NAP SPITFIRE 100 gr Broadhead Test
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2023
- This is a test of the 100 gr Spitfire 3 blade Mechanical broadhead by NAP.
Here is summary of my 2023 Testing Procedure & Scoring w/the scores of this head posted in parenthesis as well.
Spitfire 100 gr Total Score: 81.55 = 8 Golden Arrows
1. Flight Forgiveness (20%, 20 pts)
This is not just a test of how heads fly out of my bow, as it was in the past. With a well tuned bow, properly built arrows & good form, almost every head flies well. That's why in the past most heads got a flight score of 9 or 10. But that doesn't help those who may not have perfectly tuned bows/arrows/good form. So now I am gauging Flight Forgiveness. This is based on how the head flies for me, how well it spins, how "sensitive" the flight is to imperfections, & the exposed surface area of the blades. The max score of a Mech is 20 & the max score of a Fixed is 16.
2. Cut Size (20%, 14 pts)
The more tissue being cut, the more lethal the head, all else equal. The entrance cut, total cut, & width of the cut (a crucial variable for bloodletting) are all scored:
The entrance cut size is compared to a standard of 2.5" then that fraction is weighted to 7% of the score. (1.14" = 3.2 pts)
The max cut size is compared to a standard of 2.5" as well, then that fraction is is weighted to 7% of the score. (2.25" = 6.3 pts)
The max cutting diameter is compared to a standard of 2.0", then that fraction is weighted to 6% of the score. (1.5" = 4.5 pts)
3. Blades (20%, 18.3 pts)
Initial sharpness (9%, Mech: 175 grams = 10/10 = 9 pts) & Edge Retention (9%, +50 gram = 9/10 = 8.1 pts) are measured using the Edge On Up Sharpness Tester. The pressure needed for a blade to cut thru a copolymer wire is measured in grams.
Edge Retention is the loss of sharpness after the head is shot in Penetration Test 1, thru 1/2" MDF and 2/3" rubber foam mat & Clear Ballistics FBI gel. For every 50 "grams" of sharpness lost, 1 point is deducted from 10.
What are some sharpness scores for common edges?
A butter knife takes 2000 grams of pressure to break the co polymer wire.
A new high end cutlery edge: ~ 375 grams of pressure.
A utility razor blade: 200 grams.
Based on the many broadheads I have tested, here is my scoring scale:
Out of the Box Sharpness:
0-200 gr: 10
201-300 gr 9
301-400 gr: 8
401-500 gr: 7
501-600 gr: 6
601-700 gr: 5
Ease to resharpen or replace blades is judged & given 2% of the score. (6/10=1.2 pts)
4. Penetration (20%, 14.8 pts)
There are 3 penetration tests:
Pen Test 1: 1/2" MDF, 2/3" rubber foam mat, Clear Ballistics FBI gel. Depth of penetration is compared to a standard of 9" & weighted to 9% of the score. (7" = 7 pts)
Pen Test 2: Layered cardboard. # of layers penetrated is compared to a standard of 70 layers & weighted to 9% of the score.
(45 layers=5.8 pts)
Angled Penetration Test: How effectively does the head penetrate 1/4" MDF covered by carpet at a 45 degree angle. This accounts for 2% of the score. (10/10 = 2 pts)
5. Durability (20%, 13.45 pts)
Each head is shot thru 1/2" MDF 3 times. Its condition is judged 1-10 & weighted to 12% of the score. (8/10 = 9.6 pts)
If a head survives that, it is then shot thru 22 ga steel plate twice. Its condition is judged 1-10 & weighted to 5% of the score. (2/10 = 1 pt)
If a head survives that, it is then shot into concrete once. Its condition is judged 1-10 & weighted to 3% of the score. (9.5/10 = 2.85 pts)
Steel plate & concrete are certainly not "realistic" mediums, but they do reveal the outer limits of a head's durability.
BONUS:
+1 no O rings
TOTAL SCORE: 81.55 pts = 8 Golden Arrows
Price: $13.33/head
Special Notes:
Please check out my sponsor, Stay Sharp Guide. staysharpguide.com or @Innovative Outdoorsman They make excellent broadhead sharpeners. The support I receive from them has helped me improve my channel
I also have some Broadhead Discount Codes I can share:
TRIFECTA: LUSK10 saves 10% on any order.
SEVR: LUSKFIVE saves you $5 on any order & can be used on top of any online sales.
ZEUS & HERA Broadheads (New Era Archery): LUSKFIVE saves $5/pack
Method Archery: LUSK gives Free Shipping
AFFLICTOR: LUSK10 saves 10%
Tooth of the Arrow: LUSK19 saves 10%
DEAD X BOWHUNTING Big Game Broadheads: LUSKFIVE saves $5 per pack.
Crimson Talon: LUSK15 saves 15%. - กีฬา
Glad you do these tests.
Thank you
Hey John ,Unrelated but remember the budget deepower arrows and broadhead video? Well proven reliable 190lb dressed 8 pointer at the butcher's ..Pass threw both lungs and top of heart turned to jelly 30 yard run and down...Thanks you sir!!!
Haha. That's awesome! Congrats.
my dad used to shoot spitfires and they did good for him, i always preferred the shockwaves because they used an easily replaceable o-ring. it is cool to see these tests on old school heads.
:)
Solid tests John. Keep it up.
Thank you
Love it.😊
:)
I bought 2 packs of the spitfire Maxx last year for crossbow use (435 grain arrow, 385fps) and had issues with them opening in flight causing the arrows to completely miss the target. Pack stated they were rated at 400 fps, but only took 1 missed target to sour me on them. Also, in the beginning, when you spin them, you can see q fair amount of wobble in the head.
Okay.
I have used the 100-grain Crossbow Spitfire for years.
I had the same question as to what made it a crossbow head. I contacted NAP and they stated that the body of the head has a larger diameter so it is the same size as most crossbow arrows.
For me, this head has worked flawlessly on Deer, Turkeys, and wild Hogs.
It has broken bones on deer and pigs and still passed through.
I have experimented with other heads but I keep coming back to this head.
One thing you did not mention is that the blades are replaceable. That is of course you have not smashed the body all up in a sheet of steel or a cinder block. LOL
For the price, this head could be a one-and-done if that is what you want to do.
Thanks for reviewing this head.
i cant believe this head can go through a solid hog. can it really?
Yes, it can.
@@georgewashington1621 I shot a 550lb hog @ 35 yd quartering away. The broadhead fractured the offside leg. Hog went 15 yds. I was shooting a Barnett Ghost 400 at the time.
Thanks for sharing that.
Drury Outdoors took many of animals with these heads. Always impressed me on what they could do with them.
Yep, they can work!
I've done some testing with these. Haven't shot an animal with one, but I have also seen great flight with mediocre durability. They aren't in my quiver right now because I have some other heads I trust that need to find their way into some deer first.
Yesterday, archery season opened in my state. I have a wooded area behind my house that had a lot of activity over the last couple weeks but absolutely nothing yesterday.
Ironically, as I was writing on this post (sitting on my deck overlooking my backyard), a damn coyote cut through my yard about 20 yards away from me, and I didn't have my bow. Makes sense why I haven't seen that cubby little doe that usually frequents my property.
:)
It’s usually the tension of the blades that determines if it’s for crossbows because they shoot a bit faster
Well, with these it's the diameter of the ferrule, according to NAP.
I only use fixed blades but every 10 years or so I wonder if the expandables have evolved enough to justify trying them again.
About 2 years from now I'll stick my head up again and see what's the best available.
For now I'll stick with my Valkyrie Bloodeagles and Tooth of the arrow. Both have been outstanding. Nothing runs further than 75 yards with 10 yards being my closest
Very good.
The only mechanical I use. These things are lethal! (I use a 175lb crossbow). I got a nice buck this past opening day Oct 7th using one of these. The shot was from a high angle (tree stand), and my aim was a little low. A fixed broadhead may have only wounded the deer, but with the expanding blades they were able to cut through a couple arteries in addition to 1 lung.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
I like the NAP HELLRAZOR fixed blade broadhead. 3 blade .all steel. You can sharpen them easily. But they do come sharp. But i still sharpen them anyway.
I currently have some Hellrazors in my quiver. My biggest complaint with them is they are not very forgiving in their flight. They have been super picky on which arrow on put them on.
Very good.
Ain’t had time to watch it yet but this was a go to for me many years ago I also like the 2 blade and the spit fire maxx I can’t say I ever had a bad nap product they are a tad duller than other BH I use though
Well after watching nice to see it make me a liar about sharpness lol. I think them Texas cinder blocks are a little different then the ones you used in Iowa more BH seem to be surviving it better. I’ll be trying the vortex 2.75 paired with the true blue hopefully in 2 weeks when season starts in Alabama.
Thanks for sharing that.
I like how the ferrul spins true after the cement ! These heads are $19.99 rite now at bass pro
Nice.
The xbow model is 1 3/4 cut and spring tension is slightly more! Bow model is 1.5” cut
Okay. Thanks for sharing that.
A classic and probably work well but I feel like there are better options on the market now
Good summary.
I used spitfires in the past, and they were a solid option when they were first introduced. Now there are just much better options.
Similar to many other expandables that have an aluminum ferrule, the blades tend to cut into it on hard impacts, changing the blade angle and reducing the cutting diameter.
Well why try to reinvent the wheel? The work great on whitetails, but there one and done usually
@@GuyGuy-tp6ngno need to reinvent anything, just improve it!
The weaknesses of the spitfire were improved upon with heads such as grim reapers. The over the top design was then improved upon by rear deploying designs.
Do they work, yes, but so did a recurve and they still came out with compounds.
@butleroutdoors2188 can't argue with that..
Yep.
I bought some of these about 2 years ago and they were so stiff. The blades would not deploy. I tried to loosen them but that didn’t help. Switched to Swhacker and never looked back
Thanks for sharing that
I have used these for years with absolutely no problem until yesterday. I was hunting on the ground and I put a bolt/arrow right through a big 8 pt. I picked up the arrow which was soaked in bright red blood and there were lots of bubbles in the blood. A typical lung shot. The arrow was laying flat on top of the ground a few feet behind where the deer was standing. I noticed all the blades were closed just like they would look before taking the shot. I never found the buck and the blood trail was very sparse then I lost it. I have never had the blades fail to open. For the life of me I can't figure out why the blades did not open on a pass through shot. If this broadhead gets wet from hunting in the rain and it gets used a week later can this cause the blades to get rusted and stuck so they don't open???
Sorry to hear that. I have noticed with these and Grim Reapers, that after they pass thru a target, the blades often close up...but then saw that they were open during the penetration. Not sure if that happened with you on this deer or not.
Not going to be beating the Sevr's into my quiver any time soon. But they'll kill game readily enough im sure. Im still liking fixed heads, then Sevrs then this style of over the top heads.
Nice.
Most arrows wouldn’t survive this test. I can tell you for a 100% fact any arrow with a typical lightweight factory insert would get completely wrecked by this test. Any mechanical that holds together through all the MDF shots, with a ferrule that is not destroyed by the cinderblock test, I would not hesitate to use on a animal.
But I still appreciate what is revealed in this process. I watch and appreciate all the Lusk reviews.
That’s a great point. I appreciate the thought.
At the same time, all of my testing is with straight on shooting, to provide comparative data on the structural integrity of various broadheads. However, an angled shot on an animal can be MUCH more destructive to a broadhead than 3 straight on shots thru MDF or Steel Plate or Cinder Block-and less destructive to arrow components.
I see it often on hunts. For example, the Exodus is one of the most durable heads made. I’ve shot them into steel flatbar and had them survive. They are unscathed by MDF, Steel Plate, and Cinder Block.
But I hit a hogs femur at an angle, and the tip got terribly bent.
If that’s what happens with one of the most durable heads on the market, how much more could it happen with some of the weaker heads on the market?
So the durability of my arrows, which is amazing, is not really the point. They just provide the platform to be able to see what a head can or cannot handle in straight on impacts.
That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t want to use a head that can’t make it thru steel plate-but it does make me say I’d rather use one that could.
They’re not Pass-Fail tests, but total
Score tests. Some may get docked for durability but get extra points for their cut size. It’s rare that a head gets below 75 points, for a reason-they can all be quite lethal; I wouldn’t want to get shot with the lowest scoring head ever.
But when I’m taking a hard earned shot on an animal, I want the one that scores as well as I can afford to buy, just to stack the odds in my favor as much as possible.
@@LuskArcheryAdventures i recently watched another exodus test on patreon, from Blue Collar Outdoors, that also exposed an unexpected weakness. I wonder if you could replicate those results shooting at a heavy piece of PVC?
Be a great addition to your reviews. You already do the most thorough and consistent broadhead testing on the planet.
What brand is that broadhead target behind the cinder block?
It’s an old Rinehart.But I also have a bunch of Sevr targets there too.
Back when I was testing I shot a few deer with these heads. They did the job, but like you said not really great performance! For their time they were pretty decent but compared to today's heads they just don't hold up in my opinion.
Idk I knew a guy who used these and killed alot of deer with them and decided to try the rage heads and the first deer he shot he got terrible penetration I think he shoots fixed now because it's easier to tune bows with today's technology but he killed alot of deer with these
Thanks for sharing that.
I know if your crossbow shoots in excess of 400 fps, they open in flight.
Thanks for sharing that.
They are so much better than this testing shows they kill deer flat out same as alot of other mechanical heads that dont hold up on steel or concrete lol
I have no doubt. I use the off brand toxic tips from eBay and they work insanely well hunting I haven't had any break. In saying that I only hunt foxes and pigs. But alot of the test people do they don't get a very good review. I don't think this test is poo pooing any of the tips he reviews I think its just a test to see each tips limit treghth and weaknesses.
Our ancestors used a rock of course it kills deer .. deadmeats are my favorite and they don’t rank high either
I recently seen how the mega meat performed and liked it I use the old style extremes and they flat get it done I'm about out of em going deadmeat or mega meat next
What are you talking about? It did great on everything but the concrete and steel.
I’ve probably killed 50 deer with these they are great. The only issue is on angled shots they can ricochet off a rib bone but after 20yrs of hunting I’ve only seen it once but it can happen lol
I’ve killed countless animals with these heads and still use them
Good to hear.
Steel Plate ate its lunch!
:)
Good stuff... just not for me and huge colorado whitetail!
:)
This was an odd review to be honest. Head did awesome through all your tests yet you claim it's not very durable? Shooting damaged heads through materials and claiming them to not be durable is not a good test imo
Well, it did do fairly well...but compared to others, it did not. When other heads make it thru those mediums with much less damage, I have to call it like it is.
Killed many animals with these over the years. The test protocol really doesn’t match what I’ve experienced in the wild. I’m sure that goes for many mechanicals out there. I don’t shoot them any longer, but I can’t say it’s because they ever let me down.
Good to hear. These heads can certainly get the job done. I've hunted with them as well.
The tests just show what a head can and cannot handle so we can compare one head to another. They still may be lethal...but if one head can handle steel and another cannot...or one head penetrates better than another -- all other things equal, I know which one I want to hunt with, just to stack the odds in my favor.