Home Forums Bows and Equipment Whitetail leg bone impact

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    • JasonJelinek
        Post count: 15

        One of my friends shared an experience with me. He was in a tree stand and had a good shot at a whitetail doe at a little little less than 20 yards. The deer was framed by 2 limbs, calm and stationary. He picked a spot on the chest and released the arrow. He watched as the arrow entered the rear leg (right in the ham) closest to him. The doe was down after moving about 10 feet. He then got down and put a finishing shot on the deer. My friend was disappointed with the shot as he is a good, consistent shooter in practice and is a good hunter. He did mention that the arrow may have clipped a twig but isn’t sure.

        Upon further examination he noticed that the arrow had completely penetrated one leg, broken the upper leg bone on the other leg and the broadhead was pushing up against the skin. The tip on the broadhead was curled slightly, but could easily be filed down to a good sharpness. The leg bone wall thickness at the impact site was from 1/8″ to 3/16″.

        The broadhead was a 150 grain Grizzly El Grande with 100 grain steel adapter, mounted on a carbon shaft with a 100 gr brass insert. He shoots the arrow at about 150-160 fps.

        The first two pictures I’m holding the pieces of the bone together to show how the broadhead most likely looked as it entered the bone.
        Entry

        Exit

        This is what the bone looked like after the shot (minus the skin and flesh).

        It is amazing what an arrow can do.

      • Ireland
          Post count: 108

          JasonJelinek wrote: One of my friends shared an experience with me. He was in a tree stand and had a good shot at a whitetail doe at a little little less than 20 yards. The deer was framed by 2 limbs, calm and stationary. He picked a spot on the chest and released the arrow. He watched as the arrow entered the rear leg (right in the ham) closest to him. The doe was down after moving about 10 feet. He then got down and put a finishing shot on the deer. My friend was disappointed with the shot as he is a good, consistent shooter in practice and is a good hunter. He did mention that the arrow may have clipped a twig but isn’t sure.

          Upon further examination he noticed that the arrow had completely penetrated one leg, broken the upper leg bone on the other leg and the broadhead was pushing up against the skin. The tip on the broadhead was curled slightly, but could easily be filed down to a good sharpness. The leg bone wall thickness at the impact site was from 1/8″ to 3/16″.

          The broadhead was a 150 grain Grizzly El Grande with 100 grain steel adapter, mounted on a carbon shaft with a 100 gr brass insert. He shoots the arrow at about 150-160 fps.

          The first two pictures I’m holding the pieces of the bone together to show how the broadhead most likely looked as it entered the bone.
          Entry

          Exit

          This is what the bone looked like after the shot (minus the skin and flesh).

          It is amazing what an arrow can do.

          Thank you for your time and efforts in posting the results. Very informative for all…

          Ireland

        • Buzzard
            Post count: 66

            WOW, now that’s impressive.

          • David Petersen
            Member
              Post count: 2749

              Jason — thanks for this excellent report, photos and speculations. I’m sure when Dr. Ashby makes it back here he’ll have further interpretations to offers. Once again, here is practical proof of what the Ashby Study tells us over and over again: “perfect arrow flight and placement are great, when they happen. But ethical bowhunters should prepare for the not-infrequent unseen limbs, bad releases or whatever may cause imperfect shots and unfortunate arrow placements. Another trad bowhunter I know just last night lost the biggest whitetail he’s ever put an arrow into, when he hit the scapula and the non-Ashby broadhead — a model with which he’s killed countless deer under better circumstances — failed to penetrate. One small correction: the red El Grande as pictured is 190 grains rather than 150. The new El Grande is black and 200 grains. Amazing heads, like an increasing number of others from enlightened manufacturers. Thanks again for sharing, dave p

            • JasonJelinek
                Post count: 15

                Dave,

                The old 190s were black as well, at least the ones I bout 2 years ago were black. I’m pretty sure the ones in the pictures above are 150s or 160s but I’ve asked my friend again to confirm.

              • Odin214
                  Post count: 1

                  The colors of the broadheads may have changed. As I recall these were purchased in early 2008. After rebeveling, the heads typically weigh just under 160 grains. They have 100 grain steel adaptors and are assembled with JB Weld. Blackhawk Vapor 4000s with 100 grain brass inserts put the finished arrow just over 650 grains. My LH Sovereign Archery Ballistic Recurve draws about 50 pounds at my 27ish draw length. This combo has produced excellent penetration but I have wondered about the durability of the broadhead on a heavy bone hit. This experience sure was impressive. Thank you Dr. Ashby for all of the insight and Jason for spreading the word.

                • sagebrush
                    Post count: 52

                    I would also like to thank you Jason for the time it took to take the pictures and post. Very informative. Gary

                  • J-dog
                      Post count: 47

                      Odin214 wrote: The colors of the broadheads may have changed. As I recall these were purchased in early 2008. After rebeveling, the heads typically weigh just under 160 grains. They have 100 grain steel adaptors and are assembled with JB Weld. Blackhawk Vapor 4000s with 100 grain brass inserts put the finished arrow just over 650 grains. My LH Sovereign Archery Ballistic Recurve draws about 50 pounds at my 27ish draw length. This combo has produced excellent penetration but I have wondered about the durability of the broadhead on a heavy bone hit. This experience sure was impressive. Thank you Dr. Ashby for all of the insight and Jason for spreading the word.

                      Got to be an old style 160, the edge on the rear of the blade is the old style. The thickness tapers out when it gets to the back of the blades (no tsure how to explain) but that is my favorites of the series. Orange 160s – though no wI have new styles and they are that much better and just as bombproof. Surprised the tip gave a little – I have KINDA missed my target and took bricks out without damage to the heads at all.

                      J

                    • MontanaFord
                        Post count: 450

                        J-Dog,

                        I have some of the older-style Grizzly heads, with the same overlap design as the one in the picture. Mine are painted green. It’s just how they overlapped the metal to make the head, is all. I think that’s what you’re talking about, right? The back edge of the blades being the thickness of one piece of metal instead of two? The ones I have are about 160 grains, including the glue-in insert, which I believe to be aluminum. Gonna go bye bye before too long, so I can use steel inserts.

                        Michael.

                      • J-dog
                          Post count: 47

                          Yeah, what i am saying is that IS an old style 160; not a new style 160 El Grande. New styles would not have the overlap design, they go out to the edge (no lip). That is all, great Bhead.

                          J

                        • Cottonwood
                            Post count: 311

                            Great report, love it!

                          • Ed Ashby
                            Member
                              Post count: 817

                              It’s great to see the photos. The bone breaks shown are pretty typical of what happends on a long bone. Note the depth of BH penetration into the bone before the rotational torque caused the bone to split; the tip just barely through.

                              There have been some color changes on the broadheads of differing weight through the years. The heaviest El Grande version has always been black. That’s definitely not one on the new heads. It’s hard to judge the length of the BH, but it is either the 160 gr or the ‘El Grande size’ 150 grain model. The reported slight tip bend makes me lean towards it being the 150 grain version of the El Grande, although I did bend the tip on two of the old model 160 grain heads – on buffalo ribs. Jason stated that it’s the 150 Grain version of the El Grande, so I think he spot on with the BH identification.

                              Ed

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