El Grande flight tests

[David Petersen]

#5655

Thought I’d share my elk arrow set-up for this year: the new 200grn. El Grande (Grizzly), single-bevel, left-bevel, on footed hex-shafts with 3×5″ left-twist feathers. At 30″ they come in at 685. I have no idea the speed and don’t care. Given the large size of these heads I’m most impressed that they are among the few I’ve used over the years that fly better than field points on the same shafts. It sounds counter-intuitive, but there it is. After getting them tuned by shooting each arrow repeatedly into a dirt pile, I’m now in the prolonged but gratifying process of final sharpening.

First step is to use a black marker to color the beveled edges. Next I turn a belt sander upside down and using new 120 grit, very carefully take the black off the edges. Next is a gentle filing with a mill-cut file, mostly to flatten out any small irregularities left by the sander and to take off the burrs from the back/flat side. Then on to the KME knife sharpener using coarse and fine stones or diamond bars. Finally I strop them cross-grain on corrugated cardboard. By doing this a little at a time, during the course of a normal day or two of doing other things — rather like fletching a dozen shafts — it never gets boring.

I should mention that there are some small rocks hidden in my dirt-pile target and I can hear it each time a point strikes one, but not even a tiny dent in the Tanto tips or blade edges. Lots of work, but good fun work. Now all I need is a cooperative elk. 😀 dave

[Patrick]

#43159

I’ll be ordereing some of those very same broadheads within the week. 😀

What size file do you use Dave?

[Steertalker]

#43169

Hey Dave…glad you finally got your left bevel El Grandes. I’m shooting pretty much the same set up: 200 gr right bevel El Grande with a 125 gr steel adapter, 100 gr brass insert inside a 30 1/4″ Easton Axis FMJ 340, 3 x 4″ parabolic fletch. Total arrow weight is about 807 grs. Hope that’s enough:D

Brett

[Hubertus]

#43382

David Petersen wrote: Now all I need is a cooperative elk. 😀 dave

Ain’t that the truth!

[sapcut]

#43625

Dave,
You must just like sharpening the hard way because it takes very little work to get the new El Grandes shavin sharp. But then again I don’t shoot mine in a pile of dirt first. That must be the difference.

[David Petersen]

#44276

Patrick — I have no idea what “size” file I use, beyond “mill bastard.” Currently it’s a Swiss Grobet, but I use Nichols also; they just don’t last as long. I’m sure some file experts here can provide a better designation of “mill bastard” which I’ve used for fine metal work all my life and always seems to be the same fine-tooth cut. Be sure to chalk frequently. Not only makes the file last longer, but improves the cutting. Beats me how, but there it is.

Sapcut — Yep, shooting broadheads into dirt with hidden rocks ain’t going to win me any awards for intelligence. 😆 But it’s the only backstop I’ve found that I can pull glue-on broadheads out of without risking pulling off the head. And the price is right. I don’t enjoy sharpening, but neither do I mind it. In the days just before the season opens I need all the hunting-related distractions I can find to absorb my nervous energy. 😆 dave

[L82HUNT]

#44649

Ive got three packs of the new El Grande and thou they are much better, still required some good file work.(Thanks King) Mine all came with a bevel at about 26.5 degree. The last couple when finished ended up at about 185 grains. Just the ones Ive got thou. But no matter what they are still one bad mama jama and fly oh so well.

[smiley1]

#45883

Dave, I have been shooting El Grandes for three years now. This year will be the first with the 200 grain heads. Yes, you are 100 percent correct about arrow flight. They definitely fly better than field points with an EFOC set-up. My carbons weigh 670 grains with 28.5% FOC. Once sharp they are (IMO) the best broadhead made. They are almost impossible to damage! I use a file then the KME broadhead sharpener. After some great instructions from Ron I am able to get them shaving sharp. Penetration is awesome!

[David Petersen]

#46668

Smiley and Brett — You guys have a setup I sure wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of, even were I an elephant. By using wood shafts this year I am sacrificing FoC; way down in the teens. If I used a hundred-grain steel insert and stuck those same heads on a carbon I’d instantly be in the high 20s with you. I did that last year with Brown Bears, 26+%, and may do it this year for elk but I’m starting, tomorrow (!!:D!) on timberline muley bucks and crave some time with woodies, like in the old days. Should be more than accurate. I have the El Grandes down to a 23-degree edge bevel. dave

[Steertalker]

#46868

Once sharp they are (IMO) the best broadhead made.

I couldn’t agree more:D

Dave….last I checked my arrows were pushing the 25-27% EFOC range. Out of my 72 lb recurve they fly right at about 180 fps. They’re plenty bad8)

Have a great season, be safe and stay healthy:wink:

Brett

[tom-wisconsin]

#47583

Sounds like your all set, Good Hunting Dave

Tom

[Stephen Graf]

#48707

David Petersen wrote: … I’m starting, tomorrow (!!:D!) on timberline muley bucks …

I hear you’ve got a few teeeeeeny tiiiiiny little deer out in Colorado… If you should be successful, and have a camera that can take a picture of such a small creature, don’t forget to share!

[sapcut]

#50513

I am confused on why you guys are taking so much metal off the new Grizzlys to get them sharp. I got both edges of one broadhead shavin, sticky sharp in about 13 minutes if I remember right and only took off 2 grains of metal. I mean real stinkin sharp. I must be missing something. What am I missing here even when the broadhead is shavin sharp?

Richie

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