Decided I would give Rage a try this year. I've been shooting Muzzy 4 blades for years but thought I give these a try. Anyway, I screwed a rage on my arrow and beat my arrow against my hand almost as hard as I could. The head did not open. I've read where these heads come open in peoples' quivers or mid-flight. I'm not seeing it. Have they been redesigned or what?
Most likely you have been reading the naysayers words to literally, to listen to some of them, the blades open if you look at them crossways. You are already putting them to the test and it sounds like your actual, hands on is building the level of confidence you have in them. They are a fine head but not magic. Keep your shots close and broadside and you will be fine with the rage.
Well...I guess I'm trying to give myself more confidence with this head. Funny thing is though...I kinda regret buying them now. I should have bought those Muzzys instead, I still may. They fly w/ my field points and haven't let me down....as long as I do my job correctly. The main reasons I thought about going mechanical this year was the bigger entry/exit holes, greater margin of error, and the lessened chance of BH planing, form errors, etc. We shall see I guess. Btw...I'm not fortunate enough to have all my deer broadside. Have you had problems with quartering away shots and rage heads?
I think you know me well enough to know that I do not brand bash. I in fact did have issues with Rages opening in my quiver frequently when I used them the 2008 archery season. I have no idea if the heads have changed any since then. I ended up buying rubberbands for Rocket expandables and putting them on the Rages so they would stay closed in my quiver. I did take a buck with Rage heads that year and they worked as advertised. Massive gash entry and exit. With a short blood trail. By no means am I suggesting for you to not use Rage heads, I am only relaying the issues I experienced with them. Like I said, they worked flawlessly after I put the rubber bands on them.
Finch - I've shot around 10 deer now with Rage's. I've read differing opinions from people that I trust, however my personal experience has shown great penetration on both quartering and broadside shots. 2x of those deer were quartering really hard and took out multiple ribs and exited through the thin part of the scapula on the far side of the deer, and provided clean pass throughs. The only time I haven't had a clean pass through was on a buck that was about 10 yards away from my tree, and I spined him. He dropped in his tracks, but I only got maybe 8-10" of penetration. For what it's worth, all of the setups I've shot them from were producing anywhere from 70-85lbs of KE. If your shooting a high KE setup, I think they are a fantastic head.
I second what Buckeye said about the extra bands, I've been doing the same thing since the second year I started using them. I also use them in a quiver that doesn't have foam in the top, either the Kwikee Combo with dual grippers or the Octane with magnets. Below is a pic showing where I put the extra band.
The latest batch I have bought seem to lock much better then when I purchased mine back in 2008. When I went to the ATA show in 2009 the rep did tell me that they had change the way the blades lock in. T
the only reason mine open in my quiver is because the "O" ring was getting old ....other then that a great broad head...flies true to FP's
Thanks for the responses guys! It sounds like I have nothing to worry about which I'm relieved. I bought these heads to increase my odds if I screw up the shot placement. I still don't understand how these heads can open up in a quiver though. I'm not calling anyone a liar because I've heard that complaint several times. BUT, like I said, I did beat the arrow on my hand and also put one in the quiver and pushed down on the arrow, etc and it never opened. I may get some bands for the added security. Thanks for the suggestions!
My only opinion is why change if you have been happy with your current set up? That being said I am a Muzzy guy but am interested in how you do with the rage. I like the huge holes as well and have thought about trying rage myself. My issue is the penetration. Please give a report on your success.
David I am also concerned with penetration but the bigger holes have intrigued me to make the switch. I do believe that as long as I do my job then the BH will do it's. I'll give them a go and hopefully have a report for you this Saturday.
I've heard both positive and negative things about the rage, me personally, I didn't like them but thats just me. i might have had bad one's, they weren't expanding and locking for me when I would hit the deer.
RAGE= AWSOME see below haha im told to say that. If you have problems check with a local dealer usually they will replace bands and even replace the the BHs pm me if u need help finding a dealer who will help
