After realizing I made a mistake in my first test of the Annihilator, I have deleted that video and done a complete re-test. Check it out...it's worth it!
Thank you for the retest. The way a man handles himself in a mistake says more to me about his character than how he handles things when all goes well.
Way to step up and admit that you weren't totally objective the first time, credibility raised. Very impressive on how it held up to the steel...lots of heads fall short in that area. Well done.
At the ATA show annihilator had a car trunk that they shot through 30 times with the same broadhead and the broadhead was still unscathed. Insanely impressed with the durability.
I think I'd be ok giving up the idea of a pass through every hit for the amount of impact and material displacement this head offers! The blood trail is bound to be plenty even if it didn't pass through, but i have a feeling that against an animal this head may still surprise us all with its true abilities.
It takes guts to admit your mistake and not just sit back in the shadows and nurse a bruised ego. Major props to you for that, it's great to see a youtuber with that level of integrity. The Annihilators look great, have an innovative design, and are back on my list of broadheads to try this year. These and the Tooth of The Arrow broadheads have really grabbed my attention this year, the Annihilators for the design, and the ToTA for their unyeilding faith in their product.
I've been watching your videos for a while now but I just subbed to your channel based on your apology and admission of being human. I appreciate what it took to admit that and do the right thing. This tells me that I can trust you to give me the best advise you can. Thank you and keep the videos coming and we'll keep on watching!
Great job! Awesome that you revisited the head after getting some more information on it. That thing held up great after the steel shooting! Thanks for the review.
The facts that you’re honest enough to completely own up to your mistakes and publicly apologize has honestly raised your credibility in my eyes and earned my subscription thank you
Your a great guy to take the time to redo your test, i was happy to hear it passed ! i was confused 10 inches was a lot :) i’ll be using these for a few animals , keep up the good testing !
Thanks for making this! I was also curious why you'd gotten the drop at longer ranges as that wasn't my experience. Mistakes happen....no worries! Thanks for putting this together!
Great job being humble enough to admit up to something like that! Because of your first video I ended up going with the QAD Exodus. I was planning on shooting longer yardages with my new MBG slider sight and the lack of distance turned me off as you said. I hope you have a great season with these and depending on your results I might give them a try next year! Great in depth videos. Love it!
Jase Seekell Thank you. Can’t go wrong with the Exodus. I’ve taken over 50 animals with that head. It continues to impress me after all these years. I appreciate you watching and commenting.
It takes a strong person to admit when they are wrong, especially in a very public forum like this. Much respect for the humility, integrity and honesty. I love these heads and love your reviews, keep up the good work.
@Boxing 101 That's unfortunate, I find that out to 100 metres they regularly shoot very well with 3" groups, are as quiet as any other head I've used (mind you it's not an exhaustive list), and need minimal tuning. Different setups, different results I suppose.
It’s really nice to see some genuine honesty there’s a lot of people that wouldn’t have admitted their mistake or retested thanks John keep up the videos!!
Your previous video made me hesitant, now that you've come forward and admitted your mistake I'll have to buy these. Thanks for making another video. Next thing you need to look at is the EZ V bowsight. I love mine.
Absolutely love your videos. They have given me knowledge and details to choose the items I currently use. Would absolutely love to see you test any broadheads from valkyrie archery. Really curious about them.
Great job on the review, and on apologizing and admitting to having made a mistake in the initial review. It is refreshing to see this kind on honesty on a TH-cam channel, you earned a subscription today.
I actually subbed after I saw your first video and I commend you for your honesty with this correction. Great channel mate, really like your easy going presentation that’s straight forward and logical. Cheers.
Thank you Jason. One of my Pastor friends always tells me, "the humble way is the right way." I keep having to struggle to put that into practice in my marriage and ministry though :)
@@LuskArcheryAdventures we all fall short brother....the important thing is you try! After watching a ton of your videos I had to order Me some annihilator 125s.......thank u for all the amazing content!
I am so glad i subscribed to this channel I new with in 60 seconds that you were a man of integrity. Thanks for retest. Even though i was not turned off one bit by your findings on the first test. The annihilator is in the top three for my broadhead choice for 2020 hunting season as i am going to fix blade heads from now on. Keep it simple stupid!!!!!!!
I did watch the other one .It convinced me that’s the one to use. In fact when straight away to their site and screen shot so I’ll get some the next time I need board heads. No worries
I'm not one that takes many shots at 50 yards or more so I was still going to use them this year for hunting but I'm glad you did a retest this is my new broadhead for hunting regardless for a fixed blade
Seems like the same concept as underwoods extreme defender and extreme hunter ammo. The flutes in the ammo design create just as much if not more damage than a hollow point. Check out the videos of the extreme defender ammo ballistics test and see if u agree
Same concept but the bullet is obviously traveling and spinning much faster which allows the push and disruption of tissue(hydrostatic shock) causing a permanent wound channel. This broadhead may do that to some degree but I would like to see better gel and animal evidence before being convinced.
New subscriber here, so I missed the first video, but oh well. I'm enjoying all your broadhead reviews, as well as the other things, even though I'm a stick bow guy. I'm getting back into archery after taking several years off, not by choice, but stuff happens. Keep up the good work man!
I’m sorry if you had to adjust your sight type to get the arrow where you want it then yes the head causes velocity drop. If you used two same grain broadheads with both having the same arrow setup but one arrow falls short then there is a problem.
No, it was dropping with my field points as well. I had made a number of adjustments last summer and was adding 8 yards to all of my tapes in order to get them to hit dead on. But it had been so long since I shot longer ranges, I forgot to do that when I tested the Ann. So when I shot my field points the other day at 70 and saw they were hitting low, I remembered my error. I sighted in my field points and then shot the Ann and they were both dead on.
Lusk Archery Adventures so in the first video the exodus and the Ann was hitting the same place low as I recall the Ann was hitting low in that video which doesn’t make it a bad broadhead it just makes you have to adjust somethings to get it to fly the way you want it those large scopes will make more resistance but doesn’t make it inferior
matthew perry No, I didn’t even shoot the Exodus at long range in that video. I only shot the Ann at 50 and 70. I shot the Exodus at the water jug and the MDF only.
John L well I suppose you aught to make a video to test it shoot it against another broadhead with less possible drag the exodus I bet would fly with less drop. My apologies for not realizing you not shooting both heads in the first vid.
matthew perry Well, that’s really moot. It shot right with my field points at 70 yds. I shot a field point then I shot the Ann. It didn’t drop any more than my field points; why would another broadhead drop less than that? Doesn’t make sense.
Thanks for the re test. What do you think was the issue with the first test? Also, I'd like to see a slow motion test to see if it acts like a hollow point bullet and see the displacement it makes
I had been testing different weight heads, different draw weights, and different vane/FOB configurations. I had been adding an extra 8 yards to my sight tape to have them dialed in, but forgot to do that when I tested the Annihilators the first time. It was the first long range shooting I'd done since September and hadn't remembered to do that. I shot my field points at 70 and they were really low; that's when I realized what I had done. I adjusted for my field points to be dead on and then the Annihilators were dead on as well. It doesn't act like a hollow point, cause they don't expand. But they just displace a large amount of tissue with that scoop design as opposed to a blade design. The flight is not affected due to the way the scoops are structured. The Ramcats use that same scoop, on a smaller scale, and it's why their heads fly so well.
I have a friend who is an expert ballistics resource with bullets. He has used wet phone books set horizontally for measuring penetration. He found that media represents deer tissue very well and easy to measure penetration repeatedly. Might work with broadheads.
@@LuskArcheryAdventures He soaked them in a tub of water, then built a wooden rack to hold them. He would measure the penetration in inches, then change the books in the rack. Old phone books are pretty easy to get.
I thought that it was a great broadhead based on one piece fixed blade. 50 yards, I never shoot anything but a bag at distances farther than that. If it works at 30 and below and doesn't need to be replaced, it's a winner.
This was another terrific test -- really helping me think through my set up. Great channel and very helpful. I would love to see you review the Bone Broadheads and the Strickland Helix -- any chance? Thanks again!
John, Always look forward to your reviews, straightforward and honest . I just took a nice buck with an annihilator 125, only ran 30 yards and tipped over. Just wondering if you were going to test the new annihilator XL or if you had an opinion ?
There are two ways--either just laying them flat on a stone and sharpening two edges at once or using the Stay Sharp Guide 344. If you use the flat method, they will get pretty darn sharp--especially with a good diamond plate like the one made by Stay Sharp Guide. But the 344 will actually change the bevel angle to 44 degrees, rather than 60 and make them quite a bit sharper. I demonstrate that in another vid I have of the Annihilator. Just search Lusk Annihilator and it will come up.
Yeah, I do as well. I've heard mixed reviews about blood trails. Small is still small. I'm sure they do better than a "normal" head with a .91" cutting diameter, but do they do better than a head with a 1.25" cutting diameter? It's doubtful. They are making a larger cut model, and that would be really interesting to test.
Lusk Archery Adventures very true it’s a larger cut but you pay for it in weight, 150 gr for a 1 1/8” broadhead is a lot imo. The head I’m very seriously looking at is the Hades regular tip model, very very good looking head
I really appreciate that you are willing to backtrack when you have a made a mistake. That speaks volumes. That said, the entire premise behind this head is flawed, from a biological standpoint. Tissue does not care if you push it aside. It will bounce back. when it comes to arrows, if one wishes to make a larger hole, one must cut that hole. In my opinion, these heads give up penetration for nothing. Any equilateral, straight, three-blade head that is well sharpened and made of a decent steel will exhibit the same tissue damage in actual tissue. If one wants to compare durability, then a steel sheet is a great target. If one wants to compare the holes made, then there is no substitute for actual, living tissue. ballistics gel comes close, but it still isn't a great comparison for permanent damage that contributes to bloodletting.
Mahalo John for the re-test. The last video had me shying away from it because of the distance issue. Which do you shoot 100 or 125 grain and what is your overall arrow grain? 🤙
If you’re worried about size of cut or penetration… I watched my buddy in 2022 put one of these through a 450lb black bear in Saskatchewan. That bear had no idea what hit him.
Great job on the re-test. You handled it great. I was looking into the Annihilators and backed off after the first test. I hunt in big country out west and a broadhead that can't fly beond 70-80 yards is a no go. Now they are back on the list and I would like to see the Annihilator up against the Tooth of the Arrow. Not sure you did that video. Take care!
Thanks Stephen. The Tooth of the Arrow is a fantastic head. This year I am testing all of the heads through the same materials, so even if I don't do a head to head comparison, you will be able to compare the results of all the heads. Eventually, I will put the Tooth heads through these materials as well, so you can compare the penetration, water bag drainage, and durability.
No, they are not paying me a thing. Here's what happened. Late last summer, I made some adjustments to my arrows and set up. In order for my sight tape to be accurate I had to add 7-8 yds to the reading; that was easier than printing new tapes. I added those yards with many of my long range tests and on my western Montana elk/mulie hunt in September. But a few months later, I was testing the Ann and I forgot to add those extra yards. I hadn't shot at distance since September. So when they hit low, I thought it was the head. I went to re-test them last week and they still hit low at 70 yds. So I shot my field points at 70 and they they hit low as well. That's when I remembered the adjustment I had been making and forgot to make now. So I made that adjustment and my field points were dead on at 70. Then I shot the Ann and it was dead on at 70 as well. Does that make sense?
Very nice broadhead a gentleman that I know used them. I saw your video then I asked him and he said they also shoot very similar to field points. Might not be 100 percent but very close. Some of it could be me! He showed me pictures of his elk and they bled profusely out of their nose and the hole where he hit which was double lungs.
@Boxing 101 I never attempted to delete it..I fixed a few spelling issues..my phones keyboard isn't conducive to typing with my large hands...and as I stated earlier they even admitted they had a problem with the 125's falling off at 40/50 yards. They did a redesign to fix the issue, which could possibly be the difference in Lusks test results...but that would just make too much sense...
They did have a batch that was problematic. I don't think they did a re-design, but they corrected the problem with that batch. But that was not the problem with my first test. The problem was with my tapes. When I went to do the re-test, I shot a field point at 70 yards and it dropped as well. That's when I realized my mistake. When I corrected to get my field points on target, the Annihilator was on target as well.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and everyone has their own reasons and methods of hunting...and that's exactly how it should be. That being said, MY opinion on bowhunting might be a little different than other hunter's. When I started bowhunting 40 yrs ago, it was to get away from gun hunting. I wanted the greater challenge of getting the deer close enough to shoot with an arrow. I'm much more proud of the several deer I've shot at 2 or 3 yards than the buck I shot at 42 yards. People seem to be making an issue of long range accuracy (or lack of), and sure, for elk hunting or mountain goats or sheep or whatever, that's important, but for the average deer hunter I think it's not something to get so worked up over. If you want to shoot a deer at 80 yards, use a gun. JUST MY OPINION.
I love my annihilators ....the only issue I have is getting mine as sharp as I like to....I may need to get the 344 broadhead guide...to change the angle of the bevel a little....not sure
Yeah, a 60 degree bevel can only get "so sharp." Honestly, it's sharp enough to hunt with, but if you're really wanting it super sharp, you have to change that bevel to 44 degrees and that is what the Stay Sharp 344 does. The bevel is still plenty strong, but it will be much sharper.
@@LuskArcheryAdventures that's exactly what I needed to hear ......thank u.....for some reason it says the website can't be found....he may be hunting or something and shut it down til he gets back......not sure....but thank u again !
Thanks for the information. What I was trying to understand, when you reset the site tape, did you find that it dropped faster at long range than other heads, and that's why you reset the tape? Thanks in advance.
Not exactly. First, I did the re-test cause several of my friends contacted me and told me that their tests had not showed any kind of drop. Then I stopped by the Annihilator booth at the ATA and they encouraged me to re-test it as well, cause their tests showed no drop. They were not belligerent at all; actually quite respectful. So I went out to the do the re-test. When I shot it at 70 yds, it dropped just like before. So then I shot a field point, and it dropped exactly like the Annihilator. That's when I realized my mistake. I had made changes to my set up back in late summer and knew to add 7-8 yds to my tapes, rather than just change my tapes. But a few months had passed since I shot at longer distance by the time I did the first test of the Annihilator, and I'd forgotten to make that adjustment. So everything was hitting low at 70 yds--field points and other broadheads. People think I shot the Exodus at 70 yds in my first test and it didn't drop; but I did not. I only shot the Exodus at the water jug and the layers of MDF. I still have that video, but deleted from TH-cam cause of my mistakes. When I tested it the second time, and got my field points dialed in, then the Annihilator, and every other decent head for that matter, is hitting the same at 70 yds.
50 yards is pretty long shot most whitetails are shot inside 25 yards so even if you were right I was OK with that just for reason than that most shots under 30 ish yards always enjoy your videos and value your opinion
@@LuskArcheryAdventures Love the channel and the effort you put into it. I have an idea. Let's ban the boxing 101 guy from commenting. He has hundreds of posts bashing this broadhead. He is way out of line at this point.
Let's get something straight about "tissue displacement". It likely has zero effect on the animal that is hit by an arrow. This comes from exhaustive testing in bullets of all kinds. Tissue displacement is also known as "temporary wound cavity". The size of a temporary wound cavity at low velocities does not have an impact on lethality or so called stopping power. A permanent wound cavity does impact lethality, and, at velocities under 2000 fps, the permanent wound cavity is approximately the diameter of the projectile at a given point during penetration of a body, be it human or animal. At high velocities (over 2000 fps) the size of both the temporary and permanent wound cavities matter, as, at these velocities, tissue damage does occur beyond physical contact with the projectile. This is why rifles are approximately twice as lethal as handguns. Annihilator broadheads may be great, but it has nothing to do with tissue displacement. One other thing needs to be pointed out. There are claims that forcing tissue away from the arrow shaft aids penetration. This a misnomer, as the energy lost in displacing the tissue would be far higher than the drag created by an arrow shaft lubricated by bodily fluids.
Well, thank you for sharing your thoughts but I am going to humbly disagree. Bullets and arrows kill by completely different means. For bullets and "stopping power" as you reference, you are correct. A bullet largely kills by the KE created by the projectile and the subsequent shock or concussion of tissue that results. But an arrow doesn't kill by "stopping power" but only by cutting tissue, either killing by blood loss or oxygen loss in the case of a lung shot. The more tissue that is cut or displaced, the more difficult it is for that wound to close up and thus the more readily the animal bleeds, causing greater blood trails (all other variables being equal). That's why a 2" cut broadhead will likely kill an animal faster than a 1" cut. When a broadhead has an extra large ferrule, or extra thick blades, or extra long blades, then more tissue is cut or displaced and larger blood trails result.
@@LuskArcheryAdventures The "displacement" is temporary at arrow velocities and does not lead to more bleeding. Handgun bullets do not kill by shock or concussion, that's what rifle bullets at above 2000 fps do. This has been well documented. Yes, a broadhead kills by cutting tissue, and yes the wider the cut, assuming similar penetration, more bleeding can be expected. That has nothing to do with the ferrule size. Also, animals are not thin skinned bags of fluid ready to be drained as your baggy with colored water would indicate. I do respect your tests, and I think that they have some value in terms of demonstrating the integrity of the broadheads, but you really can't generalize too much from materials to animals. I've been bowhunting for over 40 years, guess I've taken 150+ animals with a bow including bear, various kinds of deer, hogs, caribou, turkey, and javelina, I've read every study that I can get my hands on of broadhead effects in both live and dead animals, and I've also studied bullet effect and post shooting documentation. I'm not postulating, I'm repeating what others have documented and my own experiences.
I never tested it at long range.. I just assumed it was good up to 50 yards and that was good enough for me. But this just shows that we are all human.. I shoot it beside my bishop scientific method broadheads and was just as good but a fraction of the cost. I love my bishops but the annihilator Is the broadhead I'm keeping in my quiver
They're both solid heads. But with a crossbow, I'd use the larger cutting head cause you can drive it so deep. I'd use the Exodus. But that doesn't mean the Ann would be a bad choice either.
Terrific vid Seems like a great broadhead. Wish they’d made them heavier-say 200, 250 and 300 grain. Also the cutting diameter is just a few millimetres too small, so it’s not legal to hunt with it where l’m at.
I don’t understand from a physical standpoint how it “cups out” it’s got a tremendous amount of wind resistance. With that being said, a friend of mine did use it with several late season Whitetail does and had fantastic results at close distances
Can you explain what changes you had to make to make it fly for longer ranges please? I'm not sure why you would have to make changes.. I think it's an amazing head and it flew perfect for me out to 60 yards. After 60 the drop was extreme. Thanks!
That's interesting. I didn't do anything other than sight in my field points. What had happened for me was I had made some changes to my set up late last summer. With those changes, I had to add 7-8 yards to my sight tape at longer ranges. But I forgot to do that when I tested the Ann for the first time, cause it was a few months later. I went to shoot them the other day and they were hitting low at 70 yds, just like before. But then I shot my field points and they were hitting low as well. That's when I realized what I had done. So I re-sighted in my field points at 70 yds and then my Ann heads hit right with them.
Well, Annihilator broadhead is a great design BUT, I experienced like others here on TH-cam or different forums that unfortunately, I experienced a drop of 4" at 30yds with my Excalibur crossbow Micro 335. I reached out Annihalator and they told me that I should have buy the standard size, but on their website, they're contradicting it. It mentioned that within 50yds, and for crossbow, the XL should be used. So not sure what to say but I know I'm not the only one in this situation. 🤷♂️ Great video here though.
Thank you for the retest.
The way a man handles himself in a mistake says more to me about his character than how he handles things when all goes well.
Thank you Todd. Much appreciated brother.
Way to step up and admit that you weren't totally objective the first time, credibility raised. Very impressive on how it held up to the steel...lots of heads fall short in that area. Well done.
Thank you Conan. Much appreciated.
At the ATA show annihilator had a car trunk that they shot through 30 times with the same broadhead and the broadhead was still unscathed. Insanely impressed with the durability.
I think I'd be ok giving up the idea of a pass through every hit for the amount of impact and material displacement this head offers! The blood trail is bound to be plenty even if it didn't pass through, but i have a feeling that against an animal this head may still surprise us all with its true abilities.
It takes guts to admit your mistake and not just sit back in the shadows and nurse a bruised ego. Major props to you for that, it's great to see a youtuber with that level of integrity. The Annihilators look great, have an innovative design, and are back on my list of broadheads to try this year. These and the Tooth of The Arrow broadheads have really grabbed my attention this year, the Annihilators for the design, and the ToTA for their unyeilding faith in their product.
Yep both are great heads. Thanks for the comment.
Your transparency is commendable. Admitting your shortcomings is greatly appreciated. Says a lot about you.
Thanks again.
Thank you Roger.
I've been watching your videos for a while now but I just subbed to your channel based on your apology and admission of being human. I appreciate what it took to admit that and do the right thing. This tells me that I can trust you to give me the best advise you can. Thank you and keep the videos coming and we'll keep on watching!
Thanks Josh. Much appreciated brother. The "Pastor" in me just won't let me be anything but truthful.
Great job! Awesome that you revisited the head after getting some more information on it. That thing held up great after the steel shooting! Thanks for the review.
Thank you!
Kudos John for the re-test video of the Annihilator broadhead. Love it when testers provide accuracy and credibility to their videos.
Sam Townley Thank you Sam. Much appreciated brother
I already replied a while back using John L, but in order to clear my "comments not yet replied to" box, I'm posting this from my main channel :)
The facts that you’re honest enough to completely own up to your mistakes and publicly apologize has honestly raised your credibility in my eyes and earned my subscription thank you
Thank you Andrew. Much appreciated.
Lush archery is a man of the cloth !
Awesome review John. I wanted them after watching the first test, now it’s a no brainer.
Thanks Tom. Much appreciated.
Your a great guy to take the time to redo your test, i was happy to hear it passed ! i was confused 10 inches was a lot :) i’ll be using these for a few animals , keep up the good testing !
Thanks Mike. Much appreciated. And thank you for sharing your results with me. You were one of the people I was referencing.
Kudos. I definately think these deserved a re-test! Appreciate the effort and cost for this! Subscribed!
Cameron Alexander Thank you Cameron.
I already replied a while back using John L, but in order to clear my "comments not yet replied to" box, I'm posting this from my main channel :)
Thanks for making this! I was also curious why you'd gotten the drop at longer ranges as that wasn't my experience. Mistakes happen....no worries! Thanks for putting this together!
Thank you for sharing that.
Great job being humble enough to admit up to something like that! Because of your first video I ended up going with the QAD Exodus. I was planning on shooting longer yardages with my new MBG slider sight and the lack of distance turned me off as you said. I hope you have a great season with these and depending on your results I might give them a try next year! Great in depth videos. Love it!
Jase Seekell Thank you. Can’t go wrong with the Exodus. I’ve taken over 50 animals with that head. It continues to impress me after all these years. I appreciate you watching and commenting.
I already replied a while back using John L, but in order to clear my "comments not yet replied to" box, I'm posting this from my main channel :)
It takes a strong person to admit when they are wrong, especially in a very public forum like this. Much respect for the humility, integrity and honesty. I love these heads and love your reviews, keep up the good work.
@Boxing 101 That's unfortunate, I find that out to 100 metres they regularly shoot very well with 3" groups, are as quiet as any other head I've used (mind you it's not an exhaustive list), and need minimal tuning. Different setups, different results I suppose.
I appreciate the encouragement. Yeah, they did shoot very accurately for me at 70 yds. I didn't test them beyond that yet, largely due to the weather.
It’s really nice to see some genuine honesty there’s a lot of people that wouldn’t have admitted their mistake or retested thanks John keep up the videos!!
Thank you sir.
Thanks for your time and energy. Much appreciated, changed my mind.
Justin Ormiston Thanks Justin. Much appreciated.
I already replied a while back using John L, but in order to clear my "comments not yet replied to" box, I'm posting this from my main channel :)
Good job! Man up to your mistakes, make it right, and move on. You earned a sub from us!
Thank you Jennifer. Much appreciated.
Kudos for re-testing! I bought these heads a few years back and also didn’t see any drop in accuracy at or beyond 50 yards. Thanks!
Thanks for sharing that.
You've earned credibility for eating that humble pie in my book. Everyone makes mistakes, admitting them is what makes you a good person.
Thanks brother. Much appreciated. One of my friends used to always say, "the humble way is the right way." Good principle to live by.
You just showed excellent honesty and credibility! Respect!
Thank you!
Your previous video made me hesitant, now that you've come forward and admitted your mistake I'll have to buy these. Thanks for making another video.
Next thing you need to look at is the EZ V bowsight. I love mine.
Thank you. I really appreciate it.
I already replied a while back using John L, but in order to clear my "comments not yet replied to" box, I'm posting this from my main channel :)
I’d be interested to see what it does on animals too! Thanks for making these videos I love them!
Thanks Melvin. I'm trying to get that last doe of the year with one.
I had purchased the heads prior to your first video. I liked how they flew and I'm happy with them.
Great to hear that.
Absolutely love your videos. They have given me knowledge and details to choose the items I currently use. Would absolutely love to see you test any broadheads from valkyrie archery. Really curious about them.
Thanks Nick. I was given a head by a friend, to test out. I need to get it done.
Great job on the review, and on apologizing and admitting to having made a mistake in the initial review. It is refreshing to see this kind on honesty on a TH-cam channel, you earned a subscription today.
Thank you, Jeff. Much appreciated my friend.
Everyone makes mistakes! You’re so busy testing and everything else you have going on. I think we all understand lol
Thanks Austin. Much appreciated.
John, thats your best intro music to date. Keep using it
Well that's encouraging to hear. Thank you.
Kudos to you for the transparency and integrity!
Thank you Evan!
I actually subbed after I saw your first video and I commend you for your honesty with this correction. Great channel mate, really like your easy going presentation that’s straight forward and logical. Cheers.
Thank you. That's very kind of you to say. I appreciate your support, brother.
Outstanding individual you are sir.....thank u for being humble !
Thank you Jason. One of my Pastor friends always tells me, "the humble way is the right way." I keep having to struggle to put that into practice in my marriage and ministry though :)
@@LuskArcheryAdventures we all fall short brother....the important thing is you try!
After watching a ton of your videos I had to order Me some annihilator 125s.......thank u for all the amazing content!
I subbed just because you owned up to your mistake. And your info was great too!!
Andrew Earles Thank you Andre. Much appreciated.
I already replied a while back using John L, but in order to clear my "comments not yet replied to" box, I'm posting this from my main channel :)
I am so glad i subscribed to this channel I new with in 60 seconds that you were a man of integrity. Thanks for retest. Even though i was not turned off one bit by your findings on the first test. The annihilator is in the top three for my broadhead choice for 2020 hunting season as i am going to fix blade heads from now on. Keep it simple stupid!!!!!!!
Boxing 101 slick tricks sounding better all the time
Boxing 101 thanks for the heads up. Always appreciate someone else’s experience.
Well, they don't drop for me :)
Good on you for correcting an error.
Thank you! Much appreciated.
I did watch the other one .It convinced me that’s the one to use. In fact when straight away to their site and screen shot so I’ll get some the next time I need board heads. No worries
Great to hear that. Thanks Phil.
I'm not one that takes many shots at 50 yards or more so I was still going to use them this year for hunting but I'm glad you did a retest this is my new broadhead for hunting regardless for a fixed blade
Very good. Thank you!
Great job, love your honesty
Thank you
Bought a set of 100gr the other day looking forward to shooting them. We all are human. Love your info, keep it up
Thanks Cali. Much appreciated brother.
@@LuskArcheryAdventures .👊
Appreciate a good apology. Also appreciate not being sued, lol. Great video.
Haha. Thank you
I already replied a while back using John L, but in order to clear my "comments not yet replied to" box, I'm posting this from my main channel :)
Well done. It is easy to make a mistake, it is much harder to own it. Very commendable, if more people would do that it sure would be nice.
Thank you!
A good example of “Swearing to your own hurt”. Good example, John.
Thank you Joseph; much appreciated brother.
John: Mistakes happen. that simply proves you are human. Admitting you made a mistake adds to your credibility. Very nice!
Thanks Jim. Much appreciated.
Keep up these great videos!
Thank you Richard. Much appreciated.
Your credibility is why I watch your videos
Thank you, brother.
Seems like the same concept as underwoods extreme defender and extreme hunter ammo. The flutes in the ammo design create just as much if not more damage than a hollow point. Check out the videos of the extreme defender ammo ballistics test and see if u agree
That's cool. I'm not familiar with that. But it sounds like the same principle.
Same concept but the bullet is obviously traveling and spinning much faster which allows the push and disruption of tissue(hydrostatic shock) causing a permanent wound channel. This broadhead may do that to some degree but I would like to see better gel and animal evidence before being convinced.
Good stuff John, we all make mistakes, much respect. I'm glad this is true because now I don't have to switch heads as I reach out further!
Yeah, they should do well. I have heard a few guys say theirs drop, but mine do not.
The structural integrity looks amazing but I’m not sold that the back scoop wedge dose anything more then a regular fixed blade
Yeah, I've not tested them on animals yet.
Honor is in high demand and low in occurrence these days 👍 subscribed
Thank you Michael.
Thanks for the video will be trying these out this fall
Yeah, they're worth a look for sure.
Outstanding job in doing the right thing for consumers and the company!!
Thank you
Strong integrity to admit a misstake. You got my respect and I decided to Subscribe!
Thank you Jedin. I really appreciate it, brother.
There's no reason to say you are sorry.this is how we learn.you made 1 mistake in how many tests that you have done.keep doing what you do.
Thank you Herman. Much appreciated.
Props for doing the right thing. Some sweep that stuff under the carpet.
Yeah, that's not my style. Thank you for the encouragement.
You really owned it man! That's really cool you're humble enough to admit something.
"Serious Retesting/ Successful Hunting"?
Haha. That's funny. Thank you for the encouragement.
Nice job John, well done.
Thank you sir. Much appreciated.
Excellent job
Thank you!
Honesty #1
Thank you
Amen. Thank you
New subscriber here, so I missed the first video, but oh well. I'm enjoying all your broadhead reviews, as well as the other things, even though I'm a stick bow guy. I'm getting back into archery after taking several years off, not by choice, but stuff happens. Keep up the good work man!
Thanks Philip. Much appreciated, brother. Welcome back to the game!
I’m sorry if you had to adjust your sight type to get the arrow where you want it then yes the head causes velocity drop. If you used two same grain broadheads with both having the same arrow setup but one arrow falls short then there is a problem.
No, it was dropping with my field points as well. I had made a number of adjustments last summer and was adding 8 yards to all of my tapes in order to get them to hit dead on. But it had been so long since I shot longer ranges, I forgot to do that when I tested the Ann. So when I shot my field points the other day at 70 and saw they were hitting low, I remembered my error. I sighted in my field points and then shot the Ann and they were both dead on.
Lusk Archery Adventures so in the first video the exodus and the Ann was hitting the same place low as I recall the Ann was hitting low in that video which doesn’t make it a bad broadhead it just makes you have to adjust somethings to get it to fly the way you want it those large scopes will make more resistance but doesn’t make it inferior
matthew perry No, I didn’t even shoot the Exodus at long range in that video. I only shot the Ann at 50 and 70. I shot the Exodus at the water jug and the MDF only.
John L well I suppose you aught to make a video to test it shoot it against another broadhead with less possible drag the exodus I bet would fly with less drop. My apologies for not realizing you not shooting both heads in the first vid.
matthew perry Well, that’s really moot. It shot right with my field points at 70 yds. I shot a field point then I shot the Ann. It didn’t drop any more than my field points; why would another broadhead drop less than that? Doesn’t make sense.
Thanks for the re test. What do you think was the issue with the first test? Also, I'd like to see a slow motion test to see if it acts like a hollow point bullet and see the displacement it makes
I had been testing different weight heads, different draw weights, and different vane/FOB configurations. I had been adding an extra 8 yards to my sight tape to have them dialed in, but forgot to do that when I tested the Annihilators the first time. It was the first long range shooting I'd done since September and hadn't remembered to do that. I shot my field points at 70 and they were really low; that's when I realized what I had done. I adjusted for my field points to be dead on and then the Annihilators were dead on as well. It doesn't act like a hollow point, cause they don't expand. But they just displace a large amount of tissue with that scoop design as opposed to a blade design. The flight is not affected due to the way the scoops are structured. The Ramcats use that same scoop, on a smaller scale, and it's why their heads fly so well.
Respect. great review , thank you
Thank you Tyler.
I have a friend who is an expert ballistics resource with bullets. He has used wet phone books set horizontally for measuring penetration. He found that media represents deer tissue very well and easy to measure penetration repeatedly. Might work with broadheads.
That's a good suggestion. I may give that a try. Thank you.
@@LuskArcheryAdventures He soaked them in a tub of water, then built a wooden rack to hold them. He would measure the penetration in inches, then change the books in the rack. Old phone books are pretty easy to get.
I thought that it was a great broadhead based on one piece fixed blade. 50 yards, I never shoot anything but a bag at distances farther than that. If it works at 30 and below and doesn't need to be replaced, it's a winner.
eddie heath Thank you for watching and sharing that. Much appreciated brother
I already replied a while back using John L, but in order to clear my "comments not yet replied to" box, I'm posting this from my main channel :)
Awesome video. First class review and telling the story of earlier testing. Telling the truth always wins.
Idaho 2nd Gens Thank you sir. Much appreciated
I already replied a while back using John L, but in order to clear my "comments not yet replied to" box, I'm posting this from my main channel :)
Good on you sir! I can't decide between these and day six evo
Thank you David. Check out the Iron Wills as well. That Wide is something special.
You the man buddy keep up the great work.
Thank you Billy! Much appreciated brother.
0.04 seconds! #otherworldly indeed my friend.
Right? That was crazy cool.
@@LuskArcheryAdventures I couldn't believe how fast it went.
This was another terrific test -- really helping me think through my set up. Great channel and very helpful. I would love to see you review the Bone Broadheads and the Strickland Helix -- any chance? Thanks again!
I've reached out to both of them. Strickland hasn't responded and Bone is out of inventory for a while.
God made man perfectly imperfect in a beautiful way. Easy mistake to make brother.
Sore Lip City Thank you brother. Much appreciated
I already replied a while back using John L, but in order to clear my "comments not yet replied to" box, I'm posting this from my main channel :)
John,
Always look forward to your reviews, straightforward and honest . I just took a nice buck with an annihilator 125, only ran 30 yards and tipped over. Just wondering if you were going to test the new annihilator XL or if you had an opinion ?
Thanks Joe. That's great to hear. I'd love to test it. I need to get some to test.
John,
How do you recommend sharpening these broad heads for the best results?
There are two ways--either just laying them flat on a stone and sharpening two edges at once or using the Stay Sharp Guide 344. If you use the flat method, they will get pretty darn sharp--especially with a good diamond plate like the one made by Stay Sharp Guide. But the 344 will actually change the bevel angle to 44 degrees, rather than 60 and make them quite a bit sharper. I demonstrate that in another vid I have of the Annihilator. Just search Lusk Annihilator and it will come up.
Everyone screws up what matters how it's handled 👍
Thank you. That's my conviction as well. Much appreciated.
I wish the cut was slightly larger but they will definitely be getting a look from me this summer
Yeah, I do as well. I've heard mixed reviews about blood trails. Small is still small. I'm sure they do better than a "normal" head with a .91" cutting diameter, but do they do better than a head with a 1.25" cutting diameter? It's doubtful. They are making a larger cut model, and that would be really interesting to test.
Lusk Archery Adventures very true it’s a larger cut but you pay for it in weight, 150 gr for a 1 1/8” broadhead is a lot imo. The head I’m very seriously looking at is the Hades regular tip model, very very good looking head
Thanks for your honesty
Thank you!
These broadheads are going to revolutionize the industry and are reusable.
They are extremely durable. I've not tested them on animals yet, but they certainly tested well for me.
I really appreciate that you are willing to backtrack when you have a made a mistake. That speaks volumes. That said, the entire premise behind this head is flawed, from a biological standpoint. Tissue does not care if you push it aside. It will bounce back. when it comes to arrows, if one wishes to make a larger hole, one must cut that hole. In my opinion, these heads give up penetration for nothing. Any equilateral, straight, three-blade head that is well sharpened and made of a decent steel will exhibit the same tissue damage in actual tissue. If one wants to compare durability, then a steel sheet is a great target. If one wants to compare the holes made, then there is no substitute for actual, living tissue. ballistics gel comes close, but it still isn't a great comparison for permanent damage that contributes to bloodletting.
Yeah, I've always wanted to see how these heads do on animals. I've heard mixed reviews.
great testing
Thanks Larry
Great video. Thanks 😊
Thank you Tom.
Mahalo John for the re-test. The last video had me shying away from it because of the distance issue. Which do you shoot 100 or 125 grain and what is your overall arrow grain? 🤙
Thank you Doug. I am shooting the 125gr. My total arrow weight is 460 gr.
If you’re worried about size of cut or penetration… I watched my buddy in 2022 put one of these through a 450lb black bear in Saskatchewan. That bear had no idea what hit him.
Thanks for sharing that.
Great job on the re-test. You handled it great. I was looking into the Annihilators and backed off after the first test. I hunt in big country out west and a broadhead that can't fly beond 70-80 yards is a no go. Now they are back on the list and I would like to see the Annihilator up against the Tooth of the Arrow. Not sure you did that video. Take care!
Thanks Stephen. The Tooth of the Arrow is a fantastic head. This year I am testing all of the heads through the same materials, so even if I don't do a head to head comparison, you will be able to compare the results of all the heads. Eventually, I will put the Tooth heads through these materials as well, so you can compare the penetration, water bag drainage, and durability.
In other words. They are now paying you.
What adjustment.s. ?? Why make any adjustments to your sight tape. ??
No, they are not paying me a thing. Here's what happened. Late last summer, I made some adjustments to my arrows and set up. In order for my sight tape to be accurate I had to add 7-8 yds to the reading; that was easier than printing new tapes. I added those yards with many of my long range tests and on my western Montana elk/mulie hunt in September. But a few months later, I was testing the Ann and I forgot to add those extra yards. I hadn't shot at distance since September. So when they hit low, I thought it was the head. I went to re-test them last week and they still hit low at 70 yds. So I shot my field points at 70 and they they hit low as well. That's when I remembered the adjustment I had been making and forgot to make now. So I made that adjustment and my field points were dead on at 70. Then I shot the Ann and it was dead on at 70 as well. Does that make sense?
Very nice broadhead a gentleman that I know used them. I saw your video then I asked him and he said they also shoot very similar to field points. Might not be 100 percent but very close. Some of it could be me! He showed me pictures of his elk and they bled profusely out of their nose and the hole where he hit which was double lungs.
Nice. Thanks for sharing that.
@LuskArcheryAdventures no problem love your videos!
THAT JUST CONFIRMS ................ THAT YOU ARE A HUMAN BEING ! JOINTHE CROWD - - - OF 8 BILLION MORE .
Haha. Yep. My wife reminds me of that all the time :) Thank you.
actually I thought they did have a problem with them dropping crazily and then a redesign to fix the problem...
@Boxing 101 I never attempted to delete it..I fixed a few spelling issues..my phones keyboard isn't conducive to typing with my large hands...and as I stated earlier they even admitted they had a problem with the 125's falling off at 40/50 yards. They did a redesign to fix the issue, which could possibly be the difference in Lusks test results...but that would just make too much sense...
They did have a batch that was problematic. I don't think they did a re-design, but they corrected the problem with that batch. But that was not the problem with my first test. The problem was with my tapes. When I went to do the re-test, I shot a field point at 70 yards and it dropped as well. That's when I realized my mistake. When I corrected to get my field points on target, the Annihilator was on target as well.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and everyone has their own reasons and methods of hunting...and that's exactly how it should be. That being said, MY opinion on bowhunting might be a little different than other hunter's. When I started bowhunting 40 yrs ago, it was to get away from gun hunting. I wanted the greater challenge of getting the deer close enough to shoot with an arrow. I'm much more proud of the several deer I've shot at 2 or 3 yards than the buck I shot at 42 yards. People seem to be making an issue of long range accuracy (or lack of), and sure, for elk hunting or mountain goats or sheep or whatever, that's important, but for the average deer hunter I think it's not something to get so worked up over. If you want to shoot a deer at 80 yards, use a gun. JUST MY OPINION.
Thanks for sharing that, Russel. I also like the challenge of getting in as close as possible.
I love my annihilators ....the only issue I have is getting mine as sharp as I like to....I may need to get the 344 broadhead guide...to change the angle of the bevel a little....not sure
Yeah, a 60 degree bevel can only get "so sharp." Honestly, it's sharp enough to hunt with, but if you're really wanting it super sharp, you have to change that bevel to 44 degrees and that is what the Stay Sharp 344 does. The bevel is still plenty strong, but it will be much sharper.
@@LuskArcheryAdventures that's exactly what I needed to hear ......thank u.....for some reason it says the website can't be found....he may be hunting or something and shut it down til he gets back......not sure....but thank u again !
Love your videos!! Do a test of the Valkyrie heads
Yes, I have one ready to test soon.
@@LuskArcheryAdventures That's awesome!! I can't wait! I was thinking of switching to those
Thanks for the information. What I was trying to understand, when you reset the site tape, did you find that it dropped faster at long range than other heads, and that's why you reset the tape? Thanks in advance.
Not exactly. First, I did the re-test cause several of my friends contacted me and told me that their tests had not showed any kind of drop. Then I stopped by the Annihilator booth at the ATA and they encouraged me to re-test it as well, cause their tests showed no drop. They were not belligerent at all; actually quite respectful. So I went out to the do the re-test. When I shot it at 70 yds, it dropped just like before. So then I shot a field point, and it dropped exactly like the Annihilator. That's when I realized my mistake. I had made changes to my set up back in late summer and knew to add 7-8 yds to my tapes, rather than just change my tapes. But a few months had passed since I shot at longer distance by the time I did the first test of the Annihilator, and I'd forgotten to make that adjustment. So everything was hitting low at 70 yds--field points and other broadheads. People think I shot the Exodus at 70 yds in my first test and it didn't drop; but I did not. I only shot the Exodus at the water jug and the layers of MDF. I still have that video, but deleted from TH-cam cause of my mistakes. When I tested it the second time, and got my field points dialed in, then the Annihilator, and every other decent head for that matter, is hitting the same at 70 yds.
50 yards is pretty long shot most whitetails are shot inside 25 yards so even if you were right I was OK with that just for reason than that most shots under 30 ish yards always enjoy your videos and value your opinion
Ok...but they're not lying. Are you saying I'm now lying? They flew perfectly well at 70 yds for me.
@@LuskArcheryAdventures Love the channel and the effort you put into it. I have an idea. Let's ban the boxing 101 guy from commenting. He has hundreds of posts bashing this broadhead. He is way out of line at this point.
Let's get something straight about "tissue displacement". It likely has zero effect on the animal that is hit by an arrow. This comes from exhaustive testing in bullets of all kinds. Tissue displacement is also known as "temporary wound cavity". The size of a temporary wound cavity at low velocities does not have an impact on lethality or so called stopping power. A permanent wound cavity does impact lethality, and, at velocities under 2000 fps, the permanent wound cavity is approximately the diameter of the projectile at a given point during penetration of a body, be it human or animal. At high velocities (over 2000 fps) the size of both the temporary and permanent wound cavities matter, as, at these velocities, tissue damage does occur beyond physical contact with the projectile. This is why rifles are approximately twice as lethal as handguns. Annihilator broadheads may be great, but it has nothing to do with tissue displacement. One other thing needs to be pointed out. There are claims that forcing tissue away from the arrow shaft aids penetration. This a misnomer, as the energy lost in displacing the tissue would be far higher than the drag created by an arrow shaft lubricated by bodily fluids.
Well, thank you for sharing your thoughts but I am going to humbly disagree. Bullets and arrows kill by completely different means. For bullets and "stopping power" as you reference, you are correct. A bullet largely kills by the KE created by the projectile and the subsequent shock or concussion of tissue that results. But an arrow doesn't kill by "stopping power" but only by cutting tissue, either killing by blood loss or oxygen loss in the case of a lung shot. The more tissue that is cut or displaced, the more difficult it is for that wound to close up and thus the more readily the animal bleeds, causing greater blood trails (all other variables being equal). That's why a 2" cut broadhead will likely kill an animal faster than a 1" cut. When a broadhead has an extra large ferrule, or extra thick blades, or extra long blades, then more tissue is cut or displaced and larger blood trails result.
@@LuskArcheryAdventures The "displacement" is temporary at arrow velocities and does not lead to more bleeding. Handgun bullets do not kill by shock or concussion, that's what rifle bullets at above 2000 fps do. This has been well documented. Yes, a broadhead kills by cutting tissue, and yes the wider the cut, assuming similar penetration, more bleeding can be expected. That has nothing to do with the ferrule size. Also, animals are not thin skinned bags of fluid ready to be drained as your baggy with colored water would indicate. I do respect your tests, and I think that they have some value in terms of demonstrating the integrity of the broadheads, but you really can't generalize too much from materials to animals. I've been bowhunting for over 40 years, guess I've taken 150+ animals with a bow including bear, various kinds of deer, hogs, caribou, turkey, and javelina, I've read every study that I can get my hands on of broadhead effects in both live and dead animals, and I've also studied bullet effect and post shooting documentation. I'm not postulating, I'm repeating what others have documented and my own experiences.
Born and raised had the same results you had with a significant drop after 50 yards
I just watched that vid and didn't see any drop in them. So I'm not sure what you are referencing.
I never tested it at long range.. I just assumed it was good up to 50 yards and that was good enough for me. But this just shows that we are all human.. I shoot it beside my bishop scientific method broadheads and was just as good but a fraction of the cost. I love my bishops but the annihilator Is the broadhead I'm keeping in my quiver
Thanks Mikey.
Would you choose this head or the quad exodus for a crossbow? Great Videos
They're both solid heads. But with a crossbow, I'd use the larger cutting head cause you can drive it so deep. I'd use the Exodus. But that doesn't mean the Ann would be a bad choice either.
Terrific vid
Seems like a great broadhead.
Wish they’d made them heavier-say 200, 250 and 300 grain.
Also the cutting diameter is just a few millimetres too small, so it’s not legal to hunt with it where l’m at.
Yeah, I wish they made them bigger. They are working on that, but have had challenges getting them exactly how they wanted.
I don’t understand from a physical standpoint how it “cups out” it’s got a tremendous amount of wind resistance. With that being said, a friend of mine did use it with several late season Whitetail does and had fantastic results at close distances
It is somewhat counterintuitive. The cup actually reduces air friction by directing it off of the shaft itself.
Can you explain what changes you had to make to make it fly for longer ranges please? I'm not sure why you would have to make changes.. I think it's an amazing head and it flew perfect for me out to 60 yards. After 60 the drop was extreme. Thanks!
That's interesting. I didn't do anything other than sight in my field points. What had happened for me was I had made some changes to my set up late last summer. With those changes, I had to add 7-8 yards to my sight tape at longer ranges. But I forgot to do that when I tested the Ann for the first time, cause it was a few months later. I went to shoot them the other day and they were hitting low at 70 yds, just like before. But then I shot my field points and they were hitting low as well. That's when I realized what I had done. So I re-sighted in my field points at 70 yds and then my Ann heads hit right with them.
Well, Annihilator broadhead is a great design BUT, I experienced like others here on TH-cam or different forums that unfortunately, I experienced a drop of 4" at 30yds with my Excalibur crossbow Micro 335. I reached out Annihalator and they told me that I should have buy the standard size, but on their website, they're contradicting it. It mentioned that within 50yds, and for crossbow, the XL should be used. So not sure what to say but I know I'm not the only one in this situation. 🤷♂️ Great video here though.
Interesting. Thank you for sharing that. I understand that that happens with some. It did not happen with me.
I think they threatened to shot him with the broadhead after that video.
Haha. No, actually they were very respectful.
Guess it depends on the size of the balloon.
:)
You should do a review on the day six EVO broadhead
Yes please!
Yeah, I'm not going to do that. They did some unethical things to a buddy of mine and his design, so I won't be testing their heads.