Which broadhead would be better and what are your past experiences with these broadheads. Setup Diamond Fugitive 337IBO 63LBS 27 1/2'' Carbon express maxima arrows
I used 125gr 1 3/8 Reapers a few seasons ago in TX, killed a pair of deer and few hogs with them. They performed very well, good penetration for a mech and big wound channels. They are solid performers on my book if you keep the cutting diameter reasonable.
I like what I have seen on the killzone in the test below. I have tried the reapers and dont care for all the parts. I got one package where two of the three heads just fell apart due to parts coming loose in shipping I guess. I used them after reassembly but I did so with too many worries for my taste. Bowhunters Forum - Login You do have to register to see the test but it's worth it IMO. Good luck with whatever you choose
I had some Reapers too and didn't care much for them. IMO the Killzones are much better heads...but again, that is my opinion.
When you look at the Killzones vs. the Grim Reapers you're looking at two very different styles of broadheads. Yes, they're both mechanicals but they function much differently. Since the Killzone is a rear-deploying head you get full blade expansion on entrance which creates those really big entry holes we all want. The Grim Reaper is an "over the top" style mechanical so the blades have to flip backwards on impact. This generally results in smaller entry wounds since the blades can't fully deploy quick enough. That style of broadhead also takes more energy to open, and can result in less penetration. However, they do provide massive wounds once open thanks to their large diameter and 3 blade design. A more direct comparison for the Grim Reaper would be the NAP Spitfire. Both of those heads are 3 blades and open in a very similar manner. I've never shot the GR personally, have killed a few deer with Spitfires and IMO they work great. Given a choice between your two original broadheads I'll take the Killzone simply because I like to have as large of an entry wound as possible.
^^^^ agreed. I've seen 6 shots on animals with the Killzones. All massive bloodtrails, with most of the animals dying within sight.
Like what you stated Justin and it does clear up what would be a more comparable broadhead (spitfire) to the GR...however I still stand behind my statement which I feel is correct 100% of the time. Every single broadhead has, is and will continue to kill deer...it is all personal preference really. I like to discuss things like a broadhead's durability, customer service and sharpness out of the package as separating points personally. To the OP directly each have pros and each of cons...I've only shot the GR so can't make a true comparison, I can guarantee though do your part and it'll do its.
Not sure how you came to that conclusion but I have run spitfires and Shockwaves through leather and have gotten a full cut measured each time while I was doing this. I was also recording exit speeds at that time and saw a 1fps loss on the spitfire and no loss on the shockwave. That k.e. loss @ 1fps isn't even worth mentioning. Also recorded cut area on 100# paper stock with the same results. Been testing heads for over a dozen years and never have seen what you are suggesting other than during testing with ballistic gel, which is why I don't use it.
I wasn't comparing anything...I was just stating my opinion on the two heads he as about....lol. Thanks though....
I'm a killzone/ spitfire guy myself. I've never had experience with the GR's. I prefer the blood trails with the spitfire although the killzone, as stated by Justin, does have a much larger entry hole. That being said, all three deer I shot last season with the killzone died in sight from the tree the farthest of which made it 60 yards.
If these heads were to pass through an area, the area would be parted according to the process of the mechanics. The 2 blade would divide the area in to two pieces while the 3 blade would divide the area into three pieces. How does 2 equal more than 3?. The sectional cutting area of the three blade head is greater despite the lesser diameter.
From a durability standpoint you'll probably fall in love with the kill zone. I'm a slick trick fella personally but if I went or go to mechanicals again I'd probably go NAP Killzones or Spitfires.
I've shot several deer with Spitfires and while the broadhead performed flawlessly and I had quick recoveries, the entry would was not the full size of the broadhead's cutting diameter when fully open. Granted it wasn't small persay, but it wasn't nearly the size of the exit wound. From all the people I've spoken to over the years and the photos I've seen this seems to be pretty standard on most over-the-top style expandable heads.
