Iron Will vs. VPA

[justin davis]

I’ve shot both. Iron Wills fly really well for me. Very fine crafted head. Scary sharp and will hold an edge for a long time

 

[Brendan]

My issue with the VPA 3 Blade was forgiveness. I did find that VPA would group right with my field points when I was making a good shot, but they were much more sensitive to a bad shot than other broadheads.

I can bare shaft tune and broadhead tune a bow to where I'm getting bare shafts to hit with field points at 40, and broadheads to group with field points out to 80 minus a little drop. What I see is group size with the VPA is larger, and bad shots show a worse miss than with pretty much any other head I've tested. At shorter ranges though, (30 - 40 yards) not an issue at all.

Other heads I've shot: A ton of mechanicals, Shuttle T, Solid, Iron Will, Wac 'Em, Muzzy, Slick Trick off the top of my head.

 

[Tradchef]

I’ve used the VPA Penetrator 2 blades and 3 blade solids out of my stickbows. Never had an issue with them at all. Group well on targets out to 40 yards and in for me and have done very well at killing animals. They sharpen easy and seem to be very well made. As stated above.....it’s not a bad idea to have different tuned heads in your quiver to try out. I normally have a few different ones loaded up to compare. I’ve never shot Iron Wills but they get great reviews so I doubt you could go wrong. You could always get some used in the classifieds to try out. Cutthroats are another good one to try. Tough and easy to sharpen and blow through animals.

 

[mavinwa2]

My issue with the VPA 3 Blade was forgiveness. I did find that VPA would group right with my field points when I was making a good shot, but they were much more sensitive to a bad shot than other broadheads.

I can bare shaft tune and broadhead tune a bow to where I'm getting bare shafts to hit with field points at 40, and broadheads to group with field points out to 80 minus a little drop. What I see is group size with the VPA is larger, and bad shots show a worse miss than with pretty much any other head I've tested. At shorter ranges though, (30 - 40 yards) not an issue at all.

Other heads I've shot: A ton of mechanicals, Shuttle T, Solid, Iron Will, Wac 'Em, Muzzy, Slick Trick off the top of my head.

this is my exp too!!!
My bow tuned during my initial shoot by Performance Archery, best shop around SCal

 

[CApighunter]

My issue with the VPA 3 Blade was forgiveness. I did find that VPA would group right with my field points when I was making a good shot, but they were much more sensitive to a bad shot than other broadheads.

I can bare shaft tune and broadhead tune a bow to where I'm getting bare shafts to hit with field points at 40, and broadheads to group with field points out to 80 minus a little drop. What I see is group size with the VPA is larger, and bad shots show a worse miss than with pretty much any other head I've tested. At shorter ranges though, (30 - 40 yards) not an issue at all.

Other heads I've shot: A ton of mechanicals, Shuttle T, Solid, Iron Will, Wac 'Em, Muzzy, Slick Trick off the top of my head.

Which VPA heads were you using? I just picked up some 1-1/4 3 blade vented to try out. I’d imagine the solids are a little less forgiving than the vented.

 

[Brendan]

Which VPA heads were you using? I just picked up some 1-1/4 3 blade vented to try out. I’d imagine the solids are a little less forgiving than the vented.

Tried both vented and solid. Vented were louder, solid were a little less forgiving.

 

[roosiebull]

last year i had 2 heads in my quiver, 200gr iron will, and 200gr vpa 3 blades. vpa heads are great heads, but they are no iron will by a large margin. for the price, they are tough to beat though.

i kept both oiled, IW's were basically zero maintenance if oiled, vpa's needed to be taken out of the quiver every wet day, or every other day in normal weather.... had to touch them up a lot, and they dull if you take them out of the quiver may more frequently than IW.

vpa are easy to sharpen, but i didn't like having to constantly mess with them. for me, IW get the nod for sure, but you can do a whole lot worse than a vpa, they are a solid choice.

one question to ask yourself is what's the chance shooting one over the other will change the outcome of your hunt? i would say the chance is so slim it's not a real consideration.... basically, both will suit you well in real life.... i just don't like messing with heads rusting constantly, which probably isn't an issue in most regions, just happens to be an issue here.

can't go wrong either way imo

 

[Don Qui Puncher]

I haven’t tried the 3 blade VPA but have tried the two blades, they fly more like a mechanical. In my BH tuning they’d land with field point at 50 when slick tricks IW and the day six would be 6+ inches away. As trial said when I’m done BH tuning, all the fixed heads will group within my capability all all ranges.

 

[Tag_Soup]

There is a pretty big difference in the VPA 2 & 3 blade in my experience. I love the 2 blade. They seem to hold an edge much better and fly very true. I believe they are about 5 Rockwell higher in hardness, which would make sense from how well they hold an edge. I have only had experience with the 150's and 175's though and not vented heads. I find they tune well out to 60, haven't really pushed them to 80 but I intend to this year. I have a few buddies who still shoot the 3's and they seem to be less forgiving than most 2 blade designs, but I think that would be true with any similar 3 blade design. As with any boradhead design there are gives and takes, but for me the 2 blade 150's are about the perfect head considering price, durability, cutting performance, and ease of tuning. I don't have personal experience with the Iron Will but if money were not part of my equation I'm sure I would be shooting them. Regardless of choice, look into something to coat them with. Jag Wax from Valkyrie is a great option in my experience.

 

[sneaky]

VPA makes a great head, it's just not the flashy trendy pick these days.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[sneaky]

this is my exp too!!!
My bow tuned during my initial shoot by Performance Archery, best shop around SCal

They tuned your bow while they shot it? Or while you shot it? A tune isn't worth a nickel if it isn't tuned to the shooter.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[SDHNTR]

this is my exp too!!!
My bow tuned during my initial shoot by Performance Archery, best shop around SCal

Ever notice how most broadhead problem threads involve something along the lines of ... “my bow is tuned to perfection by shop XYZ?” That means little! No to take anything away from Bob, his shop is fantastic, I live just a few miles away and I’ve known him for many years, they can tune as well as anybody, but the final tune needs to be done by the shooter! You will hold the bow and release the string differently than any other person. Therefore, you need to do the final tweaking. I’ve shot stuff with VPA’s out to ranges I’d never quote on the internet, and out of a bow that is tuned to the shooter they will shoot as well as anything else. To say that they are only suitable for eastern whitetails is just silly. There’s countless mule deer, elk and antelope that would disagree with you!

 

[mavinwa2]

Read and comprehend my post; “...my initial shoot...”
Yes, fine tuning to bow before and then tuned some more during “my initial shooting” by Performance Archery.
Geez!

Worth my 48 mile drive Each way, as good service before and after a purchase.
VPA didn’t fly right for me compared to IW, Slick Trick, FP’s at 50-70 yards.
Actually flew left 6” on target of others.

and I know of darn few whitetail archers that shoot their deer in excess of 50 yards