hoosierhunter Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 Last night my buddy shot a doe with a rage and the result was shocking! Thankfully she went down in sight. She was double shoulder hit at 20 yards. She left literally no blood trail and we had to search the beans for 20 minutes to find her. The rage deployed on impact, but undeployed in the chest cavity and exit. She was lung and heart shot. Not even any blood where she fell. The exit hole was that of a field point and the tear in the heart was not fully deployed. If we didn't see her go down she more than likely would have been lost due to literally no blood trail. The shoulder bones plugged up both holes on her. I know people love rage and when they function they are the best, but this type of malfunction should be a major pause for concern! This is my 3rd bad experience with an expandable. The previous two were my buddy shooting bucks and one arrow bounced off(I video taped it) and the other stripped all 3 blades off the broadhead and we lost that deer. I'm not saying Rage is a bad head I just want people to know what could happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamoGuy Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 I have never had that problem with my Muzzy's. In all seriousness, I don't see what the big deal is about open-on-impact broadheads. I hear the "flies like a field point" argument a lot, but quite frankly I never have issues with my fixed blade broadheads flying off to parts unknown. At 25 yards I can maintain a group that is tight enough that I occasionally damage an arrow with another arrow. I don't see how mechanicals could make that much more of a difference that I would be willing to risk losing a deer. By the way, glad you found her. Nothing is more distressing than losing a wounded deer or thinking that you have lost one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pass_Thru_Archery Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 I shoot Muzzy's and G5 Strikers, both are fixed blades. So, I'm not going to make an argument that Rage are the greatest thing since sliced bread, however, when you say "this type of malfunction should be great pause for concern", I'm not sure that's fair. To hit both shoulders at 20 yards means this deer was completely broadside. I'd have to say the "malfunction" is in the shot. I'm glad you were able to make a recovery, but I hear too many people blaming the performance of a broad head when the real problem was shot placement. I also find it hard to believe that she could have been heart and lung shot but also double shoulder shot. Based on the anatomy of a deer, that's just not possible. Again, congrats on the recovery, and again, I'm a big fan of fixed blade broad heads, but I'm not buying that this was a failure in the broad head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 Just another reason I don't use mech heads. Seen to many deer shot on TV that these heads don't go through on. Never ever had an issue with my Magnus Stinger's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randyman Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 I have taken 2 deer with the Rage 2 blade so far with no apparent problem and complete pass through on both Deer. I would be interested to know if there were any major bones hit on this Deer, and if so, what kind of shape were the blades in? I think that would be the one weakness of the Rage broadhead. Sounds like the shoulder bones were more to blame than the broadhead for the lack of a blood trail if they were indeed plugging both the entry and exit. While the blades not staying deployed is certainly an issue, I am not sure I would characterize a shot that results in a Deer falling within sight as a failure. I pretty much agree with what Pass_Thru_Archery is saying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 (edited) I shoot Muzzy's and G5 Strikers, both are fixed blades. So, I'm not going to make an argument that Rage are the greatest thing since sliced bread, however, when you say "this type of malfunction should be great pause for concern", I'm not sure that's fair. To hit both shoulders at 20 yards means this deer was completely broadside. I'd have to say the "malfunction" is in the shot. I'm glad you were able to make a recovery, but I hear too many people blaming the performance of a broad head when the real problem was shot placement. I also find it hard to believe that she could have been heart and lung shot but also double shoulder shot. Based on the anatomy of a deer, that's just not possible. Again, congrats on the recovery, and again, I'm a big fan of fixed blade broad heads, but I'm not buying that this was a failure in the broad head. Totally agree. I have buried a muzzy in a shoulder, no pass through, no blood, lost deer. Would not categorically say they are problematic though. I realize your point the head folded up, but still the deer fell in sight. Had a very similar experience with rage, one blade folded, 3/4" exit hole, but he fell in about 40 yards. Did not shoot them again, but would not say they are junk. Edited October 3, 2012 by redkneck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WStreblo Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 1st hand rage failure! I have had great success with the 4 blade muzzy's. I switched to the rage three blades last year cause I couldn't find any muzzy's around and didn't want to wait on them thru the mail. The rage's I have used worked very well but I'm constantly checking them either in stand or at home to make sure the rings hold the blades well, nothing is loose, etc... Due to that factor alone I won't restock the rage's in my bow hunting arsenal but will be switching back to the bone shattering muzzy's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoobee Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 Try Bloodrunners then. https://www.google.com/search?q=bloodrunner+broadheads&hl=en&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=fHdsULOLMor48gSgxYCgCQ&sqi=2&ved=0CE0QsAQ&biw=1280&bih=655 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted October 4, 2012 Report Share Posted October 4, 2012 (edited) I guess my question would be..what the heck is he shooting the shoulder for?? Could he not wait on a better shot? poor shot placement as far as Im concerned...broad side /quartering away right BEHIND the shoulder is where you put it...maybe you ought to jump on your buddy for a poor shot choice first. Dont know what you expect on a shoulder shot..but its not a good shot even with good chisel tip...I would not take it ,,Diff topic.. I thought you kinda jumped that kid for asking what was probably an innocent question as to how far have you shot a deer... perhaps you need to instruct this buddy of yours on shot placement..jmo Edited October 4, 2012 by Mathews XT Man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slash Posted October 4, 2012 Report Share Posted October 4, 2012 I guess my question would be..what the heck is he shooting the shoulder for?? Could he not wait on a better shot? poor shot placement as far as Im concerned...broad side /quartering away right BEHIND the shoulder is where you put it...maybe you ought to jump on your buddy for a poor shot choice first jmo +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swohiodave Posted October 4, 2012 Report Share Posted October 4, 2012 I have shot 2 deer i can remember that didnt leave much of a blood trail. One was a muzzy and no blood trail but she fell in sight. The other a thunderhead and the shot was high. It can happen with any of them. I use thunderheads, spitfires, and killzones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoosierhunter Posted October 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2012 1st hand rage failure! XT and Slash Send me a PM please so we can discuss our issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pointing_dogs_rule Posted October 4, 2012 Report Share Posted October 4, 2012 I have shot 2 deer i can remember that didnt leave much of a blood trail. One was a muzzy and no blood trail but she fell in sight. The other a thunderhead and the shot was high. It can happen with any of them. I use thunderheads, spitfires, and killzones. Same here... I agree. I DO NOT use the Rage & I am NOT a fan of them ... I use the muzzy 4 blade. I once hit a doe on a downward shot... took the top of one lung.... sliced the heart and exited near the chest bottom. Very LITTLE BLOOD. She went 150 yards before we found her the next day. I would not blame the Rage for no blood trail.... it can happen to any broadhead. good luck to all the dog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted October 4, 2012 Report Share Posted October 4, 2012 Sorry Pat..I just question the shot is all..I would have waited for a better shot or not have taken it,,,comes down to what is a good choice of shot placement ..did send you a pm for further discussion, I have no problem with Rage or any fixed blade..they all will work if put in the right spot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoosierhunter Posted October 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2012 1st hand rage failure! all good sir Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted October 6, 2012 Report Share Posted October 6, 2012 all good sir Yup.were good:hammer1: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntinguide Posted October 6, 2012 Report Share Posted October 6, 2012 I went too slick trick same flight as rage always open Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dartonman Posted October 6, 2012 Report Share Posted October 6, 2012 I have seen impressive shots by the "rage" but in all honesty, its a mechanical device that can fail...just like we teach kids in hunter safety about a firearm safety. I have alot of buddies stacking up deer with the rage, and kudos to them. Im a simple guy, two or four blade Magnus heads, and Ive been killing them for 17 years with the same weight heads. If not broke, dont plan on switching, nailed a doe this morning, textbook shot, double lungs, 40 yards traveled and done. God Bless America, best of luck this season...al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WVdeerhunter Posted October 7, 2012 Report Share Posted October 7, 2012 alot of it is arrows :hammer1: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted October 7, 2012 Report Share Posted October 7, 2012 alot of it is arrows :hammer1: in this case a pulled shot resulting in bad shot placement..not fault of broadhead..deer was killed dropped in 40 yards no failure imo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowhunter97 Posted October 7, 2012 Report Share Posted October 7, 2012 The deer still went down in sight and in 40 yards with a bad shot for a bow now i dont see how that is a failure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Kat Posted October 7, 2012 Report Share Posted October 7, 2012 I was part of a hunt with rages and we lost a monster of a buck with a dang near perfect shot placement. That said, I've seen the same thing with fixed blades and still love my rage 2's......your gonna lose deer folks. To say you haven't means you are a liar, or haven't shot many deer yet. I've lost deer with a .270 bullet..... I'm glad the doe was found. Good luck the rest of you alls season! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted October 9, 2012 Report Share Posted October 9, 2012 good to hear that it died within sight and you found it. haven't had a Rage close up like that yet. i've learned that anything can happen when you shoot a deer though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted October 9, 2012 Report Share Posted October 9, 2012 Glad it fell in sight. With no blood to track & knowing it was in the field somewhere sounds like your buddy needed to be in the stand giving you hand signals to where he thought it went down. Anyway...glad you recovered it. BTW...I'll stick with my idiot proof fixed blade heads. I'm with Al...if it ain't broke...don't fix it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ApexPredator Posted October 9, 2012 Report Share Posted October 9, 2012 1st hand rage failure! Saw something similar with a rage crossbow head. My buddy shot a buck last season less than 15 yards. Zero blood trail but knew he hit it good. Found it 30 or so yards away after giving it time to pass. The one blade had hung up or bent or whatever (failed) and pulled fat and meat into the wound channel. Plugged it right up. When we dressed it the whole lung cavity and chest was full of blood but it had nowhere to go. He still shoots rage, I still shoot muzzy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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