AndreusMaximus
Master
So I'm completely new to archery, and just bought my first crossbow a couple weeks ago, just in time for deer season to end, of course, but that gives me plenty of time to practice up before next season.
I got to really get out and shoot my crossbow for the first time yesterday. Only shot from a rest, but was getting pretty decent groups with field points out to 50 yards. I have a pack of Rage hypodermic mechanical broadheads that I bought mainly because they were advertised to "fly like field points." The pack came with a practice tip that is supposed to act similar to the actual broadheads, so after sighting in the crossbow with field tips I tried the practice head, and found that it hit about 6" low at 36 yards, compared to the field tips. So much for "flies like a field point."
Anyways, my question for INGO, is, for those who bow hunt, particularly with crossbows, what is your MO for testing out the broadheads you plan to hunt with? If it comes with a practice tip, do you trust the practice tip to hit in the same spot as the actual broadhead, or do you always test with the broadhead itself?
If you do test the broadheads, what sort of target do you use? Right now I just have an old yellow jacket bow target that says for field tips only. Can you generally shoot a target like that with a broadhead, and just know that it'll tear it up faster, or do such target typically ruin your broadhead? Or is there even a good way to practice with broadheads without destroying them? Is it better to just use one sacrificial broadhead to find out where it's going to hit? In my mind that would make more sense than dropping $100+ on a target designed for broadhead use.
Anyways, I'm eager to hear everyone's advice and opinion as I start out on my journey into archery. Thanks!
I got to really get out and shoot my crossbow for the first time yesterday. Only shot from a rest, but was getting pretty decent groups with field points out to 50 yards. I have a pack of Rage hypodermic mechanical broadheads that I bought mainly because they were advertised to "fly like field points." The pack came with a practice tip that is supposed to act similar to the actual broadheads, so after sighting in the crossbow with field tips I tried the practice head, and found that it hit about 6" low at 36 yards, compared to the field tips. So much for "flies like a field point."
Anyways, my question for INGO, is, for those who bow hunt, particularly with crossbows, what is your MO for testing out the broadheads you plan to hunt with? If it comes with a practice tip, do you trust the practice tip to hit in the same spot as the actual broadhead, or do you always test with the broadhead itself?
If you do test the broadheads, what sort of target do you use? Right now I just have an old yellow jacket bow target that says for field tips only. Can you generally shoot a target like that with a broadhead, and just know that it'll tear it up faster, or do such target typically ruin your broadhead? Or is there even a good way to practice with broadheads without destroying them? Is it better to just use one sacrificial broadhead to find out where it's going to hit? In my mind that would make more sense than dropping $100+ on a target designed for broadhead use.
Anyways, I'm eager to hear everyone's advice and opinion as I start out on my journey into archery. Thanks!