I've made the decision that being more accurate is of greater importance than the massive holes of my old snuffers. The switch will also make my arrow change easier which I will need to do in the next year or two. I guess at 50 I should start looking down the road a bit and know I can't shoot 70# with fingers forever. :)
Anyone else debating about such a switch this year? Anyone interested in some pre-sharpened and spin tested old style snuffers? Anyone have any 125 grain SS snuffers you tried and decided not to use?
Especially, if you could turn them before, and not now... Hmmmm...
Original Snuffers have been reputable for many years and I still shoot the Biscuit Cutters...
You are right, it isn't the broadhead. I'm guessing there is something I can do to finish the perfect tune. I'm probably 98% there. It likely is also something that isn't consistent in my form. I've shot fingers all my life and I like that because I can't ever leave them at my truck and because of how quickly I can go from not even having an arrow out of the quiver to having it on its way.
Honestly, I am not sure making the change is the right move as I am likely just nitpicking my groups. However, I have a great elk tag this year and I am going to do whatever gives me the most confidence. I'll keep shooting the rest of the summer and if by September my BigSnuffer groups tighten up there will be four of them in my quiver with two SS for backup and in the unlikely situation where I want to take a 50 yard shot. However, I believe it is just very difficult to get broadheads that size to fly well every time, in the wind, at bad angles, etc.
I have also been very impressed with the SS Snuffers and believe they will get the job done. Its not like I'm going from an old style snuffer to a mechanical to "solve" a tuning issue. I think I've just finally come to the point of admitting to myself that I can't get the big ones to fly great 100% of the time at distances past 30.
They don't fly at all with 4" fletch. I have shot fingers with compounds since 89. Went to 2 under in probably 93 and that helped a bunch. I don't think going to 3 under would help or even be a good idea as it would likely change my tune and I've shot two under for so long, I'm guessing that in the heat of the moment I would revert back to two without even realizing it. :)
I'm not shooting too much because its too stinking hot here. I grew up in NM so I'm a desert rat and this Kansas humidity has me melting anytime I'm doing much of anything.
As for my rest, I'm shooting my old Cavalier Free Flight. Same rest I've shot for 20+ years. Well, its my second Cavalier anyway. Not sure if you can still buy them or not but it serves me well.
We are brothers!
I have only shot fingers bare bow compound since day 1 (1981 or so). I used to shoot with 2 under, but found 3 under put arrow closer to my eye. (A plus for bare bow ) Not so much for sight shooters. You will have a hard time moving your sight and still have enough clearance.
Like you, I have never lost my release. I have shot a couple of deer with bare fingers. (Bitter cold and they were close)
Needless to say, i am a picture of a curmudgeon I finally started the switch away from aluminum 3 years ago. I tried adding the snuffers to my fmj's with flightmate adapters and had to switch to threaded adapter. This proved to be a weak point. (I bent several adapters on deer) Accuracy along with durability of platform is why I changed.
Today, I have my set up shooting Broadheads better than anytime I can remember.
Now if I can avoid target panic,,,,,,,
My favorite broadhead of all time.
If I was 2 shoot wheels Id be looking at the snuffer SS for sure
THEY NEVER SUFFER WITH A SNUFFER!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes field points and SS snuffers shoot really nice groups.
Some years ago, I fractured my middle finger on my right hand, so it was either use a release or not hunt! I bought a Scott Mongoose release and in a short time, got used to it. Then I wondered why I had been so darn stubborn at staying with fingers! I ruined many arrows and vanes that year as I slowly learned to not group arrows, but to create and shoot at different bullseyes.
Back in "the day", I shot the original snuffers. 1 1/2" cutting diameter, 235 grains! Yes, 235 grains! I had to have a guy braze a 145 grain blunt to a a 125 grain field point with the threaded portion cut off. This was in the days before knowing about "spinning" heads to true them. One buck I shot at was slapped by the arrow going sideways! After that, I shot every broadhead and shaft combination before sharpening them and putting them in my bow quiver to hunt with! The bow was a PSE Laser Magnum at 80# and 50% letoff using 31" 2219 aluminums. I used them and that bow for many years until the riser broke in half! Killed 7 bucks with the same arrow and head combination.
Those were the days! Sorry to go off topic here....
>>>>-------->
Lots of guys trying to get a little more FOC with inserts and such....what about using a BH with more steel in it??? Best of both worlds...no thin replacement blades...solid steel.
Pictured on the left...the VPA 150.....makes a few of the other popular heads look like toys, eh?
Anyway, big thanks to Elknut who sent me some of his discarded SS heads. I'm now good to go either direction but while my shooting confidence is good with both heads, I know what the big hole look like and the incredible blood trails they leave so as long as they are still shooting well when I leave on the 14th, they will be my go to head once again.
Take lots of pictures for us....
G
BTW, don't take practice shots at stumps with a Snuffer- they are a bear to get out
Trust me, I have had to dig a few snuffers out of trees, basement walls, leg bones, etc. I know the pain. :)
Heading out in 6 hours. Sure wish my son didn't need to get a half day of school in today. Regardless, I'm hunting in the morning and that is what really matters.
