Gold Tip Gladiator
 

I didn't want to get lost in Cougar's post and really wanted to pass the word along.

I hear all kinds of controversy about fixed over mechanical and one brand over another. There are alot of old favorites out there, but most all broadheads will kill if used properly.

Having said all that, I've taken several bucks over the years with a top rated bow and 100 gr. Thunderheads. Everyone knows how great these heads are, but without starting a huge fixed/mechanical frenzy, I have to say that the Gold Tip Gladiators I used this year were phenomenal.

I bought a new Bowtech dually to drive them with and found that after tuning my bow to a razors edge, the semi-mechanical Gladiator simply out performed the Thunderheads all the way around.

I took one buck (40 yds) behind the left ear and out behind the right and words can't describe how impressive the results were, but I still wanted to see the right angle boiler room shot before I gave the head anymore praise. Well I got my chance and shot through a buck at fifty yards and he did one 360, raised up, and flopped over lifeless in like five to ten seconds. No exaggeration. I went right over to him and in the time it took me to travel the fifty yards, his eyes were glazed over and he never twitched again.

You know the rest: devestating wound channels, blood everywhere, but we all have the same examples with our own broadheads.

The bottom line is the Gladiator is a good mix of fixed and mechanical. They tune easy with a U.B.A.R. and an o-ring. They have a fantastic ability to pierce so it would seem that they would work great at angles. The biggest attribute is the price. At thirty to forty dollars a dozen, you can't beat the price which makes blade sharpening a thing of the past.

Sorry for writing a book, but if you haven't tried the Gladiator yet then do yourself a favor and check them out. You can buy a more expensive and more quality built broadhead, but I honestly think these heads are the best value I've seen in archery equipment in a long time.

Boldt

RE: Gold Tip Gladiator
 

Why did you shoot the buck behind the ear???? With a bow and arrow right..????? Was you just admiring his rack or what? Just curious

RE: Gold Tip Gladiator
 

Thats some fine shooting

You gonna have fun with this post:D

Get your GPS ready - who knows where we are headed[:-]

RE: Gold Tip Gladiator
 

...Hmmm what is that rumbling noise I hear on the horizon?... Sounds much like the clamor or war [:o]....

All that aside I will respond to essence of the post. I am not a big fan of the Gladiator head (loved the movie however [:-]). I don't care for a their "poly" ferrule. I realize it is shielded by a metal alloy but I see it as a potential problem. Not a strength issue in my opinion but an alignment issue. I have had some that regardless of what I did I couldn't get them to spin true which could be related to the "poly" to metal fit in their manufacturing process.

I must admit however the one buck that I took with one the results were excellent. The angle was sharper than it appeared entering the front side of the right flank and exiting out the front of the chest. In other words, except for the hind quarters it passed through the entire length of the buck (200+ lbs.). Nice holes, decent blood trail for approximately a 50 yard run and the head was intact.

Good result but I like some other heads better just because I feel they are made better. But on the other hand what do I know, my favorite color is camouflage :D.

RE: Gold Tip Gladiator
 

oh boy....better put your gladiator gear on.... [:-]

RE: Gold Tip Gladiator
 

well ......no comment about the left ear shot........[:o][:@][:'(][:@][>:]

RE: Gold Tip Gladiator
 

Yikes, here we go again.......................................

RE: Gold Tip Gladiator
 

40yard head shot?[:o] Maybe your arrow hit a branch or the buck jumped the string, or jumped into your shot as you were shooting at his boiler room. I hope. No bowhunter should shoot at a Deer's head!!! Ever!!!;)

RE: Gold Tip Gladiator
 

I had no idea I'd create such a stir. It's like they're waiting for an unsuspecting newbie to show up so they can pounce.

I'm not sure what all the fuss is about, but I had to back up 4 yards to get a perfect 40 yards and the buck wasn't gonna move for anything. Believe me I tried. My buddy did say it was a nice shot, but I would not have taken it unless the situation was right. I mean it was only 40 yards and I hit right where I was aiming. I guess it was a good shot. Hmm, only heard one of you mention that.

I'll try and keep to myself from now on, but just for future reference: what is the proper range 10, 20, 30, FEET?

The point I was trying to make was that I thought for the money that the Gladiator has some nice attributes. There's no doubt that its composite construction is low budget and you'll get one you have to massage once in a while, but I really do believe they're pretty special.

Now if you guys will roll back a little I promise to be good and just listen.

I hope this doesn't screw up my fishing bow request.

Boldt

RE: Gold Tip Gladiator
 

You didn't write enough of one. You left out some VERY important data. What arrow weight? What speed? What KE does your bow put out?

I really wish you guys would post that critical info EVERY TIME you brag about your 'devastating wound channels' with mechanical broadheads! Say, for instance, someone who reads this stuff, gets all fired up and heads off down to the local WallyWorld to buy mechs to shoot off his 30 year old, 6-wheel, 40 pound draw Bear Whitetail.

I wouldn't want to know someone made a screw-up like that based on something I wrote.

RE: Gold Tip Gladiator
 

arthur p explained it perfect...;)

RE: Gold Tip Gladiator
 

Humboldt, its not about what is the perfect range(that is different for everyone)...it's about what is an ethical shot to take. Taking a head shot at any distance is flat out stupid. Yeah you got him, but that is a VERY low percentage shot, and should never be taken IMO. The replies have nothing to be with you being a newbie. If you had 5000 posts, you'd get the same reply.

RE: Gold Tip Gladiator
 

Okay guys we're gonna let this go now and start over, okay?

I thought I said I have a new Bowtech dually. I thought that pretty much told the story. I didn't think I needed to break it down, but here we go.


70 lb. Patriot Dually
29" GT/XT camo 75/95
Alum tip to make the Gladiator a 100 gr. head

I don't see where a 60 lb. daully with a 350 gr. set-up would have been any different.

The arrow traveled another 40' (approx) and buried into a full sized fir tree clear to the sap wood.

I've passed up many point blank head shots over the years and I am now one for one in over 30 years of archery experience. It's pretty obvious that this is not a common event. This was a good shot IMO and I'm sorry if some or most of you don't agree with that, but it truly was a perfect situation or I would NOT have taken the shot.

As far as the bragging, I didn't realize this to be anything to bragg about and if you knew me personally you'd know that I am very critical of myself and always play my accomplishments down to almost nothing.

Having said all that, can we please get past all this?

If you want to comment then help me on my fishing bow request. I could really use some constructive feedback on that topic.

Thanks

Boldt

RE: Gold Tip Gladiator
 

I tried the Gladiators this year and liked them initally.

Scenario:
Small doe 14 yards broadside. At the shot, the arrow passes through and the doe runs 24 yards and expired. I was happy.

Climb down and found my arrow stuck in the dirt. No broadhead attached. I thought it may have been stuck in the dirt. Follow where the deer ran and 4 yards from where the deer lay, the ferrule with the 2 mech. blades lay. The fixed blades popped out. The broadhead broke where the composite meets the metal. I was now upset.

I will not shoot the Gladiators again until they are all metal. JME

By the way, I still think Gold Tip makes an awesome arrow.

RE: Gold Tip Gladiator
 

Believe it or not, there are people that don't know what a BowTech dually is. You and everyone else that goes on these forums and starts bragging, extolling or gushing - whatever you want to call it- about how awesome their mechanicals do, really should give all that information. Mechanicals simply do not work out of just any setup you put the things on and, when people get the wrong idea and put mechs on the wrong setup, bad things happen.

Anyone wants to clear up mechanicals' bad reputation, they've got a responsibility to make sure others know what kind of rigs they're known to work well with.

And it's not just you. I call everyone to account on this. Just ask around. The folks that have been here a spell know it.

RE: Gold Tip Gladiator
 

I don' know shinola about mechanical heads other than the experience I had with the Gladiators. I'll admit that they're a disposable broadhead, but aren't they all? I want a freshy everytime.

I've only ever used a fixed blade for years, but I truly do like the way the Gladiator works. That's why I posted.

I've learned a lot on my first post. I believe we're done here now and I can guarantee you I'll be more careful about what I let out from here on.

Thanks for all the dialogue.

Boldt

RE: Gold Tip Gladiator
 

Being a poor college student, i personally want my broadheads to last more than one shot. And if they fall apart on a passthrough, wouldnt they most likely fall apart going through a target to make sure they are flying properly?

PS.. Arthur.. It would be much easier if everyone posted what they were shooting in their sigs :)

RE: Gold Tip Gladiator
 

hboltd-thanks for the report on the glad's. i have 3 packs of them that i have not used. i was worried about them not opening. but i guess they do. im like you, they are cheap and disposable. i personally hate changing blades on mech bh's. for $9 for a 3 pack, i will trade a dead deer for a bent broadhead anyday.