broadhead/fieldpoint flight

[skeeter@ccia.com]

I have a different flight path from my Mussy 100gr broadheads than I do my fieldpoints. Not much but enough I need to move my sights on my crossbow when making the switch. I have heard to try this.

Measure the length of bolt/arrow from tip of broadhead to end of knock....divide this in half... mark shaft at this point.

Now find the balance point of bolt/ arrow and mark this point on shaft.

Measure the distance between the 2 marks and divide that by the length of the bolt/arrow and multiply that by 100

This should give the FOC (foreward of center) %

If FOC is 10% use a lighter broadhead and if it is 7% or less, use a heavier broadhead.

Now the question...I get a 5.2% reading...could this be the reason for flight difference and if so....should I invest in say a 125gr tip instead of my 100gr?.....has anyone tried this solution? The bolts were matched by Horton when I bought the bow so I figure they knew what they were doing.....but they gave me expandables which I lost a deer with for not opening...I knew this by looking at the enter/exit of the deer I got later....so I switched to my old faithfull Muzzy mini mags....taken lots of deer with these....

[petey]

It all comes down to tuning each arrow. Any fixed blade broadhead will "fight" with the feathers or viens. There's a list of things to do to get them to fly straight. FOC is one problem and correct broadhead weight is a factor in that. The other is vien clearance on the rest. I dont' have a cross bow and have no clue how they work, but from one's I've seen I dont' think there is such a thing as clearance. Does a bolt get the same "whip" as a bow? If it paper tunes fine then there's no problem.

If your arrows fly straight, but just lower, I wouldn't worry about the difference in pin settings. Mark for field points and adjust the whole pin rack (if you can) and set for broadheads.

I don't think I've ever had my field points and fixed blades hitting in the exact same hole with any bow I've used. As long as they are in tune and fly straight, I'll adjust my sights accordingly. I was out last night shooting my fixed blades at 50 yards. It's a beautiful thing to watch a perfectly tuned fixed blade fly straight and hit it's mark at that distance. Sure is a confidence builder!

[Rustywreck]

First, I have no experience with crossbows; however, given the shortness of the bolt I think the FOC perecentages would have to be different than a compound.
Where do the broadheads hit in relation to the field points?
I don't think I'd go to a heavier broadhead too quick, you may find that it makes the problem worse.

[skeeter@ccia.com]

They are hitting at 7:00 about a foot low...I will just change the sight to fit for now....I only have about 4 muzzy mini mags left and need to get more broadheads without spending $35 to experiment....thanks

[WT Kevorkian]

I have set up several crossbows and have used some of the setups on deer out to 30 to 40 yards and what we have found is that a 125 grain head seems to work the best. A head that is 125 grains and is relatively small like the rocket ultimate steel work great The heavier head helps with penetration, where as a lighter head of open on impact design did not penetrate nearly as well. Also there is a FOC calculator on the web, here is the website: http://home.att.net/%7Esajackson/archery9.html

Other than that I have run into very few setups where fieldpoints shot exactly the same as broadheads especially with fixed blade heads, open on impact heads seem to shoot closer to field points but did not work as well on deer using the crossbow in my expierience

[skeeter@ccia.com]

Now there is some detailed information to be had at that link...thanks

[kt]

skeeter, with muzzy's you dont necassarily have to spend for new heads, they sell replacable blades at most pro shops. and the ferrule will just fine.

this year after i just said nice things about muzzy in peteys "back to fixed blades" post. they are fishtailing. talking to a couple of friends who all shoot expandables, i have decided to give them a chance on the practice range first any how. gooooood lord! are broadheads getting expensive. so any how i bought a pack of the NAP shockwaves to see if they fly like field points as guarenteed
can some body tell me they are half decent stuff. my next bet would have been some of the small rocket aero's
kt

[skeeter@ccia.com]

I imagine everyone has their own experiences with different items but I got expandables with my xbow to try out..I did manage to down the first deer shot with them but it never even stopped eating..only seen a small hole in the side..then when I was about to shoot it again, it turned around and I could see the other side hole.again..only size of arrow diam...I lost one after that and never used them again...now..these ones folded to the front with the band holding them...I have heard horror stories about them...but then these guys changed to the expandables that slide open to the back instead of having to take the time to open, fold back then lock...I have seen them and if I were to go back...think would give them a try....I think cabela's has them called slip cam.....not sure but close...meanwhile, I just sighted my muzzy to the scope..works fine for now.

[gd357]

skeeter,

I've shot a few different heads out of a crossbow at deer, and I've never had too many issues with them. Like wtkev said, i've had really good luck with the ultimate steel heads, but I stick with 100 grain heads. If you're shooting well with the broadheads, just diff POI than field tips, don't woory too much - it happens. Gotta advise that you try the Ultimate steel heads. 6 for $30 give or take. Worth a shot.

kt, if you want a tough expandable head look into the grim reaper razortips. I'll never shoot an expandable that uses a rubber band to hold the blades in place.

gd

[skeeter@ccia.com]

I have heard good things about the ultimate steels.....From what I gather, the fact they are a solid blade and not cut out makes the difference..Now I like the shape of the 75 better but I guess that is how they change the weight. Thanks..Maybe will give them a try first.....tks
Those other mechanicals I spoke of I guess have the tip enter target before they start to expand from the rear...thus eliminating the chance of deflection....but I just need a good one with less moving parts but fly nice....so will check out the steels.

[iabowhntr]

I have tried many expandable broadheads and fixed blades and have settled on the grim reapers, No bands and they fly like a field point. They have not let me down yet.

[doehunter]

Trying to do the math to find your front over center is like a monky doing a math quiz.Dont hurt your self,there is a web site that u can put in your arrow type,grain weight and length,and it tells u your foc.Check out bowjackson.com.It will give u a number,1-14 the closer to center u are the better,the smaller the number the heaver u need to go on the tip the larger,the lighter u need to go..For machical tips,its a crap shoot.I use 100gr spit fires,no bands and fly the best out of my setup...Good luck this year,let us know how u do..

[skeeter@ccia.com]

I just changed from muzzy 3 blade broadheads to the 4 blade and I can't believe how much better they fly...is not a lick difference from field tips to the 4 blade broadhead and that is what I was looking for....before I had to re site the scope when switching from one to the other...fields to broadheads....now to find the big buck....