Broadhead Penetration

[Kessler10]

Trying to decide between a couple different broadheads. Wondering if you all think this is a good tactic to determine which broadhead gives you better penetration.

Recently bought a new Glen-Dale Buck 3D target. I shot 2 arrow (exact same arrow in terms of weight, spin etc), each with a different broadhead on them. I would then simply walk up to the target and see which arrow was embedded further into the target. I did this several times to see if I would get the same results each time, and in fact I did. The arrow with one specific broadhead always penetrated the target about 1/2 inch more than the other.

I know this seems very basic and simple but wondering if you all think this is a fairly good test to determine which broadhead will get better penetration when/if an arrow gets slung towards an elk instead of a 3D target.
I know arrow weight and other factors might have more effect on penetration, but solely wondering about braodhead penetration for this.
Thanks!

[jmez]

I think it would be fair to draw a conclusion from that. I don't think 1/2 inch is a significant difference between the two to prove a point. 3-4 inches every time would be a lot more convincing.

[Indian Summer]

I think it would be fair to draw a conclusion from that. I don't think 1/2 inch is a significant difference between the two to prove a point. 3-4 inches every time would be a lot more convincing.

I'll second that.

[Elkduds]

I'm thinking of the difference between a solid target made of consistent plastic fibers; and an animal made of tough, elastic hide over rigid bones, enclosing organs made mostly of water. Many more variables in the animal that could greatly affect penetration. I don't have a link @ my fingertips, but I have seen much internet research on penetration comparisons in targets such as bundles of wet paper w bones inserted, wrapped in hide, or Bheads shot into pig or goat carcasses.

[jmez]

Broadheads penetrate animals much easier than they do targets unless you hit a heavy bone. I don't remember the last time I didn't get a pass through on a game animal. Unless my target is shot out I don't remember ever gettting a passthrough.

The target is designed to stop an arrow. They are all going to stop in the target. One that consistently takes longer to stop likely has better penetration potential. Hard to extrapolate that to game. There are a lot of changes that happen in animal tissue after death that change things enough that using carcasses,bones etc doesn't truly simulate a live animal either.

[Kessler10]

The target is designed to stop an arrow.

I assume the material the core of my 3D target is made out of is significantly more difficult to penetrate than an animal (bone excluded). It uses the poly fusion technology for the replaceable core that inserts into the vital area.
With that being said I figured maybe a 1/2 inch more penetration on this target would result in a much more significant difference if shooting into an animal and you do not get a pass through, for whatever reason. So although a 1/2 inch is not much, considering the purpose of this target is to stop an arrow maybe 1/2 inch is a bit more significant than it sounds? but who knows. in the end a perfect nuts on vital shot heals all, and makes all broadhead discussion null and void in most cases i suppose

[ElkNut1]

I would have zero concerns in a 1/2" difference! Even if you were shooting a longbow & that was the difference I'd shrug it right off, it's of minimal concern!

ElkNut1