3 blade or 4 blade?

[oneshotkill]

I am going to get some new broadheads and I am probably going to get 100 grain muzzy because it is what I have used in the past bet I was wondering, should I go with the 3 blades, or the four blades?

[archery288]

Dont go with Muzzys....    The Montec by G5 Outdoors - now that's a broadhead!  Kinda spendy, but they will fly like a field tip (at least they do for me) and they are strong as can be and sharp! 

[PolarBear]

I have shot 3 blade Thunderheads for years but my new Slick Trick 4 blade broadheads fly exactly like my field points!!!! I love them!  Now I have to shove one through an elk during late season to see what kind of damage they will do.

[billythekidrock]

I have shot 3 blade Thunderheads for years but my new Slick Trick 4 blade broadheads fly exactly like my field points!!!! I love them!  Now I have to shove one through an elk during late season to see what kind of damage they will do.

Almost an identical to what I would post.
My father killed alot of critters with Thunderheads and they also shoot well out of my bow with aluminums. But I am shooting the mag Slick Tricks with Full Metal Jackets and I love them. They do not shoot exactly as my field points, but that is probably a bow tuning issue.

Just a note. Those Full Metal Jackets can snap like a twig. Saw it last weekend.

[EastWaViking]

Muzzy MX3 100 grain 3 blades.  They fly perfect, and are thicker and 1/8" wider cut than standard
Muxxy blades.

[bow4elk]

This is a topic than can elicit a mountain of opinions and recommendations.  When I used to coach a lot, people would ask open-ended questions about gear, etc.  I would always respond with the same question: What's the problem you're trying to fix, or more directly, what are you trying to achieve?

I'll let  you chime in for a response before I offer my advice.

Generally speaking modern broadhead design and performance (quality) has improved dramatically over recent years.  With MIM technology (metal injection molding), you have new offerings in one-piece designs.   These (G5's line) are very durable, resharpenable, and a bit pricey.  One example of "you get what you pay for".

However, that doesn't mean you have to spend a ton of money for a quality broadhead.  Muzzy, NAP, Rocky Mountain, Magnus, Zwickey and others have been leaders in dependability for thousands upon thousands of bowhunters.  Some of the more recent manufacturers, such as Wac 'em, Tight Point, Slick Trick, Steel Force, Rocket, etc. are gaining a lot of popularity as well.

Penetration is a much-debated topic related to broadhead selection.  Broadhead penetration tests have concluded that a "cut to the tip" design is optimal, but that is not an absolute.  Chisel tip designs perform very well, and at the end of the day shot placement is much more important than broadhead design (assuming you have chosen a reputable brand and the blades are razor sharp).  All things being equal, a three blade head might penetrate furthest, but a four blade will cut a higher percentage of tissue simply because it has 25% more cutting surface.

Bottom line, there are lots of variables.  It would help to know what your are trying to achieve with the switch.

[archery288]

Tom that was very well put!  Nice work man!

[bucklucky]

I have been thinking about changing my broadheads but havent wanted to spend the money, now I HAVE too since I ran my bow over and the arrows and broadheads also. What about the tips . The big bullet tips on the muzzys scare me. I have heard some stories of them bouncing off the ribs. I was wanting to go with a cut on impact because of this. I was actually looking at the steel force, I have to have a 4 blade broadhead. I went to 4 blade when I couldnt get my 3 blades to fly and havent had a problem since.

[archery288]

Charlie - I will give you some 3 blade Montec's to try.  I think you'll be suprised!  We will get your new bow tuned and set up to a T and those things will fly like darts!

[bucklucky]

Sounds good to me Jon! I'm ready for a change  .

[billythekidrock]

Charlie - I will give you some 3 blade Montec's to try.  I think you'll be suprised!  We will get your new bow tuned and set up to a T and those things will fly like darts!

Charlie got a new bow?   Hmm.

EDIT:
I just read that you posted about your bow "incident". Thought that was going to be kept on the down low..

[archery288]

Charlie - I will give you some 3 blade Montec's to try.  I think you'll be suprised!  We will get your new bow tuned and set up to a T and those things will fly like darts!

Charlie got a new bow?   Hmm.

EDIT:
I just read that you posted about your bow "incident". Thought that was going to be kept on the down low..

Yeah I'd be embarassed too...    Ahh, *censored* happens Charlie - all I can say is it's a good thing it happened after the fact!  If you want to shoot the new Bowtech Captain Ted has it in stock Charlie.

[bow4elk]

Don't overlook the NAP HellRazor to compare tot he G5 Montec.  They use Photon bonding of blades, which for all intent and purpose is as strong as MIM process.  Andy Simo (founder/president of NAP) was an engineer at Boeing way back when.  After hunting with him and some engineers in Alberta, it was clear that he's insanely anal about flight characteristics, manufacturing, and quality.  He purchased a blade stropping equipment that was something like $100K +, that put an edge ~10x sharper than a surgical scalpel.  He used to run images in his ads.  I know I've shot up a 3D deer in weeks and the blades are crazy sharp after all that punishment.  I'm also a big fan of .027" to .030" thick blades.

Many of the smaller heads fly better because they have less material to cause wind planing.  I know they are illegal in WA but for argument's sake, I field tested the NAP Spitfire two-blade expandables in '95 and took two caribou bulls with flawless results.  I was leary to hunt with them because I've always been a fixed-blade proponent.  I was very impressed with two bulls on the ground quickly with those two little blades.

Charlie - don't worry about Muzzy's chisel tip.  Fred Eichler has completed the SuperSlam with them out of his modest weight recurve.  Remember - it's about about shot placement in the end, and Muzzy is known for busting bones when those perfect shots turn out not so perfect.

Steel Force are great heads.  The new Snuffers are good to.  They used to have weld breakage issues.

It's nice when broadheads and FPs have the same point of impact, but not required.  It's all about arrow flight independently.

[bucklucky]

Great info guys!

Hey Willy, I really dont mind the idea that I ran my bow over, It was way worth it! It happened for a reason...........thats how I look at it Its funny anyway 

[bucklucky]

Yeah, its under one of my 370 bull topics, I think the one with the 370 bull pics.

[bow4elk]

when my hunting partner ran over his GPS, (and it still worked), he wrote a letter to them and they put him in their advertisement.  Let's get your bow up and running and get you in an ad with your bull (and a new bow!).

[billythekidrock]

Great info guys!

Hey Willy, I really dont mind the idea that I ran my bow over, It was way worth it! It happened for a reason...........thats how I look at it Its funny anyway 

Yea, what a way to retire a bow after killing a monster bull. Extra style points for sure.

[bucklucky]

Thats a good idea! Its too abd the bow is only 2 years old. My poor Mathews.

I guess I didnt post about running over my bow, I never wrote a little story either  I better get on the ball.

[oneshotkill]

This is a topic than can elicit a mountain of opinions and recommendations.  When I used to coach a lot, people would ask open-ended questions about gear, etc.  I would always respond with the same question: What's the problem you're trying to fix, or more directly, what are you trying to achieve?

I'll let  you chime in for a response before I offer my advice.

Generally speaking modern broadhead design and performance (quality) has improved dramatically over recent years.  With MIM technology (metal injection molding), you have new offerings in one-piece designs.   These (G5's line) are very durable, resharpenable, and a bit pricey.  One example of "you get what you pay for".

However, that doesn't mean you have to spend a ton of money for a quality broadhead.  Muzzy, NAP, Rocky Mountain, Magnus, Zwickey and others have been leaders in dependability for thousands upon thousands of bowhunters.  Some of the more recent manufacturers, such as Wac 'em, Tight Point, Slick Trick, Steel Force, Rocket, etc. are gaining a lot of popularity as well.

Penetration is a much-debated topic related to broadhead selection.  Broadhead penetration tests have concluded that a "cut to the tip" design is optimal, but that is not an absolute.  Chisel tip designs perform very well, and at the end of the day shot placement is much more important than broadhead design (assuming you have chosen a reputable brand and the blades are razor sharp).  All things being equal, a three blade head might penetrate furthest, but a four blade will cut a higher percentage of tissue simply because it has 25% more cutting surface.

Bottom line, there are lots of variables.  It would help to know what your are trying to achieve with the switch.

To clear things up.  I was happy with the penetration and accuracy of my muzzy 3 blades but the blood trail was not as good as I would have liked so that is why I am considering the 4 blade.

[TeacherMan]

First things first, I only shoot muzzy's. I shot 3 blade broadheads my first couple years because they have a slightly bigger cutting diameter. But then Walmart had a really good clearance sale on the four blade heads so I got like 3 dozen of them and wow I was glad I did. They shoot just like a field point. 3 elk, at least 6 deer, a bear and who knows how many grouse later I would 100% recommend them.

[M_ray]

There is a lot of good info on this topic here ... My thing is I have never shot anything other than Thunderhead 100's since I started bowhunting in 1993 and I have had good luck with flight on at least 5 different bows since then. Some fly close to my field points and others have not but all have allways flown great!
BTW

Yea, what a way to retire a bow after killing a monster bull. Extra style points for sure.

I'd give BL a 6 on style points!

[JoeVon]

Dont go with Muzzys....    The Montec by G5 Outdoors - now that's a broadhead!  Kinda spendy, but they will fly like a field tip (at least they do for me) and they are strong as can be and sharp! 

I swear I saw a picture of you and the bull you killed last year while l while I was looking at broadheads in the 2008 Muzzy Catalog.  Was that you?   

Ah...here it is.http://www.muzzymoments.com/large%20pages/Jon%20Gabrio.htm

[archery288]

Yeah it was, except my dad sent it in by accident thinking it was G5 as he was checking out the new MX3 to get some samples for the shop! They said they were going to take it off of there - thank you for finding that, I need to get that off of there ASAP!  I wasn't using a muzzy!   

[JoeVon]

I thought it was kinda funny.

[archery288]

I thought it was kinda funny.

I didn't realize it made there catalog to man?!      Good catch!  To late now to fix that as I am sure it's all over the damn place!!!   

[JoeVon]

I hope you don't have a "Broadhead Sponsor" that might get pissed if they see it...

[archery288]

I hope you don't have a "Broadhead Sponsor" that might get pissed if they see it...

     

[257 Wby Mag]

More blades=more blood.....

[JoeVon]

I shoot 4 by the way.

[257 Wby Mag]

Your a good man Joe, shoot good heads, and you turned me on to the best whiskey made. grin...

[JoeVon]

I try.  I'm gonna surprise you some day and show up on your porch with a bottle.

[vanhornhunter]

Slick Tricks for me!!