, because an old injury will not allow me to crank my bow up to the proper poundage required for the KE needed for the mechanicals...so I am curious it the penetration traits will hold up at lower KE. |
RE: A new mechanical king? Rocket Nail Driver results
Chris, thanks for the input on these heads. I still love my shockwaves but when the nail driver makes a 3 blade head I might give them a try but for now I still love my shockwaves.
Brian |
RE: A new mechanical king? Rocket Nail Driver results
super mag i think it has been said that the 3 blade version is the steel head.
thanks for the info 5 SHOT |
RE: A new mechanical king? Rocket Nail Driver results
jimmya, look again. To me it sounds like it performs much better.
<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>This is one of those “surprise” heads. I really thought it was a two blade Steelhead, nothing more or less. I fully expected it to perform the same as well. I was wrong. Yes the heads do look alike, and operate in the same way. The blades also appear to be the same, but I can’t say for sure. The difference is the Nail drivers penetrate better than the Steelheads, and they hold onto there blades in every test material! <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote> Well it sounds different to me here. Or atleast the way the blades are held in place. But thanks anyway. Brian Edited by - 445 supermag on 10/02/2002 04:59:09 |
RE: A new mechanical king? Rocket Nail Driver results
vc111, I only had the one head, and one set of blades. I plan on getting some new blades and doing some more testing. The ferule still looks brand new. I am going to see if the steel head blades work on the nail driver and if they do, I wonder if they will hold up. I am not sure the nail driver holds it's blades becuase they are heat treated better or are just stronger, or if the two blade configuration and ferule have something to do with it. I will keep everyone posted though.
TAKE YOUR KIDS HUNTING AND YOU WON'T BE HUNTING FOR YOUR KIDS |
RE: A new mechanical king? Rocket Nail Driver results
<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>By the way, did you shoot another one through the barrel to see if the results were consistent? (Just curious. I know you may have only had one Nail Driver to test or may have not wanted to use more than one.) <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>
5shot, I would send you another but I need to at least save a few heads for this season...:) Why don't you elaborate on the other two heads you tested at the same time...<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> |
RE: A new mechanical king? Rocket Nail Driver results
5shot,
I should have worded my question a little better, what I was getting at was the same as vc1111. That is, if you shot more than one naildriver through the steel drum, but you already answered that. Not that I don't trust your test, but I wondered if it could have been a fluke. I'd have to admit that this must be one hell of a head, based on your current results. Also, I know that you don't advocate using mechanicals on anything larger than whitetails, but what is your opinion now? |
RE: A new mechanical king? Rocket Nail Driver results
<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Rangeball, Quick question: I've never heard your statement floated before that the nock on mechanicals was that the openings they produced would seal up... Why? What would make a wound produced by a mechanical more apt to "seal up," as you put it? Once the head has passed through the object, it's through -- period. The object doesnt' know if it was a mechanical or a fixed after the fact. In fact, due to the wider cutting diameters most mechs offer, I've usually seen the opposite -- that they open up devasting holes! My experience would certainly bear that out as well; any well-placed shot has produced extremely quick kills, and the blood trails have looked as if they were poured out of a five-gallon bucket! Discipline -- not desire -- determines destiny. <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote> Please re-read my post. I said FIXED two blade heads, not mechanicals. Be that as it may, a slit is a slit. I'm not clear on what kind of hole the nail driver will leave. 5 shot, any concern of this with the nail driver? |
RE: A new mechanical king? Rocket Nail Driver results
Rangeball, I'm not trying to start with you or anything, but, I never saw any broadhead blade leave a hole. I know that there is a broadhead out there, I'm not sure what they are called, that actually has a blade that is circular. A friend of mine has some, but they don't penetrate well. Those are the only type that I can think of that will actually leave a hole in the animal.
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RE: A new mechanical king? Rocket Nail Driver results
Bobco, deer I have shot with both mechanicals (3 blade wasp jackhammer sst) and fixed heads (steelforce 4 blade) left a hole, definitely not just the three or four slits (depending on the number of blades). I don't know if this was due to tissue under tension retracting, spinning broadhead or what, but it is a definite hole, like they were shot with a slug or something.
I have never shot a two blade head at deer, so I have never experienced the slit closing up phenomena that I've heard and read alot about. I was just wondering if this phenomena is real, does 5 shot think this will be a problem with the nail driver. |
RE: A new mechanical king? Rocket Nail Driver results
Rangeball, my sincerest apologies!
Doh! Fixed and mechanical are completely different words, huh? And after re-reading this thread, I do understand what you are meaning about wondering if a two-blade head would leave a "slit" which may be more prone to closing quicker! Also, yes, I agree with you also about the "hole" left in an animal; I've taken seven deer over the past three years with a Rocket Aerohead Miniblaster, and several of the wounds I could have almost stuck my fist inside, the hole was so big! At least on the entrance and exit wounds -- they may not have done that all the way through, but they certainly ripped one heckuca opening on the way in and out! Discipline -- not desire -- determines destiny. |
RE: A new mechanical king? Rocket Nail Driver results
No apologies necessary, I often confuse myself :)
Frank, hurry up and stick one, will ya, and let us know how they perform on game. |
RE: A new mechanical king? Rocket Nail Driver results
Frank, no problem I all I need to do is pick up another pack of blades. I feel comfortable though that the results will remain the same. Based on the preformance on my tests, I think the Nail driver would be suitable for any game that a quality fixed blade head would be. As for the two blade vs 3 vs 4 blade heads. I plan on using two blade heads this year just to see how they preform on game. I do think a two blade head will take a while longer for the blood trail to begin, but holes don't useually close up unless internal organs or somthing else plugs it up. I don't think it would really matter whether the head was 2, 3 or 4 blade. It will probably clog up. I have never seen a hole close up. I think the more blades you have the more tissue you will cut and or damage, but I can't see where a 3 blade head would give you a kill where a 2 blade head would not. I am sure it is possible, but those times would be rare. I would feel comfortable using the Nail drivers, but with over 70 ft/lbs of Ke I could use a much larger head and still get plenty of penetration. If i were going after larger game with a mechanical, the Nail driver would be right their at the top of the list.
TAKE YOUR KIDS HUNTING AND YOU WON'T BE HUNTING FOR YOUR KIDS |
RE: A new mechanical king? Rocket Nail Driver results
I will be sure to use one on one of the two deer I shoot on Saturday....(how is that for cocky?) <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
I did some informal testing of my own last night but I used a different medium than what 5shot has been using. How does a phone book sound? <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> I will elaborate more later when I can post the pics along with it. 5shot, Any chance you are going to post the results for the other two heads before I have to go hunting on Saturday? I would love to see them...:) Edited by - PABowhntr on 10/03/2002 05:58:21 |
RE: A new mechanical king? Rocket Nail Driver results
Frank, Hammerhead post is up. Probably won't get to the silvertips until This weekend, maybe between my morning and afternoon hunts.
TAKE YOUR KIDS HUNTING AND YOU WON'T BE HUNTING FOR YOUR KIDS |
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