newbie to archery

[extroverted]

I shoot about 65lbs with a 300 grain arrow (400 total if you count the broadhead). Not sure what FPS that equates to, but I'd imagine around the 280 range.

I used your best guess of 280, now if it's a lower speed then yes it's going to change your entry time and KE.

[ToddRvs]

I used fixed blade broadheads from bear archery or I use stone broadheads I make myself. Any broadhead will work as long as it is sharp and of sufficient size.  Good luck this year and welcome to the fold.

[DEERBOSS]

MBCOOK I WILL ALMOST PROMISE ONCE YOU HARVEST A DEER WITH YOUR BOW, YOU WILL NEVER WANT TO PICK UP THAT GUN AGAIN! EVEN IF YOU DONT TAKE A DEER WITH YOUR BOW YOU WILL SEE 100 TIMES MORE STUFF WHILE SITTING IN YOUR STAND WITH YOUR BOW. YOU HAVE THE CHANCE TO SEE EVERYTHING DEPENDING ON YOUR SEASON AND THE RUT TIMING IN YOUR AREA.
 
IVE SEEN EVERYTHING FROM 2 BUCKS FIGHTING TO LAST YEAR I HAD A YOUR BASKET RACK 8 POINTER COME IN AND FLIP MY DOE DECOY OVER. THE ONLY THING LEFT ON MY LIST OF THINGS I REALLY WANT TO SEE IS A BUCK BREEDING A DOE.
 
AS FAR AS BROADHEADS I USE RAGE 2 BLADE. THE THING I LIKE ABOUT THE RAGE IS THEY COME WITH A PRACTICE BROADHEAD! BUT I ALSO HAVE ONE MONTEC 100 GRAIN IN MY QUIVER, I USE IT WHEN I HUNT IN ONE OF MY GROUND BLINDS TO SHOOT THROUGH THE MESH.
 
BEST OF LUCK WITH YOUR SEASON! HOPE TO SEE PICS OF ANYTHING YOU TAKE IN YOUR FIRST YEAR WITH THE STICK AND STRING!
 
GIVEM THE SHAFT!

[bowhuntr15]

G5 Montec broadhead is a great broad head - used to shoot them, and Muzzy, and....  Shot placement is very important and there are a lot of great broadheads out there that will put a deer down.  I finally settled down and have shot Rage (2 and 3) for the past few years.  All deer I have hit..., hit because I have missed, have fallen pretty quick.  By having the extra 1 to 1.5 EXTRA cutting diameter, I know I have had some potential marginal shots become fatal.  Hope you can see pic.      

[Woods Walker]

ORIGINAL: bowhuntr15

G5 Montec broadhead is a great broad head - used to shoot them, and Muzzy, and....  Shot placement is very important and there are a lot of great broadheads out there that will put a deer down.  I finally settled down and have shot Rage (2 and 3) for the past few years.  All deer I have hit..., hit because I have missed, have fallen pretty quick.  By having the extra 1 to 1.5 EXTRA cutting diameter, I know I have had some potential marginal shots become fatal.  Hope you can see pic.      

GREAT! I think I need to look at the Rage so I can take shots I normally would not, because of that extra large cutting area. I mean, what used to be low percentage marginal shots are now fair game!

[bowhuntr15]

WW, I believe you may misunderstood what I wrote.  I do hunt hard for I spend hours in the woods, hours on stands & ground waitng for "the moment". I do (not try) my best as an experience  (not professional) bow hunter to kill swiftly, for I wait for what I know is an "ethical" shot,  cutting diameters do not dictate ethical or consciously marginal shots.  I waste nothing of the beautiful deer (that is in my opinion edible - and I hope we agree to disagree) nor waste an opportunity to respectfully try to help a brother in our hunting community.  Finally, I offer no oppologies for offering my opinion.  There was no insinuation for anyone to look at a rage to take shots they normally would not.  IMO, I think (not know) you read too much into this matter.  Good luck to you, don't take maginal shots, and if it's a marginal shot (because it does happen), you know the drill.  God bless. 

[bowhuntr15]

P.S.  mbcook, do not take marginal shots.  Fixed blades vs Mechanical, brand vs brand..., whatever works for you, brother.  Trial and error, it's a matter of how YOU feel comfortable, confident, what works with your set-up, and being "ethical" about your hunting practices.  Once again, good luck!! 

[Woods Walker]

I'm glad you specified that, because while you don't use them for that purpose there ARE people who do, and who are always looking for a edge without the work involved.

I cringe every time I see an ad for a broadhead that even IMPLIES that it can make less than marginal shots into good ones, and this includes "makes a bigger blood trail that's easier to follow", because that's just BEGGING someone who's less than ethical in their shots to do just what I implied in my response, and we all know that they're out there. If you can't put the arrow where it should go in the first place, all the gimmicks in the world aren't going to help you.

[vipermann7]

I use Rage 2 blade. No complaints. Last year I shot a doe, got a clean pass through, both lungs. Weird thing is there was no blood trail. I saw her fall. She ran about 100 yard circle and tipped over 40 yards from my stand, but there was no blood. Not sure how that happened. I've had awesome blood trails with other deer. Anyway, no complaints about the Rages.

I also have used the G5 montecs. As far as fixed blades go, those are the ones I've had the best luck with. Ive also shot thunderheads. I always had great luck with them, except with my set-up anyway, they seem to plane a lot. They always grouped well, but planed a lot more than other fixed blades I've used. I've also had good luck with just about any muzzy In any case, I like to stick to the bigger brand names. I've tried some off-name labels because they were so much cheaper, but they never did me any good.

[bowhuntr15]

I agree with you as far as no gimmick will help if the shot is not placed in the "sweet spot".  At least an honest attempt is greatly appreciated by all ethical hunters.  You shoot a great broadhead.  The best shot I witnessed was made by a buddy of mine last year.  During the chasing phase, a doe passed by in front of us at 40 yards.  He took his time, settled his pin, waited for her to feel very relaxed, broadside, and he let her fly.  PERFECT shot!!! The Thunderhead did its job, and she only ran 60 yards and expired quickly.  Perfect shot and he had plenty of meat.  It seemed that he had just shot a GIANT!!!  Indeed a trophy for my buddy and a great honor for me to witness the whole experience.  Good hunting WW.  Oct. 1 is close.