Good Broadheads for Bad Hits???
 

I've been hunting for many years. I've taken what I consider a large amount of whitetails. I shoot a lot and am a very good shot. I have a steady nerve in the woods and have taken over 20 bucks in my 15 years of hunting. But bad shots do happen from time to time and one did yesterday.

I've shot many types of broadheads over the years not being able to find one that I really like. I talk to my bow hunting buddies about broadheads and it has became a real hot topic lately. One thing we do know is on a good shot, just about any broadhead will do the trick. The broadhead that performs well on bad shots should be the winner.

Broadheads that passthrough are probably a priority, with the hole size or damage for bloodtrails being a close second.

I was shooting the Eastman First Cut EXP 100's and in my opinion they are junk. On a quartering away deer, behind the ribs they didnt pass-through(295 fps with on 415 grains). On a doe I shot an hour later with a double lung, i did get pass-through with the arrow sticking into the dirt about 6 inches. Both shots left a very light bloodtrail. Double lung shots, should not leave a light bloodtrail IMO.I never did find the buck. I did stumble accross the doe who ran about 100 yards, with no blood for the last 30 yards.

Anyone who has bowhunting any length of time has had bad hits and lost deer. It's a shame when this happens, but it does happen and will happen again to all of us. I know ofthree 8 pointers this year that went un-recovered because of bad hits and/or poor broadhead performance.

Discuss.

RE: Good Broadheads for Bad Hits???
 

There is no excuse for poor shots on game.

Blaming the broadhead is a cop out, and nothing more.

However, that being said, a broadhead with a wide cutting diameter would be the best to compensate for poor shots. One that does maximum tissue damage is what you'll want.

RE: Good Broadheads for Bad Hits???
 

Just out of curiosity - how many animals have you taken with your bow? And have you ever made a poor shot or lost an animal?

RE: Good Broadheads for Bad Hits???
 

Are you asking maximum damage or maximum pentration. Just simplifying things a larger cut (diameter) broadhead with multiple blades could deliver more damge then a smaller diameter head given the same pentration rate, while a two blade cut on contact has been proven (Dr. Ashby)to get the best penetration on game but may not do the most damage.

RE: Good Broadheads for Bad Hits???
 

I'm not trying to blame the broadhead, but the boradhead I used left a very small hole and very poor bloodtrail.

I have seen deer shot in the hind quarter with a Vortex 125 grain and it left a hole in the deer the size of my hand, ran 100 yards and looked like someone took a red paint can out in the woods and started slinging it all over the place.

Saying there is no excuse for a bad hit comes from in-experience. They do happen and will happen. That's why it's called Bow-Hunting and not Bow-Killing.

Let's please just discuss broadheads, performance and your expereinces with them.

RE: Good Broadheads for Bad Hits???
 

Three, and yes.

I made a bad shot on the first deer I took and I lost a great buck last season.

Both shots could have been prevented had I taken more time.

The majority of poor shots are made by hunters not taking their time, rushing the shot, or taking shots that aren't 100% ethical. Granted, accidents do happen, an unseen branch in a shooting lane for instance, can throw a shot off. However, the majority of poor shots can be prevented.

RE: Good Broadheads for Bad Hits???
 

Believe me, I've had my share of bad experiences.

The shot I made on my first doe hit her in the paunch. I was shooting 3-Blade 100grn. Muzzys. There was a good trail to follow, and when we found her the holes on both sides were fairly large. Had it been a lung hit, she would have gone down easily.

RE: Good Broadheads for Bad Hits???
 

From what I've heard the slick trick does its part. Never Shot it and due to his complications i wasnt able to receive mine this year. But I really like both the penetration and damage the G5 Montec does. In my opinion the one piece fixed blades are the way to go.

RE: Good Broadheads for Bad Hits???
 

BobCo19

I guess what I am looking for is the best of both worlds. I am a firm believer in passthrough shots. My friend hit a branch the other day with his mechanical Grim-Reaper 100 grain and he thinks it threw off his shot alot. He got a gut shot, pass through, blood all over, but couldn't find it. On the base of the blade where it opens up, he found a little bark where he thinks it may have cought on an unseen branch, which in turn threw his shot off enough.

I've heard mechanicals do lose some Kinetic Energy on impact, but i really never thought it was enough to worry about. Now i have my doubts.

I see a lot of fixed 3 blades on the market, but it seems like a 4 blade might do more damage. Is there less penetration on a 4 blade compared to a 3 blade?

RE: Good Broadheads for Bad Hits???
 

I just found this http://www.american-hunter.com/broadheads/broadhead_test.htm

Interesting stuff ;)

RE: Good Broadheads for Bad Hits???
 

Well to tell the truth, I've never been a fan of a two blade blood trail. We are not talking shooting water buffalo (I don't believe) here. I have found a three blade blood trail in my experience better then a two.The four (or five) blade heads about the same as a three as far as blood trails.

I hunt with a longbow and recurve, so the stuff you talk about is important to me. Last year, I took a real nice buck with an exceptional blood trail with a 150 grain magnus stinger (with bleeders). The bleeder blades on them are rather small and they are made to break (the bleeders) if they encounter heavy bone. The main blade is extremely sharp out of the package and is a COC. I'll be using them again this year. I'm also testing out some 220 grain Muzzy Phantoms.

RE: Good Broadheads for Bad Hits???
 

As you're going to continue to hear from just about everyone - it's give and take when it comes to penetration and the size of the hole you want to punch through your target. Inherently the larger the blades and the bigger the cut, the more surface area and more drag is created, thus slowing the arrow down and inhibiting penetration. Increase cutting diamter, decrease penetration, and visa versa.

In my personal opinion the key is finding the best of both worlds and what you feel comfortable shooting. If you make a bad shot, you make a bad shot. Its going to happen. You might get lucky and catch an artery and put the animal down quickly, and again you might not and you may never recover your animal.Statistically youhave a better chance at hitting that artery if your'e shooting a bigger broadhead butagain, its a chance we all take. I personally do not feel comfortable enough with shooting a large expandable broadhead because I favor penetration and having an exit would versus putting a bigger hole in the animal. Pick up any Drury Outdoors video and you'll see they're all shooting the biggest expandables they can find - they obviously favor a large hole versus two smaller ones. Again - personal preference.

So I guess it comes down to this - you need to decide which you want more, a bigger hole, or a complete pass through. Then make your decision from there. There are a lot of broadheads that do one or the other very well, but not many that I can think of that do both of them well. If you favor both of these attributes equally, I think your buddy was on the right track with something like a Grim Reapor Razortip, an NAP Spitfire XP, Rocky Mtn. Snyper, or other expandable head with a small cut-on-contact tip.

RE: Good Broadheads for Bad Hits???
 

I'm a big fan of fixed blade heads. I've been shooting the 3 and 4 blade Muzzy's for years. While I've taken deer with both heads I tend to favor the 4 blade. I notice no difference in penetration or performance. The 3 blade makes a triangle hole and the 4 blade makes a square. ;)

RE: Good Broadheads for Bad Hits???
 

Ya know even though I don't use them the open on impact broadheads have the largest wholes as they have the largest blades. I used to use the NAP Spitfires and boy they worked great for me. But I listened to too many so called experts and changed to fixed blade Thunderheads. I lost 2 deer with the fixed blades last year and never lost a deer to the Spitfires. The spitfires have a very large blade on impact and man what a whole they leave I have always got a great blood trail. So what I'm saying is to hell with the experts I'm going back to the spitfires cause they work for me and even a margenel shot usually produces excellent results. By the way I don't know how you guys do it but usually I can't tell where my shot hit till I recover the deer. I can usually tell aproximately where but thats about it. One other point I'd like to make if you are a bow hunter and never lost a hit deer you haven't been hunting very long cause sooner or latter its going to happen to you. It sucks and we do everything we can so it dosen't but if you hunt for any length of time its going to happen to ya. goods luck shoot straight

RE: Good Broadheads for Bad Hits???
 

Don't try to watch the arrow in flight. Only concentrate on the target.

RE: Good Broadheads for Bad Hits???
 

Follow through is very important. I shoot a white dipped/wrapped arrow with 2 white fleches, 1 blaze orange fletch and an orange knock. It's very easy to see where my arow goes while retaining the very important follow through. I shoot with both eyes open as well. I do aggree that you should not try to watch your arrow in flight. It will develop into some nasty habits and bad form, which may result in bad shooting.

RE: Good Broadheads for Bad Hits???
 

Well Washington, I've only shot exactly 80 deer more than you with the bow. You will have a bad hit/shot/"event" sometime in you bowhunting career. It'll break your heart and you'll want an answer. Moebedda is simply looking for an answer to what WILL happen to everyone. I don't know that there is a correct answer. Just experiment and find something that works. I don't think you can ever go wrong with a Muzzy, Thunderhead or one of the reliable cut to the tip broadheads. I just loaded my quiver up with the Shuttle T locs. I love the way they fly and they seem to penetrate my Yellow Jacket an inch or two deeper than my venerable Thunderheads that have taken probably 40 deer for me. I've seen the blood trails and holes they left in deer for Len and his boy, Sean. I too seek perfection in an imperfect sport. We just look for the best we can find for that inevitable less than perfect shot. It's real easy to shake a finger and say shame on you for a bad shot.... but that's not the answer. I personnaly do not think the answer will ever lie with an expandable... but hey, that's me.

RE: Good Broadheads for Bad Hits???
 

One thing I believe can help a bad shot, sound tracking!!

Must give the deer time to expire, nothing else works IMO!!

I have to go with DM on this one, there is no right answer!

RE: Good Broadheads for Bad Hits???
 

Thats B.S.

Thats like saying there is no excuse to strike out in the world series!!!

Its not intentinal, any number of things can go wrong out there.
If you are taking a shot that you practice often at targets andmake a bad shotits nothing to be ashamed of just get out there, do you best to find that deer, and learn from your mistake.
However if you are presented with a shot that you are not comfortable with or have not practiced for and you take the shot and make a bad noethen you are right, there is no excuse for that.

Oh and Moebedda: as for your question. Alot of people don't like the penetration of mechanicals however I have had a pass throught on 100% of the deer I have shot with the NAP spitfires. and they make one hell of a hole.

RE: Good Broadheads for Bad Hits???
 

I found that website a few years ago and I decided to try the magnus stingers (4 blade). To me they are the best head out there that I have tried.

RE: Good Broadheads for Bad Hits???
 

Really, IMO, you can probably use ANY fixed blade broadhead and not have to worry about penetration as long as you avoid the shoulder, with the setup in your signature. I'd say the better question would be "how much time am I willing to invest in tuning my bow to a larger, more unforgiving broadhead?" If your willing to spend the time, go with big fixed blade head. As for that particular mechanical, I agree they are junk, but not because of the blood trails they leave. I double lunged a doe with one, and the blood trail was awesome, but the head was completely trashed, and broken at the ferrule. 15 yard shot, didnt hit any ribs, and went into the sandy ground straight. But what do you expect for $12 for 3 pack of broadheads. You get what you pay for.

RE: Good Broadheads for Bad Hits???
 

So you stuck one didn't know what type of hit you got,stuck another one an hour later, and were lucky enough to stumble across the doe?

Sounds like your set up more for speed the penetration.

RE: Good Broadheads for Bad Hits???
 

It may not be for everyone but I have had great luck with the Rocket Hammerhead. It is a 3 blade mechanical with a 2" dia cut. It makes one hell of a hole and does a lot of damage. I hunt a lot in suburban areas, so I don't want my deer going far. I limit myself to perfect shot placement and usually under 20 yds. Most shots are pass thru and my deer rarely go more than 50yds. Blood trails are massive when put thru the lungs. With all of that blade surface I am sure it would help on marginal shots too. I would not reccomend these heads for slow bows thogh.

RE: Good Broadheads for Bad Hits???
 

So you're saying you double lunged her? That does not sound like a marginal shot to me - that's a good shot. You are concerned that the bloodtrail on a double lung shot was light but that could be due to a variety of reasons. Did you hit her high in the lungs? If so the blood is going to stay in the cavity instead of spilling out. How sharp were the broadheads? It is possible that you didn't hit any of the major arteries in the lungs. These things happen regardless of broadhead type.

RE: Good Broadheads for Bad Hits???
 

The marginal shot was on the buck. The doe was shot through the center of the lungs, the broadheads were unshot brand new this year, and I was very unhappy with the lack of blood from both deer. The problem was the small hole. It seemed to bleed out in the cavity instead of though the wound. At any rate, I bought some Rocket Hammerheads. Not that I take marginal shots, but they should do well, and with my bow, I should have no problem getting a passthrough on a good shot.

RE: Good Broadheads for Bad Hits???
 

Good luck with the Hammerheads they work great for me. I think you will like them. You may only get one shot with them but a small price to pay for a short blood trail.

RE: Good Broadheads for Bad Hits???
 

just a suggestion, if your going to use the Eastman's heads, a touch up with a file is almost mandatory to even get them to shave hair.

RE: Good Broadheads for Bad Hits???
 

Eastman heads= made in china. If it says that on the pack please move down the isle- our deer deserve better:).

Now back to the question at hand. I love a 4 blade cut and have killed deer with 3& 4 blade fixed, 4 blade cut on contact& 3 blade mechanical.

Out of the deer I've killed the 3 blade mechanical and 4 blade fixed flew best & put them down quickest. I did have one penetration issue with a 3 blade mechanical so that narrows it down to the 4 blade fixed.

4 blades with 1 1/8" going both ways is where it's at IMHO. Phantom, slick trick & muzzy MX-4's. They all provide this cut.

The sticktricks are my current head of choice, BUT the Rage slipcam 2 blade might be the best of both worlds. Rearward opening blades, huge entry would with a 2" exit. I have yet to buy any and doubt I will unless my Tricks give me a reason to stray.

But then again those muzzies look mean also.

With that said my 4 blade stingers are scary sharp and the easiest to keep that way.

RE: Good Broadheads for Bad Hits???
 

I am a firm believer in a sturdy fixed blade head. I have used thunderheads for over 10 years. I've killed a lot of deer with them, never lost one, and several of the shots were far from perfect. They've not let me down yet. Spines, shoulders, guts, they've put the deer down or left me enough of a blood trail to follow to the deer.

I'd be comfortable using muzzy's, some of the fixed heads from rockie mtn, g5's, wackums, and some of the other fixed head from NAP.