I started using Rage last year. I missed a doe (It was getting dark and a few other lame excuses). Anyway I was planning on buying 3 more heads this year but then last night I read some bad reviews about Rage, I think it was on Gander Mountain. These were extremely bad reviews. Everything from the head not opening or opening in flight and flying horribly. So, I thought I would ask you guys what you thought. Any bad experiences with Rage?
If you look hard enough it seems that you'll find negative reviews on just about everything you can think of. IMO people are more inclined to talk about a bad experience with a product than a good one, which is why so many reviews are out there bashing products that have worked well for hundreds or even thousands of people. With that said, I know there's plenty of guys here who have shot Rage heads without a problem. If they work for you that's all that matters. If for some reason you're concerned about the blades opening in flight you can always check out the NAP Bloodrunners. The 2 blade version gives you a similar 2+ inch cut without the fear of the blades not opening. Hope that helps
I used Rage for about 3-4 years. I always put a rubber band on mine so they wouldn't open in flight. Never had one not open.
I switched to Grim Reapers but had nothing but great luck with the Rage 2 blade. I think most people that make poor or marginal shots blame the broadhead for their mistake, it's easy to blame a mechanical head instead of saying you made a poor shot.
I agree 100% with Justin. There are a lot of negative comments out there that do not have the evidence to back them up. I can only speak from my personal experience and friends I hunt with. We have used Rage 2-blade, 3-blade, in both 100 grain and 125 grain and have had great success. However shot placement is still just as important as a well made sharp broadhead. Good luck, I wouldn't hesitate to invest in the Rage or the NAP Bloodrunners. Bowhunting.com recurvebows.com Pro-Staff Member
Rage resolved the problem last year they cahnged the hook on the end of the blade where the o ring goes. The only problem I have had with them in 2 years and 9 deer is the if you hit bone they will bennd but I have never lost a deer with them.
I've used Rage 3 for a while now. I harvest about 2 deer a year with them. I'm switching to the 2 blade because they make a HUGE hole in the deer. I've only lost one deer do to shot placement. Deer ducked more than I anticipated. Head did it's job, it opened up and had a pass through. Left a shot gun size hole in the deer. Just hit the DEAD ZONE. Some people say there isn't one but I have pictures to prove there is. Only good things to say about them.
Myself as well as a few others have shot alot of critters...but we also tested them by shooting them open, closed, with/with out O rings and one thing remained true. If I held on, the broadhead hit out to 40 and beyond with the same accuracy. I am not the best shot, but it would kill everytime. Alot of guys cannot tell you where they hit a deer most of the time, but when they loose a deer they can tell you how many inches he dropped, exactly where the arrow hit. IE...the arrow was headed right for his lungs, and 27 yards away the rage opened, but just 1 blade, dove left and hit him square in the guts...no wait, flew under him becaue it was the blade on the bottom as the head was spinning...no wait. You get my point, I am a fan boy of rage, snyper, thunder head, shuttle T, etc...because when put in the lungs they all kill. Only time I would not shoot a rage/mech head is with trad equipment. I know nothing about stick bows, but there are some VERY knowledgeable guys/gals on here that say it is a bad idea and I trust them.
For the guys that use rage broadheads on here, how well do they penetrate if you get into the front shoulder area? I know alot depends on setup, but can you acheive pass throughs if you get into this tough area of the deer? I understand why there are so many complaints about penetration of these heads too. Just think about it for a quick second. The blades are completely deployed on impact and you are cutting 2 full inches all the way through the animal. It is cutting twice as much as some of the smaller diameter fixed heads. To put that head all the way through an animal is just crazy to think about! It is also easy to complain about poor penetration when pass throughs are not achieved, but from what I have seen it doesn't take a pass through to bring down a deer with them.
Sorry to bust your theory indian hunter but i shot a buck at 42 yards right behind the left shoulder. It Popped back out as he ran. I found him at then end of a 6" wide 30 yard blood trail. Once I processed him I retrieved my rage feom his right shoulder socket. I also shot a 5 year old doe right thru her shoulder on a quartering to shot and dropped her where she stood.
Last season was my first with the rage, took two deer. My doe was at 15 yards and the arrow stuck in the ground after the pass thru (buck was at 30 and spine shot so that doesnt count)....but my other friend used the Rage 125 gr. 2 blade and put his arrow through a big buck with the arrow also stickin in a root after the pass thru on a 20-25 yrd shot. I think with the new bow technology and a shot under 30 yards you will most likely get a pass thru as long as you dont put it into the shoulder bone. On both deer the blood trail was as advertised. The tree pic says alot about what the Rage 2 blade does.
If your'e going to use the Rage get some dental/orthodontic rubber bands for them and they wont open until impact.
I am not bashing them in anyway. I know they work very well for many many guys and I am actually pretty excited to have them on my list for one that I will be testing this year!!! I was trying to point out that when a pass through is achieved by that head it is crazy to think about the damage being caused because it is such a BIG cut.
I think that knuckle is a dead zone for most any broadhead, but as far as through the scapula (sp?) I have shot a few through it and had no issues. I have never released a rage and not got a pass through except 1 deer I spined and one that hit that knuckle i spoke of. I only got about 1-2" on that shot and saw the deer many more times, slightly limping but no worse for the wear. I practice close shots and good angles, i think that is the key no matter what is on the end of your shaft. I also do not practice re-using broadheads, so if I bend one no worries, some guys hate that. If you want a broadhead that does not bend after sticking in the dirt, I would recommend sticking to a solid broadhead like a nap, magnus, slick trick etc....
I don't use Rage heads, not cause I don't like them, I just like my G5 Tekens. I would try them if I had them. It doesn't matter what head I shoot, I can still miss with the best of them.
Well i just ordered six of them with the rage cage for 74 dollors to my door. ordered a new plano bow case too.
