What broadheads are you running?

[ChesapeakeTrad]

Curious what broadheads everyone's running on their traditional bows. 2 or 3 blade, how heavy, cutting diameters, what brands, single bevel or double ... etc..

And if you have different heads for different game what you like and why

For the last 2 seasons ive been using the VPA 3 blades with 1 ½" cutting diameter in 300 grains for whitetail and turkey (if i can ever get a shot off on one of those ornery bastards haha). Previously i was using the 1¼" heads at 250 gr but i decided to jump things up a bit. Those things do look comically large on the end of a smaller diameter shaft but man do they punch through whitetail like butter and leave one heck of a bloodtrail. With all my hunting shots being 20 yards and in 90% of the time, ive had no issues with arrow flight or penetration for such a large cutting diameter head. Super durable aswell, killed my last 4 deer with the same exact head and it always comes back to razor sharp and looking like its fresh from the package aside from the blood tarnishing whatever black coating they use on them. Ive also been using the VPA small game blunt tips in 300 grain and they sure do some serious damage on small game and stump shooting. Although I have had some of the teeth on the blunt tips sheer/chip off after hitting stumps that ended up being less rotten then anticipated lol

If I ever get a chance on some bigger game like elk/moose id like to check out their omega single bevel heads and see what they can do

Cheers

 

[Wilderlife]

I've said it in a few threads lately but at the moment I'm very much into the broadheads and arrows from Terra Firma - a company based in Australia.

Their Venator single bevel 2 blade, and Gladius single bevel 3 blade, have been my favourite broadheads to use since about October last year. Besides the Gladius being a bit tricky to sharpen, I have zero complaints with them, and they're priced very well.

 

[ozyclint]

Using a mix of heads, mostly not made anymore. Magnus 1's, Blackstumps which are an old Australian made BH. Simmons treeshark for foxes and smaller game.

250gr

Wish they still made the STOS 160gr. I'd buy a lifetime supply

 

[roosiebull]

Curious what broadheads everyone's running on their traditional bows. 2 or 3 blade, how heavy, cutting diameters, what brands, single bevel or double ... etc..

And if you have different heads for different game what you like and why

For the last 2 seasons ive been using the VPA 3 blades with 1 ½" cutting diameter in 300 grains for whitetail and turkey (if i can ever get a shot off on one of those ornery bastards haha). Previously i was using the 1¼" heads at 250 gr but i decided to jump things up a bit. Those things do look comically large on the end of a smaller diameter shaft but man do they punch through whitetail like butter and leave one heck of a bloodtrail. With all my hunting shots being 20 yards and in 90% of the time, ive had no issues with arrow flight or penetration for such a large cutting diameter head. Super durable aswell, killed my last 4 deer with the same exact head and it always comes back to razor sharp and looking like its fresh from the package aside from the blood tarnishing whatever black coating they use on them. Ive also been using the VPA small game blunt tips in 300 grain and they sure do some serious damage on small game and stump shooting. Although I have had some of the teeth on the blunt tips sheer/chip off after hitting stumps that ended up being less rotten then anticipated lol

If I ever get a chance on some bigger game like elk/moose id like to check out their omega single bevel heads and see what they can do

Cheers

I will probably have a mix of day 6 evo x magna and vpa omegas with bleeders

I have decided to build up the front of my arrow with components so I can stick to 125gr heads that I can use in my compound or recurve

Honorable Mention is a kudu contour plus, the 125 is a good dimension head and Ive used them a good amount in the past

 

[NEPkaspot]

Another vote for Day 6. I shoot the Evo X with small bleeders for everything. Last season, for elk, I carried 2 standard Iron Wills and 2 Wides. I love the wider blades, especially for deer, turkey, bears. Have had great luck with them. Might try the standard Evo and wide bleeders next fall.

 

[BowTrout]

The Old Man and the Boy by Robert Ruark is always a good read

I've said it in a few threads lately but at the moment I'm very much into the broadheads and arrows from Terra Firma - a company based in Australia.

Their Venator single bevel 2 blade, and Gladius single bevel 3 blade, have been my favourite broadheads to use since about October last year. Besides the Gladius being a bit tricky to sharpen, I have zero complaints with them, and they're priced very well.

I am interested in both of these blades but I have reservations on the 3 blade due to being able to sharpen them. They are definitely at a great price point.

 

[Wilderlife]

They have a pull-through sharpener available. I use it and then touch up with a small diamond hone if need be. I've used the 150gn version from trad and compound bows and can't complain about the arrow flight and broadhead performance on gave.

 

[2Stamp]

My most used for trad are Iron Will, Day six, RMSgear. I'm heavily invested in 125gr broadheads so I add weight with inserts/collars.

 

[GreenNDark Timber]

Zwickey Delta 2 Blade for elk and larger. Zwickey Delta 4 Blade, VPA 3Blade 1-1/4", or original Snuffers for deer. All in 250gr.

 

[Beendare]

FWIW, I've tried many from the old Rothaar Snuffer [big 3 blade] to the Zwickeys, Simmons, Magnus, etc

I think a guy is just fine with any tapered cut on contact design with the key factors of all BH tipped arrows; You square the ends, spin check for perfect alignment and have them popping sharp.

The tapered Cut on Contact design penetrates effortlessly and give us two holes and a quick death.

There are other factors that are important to me; Strong, Reusable and easy to sharpen quickly with a diamond stone.

Thus I mostly use a 2 blade double bevel BH, those make it effective, and easy to use with minimal effort.

 

[bowhuntercoop]

I put a 250 grain vpa 3 blade 1 1/8 through 17 deer before I lost it in the swamp. I’m a vpa fan boy. Their 3 blade, 2 blade penetrator, and their single bevels. Thier 3 blade is prolly my favorite. All 3 are in my quiver though.

 

[Eleven]

For those who have tried them, how did those simmons work out? I’m interested in trying them on a trad setup but I don’t know anyone who has used them more than a few times.

 

[Trumpkin The Dwarf]

For those who have tried them, how did those simmons work out? I’m interested in trying them on a trad setup but I don’t know anyone who has used them more than a few times.

They’re hell on critters. The bull in my avatar ate one from a longbow. But they dull stupid fast. The steel is too soft. I got sick and tired of burning thirty minutes touching them up before every second hunt. If they came in around 58-60 RC with a steel that could handle it, I’d probably only use Simmons.

 

[Beendare]

They’re hell on critters. The bull in my avatar ate one from a longbow. But they dull stupid fast. The steel is too soft. I got sick and tired of burning thirty minutes touching them up before every second hunt. If they came in around 58-60 RC with a steel that could handle it, I’d probably only use Simmons.

I would second that. Steel is mediocre, dulls/bends and the curved blades don't make it easy to sharpen.

I currently use a cheap 2 blade and its good enough steel- the design of these heads don't put a lot of pressure on the edge like the short wide chisel heads that plow into critters. After going through critters, the only time they are dull is when they are stuck in the ground.

I swear some of these fancy designs like curved blades just way over think stuff. A simple 3 blade you can lay on a flat stone or touch up with a mini stone while still on the arrow....or a 2 blade double bevel with straight edges are so effective and both are so easy to sharpen.

I like the 2 blade bevel angle a little better, they are sharper due to the smaller degree of bevel angle. I can get the VPA's sharp...but not that shaving sharp/scary sharp of a 2 blade.

 

[Trumpkin The Dwarf]

I would second that. Steel is mediocre, dulls/bends and the curved blades don't make it easy to sharpen.

I currently use a cheap 2 blade and its good enough steel- the design of these heads don't put a lot of pressure on the edge like the short wide chisel heads that plow into critters. After going through critters, the only time they are dull is when they are stuck in the ground.

I swear some of these fancy designs like curved blades just way over think stuff. A simple 3 blade you can lay on a flat stone or touch up with a mini stone while still on the arrow....or a 2 blade double bevel with straight edges are so effective and both are so easy to sharpen.

I like the 2 blade bevel angle a little better, they are sharper due to the smaller degree of bevel angle. I can get the VPA's sharp...but not that shaving sharp/scary sharp of a 2 blade.

There is a definite positive effect on wound channel with the Simmons curved blades. I just want them in a great steel so the sharpening work is down to finding the right sharpening stones.

But I agree that it’s just overthinking sometimes. Straight edges kill too, and simple designs that sharpen easy work best in a system.

 

[Eleven]

I agree that there can be a tendency to overthink, especially in hunting gear. I want really consistent BIG blood trails. I hunt really thick stuff sometimes. I’ve been told/have seen internet stories where Simmons leave a giant gusher. I’m interested in this. Its part of the off-season fun: going down rabbit holes, tuning gear, figuring new things out. To me thats a big part of the hunt. I’ve used a bunch of styles of broadheads over the years: 2, 3 and even 4 blades. Single bevel. Super heavy. Super lite. Even stone. My favorites are the Wensel Woodsmans (very similar to the VPA 3 blade, but I haven’t tried the VPAs yet). I’ve not tried something with the concave edge before and the write up on the design makes some sense and intrigues me.

Sorry for the hijack of the thread! Appreciate everyone’s input!!