Printed on a broadhead package, “Field Point Flight.” I have no doubt.
Spoken by a bowhunter, “My broadheads don’t fly like my field points.” Really? How do they fly? They just fall out of the bow? They defy gravity? What?
From my point-of-view all broadheads fly just like field points – right through the air. Now, whether or not they have the same Point Of Impact (POI) down range may be an entirely different story. That’s really good marketing subterfuge. Stating that a broadhead has the same POI would really be definitive. Stating that it has field point flight is rather ambiguous.
A number of dissimilar events have brought this to the forefront of my mind lately. One, I purchased some new 100 grain, 1 1/4″ cut, Slick Trick brand GrizzTricks to try out. Two, I stumbled on this broadhead flight testing video by Pro Release (follow this link and see the MUCC video on the lower left). Three, I need to prepare for a mid-August pronghorn hunt. 4) While devastating and fatal on every critter I’ve ever shot one into, I haven’t gotten the penetration I’d like on whitetail bucks with my 100 grain, 1 3/4″ cut Wasp Jakhammers (although I’d choose no other head for turkey).
The Pro Release broadhead flight test video linked to above is fascinating. I can’t get it out of my mind. To the best of my recollection every broadhead I’ve ever shot that didn’t hit to the same field point POI did, indeed, hit left and/or low.
So, what can we do if our broadheads don’t hit the same POI? Below are many of the options I’ve read, seen discussed or used along with my discussion on them.
1) Cry and/or kick a tree (maybe in reverse order). I use and suggest this in combination with other options.
2) Re-tune field points and try again. To me, this is a waste of time. I don’t agree with the statement, “If your bow is properly tuned you should get same field point POI with your broadheads.” That is actually a bonus.
3) Tune your broadheads. You can see a video description of this procedure from Magnus Broadheads here.
4) Using a spin tester check to make sure your broadheads are aligned properly to the axis of the arrow. Apply slight pressure to the tips of offending broadheads to align them and try again. I do believe very much in making sure my broadhead is properly aligned, but using pressure to “fix” the alignment is a fragile solution at best. One shot into the target and you’ll likely have to try it again.
5) If you are still shooting aluminum arrows with hot-melt-glue-installed-inserts try rotating the broadhead and insert incrementally and re-shooting. I’m not suggesting aligning the broadhead blades to the fletching, just finding a sweet spot. When still using aluminum arrows I adopted this option from Dave Holt’s Balanced Bowhunting to good effect.
6) Utilize two sights. One sighted in for broadheads, one for field points. Obviously, switching out sights can be problematic and less than convenient.
7) Sight in with broadheads. If I’m short on time or don’t want to use option 7 then this is what I do after spin testing. I will make “witness” marks on my sight so I can adjust between broadhead and field point POI.
8) Adjust to broadhead POI. Follow the below procedure to make broadheads and field points hit the same POI. Again, this was adopted from Dave Holt’s Balanced Bowhunting. If you are like me the voice in the back of your head is saying, “But what happened to the bullet holes I was shooting with field points?” I’m with you and I’ve never seen a good answer, but I have seen blood trails and whacked animals. In the end, that is what is important to me.
-If the broadhead hits left, move the rest right.
-If the broadhead hits right, move the rest left.
-If the broadhead hits low, move the rest up or nocking point down.
-If the broadhead hits high, move the rest down or nocking point up.
-Re-sight with field points and broadheads.
My initial shooting shows the POI of my new GrizTricks is to the left of my field points. I’ll be moving my sight to compensate for this. By the way, if you haven’t broken out and test shot your broadheads for this upcoming season then you are definitely behind the ball.
happy bowhunting, dv
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