Original magnus snuffers
Equipment
Contributors to this thread:
Anyone know where to get the regular 125 snuffers? I’ve got some SS, but like the longer design of the regular snuffers. Can’t seem to find them anywhere?
I find them once in a while on Ebay or in the AT classifieds.
Original glue-on Snuffers were actually around 160 - 165 grains, give or take a couple grains... I've actually have a couple in the 170s...
Blood trail with 175 the other eve.
Blood trail with 175 the other eve.
Lee's Link
I’ve been looking for something similar for sometime. It was a hell of a head! I started shooting a 175 grain VPA this year. It has been a great head and tougher than the old Snuffer, at least in my opinion. I went to the solid blade so there won’t be any drag on flesh, bone when going through the animal. I am still using the old 14 mil bastard file to sharpen them. Killed 4 deer with the same head this year and it is back in the quiver for number 5. Take a look at them and see what you think.
Lee
I probably have a lifetime supply of Snuffers.
Mostly the 145 and 165 version. A bunch of my older 165’s have quite a bit if variation on weights but the 125’s are usually pretty consistent. Have had several of the 125’s flattened out by elk or hogs, but the 145 and up seem to be stronger. I will use different weight inserts and add weight to get them to match up. Getting them balanced, straight and spinning true takes some time.
Also have a bunch of the Wensel 3-blades. I think they are 125 or 150 glue on. They work pretty well, but you will need to dub that tip back to keep it from curling. They don’t cut as big a hole as the Snuffer and can’t tell much difference in penetration between the two. Have killed elk, deer, bears and hogs with them and they are a good head.
I have also used the VPA 3-blade heads in 150, 175, and 200 grains. They are much easier to deal with - consistent weight, straight, sharpen easily enough , hold a good edge, and tougher than the Snuffers. The solid 175 and up heads are bomb proof. They don’t cut quite as big a hole as the Snuffer, but great penetration and blood trails.
Have not seen good penetration on big bones with any of the 3-blades, but a hit in the ribs will put critters on the ground quickly with solid blood trails.
Not sure how much this one weighs...8^)
Sorry, should have clarified...I’m looking specifically for the 125 grain screw ins. Lost my final one this year.
I may give the VPAs a looks.
TD's Link
If I recall, Magnus sold their line of trad heads to another company. For the life of me I can't remember who. Or if they still make them.
These Woodsman heads are near the same. A touch longer and I think less wide. Might check them out.
I used to use the big ol snuffer 125s to tune with. If you can get one of those things to fly somewhat decent out of a compound you can shoot anything.......
Deaver, for 125 grain screw ins, I’d suggest the Woodsman Elite series. They more resemble the older Snuffers but in my opinion are better. I believe you’d be happy with them. Check them out at 3 Rivers. Or use the link TD provided.
Good luck.
Treeline- I used VPA 250 grain 1-1/4”. Bad shot but it went through one hindquarter and shattered the offside femur before exiting with a 53# recurve. They will go through heavy muscle and bone pretty well
I have some arrows that need 250 grains to balance;-). May need to get a few!
Last year’s arrows were tipped with 165 grain Snuffers with inserts to right around 200 grains. Knocked big holes in a few critters including a cow elk and had them down in sight!
Skipmaster, what was your total arrow weight on that setup?
700 grains total arrow weight. I’ve been shooting almost the same set up for years and I’ve always been really happy with the performance. A while back I hit a doe and she ran way out there. She was still standing so I took a long follow up shot. She was quartering to me and it hit her between the near front leg and sternum. The arrow broke the offside leg and was just hanging in her by the fletch. The shot was later paced off at 54 yards. I’m sold on well tuned heavy arrows.
I've killed several deer with Snuffers, from both traditional bows and compound bows. Darn shame they are no longer made...one of the best heads ever produced. They left big, nasty gaping holes and blood trails Ray Charles could follow (all else being equal). The original big 160 Rothhaar Snuffer was awesome. Then Magnus started making them, then they went to Thunder Valley Archery...when TVA closed up shop, the demise of the Snuffer went with them, sadly. Sure would be nice if another company would pick back up the original Snuffer head and start making them again.
Dang, Skip! That is a HAMMER!
Basically those Magnus and/or Thundervalley 125s posted above are originals 160-165 grain ground down and found with that much metal ground off them they tend to be bendable and as others above have said, if your going to go 125 gr light would go with Woodsmans or VPAs... Original Snuffers were built to be heavy... I think Mr. Rothhaar first designed them by welding Deadheads together... There a cool story about their development over on one of the traditional forums... I remember we used to call the big originals "Biscuit Cutters"...8^)
Read another post saying snuffers failed. They must have meant the light import snuffer ss. The originals (Rogers), Deltas, Magnus, and the Thunder valleys in 160 without insert NEVER failed. You just need a little steam behind them (roger shot them on 2219 XX75s). The owner of thunder valley still owns the dies and machine tools. I tried to talk him into selling them, but he is not interested. I have to believe he plans to get back into production at some point. Fingers crossed.
I have some 125G screw in's available. I also have flightmate adapters if you like to glue them on to arrows. PM me if you are interested.
The only failure I ever had with a Snuffer is when I sharpened them I left the needle point and had a couple bend over at the very tip contacting bone. Later I started tanto-pyramid-ing the tip on a file and never had another problem. Those big 160's were awesome heads. I killed deer with the TVA Snuffer 125's too with zero problems.
Hey Michael Schwister, luv talking about old Snuffers and their history... As said, there was a nice history lesson over on one of the trad forums, I think Ryan Rothhaar might have posted it... Wish Ryan would still visit here, haven't seen him post in a while, but I see if I can find it...
Found it:
"Posted by Ryan Rothhaar (Member # 2652) on March 03, 2012 09:42 PM: The Snuffers that we (the family) made starting in about 1970 were all the larger heads - 160-165 without adaptors - the business was sold to Delta Industries in about 1990. He geared up to make first 125 gr heads and then other sizes as well as the original larger heads. He also made some 2 blade heads using the Snuffer ferrule and Snuffer blades. He sold the business to Magnus - must have been around 2000 - and Magnus also made several sizes. The only colors would have been black and a few green ones perhaps in the Delta days. Anything else - generally overshot with a primer spray paint - gray,white,red,yellow,brown etc - are factory seconds. We used to sell these for $1 each back in the day. The older heads (pre-Delta) may have had one of 3 type tip inserts (before being ground) and either rounded or squared back vents - one could rough age older Snuffers this way.
I'd say your heads packaged as Martin are most likely Delta vintage. We certainly never made smaller heads OR repackaged, and I doubt Magnus repackaged.
Ryan "