I have done some resurge regarding bow hunting cape buffalo and has come to know two schools of thought.
· It seems that some prefer to have a smaller blade with a larger diameter shaft.
It seems that the theory behind this is to have a smaller cross section blade and a larger shaft that will increase the penetration ability of the arrow. It seems that you want to have a smaller cutting area that has to cut through bone.
· The second thought is to have a larger cutting edge with a smaller diameter shaft.

In both instances the arrow will weigh in between 700/900 grain.

Some thing does not ad up.
If cutting surface is all-important plus penetration why not go for the small diameter shaft plus small broad head?

I've been talking to fellow bowhunters that have killed Cape & Water Buff. The thoughts of those that have been sucessfull is to have a small diameter shaft behind a two blade head. One of the more important elements of arrow penitration is drag of the arrow shaft as the broadhead cuts into the game. More important I believe that KE. Meaning that KE is rapidly lost as drag on the arrow shaft impeeds it's flight.

Two vs three blade heads is an old debate. What you need to consider is what happens when weither touches a rib bone. A two blade head slide off the rib bome and slip between the two ribs. A three blade head will het at leaast two of the blades on a ribs cutting into the edges of the ribs...impeeding it's flight. Thee blade heads are fine on lighter boned game. A strong two blade head is prefeered on heavly boned game.

Also, the ferral of the broadhead is important too. Poor design or weal material may cause blade failure.

Distence is the other big factor. Heavy arrows need more arc at shorter distence.

Huntertaxi
You’re thinking is correct and what Boss told you is correct.
If you look back at the broadhead thread you’ll see where I put up photos and information concerning the popular COC - Cut-On-Contact 3-bladed heads. Re-read this thread-
https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1021043/m/829109242

The head that comes the closest to all of the advantages of a strong-steel 2-bladed head but cuts a 3-bladed hole instead of a slot is the Wensel Woodsman.



It’s important that the 3-bladed head have long (preferably 3:1 ratio) blades relative to the diameter that they cut. This is how a 3-bladed head will deflect off of bone like a 2-blade instead of stopping or getting wedged. It’s also important that the head be solid back to & through the ferrule. In the case of Wensel- it is also Teflon coated which is a great advantage.

As far as shafts go- There is now an arrow shaft called the “Grizzly Stik†that is designed specifically for large heavy skinned, heavy boned animals. They offer hunting shafts in 550, 670 & 820 grains depending on what you’re hunting for. – here’s their website –
http://alaskabowhunting.com/

I personally hunt with the best of the aluminum arrows. I use the 7178-T9 alloy from Easton that they offer in their X7 target arrows and their XX78 hunting arrows. The 2117 XX78s I use for hunting weigh 567grains which is perfect for a 55# recurve bow on any of the NorthAmerican game.



If I was coming your way I’d dig out my compound and pick up some of the GrizzlyStiks and put Wensel Woodsmen heads on them.

quote:

If I was coming your way I’d dig out my compound and pick up some of the GrizzlyStiks and put Wensel Woodsmen heads on them.

CaptJack - I have a doz of the Grizzly sticks that I'm shooting from my Navajo II TD 85# recurve "Big Medicine"

I really do like them but I am concerned about the large diameter of the front of the shaft. I think them might be the best made heavy arrow shaft in production today. So far my choice but I intend to try the smaller dia shafts too. Maybe an ACC? I just don't care for internal ballist to increase wt.

One of my fiends that I hog hunt with has used the WW and the razor caps. We've seen cuts on the ribs on either side of the entrance hole. IMHO I feel that would be a very real concern when taking a shot on a Cape Buffalo.

I have been shoot the Steelforce 140 glue-ons with a 42 gr. incert and haven't had any fold-over failure. I believe it's due to the "beefier" ferral to accomandate shaft/incert.

Eyedoc - has had great sucess with the 210 gr. version withthe Stainless Steel ferral.

CaptJack where did you get your take down bow?
I used to bow fish with a recurve until someone stole it. I have often thought a take down bow would be fun to have.

Swede
My takedown was built back in the 80s by Mike Palmer & Bob Lee.
Palmer's takedowns are at
http://www.palmerbows.com/newhome.htm
Bob Lee's takedowns are at
http://www.bobleearchery.com/index.html

and I also have a number of Quinn takedowns - a Longhorn and 2- Stallions
http://makeashorterlink.com/?Y2F01272B