BIG Swhacker 243, 3" 150 GR: Broadhead Test

Рет қаралды 6,505

4 ай бұрын

This is a test of the 150 gr Swhacker 243.
Here is summary of my 2024 Testing Procedure & Scoring w/the scores of this head posted in parenthesis as well.
1. Flight Forgiveness (20%, 18 pts)
I'm using a Killer Instinct SWAT X1 crossbow, mounted to a BOG tripod, shooting a 670 gr Bishop Archery GOAT bolt (300 fps) at 30 yds. Field points consistently hit in the 10 ring & bullseye. I use the exact same bolt to shoot the broadhead. The only difference in the two shots is the broadhead's flight forgiveness vs that of the field point. A bullseye gets a score of 11/10, or a perfect score of 20 + 1 Bonus Point. The 10 ring gets a 10/10, or 20 points; a 9 ring gets a 9/10 or 18 points...& so forth, with each wider ring being 1/2" farther from the bullseye. Mechs are also given 1 Bonus Point for extra forgiveness.
2. Cut Size (20%, 16.25 pts)
The more tissue being cut, the more lethal the head, all else equal. The entrance cut, total cut, & width of the cut (a crucial variable for bloodletting) are all scored:
The entrance cut size is compared to a standard of 2.5" then that fraction is weighted to 7% of the score. (1” + .16"= .1.16" = 3.25 pts)
The max cut size is compared to a standard of 2.5" as well, then that fraction is is weighted to 7% of the score. (3.16” = 7 pts)
The max cutting diameter is compared to a standard of 2.0", then that fraction is weighted to 6% of the score. (3" = 6 pts)
3. Blades (20%, 18.05 pts)
Initial sharpness (9%, 228 grams = 9.72/10 = 8.75 pts) & Edge Retention (9%, +59 grams = 8.82/10 = 7.9 pts) are measured using the Edge On Up Sharpness Tester. The pressure needed for a blade to cut thru a copolymer wire is measured in grams.
Edge Retention is the loss of sharpness after the head is shot in Penetration Test 1, thru 1/2" MDF & 2/3" rubber foam mat & Clear Ballistics FBI gel. For every 50 "grams" of sharpness lost, 1 point is deducted from 10.
What are some sharpness scores for common edges?
A butter knife takes 2000 grams of pressure to break the co polymer wire.
A new high end cutlery edge: ~ 375 grams of pressure.
A utility razor blade: 200 grams.
Based on the many broadheads I have tested, here is my scoring scale:
Out of the Box Sharpness:
0-200 gr: 10
201-300 gr 9
301-400 gr: 8
401-500 gr: 7
501-600 gr: 6
601-700 gr: 5
Ease to resharpen or replace blades is judged & given 2% of the score. (7/10=1.4 pts)
4. Penetration (20%, 14.04 pts)
There are 2 penetration tests:
Pen Test 1: 1/2" MDF, 2/3" rubber foam mat, Clear Ballistics FBI gel. Depth of penetration is compared to a standard of 9" & weighted to 10% of the score. (7.5" = 8.33 pts)
Pen Test 2: Layered cardboard. # of layers penetrated is compared to a standard of 70 layers & weighted to 10% of the score.
( 40 layers= 5.71 pts)
5. Durability (20%, 16.15 pts)
Each head is shot thru 1/2" MDF 3 times. Its condition is judged 1-10 & weighted to 12% of the score. (10/10 = 12 pts)
If a head survives that, it is then shot thru 22 ga steel plate twice. Its condition is judged 1-10 & weighted to 5% of the score. (6.5/10 = 3.25 pts)
If a head survives that, it is then shot into concrete once. Its condition is judged 1-10 & weighted to 3% of the score. (3/10 = .9 pts).
Steel plate & concrete are certainly not "realistic" mediums, but they do reveal the outer limits of a head's durability.
BONUS:
+1 pt total cut size greater than baseline
+1 pt diameter cut greater than baseline
+1 pt mech flight forgiveness
+.5 pt virgin blade concept
-1 pt Penetration Tests skewed by very long, narrow tip
TOTAL SCORE: 84.99 pts = 9 Golden Arrows
Price: $14.67/head
Special Notes:
Please check out my sponsor, Stay Sharp Guide. staysharpguide.com or @Innovative Outdoorsman They make excellent broadhead sharpeners. The support I receive from them has helped me improve my channel
I also have some Broadhead Discount Codes I can share:
Accubow: LUSK10 saves 10%
Afflictor: LUSK10 saves 10%
Accubow: LUSK10 saves 10%
Afflictor: LUSK10 saves 10%
Annihilator: LUSK10 saves 10%
Bishop Archery: LUSKFIVE saves $5 on any order
Contact-Archery.com (formerly Method & Vector): LUSK10 saves 10%
Crimson Talon: LUSK10 saves 10%
Easton Bowtruk 2: LUSK25 saves $25 and Free Shipping
Evolution Outdoors--Jekyll & Hyde heads: LUSK10 saves 10% on any order
Exact Archery: LUSK10 saves 10%
Kayuga Broadheads: LUSK10 saves 10% on any order.
Lathrop & Sons Synergy Footbeds: Lusk1000 saves $10 on any order
Ozcut Broadheads: LUSK10 saves 10%
SEVR: LUSKFIVE saves you $5 on any order & can be used on top of any online sales.
Terra Firma: LUSK5 saves 5% on any online sales
Tooth of the Arrow: LUSK19 saves 10%
TRIFECTA: LUSK10 saves 10% on any order.
VPA: LUSK10 saves 10%
ZEUS & HERA Broadheads (New Era Archery): LUSKFIVE saves $5/pack

Пікірлер: 56

@yourmomma2995 4 ай бұрын

im so glad you tested with the blades in the closed position, how they are designed to be shot. the original 1 3/4" is the most durable model, but than one did really well too.

@LuskArcheryAdventures 4 ай бұрын

Thank you

@timmytim6427 4 ай бұрын

I been waiting on this test for long time id say it did good. For high speed xbows these are hard to beat they blow open deer and Turkey like no other. I cant speak for compounds. Thanks John ive come to appreciate your tests alot more than I did in the past sorry for busting your chops keep up the good work i like the new process.

@LuskArcheryAdventures 4 ай бұрын

Thanks brother. Much appreciated

@DIRTISTERRIBLE 4 ай бұрын

This is the head that made me a believer in mechanical heads. One of the top ones on the market. Fly great huge holes. What's not to love unless you like loosing deer

@LuskArcheryAdventures 4 ай бұрын

@tonymiller007 4 ай бұрын

I see it shot a low for you too. It was a little more drastic out of my bow. Good job as always!

@LuskArcheryAdventures 4 ай бұрын

Yep

@landonprisk6757 4 ай бұрын

John, I have shot somewhere in the neighborhood of 25-30 Michigan whitetails with these heads out of a crossbow over the past 7 years or so. I was unable to find a fixed head that flew true at 350fps+ at further distances and wanted a heavy head. The exit holes these leave are between 5-6inches every time… I’ve never had a deer make it more than a 100 yards and only ever twice have I not seen them fall in sight… Highly recommend! I did shoot the 150 grain sevr crossbow head last year based on your recommendation and had good results but a little smaller holes/less blood. The reason I switched is the fear of hitting the humeral head with these swhackers…the cut is too large in my opinion to be lethal even with 500 grains total with my setup. If you hit anything behind the shoulder the deer won’t live lol even a liver hit deer will die in sight with a 6 inch hole! They are a giant asset on marginal shots

@LuskArcheryAdventures 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing that.

@Kurtdog63 4 ай бұрын

I think a LIST of top contenders for each design of broadhead would be interesting. Categories could be mechanical, replaceable fixed blade, monolithic 2 blade, monolithic 3 blade, modular 2,3,4 blades like Zwickeys, etc. Also have categories for some tests regardless of design. Which broadhead penetrates the most cardboard layers, etc.. Thanks for all the interesting videos.

@deanbrantley 4 ай бұрын

Go back and watch the old vids. Ive been following John for a long time. Some of the heads that stand out are SLICK TRICKS, Sevr, most all the high end single bevels, Beast Broadheads, Trifecta. So many good vids and some of these were among the best performers i can think of right off.

@austinhall5933 4 ай бұрын

What a good idea, you should totally do that.

@LuskArcheryAdventures 4 ай бұрын

Thanks Kurt.

@Kurtdog63 4 ай бұрын

@@LuskArcheryAdventuresKind of a clash of the Titans video? Top contenders in all categories? Would be interesting I think.

@michaelcurtis8114 4 ай бұрын

Nice test. I'd like to see a Swhacker test with a crossbow. I see that X1 behind you there. It shoots the same speed as my crossbow.

@LuskArcheryAdventures 4 ай бұрын

I use the X1 for the flight testing in every video

@michaelcurtis8114 4 ай бұрын

@@LuskArcheryAdventures Oh, okay. Thanks.

@chrisruzsa2798 Ай бұрын

Best head for crossbows.

@LuskArcheryAdventures Ай бұрын

Yeah, I can see how it could be great out of crossbows.

@jeffreyfred4817 4 ай бұрын

Honestly it did quite a bit better than I though it would with the block

@LuskArcheryAdventures 4 ай бұрын

Yep. And that’s with a 750 gr arrow.

@timbow50 4 ай бұрын

It appears the short 1” blades, after full blade deployment, are long enough to reach to the shaft. Without a collar on the shaft it would very possibly be hitting/destroying the arrow? Or am I seeing it wrong.

@AdrianBennitt-qn7go 4 ай бұрын

It doesn’t usually just hits the insert and not touch the arrow from my experience using them

@LuskArcheryAdventures 4 ай бұрын

It just hits my insert, which has a hefty collar on it

@InTheYear 4 ай бұрын

I would say that I won’t ever choose a mechanical head for big game. Definitely would use these for turkey and birds

@LuskArcheryAdventures 3 ай бұрын

Man, I’ve taken more than 50 animals with a mechanical, including using a Sevr for 270 lb hog, zebra, moose, Big Iowa buck, Mule deer, and red stag. I agree with this head being good for turkeys.

@bcompton53 2 ай бұрын

Have you ever thought to do the cardboard penetration test by counting how many layers the entire cutting diameter makes it through? Might be more apples to apples when comparing say a short fixed blade with a long nose swacker. Just something I was thinking about.

@LuskArcheryAdventures 2 ай бұрын

Thank you. I have considered that. But when I’ve tried doing it, it is really tedious, to use a ruler to measure the layers that seem to be the full cutting diameter, just to be sure. They’re often very gradually more or less. The way I count for the cut size is I have a separate category of scoring for the cut size. And that includes the entrance hall. So I had like the Swacker does not get as high as the score for that category due to its smaller entrance hole. Additionally I will sometimes doc some of the scoring for an extra long tip accounting for much of the penetration.

@bcompton53 2 ай бұрын

@@LuskArcheryAdventures Ah, yes sometimes I forget that you get to add some of your subjectivity to the scoring as well. Also, that buffalo hunt was awesome.

@hunterdan2002 4 ай бұрын

I was excited about you using the crossbow for accuracy testing, but you're shooting at compound speeds, not crossbow speeds.

@LuskArcheryAdventures 3 ай бұрын

Yeah, that’s what I settled on working best for my testing right now. Most people are shooting compounds, so I wanted to benefit from the tripod, scope and accuracy, but shoot at compound speeds. In the future I may test accuracy at typical crossbow speeds. That being said, I think a crossbow is MUCH more lethal with a heavier bolt.

@druelowery3838 4 ай бұрын

was the field point 150 grains?

@yourmomma2995 4 ай бұрын

i shoot the 100gr 1.75" model and i have to use 125gr field points to match POI perfectly.

@LuskArcheryAdventures 4 ай бұрын

I can’t see a very quantifiable different point of impact with 100-150 gr heads at 30 yds with my crossbow

@yourmomma2995 4 ай бұрын

@@LuskArcheryAdventures its a 1" elevation difference from my excalibur 355 between 100gr and 125gr points at 30 yards.

@frankbrowning328 4 ай бұрын

This would make a good turkey broadhead. It wouldn't be my choice for deer as this type and size of broadhead can't penetrate as well as a smaller, tougher broadhead

@LuskArcheryAdventures 4 ай бұрын

Yep. That’s how I feel. Perfect for turkey