LAST EDITED ON Feb-03-07 AT 09:02PM (MST)[p]http:
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Wapato, I like how you qualify your statement!! (grin) That is incase a shoulder shot should come into play! No one should intentionally shoot for the scapula/shoulder blade, but crap happens! I applaud you for taking that into consideration before just choosing any broadhead.
It's true that most quality heads in 3-bladed fixed or cut on contact (COC) heads when put in the chest area will bring elk down under normal shooting conditions. But when things go bad, & at times they do, it's nice to know you have a head screwed onto your arrow that will go to bat for you under extreme bone contact hits. I personally have put several heads through the scapula of an elk, not purposely, but things do happen.
If you're shooting a bow with good KE then I'd recommend Magnus stingers, zephyrs, bear razorheads, Silver flames, swickeys & the like. I've both seen & put them through shoulders. We've lost 2 elk over the years with fixed heads, (replaceable blades) I don't recommend them over COC heads. The new narrow design SnufferSS in 125 grn 3-blade will stay together on serious bone contact. Again you'll need the umph of 60lb min KE to get through that area if it should happen, but by all means do everything possible to drill him where he lives in the chest.
In fact, on quality 2 bladed heads as mentioned it only requires a mere 34-36 lbs of KE with a good heavy 475 grn + arrow to penetrate an elks scapula. We shoot longbows & recurves these days & we've put those through as well. A 3-bladed head would not accomplish this though, it needs a higher KE such as 60lbs of KE+. Most compounds do that easily, just calc out your setup!
In 3-blades I'd consider SnufferSS & Razorcaps. In 2-bladed heads Zephyrs or Silver Flame won't let you down, they're both stainless steel.
ElkNut1