What's the point in practicing with field tips?
 

After practicing all Summer with field tips, and grouping my arrows as tight as could be. I knew I was ready for a"Booner" to walk right out in front of me! So I thought! The other day I decided to practice shootingwith my broadheads. I usually don't shoot with them due to the fact that they seem to tear up every target I've ever used. Anyway, I was amazed to see the drastic difference in accuracy and precision with my Montec broadheads as opposed to my 100 grain field tips. I knew there was supposedly a little difference, but I never dreamed it would be as drastic as it was. After all Summer of dialing my pins in just right, I now was going to have to make more changes to my set-up.

So back to my original question in the "Subject". What's the point in practicing with field tips, if you can't hunt with them in the first place?
Are there any broadheads that seem tofly as true or close to that of a 100 grain field tip.Any advice wouldhelp!

RE: What's the point in practicing with field tips?
 

I practice most of the year with field tips. That is so my form and anchor points become second nature. I want these to be correct and automatic. I don't want to have to think about them at the moment of truth. I want muscle memory to set my form and anchors.
I shoot 100gr Muzzys 3 blade and they have the same point of impact as my field tips. I also have 3 different targets and shoot BHs at times throughout the year. I don't use the Muzzy "practice" blades I use last years hunting blades so I know things will fly true if I do my part.

RE: What's the point in practicing with field tips?
 

The point is to practice on your form. You can't shoot groups the size of a quarter if you can't practice properly because you're constantly tearing up targets and replaceing dull and broken broadheads. Those definitely aren't cheap...the targets OR the broadheads. Practice on your form during the off season with field points. Before hunting season starts practice with the broadheads you will use and set your bow up for those broadheads.

RE: What's the point in practicing with field tips?
 

Also if your bow is properly tuned, most broadheads will fly to the same point of impact as your field points or at least very close.

RE: What's the point in practicing with field tips?
 

Have you checked to see if your broadheads are properly tuned? Have you spun them to see if there is any wobble? Is it the same arrow and bh that you have been shooting?, also where are your bh hitting?....high,low etc
sorry to ask so many questions, but maybeone of these is a factor and you don't need to mess around adjusting you sights this late in the game

RE: What's the point in practicing with field tips?
 

In my opinion the only reason to use field tips is for safety and to not destroy targets so easily. If everyone tuned their bow for fixed blade broadheads and had to shoot such a setup in all conditons of wind, rain, twigs and other mitigating circumstances, we'd all be much better at designing better set-ups for hunting.

Target shooting with field tips does not prepare oneself for the special requirement of hunting with broadheads. In many respects it's a detriment. It encourages people to use arrows that are far too light, with way too little FOC and poorly tuned for ideal flight.

RE: What's the point in practicing with field tips?
 

I don't see any point in practicing with something your not going to hunt with! I never do. This is a recording. :D:D:D

RE: What's the point in practicing with field tips?
 

A bow that's perfectly tuned today will not be perfectly tuned 2-3 months from now.It might shoot great with field points, but broadheads will greatly magnify any misadjustments that have worked into the system over the summer.

The arrows you shot all summer might well be worn out too. Even though they shoot fine with field points,broadheads will greatly magnify any spine or straightness issues they've developed. Contrary to popular belief, carbon arrows are not good forever. They don't bend but they do warp. And they are susceptable to spine degradation.

Buynew arrows and retune your bow when it's time to switch to broadheads.

RE: What's the point in practicing with field tips?
 

As stated abobe... broadheads magnify any tuning issues that you may have...

You have to tune your bow to get your field points and broadheads to hit the same spot. You can have an improperly tuned bow.. shoot field points all stacked together... then screw on broadheads and not hit the broad side of a barn. Not to mention... if the insert/broadhead are not straight w/ the arrow... nothing you do will make them group.When you add broadheads.. you are basically putting vanes on the front of your arrow... and if they are not straight.. they will steer you arrow wherever they are aimed. Also the more spin you can get out of your arrow.. the straighter it will fly due to stabilization. Feathers stabilize better than vanes... Helical stabilizes better than straight or offset.

RE: What's the point in practicing with field tips?
 

kbacon is rightif inserts are tweaked even the slightest bit. There is no telling where your broadheads will end up. Before I got my bow tuned to perfection I had similar troubles, spend the money and take the bow to a pro and get it tuned right. If this is not an option sometimes I found by
positioning the head differently you can get a little more accuracy.Line up blades with vane try a shot, then move to center of vane you get the point good luck hope all works out

RE: What's the point in practicing with field tips?
 

I aways have fixed blades and mechanicals in my quiver, so it is important that they hit the same for me; and being that mechanicals hit the same as field tips with a less than tuned bow and broadheads won't, I have to have them tuned the same. I use the mechanicals on turkey and the fixed blades on everything else (deer, coyotes, etc).

RE: What's the point in practicing with field tips?
 

I've wondred the same thing. That's why I practice w/ both. What I mean is, one shot BH, one shot FP, and so on.I alternate between the 2. Yeah, my layered target is getting pretty tore up, but you know.

There's very little difference in my points and 100 grn Thunderheads. Very little. Now, if I could only get my bow a little faster, quieter, I'll be set!!!!!! [:@] LOL

RE: What's the point in practicing with field tips?
 

For those that think field tips (target points) are a waste of time I ask this. How long is the hunting season in your state and how much do you actually hunt? Venturing an educated guess I'll say a couple months of the year. The rest of the year is what most people call the "off-season".

Well, what about us guys that shoot year round. Archery isn't always about just hunting. It's a sport that has many venues and can be enjoyed year round, indoors and out. To that end broadheads only get shot a very little bit when counted against the amount of shots some of us take.

It doesn't really take a lot of broadhead shooting to get one's bow really tuned well and ready for the few shots taken during the hunting seasons. I would estimate that during the tuning process I may shoot 50 shots to verify that my broadheads are flying as perfect as I can get them. The a couple shots at game if I'm lucky.

Compared to the 5000 shots or so a year I put through my bows that's a very small percentage. There are those of us who truly enjoy shooting year round; target, field, 3D or whatever, our bows never get put away. There is always that dream of finding the perfect bow or accessory that makes us that much better. Of course it never happens because the biggest variable is us--human beings. So there is also the inner drive to perfect one's self and shooting form. The challenge is always there.

Add to that the knowledge we gain from tuning and tinkering all the time, keeping our body and mind in tune, along with our equipment and it gets easy to see why it's not necessary to practice with broadheads till the blades wear off the ferrules. Besides, how long do targets last that see a steady barrage of broadheads?

So in reality, for me at least, shooting broadheads for practice and hunting comprises probably about 1% of the shooting I do in a years time. There is no reason to shoot them more than that.

RE: What's the point in practicing with field tips?
 

BGfisher... isn't it amazing how fast those huge $400-600 blocks wear out when customers think they have to constantly practice w/ their broadheads?

RE: What's the point in practicing with field tips?
 

Ihad the same problem and so did my dad we both got new bows this year and had them shooting dead on with field tips, then went to our thunderheads that we have always shot and they didnt fly right so we tried muzzy four bladesame thingi tried a nap crossfire same thing, so then we tried iron heads and slick tricks they flew great thats with no extra tuning from the field tips. just to see i went back and tried the others the flight was off. my uncle bought new brodheads and his flight was off from his field tips i gave him a slick trick and he hit right on there heads are great you should give them a try. Just thought i would share.

RE: What's the point in practicing with field tips?
 

By my estimation.. you just spent $100 on broadheads... instead of spending 30 minutes tuning your bow so that your broadheads flew correctly? You're just bandaiding the issue... not fixing it.

But whatever floats your boat!!!

RE: What's the point in practicing with field tips?
 

My field tips and broadheads hit the same place. I shoot field tips to keep my form up during the year. I shoot them once the season starts because I don't want to be sharpening broadheads all the time.

RE: What's the point in practicing with field tips?
 

this is the reason I broadhead tune. I am a hunter first, and not a target shooter. I am sure you could get tad better groups tunign only for broadheads only, not mtatter where the hit compared to field, but I am fine with 3-4" accuracy out to 30 yards.

RE: What's the point in practicing with field tips?
 

imo, you tune your bow to your broadheads, then practice with field points for form, but i also shoot g5 montecs, and g5 sells practice broadheads, wich i also practice with.

RE: What's the point in practicing with field tips?
 

You answered your own question.

They also cost up to ten bucks a pop where as a field tip only costs about a quarter.

RE: What's the point in practicing with field tips?
 

Tell me about it. Any of the layered targets are not meant to be pounded with blades. It takes chunks out of them pretty fast. Then the guy pisses and moans about the target not lasting.

Tell ya what Kevin. I dug out my hunting bow this year and made a couple small changes (slight anchor point and peep change). Took it out and sighted it in out to 50 yards (moveable sight). Then dug out my GT Pro 22's with heads on them from last year. Fired r arrows from 20 yards, 6 from 30 yards, and 6 from 40 yards. Hva e the same results as last year. Both target points and broadheads are still grouping together almost too nicely. Then I put new blades in the heads and hung the whole bow up for a month. Dug out the target bow to help keep the muscles and feeble mind in shape.

There's just no need to pound broadheads to death for the one or two shots I might get during hunting season---if I'm lucky. The bow shoots where I aim it and I know what it can do and what I can do with it. There is just nothing like a well tuned set of equipment.

RE: What's the point in practicing with field tips?
 

That's good point, but consider that this is a hunting forum and most guys practice for hunting, not for target competitions. The problem I see, is not guys practicing too much with broadheads, but the reverse. Most guys pop them on a couple days before the season, take a couple practice shots and they're off to the woods. I would suggest a much greater amount of time spent shooting broadheads and to do it a few times throughout the year.

I may only shoot a very small % of my shots at game, but those are the most important shots I take all year - by far! They are also the only ones that count, and preparation is the key. A person doesn't have to practice year-round with broadheads, but it certainly wouldn't hurt anything if they did. One thing for certain, the average hunter doesn't practice with them enough.

RE: What's the point in practicing with field tips?
 

I'm shooting the steelhead 100gr.and I have no difference in impact point. To answer your main question I only practice with my broadheads on my three D target. The steelheads are a little smaller but they are great. I wouldn't change a thing. That's something to try. good luck

RE: What's the point in practicing with field tips?
 

That's me to the "T".

RE: What's the point in practicing with field tips?
 

Starightarrow,

I think I'll still have to disagree with part of what you said. I still say it's not necessary to practice a lot with broadheads. Put them on the arrows, spin them for concentricity, and do all the other homework. Tune the bow for them and practice for a while. Then put them away and check them again right before going hunting (a day or two).

I will agree that many would do well not only to practice some with broadheads but to just practice---period. Getting the bow out of the closet a week before hunting season just doesn't cut it, IMO.

I'll also put in a comment about this being a hunting forum. Yes, it does say Hunting.net, but this subforum is titled "Technical". Now IMO, one of the problems with hunting today is that all forms of hunting have gotten too technical. There is nothing technical about getting a pair of soft soled shoes on and heading for the woods just to learn about nature's wonders. And I've noticed that the more technical hunting has gotten over the years the less fun it has become. Mainly because we modern day warriors have forgotten how to hunt without the use of modern technical gadgets.