Broadhead Confusion

[jweese]

I have a delima and this is the best place for me to get to get some answers.

I have never bow hunted, or in this case - crossbow hunted. I've inherited an old Barnett Panzer 150 draw from a deceased uncle, I purchased some Diablo bolts a few months ago just for target shooting.

Now, I'd like to do some deer hunting. I'm accurate with with those bolts/crossbow up to about 20-25 yards with field points but I need to get some broadheads.

I'm hearing from various sources that, because my crossbow is older and actually only shooting about 100 lbs now that I should be shooting a heavier broadhead, and other sources are saying lighter is better. Now, I'm confused.

Can anyone shed some light before I drop the cash on some broadheads?

Thanks!

[MikePal]

The actual draw weight of the crossbow has little to do with the weight of the broadhead.

Keeping it simple; some guys, like myself, like to shoot a heavier broadhead and arrow combination to increase the Kinetic energy...for greater penetration etc. Some guys like to shoot lighter broadheads to increase the velocity and trajectory (flatter flight).

If you think you've lost some draw weight, see about getting a new string....it'll help.

[Marker]

The thinking is that a heavier arrow is required to deliver more down range kinetic energy to compensate for the lack of speed. It goes back to the old formula:

Energy = 1/2 mass x velocity ^2

If one is low the other must be higher to compensate.

In my experience a fixed blade broadhead will be more consistent past 20 yards, I sight my bow in using a single 'test' broadhead (the target will dull the blade so I keep one for this purpose), and then select a field point weight that achieves the same point of impact. In my case I had to go up 30 grains from a 100 gr. broadhead to a 130 gr. field point.

[bdog]

what gr. are the field tips ur shooting, start with a fixed blade in the same weight....and check ur POI, is it the same as the field points,

[gaucir2]

I second they point by "bdog" there can be a huge difference between shooting broadheads vs field points. You may be out as far as foot from your point of impact with the broadheads

[JoePa]

My advice is to get a pack of Rage 2 bladed broadheads - a pack comes with 3 moveable broadheads and a practice head for target shooting - the practice head matches the broadheads and shoots the same way - the practice head even looks like the hunting head - so if you hit the bullseye with the target tip you will also hit the bulleyes with the hunting tip - Cabela's sells them - a packet costs around $40 - I've been using 2 bladed arrows for years and think they are great - I shoot the 100 gram heads -

[GreyTech]

Heavier broadheads (more F.O.C) tend to help with consistent accuracy and retain more energy downrange. Keep in mind that by increasing weight you will reduce speed and have more arched trajectory.
Also keep in mind that at 20 yards you are unlikely to have a clear winner in the weight vs speed contest. This becomes far more relevant at longer ranges.

[ch312]

Google says you'll get 245 fps with a 375 grain arrow and broadhead combo...