expanding broadheads won't fly straight
 

With the PA season only weeks away, I am having a major problem and would appreciate anybody's help and advise.
I am shooting my 100 grain target points with (for me) great accuracy..
3 " groups at 20 yds, and 5 " groups at 30 yds.
I even switched to the target points that are elongated and mimick the general shape of the expandable broadhead.
I also got the bow (High Country Carbon) fully tuned up at the local Gander Mt. store.
Last wekend I finally got a broadhead target and screwed on one of the three new NAP Spitfire 100 expandable broadheads, expecting similar groupings..
No such luck..
The spitfire shoots all over the place, at 20 yards one shot gos 8 " left, the next 4 inches down and the next in the bull.
I thought that expandables prevented this type of variance.
Could it be that one of the three blades is actually opening at the shot and that this blade is throwing off the arrow flight.
Any thoughts..
I guess at this point I should throw out the target points and only shoot broadheads (although this can get expensive).

RE: expanding broadheads won't fly straight
 

That's odd for expandables to shoot badly. Have you spun tested them? I'm wondering if you got a bad pack that has bend ferrules on the broadheads. This could mess things up for you. Having the blades open during flight might do it too, but why are they opening? Tie the blades shut with dental floss to make sure they stay closed and see if it gets any better.
My first guess would be that the heads aren't straight.

peashooter

RE: expanding broadheads won't fly straight
 

What you are saying makes no sense. Are you sure you are shooting the same weight og broadhead as you are exspandable? And when did you start shooting? You sound new. Not a problem, but you owe it to the sport and your quarry to be capable before taking a shot at a live animal.3" @ 20 yds is actually marginal accuracy to me at least.

RE: expanding broadheads won't fly straight
 

By the way I know I expandable is spelled wrong.

RE: expanding broadheads won't fly straight
 

My guess would be the blades are opening in flight. The spitfires are only good for a few shots then the you need to replace the blade retainers. Tie them shut with dental floss as was suggested. I bet this will cure your problem.

RE: expanding broadheads won't fly straight
 

I have shot spitfires in an open position on purpose , with no problems, from 2 bows. I believe you need to check arrow spine and bow tune.

RE: expanding broadheads won't fly straight
 

When you say you had your bow tuned at the local Gander Mountain, do you mean you let them tune it themselves?

Or were you there with them shooting it through paper and stuff?

FIRST MISTAKE.. Gander Mountain Techs.. I bought arrows from them and told them I wanted them cut 27.5 inches... FIrst question he asked was, is that from the tip of the nock for the groove.. I said 27.5 inches the way an arrow is supposed to be measure.. From the GROOVE..

Well I get home and they are almost 28 inches...


So needless to say.. I dont trust those guys...

RE: expanding broadheads won't fly straight
 

Big John - all three blades open - or did you try opening just one ?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not challenging you, but it seems like having just one open would upset the flight.

I too have NAP SpitFire 100's, and I haven't had a problem. As dumb as it sounds, I'd think the likely cause would be practicing with 85 grain field points and then switching to 100 grain expandables or something like that.

How are they hitting ? I mean, are they consistently low, high or off to one side or the other, or are they more or less erratic ?

Did you change anything besides the tips (ie: draw weight, length, rest, etc.) ?

RE: expanding broadheads won't fly straight
 

You're asking for opinions so here's mine. It's an arrow spine issue.

RE: expanding broadheads won't fly straight
 

iam kind of lost here myself i have shot mech boardheads out of un tuned set up and they shot great only time i have ever had mech broadhead problem is blade opening prematurely. hope you get it worked out.

RE: expanding broadheads won't fly straight
 

I agree with this.

If he is shooting a 100 grain broadhead currently and was shooting a 100 grain field tip before it isn't a spine issue IMO. A 100 grains is a 100 grains when you compair mechanicals to field tips. I would suspect blades opening on route to target disrupting the arrows flight.

RE: expanding broadheads won't fly straight
 

No, I must say I didn't try them with only one blade open. Because alot of my customers requested spitfires, I put them thru a " 5-shot" test, only alot worse testing than he does, which included shooting into barrels, cement blocks, blades open, blades tied shut. Many customers swear by them, so for the best test , my shooting staff and I used them on deer , bear, turkeys, fox, and one wild Russian boar. Not one complaint in 3 years of use, in any department, including accuracy.

RE: expanding broadheads won't fly straight
 

I think I would try to paper tune my set-up. What you are describing seems to indicate that your set-up in out of time. Either the spine of your arrow or the rest are probably the problem. Are you getting enough rest clearance? Are your arrows too long, the longer the arrow the more weight you need up front. You may get away with field points, however you will not have proper flight regardless of the type of broadhead. I would go back to Gander and ask when the archery manager is there and ask him to check the set-up, the manager generally has more experiance than the regular guys. Hurry up ... the season is almost here.

I have heard of people having problems with Spitfires, opening up with fast bows. One big problem, experianced here in Western New York is that I have witnessed these heads failing to open, verified buy examing entry wounds, due to condensation and freezing once back out in the cold, just like a rifle scope. Good luck!!!!!!

RE: expanding broadheads won't fly straight
 

I agree with Big john, as much as I hate too:D

RE: expanding broadheads won't fly straight
 

It sounds like a spine issue to me. Nerf size footballs groups at low left, I bet you're borderline and too weak a spine. You must be shooting carbons. Borrow one of the next size up and screw on some broadheads. I bet you'll see a difference.

RE: expanding broadheads won't fly straight
 

Gander moutain tuned your bow? My buddy was asked if he wanted his string loop on the front or back of the string last week ay a Gander Mountain,I'm not kidding.

RE: expanding broadheads won't fly straight
 

The Spitfire is a very long broadhead with more surface area than a fieldpoint. A borderline spine that shoots small field points great, may very well show this disturbance with the larger profile mech (plus it changes FOC). My 2002 Pat SC shot great groups with field tips, but shot NAP scorpions (similar in profile and length to the spits) all over the place last year w/ my 3-49's. Went with Rocket Steelhead 100s which are teeny and the groups tightened right back up. AfterI purchased another bow for my primary hunter, I shot stiffer spined arrows with the Scorpions out of the PAT for kicks and the groups tightened right up.

However I think this may be a tune issue, or is a very common problem of misaligned inserts...even with mechs, misaligned inserts can cause flight deviation such as this...especially with the larger longer mechs designs.

Make sure the shafts are straight and the inserts are aligned properly.

RE: expanding broadheads won't fly straight
 

I'd have to agree that the tune would be my primary concern. I'd first shoot through paper and see what indications you get. If spine is an issue which is my second thought it'll show when you shoot paper.

The season is coming, Good luck.

RE: expanding broadheads won't fly straight
 

IMO I think it is a couple of different problems. First and foremost, I think it is a spine issue. Also, it could be the broadheads. Spin test them to make sure your arrows and broadheads are spinning true. It may also be the head is coming open during flight. If possible, have someone film your arrow being shot down range. Watch that video in slow motion. It may or may not show the broadhead opening. Good luck fixing the problem. I was in the same boat a couple of years ago, only my problem was with my bow!!!!

RE: expanding broadheads won't fly straight
 

What an amazing website...
Thanks to all for your thoughts/suggestions:
I realize this is a big problem, so close to the season.
And i will not hunt until I rectify it..
I am obviously using the same weight field points as the spitfires.
In fact I switched to the Satellite Match Points from Cabelas because they have an identical elongated shape, just like the mechanical spitfires.
I will first try dental flossing the blades shut.
If this doesn't work, I will go back to the shop and see if it is a bow or an arrow-spine issue. I did switch to a whisper biscuit this summer and this may have changed things as well.
Anyway, Thanks to all for your help..
PS. BY the way, I am a newbie (been shooting targets for about 2 years) but I think that 3" groups at 20 yards (consistent, 100 % 3 inch groups) should give me the confidence to hunt at that yardage or less. Now I just have to get my broadheads to behave accordingly.

RE: expanding broadheads won't fly straight
 

BY the way, how does one "spin test" a spitfire..?
don't the closed blades get in the way..
Or do you mean opening the blades and then spinning on one's palm..
Problem is that the head of the spitfire is not round but triangular and very sharp.
I realize that spin testing is critical..
Is there some other way to spin test spitfires..
thanks

RE: expanding broadheads won't fly straight
 

Can't you spin them on a table top, standing arrow point down?

RE: expanding broadheads won't fly straight
 

I hope you get this worked out. I had the same problem 2 tears a go. Its very discouraging. BTW not to nock:D anybody, but 3" groups at twenty yards will be just fine on a deer.

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that line is three inches. I think you'll be ok.