First hand feedback on Rage Hypodermics

[KenPCPilot]

I am considering using Rage Hypodermics for mulies this year.  I have use muzzy broadheads the most.  One year I tried Slick Tricks as advised by a friend that worked at Sportsmans.  The picture shows how the piece of crap bent over and fell out on a broadside shot.  Some of the shot opprotunities are at longer distances so I am looking for any advantage to help with long range accuracy and quick kill.  I would like to hear from any of you that have first hand feedback on the performance of expandables. 

[Jellymon]

I could be wrong but thats not a slick trick.

[KFhunter]

I could be wrong but thats not a slick trick.

I don't know what the heck that is, looks cheap.  Don't know of any modern high-end broad head manufacturers using knurled ends like that 

Allen? 

[hogslayer]

Ya that doesn't look anything like a slick trick to me?  I shot muZzy 100 grain for 2 years and switched to slick tricks.   They are WAY stronger than muzzy and flew just fine to.

[MLBowhunting]

Looks like a Allen type of head to me.  Radsav what is your two cents?

[jrebel]

Definitely not a slick trick....or at least one that I have ever seen.  You got duped!!!! 

[muleyslayer#1]

Yea it does look like one of the allen Broadheads you see at Walmart. I work at Sportsmans and havent seen those broadheads their.

[coachcw]

I'm not impressed  with the lack of penitration they get .

[RadSav]

Looks like a Allen type of head to me.  Radsav what is your two cents?

Not only is that an Allen Skybolt XS, but Sportsman's Warehouse doesn't sell them!  Sounds like the OP needs to find new friends that don't take his money for Slick Tricks and deliver a $13.50/pk of discount specials.

That is the worst I have ever seen a Skybolt look even after we've put them through some serious torture.  Aluminum is rather tough stuff...hard to believe that is the result of a broadside shot that didn't end up in the ball joint.  But, stranger things have happened.

I just hope this isn't a new marketing play by the new Rage organization.  Hopefully it is an oversight on the OP's part or just a rogue operative!

[RadSav]

As far as the Hypodermic goes:  IF   I were going to shoot an expandable that one would rate high on my list.  Probably in the group with the WASP Hammer/R. Attack and any Grim Reaper.  None that I am eager to hunt with, but I would rate those highest in blade quality and semi-reliability.

I have never had issues with long range flight with fixed heads.  If you have enough fletching and proper FOC you should be fine regardless of what head you choose.  MLB I know has reach out a few times with fixed heads with great results too.  If you can't get a 1" to 1.125" fixed to fly well you probably have bigger issues than broadhead configuration!

[grundy53]

kind of bizarre... They aren't even close...

[MLBowhunting]

I figured you knew what kind of head that was.     can't get anything by Radsav. 

[KenPCPilot]

Anybody have first hand feedback on Rage Hypodermics?

[grundy53]

Anybody have first hand feedback on Rage Hypodermics?

Gotta be better than Slick Tricks...

[MLBowhunting]

Coach said he wasn't impressed with the lack of penetration. 

[RadSav]

Yeah, I believe Coach has first hand experience with failure (broken blades). 

I was a spotter as another hunter experience a failure.  I've also watched and partook in blood trailing in three other cases where it performed just fine.  Two of those were deer and two were antelope.  The failure I witnessed was on an antelope.  So I guess it depends on your interpretation of "First Hand".  If first hand means you need to have actually held the bow in your hand and shot the arrow yourself then that's a story for Coach.

The outfitter we used in WI on the whitetail hunt last year told us he was thinking of refusing to allow anyone using Rage broadheads to hunt his property.  On the other hand last time I hunted Texas with an outfitter he wished everyone would shoot Rage heads.  That seems to be the positions of most outfitters I've worked with...not much middle ground!  Seems 49% love them and 49% hate them.  Not sure I have experienced any other head where those who guide a lot of hunters every year are so divided.

[MLBowhunting]

Coach please share your story. 

[RadSav]

Here is what Coach said on the other Rage thread.  Doesn't sound like it was the Hypo, but...
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,174084.msg2327931.html#msg2327931

The failure I witnessed was a nice buck antelope shot solid in the front shoulder (quartering toward the hunter).  The Hypo ferrule broke off on the shaft side of the screw hole.  Arrow fell out almost immediately.  We watched that buck for the next three days.  Usually bedded not far from water.  Saw him get up twice in those three days.  On the fourth day he got up when some does came into water and he chased them off the ranch.  Guess he was feeling better

The other three animals were shot well behind the shoulder.  All three traveled about the same distance 80-100 yards.  Not great, but I've seen worse from two blade broadheads with similar shots.

[MLBowhunting]

Thanks Rad.  There it is Ken.

[BOWHUNTER45]

I am really excited about the new law .. I can not wait to see the results of those using mechanicals this year ..Hopefully it will be positive feed back .. I will still be using fixed blades ...

[RadSav]

I am really excited about the new law .. I can not wait to see the results of those using mechanicals this year ..Hopefully it will be positive feed back .. I will still be using fixed blades ...

I doubt we will see much of a difference.  Maybe better than usual results the first year, but same ole' same ole' next year as folks start using old dull blades as usual.  I just hope most bowhunters will make the smart choice and steer clear of barbed head styles (fixed and/or expandable).  Really hard to believe this state decided to lift that rule.

[earlmarne]

I have not shot anything besides my 18 and 1 and some gravel with the hypodermic.
I wish the blade angle was a little less severe but the new stamped blades seem to hold up pretty dang well (never shot the old ones).The one that ended up in the gravel the blades are useless but intact and the ferrule is still in good shape.I have yet to send a fixed or mech head into the gravel and have the blades be anything but chewed up.I have broke blades off of slick trick mags and grizz trick 2 and shuttle ts on the same shot
I have really been trying to talk myself into having these in my quiver come elk season but may just shoot a lighter arrow with some fixed van dykes or phat heads.
I dont have many kills with my bow to add much substance to any of this but if I do end up running a mech head I will put it on top of a heavy arrow.

[Rock7]

I have shot my fare share of animals with a rage 2 blade. In my own experience I have never had one fail. I never got a complete pass through using rage bh's but never need it. The entrance hole was huge. I never liked any of the flip open style mechanicals and have never used one. And can someone tell me what the hell is a barbed broadhead?

[RadSav]

Barb - a projection extending backward (as from the point of an arrow or fishhook) preventing easy extraction.

[scoutdog346]

if you're planning on using Expendables for long range shots dont 4get that sometimes long range shots might have less momentum and inertia or whatever you call it and Expendables are known for their large blade diameter and that increase in blade diameter might decrease the penetration due to the surface area factor as the broad head is trying to push through the animal. I'm no physicist so im probablycompletely wrong.  I was planning on keeping 1 large like 2" expandable broadhead in my quiver in case I have a short range shot.  I was thinking about using Expendables for mule deer but for some reason I just don't have the confidence that I'm going to have a kinetic energy at the long range situations I'm normally in when mule deer hunting so I am deciding to use mechanicals for elk in fixed blades for long range mule deer. Im @68lbs with my bow and i just dont see a mechanical opening completely up at a 70 yard shot on a mule deer when its cold outside.  I would love to be corrected if I'm wrong because I want to use mechanicals on mule deer. 

[Rock7]

RadSav, thanks for the info. I have never seen a barbed broadhead before.

Here is my last 2 cents on mechanicals versus fixed blade. What kind of hunting are you planning on doing? Spot and Stalk or stand/blind? If you are spot and stalking with mechanicals pay a little attention to the arrow when you have them nocked. The blades have a tendency to deploy (especially on rage) if you bump them on brush or anything else. In my opinion that is just one more thing I don't want to think about when I am closing the final yards on an animal to make a shot.

[RadSav]

It's amazing how bad an arrow can fly with one blade at full extension.  I've experienced that a number of times with mechanicals, including Rage.  Although that was back before Rage started using the new plastic collar.  I've done very minimal testing since they dropped the Shock Lock o-ring.

[scoutdog346]

I dont know if a 2" expendable would pass through a mule deer at 70 yards?

[RadSav]

About the same as a 1.25" three blade with the same cutting angle and blade thickness.

You lose a little in the inefficiency of the mechanical action, but not enough to worry about.

[scoutdog346]

I don't know if my bow would shoot a 3 blade 2"mechanical broadhead hard enough to pass through a mule deer at 60 or 70 yards?. Lung shot or heart shot.  Z7 extreme. 68lbs 30" draw, Maxima hunter carbon express, 350 arrow 4 fletchings.  Thats just seems like alot of material and resistance. 

[GameHunter1959]

I am new to archery. Last year was my first year. I was using Easton Bloodline arrows. I experimented with Montec 100, Slick Trick 100, and Shuttle T. I did not care for the Montec heads. They seem to fly heavy-IMO. I liked the Slick Trick head, but ended up killing my buck with a Shuttle T head. Ran 50 yards and piled up. This year I want to find 2-3 more heads to experiment with. I bought the Rage Hyper 100s a few days ago. I have never shot an expandable head. Any suggestions?

I am hunting open country with mild sage brush. I shot my buck at 64 yards downhill into a draw. Most the shots that presented themselves were a minimum 45 yards. I suspect I will need to shoot long again this year. I shoot 60 pounds.

[RadSav]

This year I want to find 2-3 more heads to experiment with. I bought the Rage Hyper 100s a few days ago. I have never shot an expandable head. Any suggestions?

That would be the one I would try.  Next on my list would probably be Grim Reaper.  If I had to pick a 3rd expandable it would likely be InnerLoc EXP   I hate rubber bands!

If you want a fixed blade that flies as good or better than an expandable try our new line of Savora LPS broadheads.  Insane how easy they are to get to fly well.  Minimum cross wind drift too!  Triple Sec. or Vandyke models pretty much identical other than ferrule material.

[tbrady]

Looking at the Savora broadheads... do they offer any solid one piece construction ones?  After switching to Montecs a few years ago I much prefer the solid design.

[Jonathan_S]

I understand the though but I'm much more confident in the rock solid little Savora Delmastros and VanDyke's than I am with the butter-soft Montecs 

[RadSav]

We have no plans to make a welded head.

[GameHunter1959]

I understand the though but I'm much more confident in the rock solid little Savora Delmastros and VanDyke's than I am with the butter-soft Montecs 

I tried hard to get accustom to using the Montec heads. I would shoot 40 yards with my practice tips, and be in the bulls eye or darn close. I would them switch the tips out to the Montec heads, and I was consistently shooting high and right. I am very inexperienced, so it could have been me. I seemed to shoot better with other brands.

Thanks for all the feedback.. I will buy a few of the other brands mentioned and see what fly's well for me.

[GameHunter1959]

This year I want to find 2-3 more heads to experiment with. I bought the Rage Hyper 100s a few days ago. I have never shot an expandable head. Any suggestions?

That would be the one I would try.  Next on my list would probably be Grim Reaper.  If I had to pick a 3rd expandable it would likely be InnerLoc EXP   I hate rubber bands!

If you want a fixed blade that flies as good or better than an expandable try our new line of Savora LPS broadheads.  Insane how easy they are to get to fly well.  Minimum cross wind drift too!  Triple Sec. or Vandyke models pretty much identical other than ferrule material.

Thank you

[coachcw]

So my take is if your shooting a low ke bow IE old man or womans bow the thin bladesand two blade set up on the hypodermic might be ok . get it in and let it work . I have found at 80 lbs of ke 310 fps they blow the blades right off in fact a month or so ago i shoot a hypodermic threw a milk jug into my block target . when i went to pull it i found a missing blade . after going threw the jug it broke off hitting the block (not for me) the deer i shot with the three blade broke two blades of on entry between two ribs and exited with one , it was a down hill shot and offered a crappy blood trail. I'm gonna give the grim reepers a shot this season .

[LittleJohn]

Expandables have been legal to use here in Montana for quite a while. Its interesting that most of the hunters here use fixed blades.

My friend own the only sporting goods store around here and told me he sells 10 pks of fixed blades for every 1 pk of expandables.

The couple guys I know that use expandables like the G5 T3 broad head

I personally wouldn't shoot an elk with any type of expandable.