Testing Broadhead Penetration?
 

Some of us were brainstorming at the local archery shop today . . . . there are some tests out there on the web where broadheads are compared based on their ability to punch through things like plywood without damage. But is there any testing that has been done that will give a realistic idea of how they wouldcompare going through some medium comparable to actual game animals? Some sort of a standard like if a certain broadhead with X amount of KE could penetrate at least 18" in, say,water soaked hay bales - it would likely result in a pass through on a deer . . ..

RE: Testing Broadhead Penetration?
 

There is a local buffalo farmer who frequently trades buffalo meat for beef with the owner of the land we hunt. I've been thinking about talking to him about possibly buying a couple rib cages from him the next time he butchers part of his herd.

Only problem then would be spending the money on different broadheads to test.

RE: Testing Broadhead Penetration?
 

This is probably the most comprehensive broadhead test that I have seen to date. This test uses ballistic gelatin that contained shoulder bones and was wrapped in deer hide. It's too bad that not only was the test was conducted by Grim Reaper,Jay Liechty, the president of Grim Reaper was an active participant in the testing. Not suprisingly Grim Reaper came out on top. You will notice that all of the testing data for all of the broadheads was not released. So as far as I am concerned It is just a great advertisement for Grim Reaper.
Broadhead Myth Busters: Part I
http://www.hunting.net/articles/articles.aspx?articles_id=523

Broadhead Myth Busters: Part II
http://www.huntingnet.com/articles/articles.aspx?articles_id=529

Broadhead Video:

http://www.whitetailu.com/grimreapervideoREVISED.htm


HH

RE: Testing Broadhead Penetration?
 

at the archery department in cabelas by my house they have a bunch of ballistic gel in cylinders that have broadheads shot through them, its pretty interesting to see what different broadheads do.

RE: Testing Broadhead Penetration?
 

cool I didnt realize they did the shooing test in utah my home state.

RE: Testing Broadhead Penetration?
 

If you want indepth, impartial, broadhead penatration test results on live game animals,you can't beat the testing and reports from Dr Ed Ashby.
He did this particiular test in Africa on game from small antelope up to wildebeast and zebra. He was shooting a 94# longbow and his partner was shooting an 80# compound.

There is a huge amount of research compiled here but read the report entitled "Broadhead Performance". The conclusions are near the bottom of the page but the entire report is a good read. This report is about 10 yrs old but still very relevent today. You may be surprised by the findings.

Here's the link- http://www.tradgang.com/ashby/

I understand that Dr Ashby has conducted further testing on Asian buffalo but, sorry to say I don't have the link for that.

RE: Testing Broadhead Penetration?
 

I read somewhere on one of these forums that a guy did a test either shooting or pushing a broadhead through a deer hide.

I don't know if it was a rigged test or a gimmick or what but the test indicated the new muzzy phantom came out on top.

RE: Testing Broadhead Penetration?
 

'5 shot' does pretty good testig. I think his site is www.broadheadtests.com

RE: Testing Broadhead Penetration?
 

Horizontal Hunter hit it....I was trying to remember what that stuff is.....Ballistic Gelatin, yes, that's it....They use it for ballistics testing, target shooting, and the guys from Mythbusters used it for crossbow penetration once..Apparently it's the closest you can get to the real deal....

RE: Testing Broadhead Penetration?
 

ask my cousin bhb bullet hole bailey he has just done a test with all new broadheads