Tuesday, September 8, 2009

The Range Reviews: American Whitetail King Broadhead Target

© 2009 Albert A Rasch and
The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles
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As part of my reeducation in archery in general and bowhunting in specific, I decided I needed a new target to shoot at. A cardboard box full of newspaper and more cardboard just wasn't going to cut it any more; it's too easy to ruin expensive shafts that way, and I'm trying to run a professional operation here anyway. It was high time I got something appropriate for the job at hand.
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There are many types of targets available, from styrene blocks with plastic wrap that are barely adequate for kids' bows with target points, to very expensive and realistic game targets that will help refine your technique and eye; they even have one that looks like a velociraptor.

But for those of us stuck in an urban or suburban environment, a big square target is far more practical, and stores easier. What I wanted was the toughest and longest lasting broadhead target on the market. Practicing with what you are going to use is the key to success, and I intend to bring it to the hogs down here. And for that I needed to bend some bow limbs and shoot some arrows.

Make that a lot of arrows.

First date... She's built...

The beauty of Al Gore's Internet is that almost everything is on it. You want to know something, it is probably on the Net. Bowhunting targets are no different. After doing my research, I narrowed in on the King Broadhead Target by Whitetail Deer Inc. I needed something that could withstand repeated strikes with a broadhead and not disintegrate. It needs to absorb all the shooting I intend to do until such time as I get back in shooting shape.

"I will not trade a penny of profit for a customer's satisfaction. Our broadhead targets will out perform any open layer target when shot with broadheads...period."
Ralph @ American Whitetail Inc

That's the kind of thing I like to see. Performance and customer satisfaction before profits.

The King series is designed around a "Multi Layer Density" system. The target is built up from different density layers of foam to create a variable ratio of friction through the target.

The first layer consists of a layer of low density foam on the front. The soft foam is chosen for superior healing properties. The second layer is a medium density layer chosen for its ability to soak up energy and slow the rate of the arrows travel. Both of those layers back up to a layer of high density foam. As the broadhead penetrates and drives through the low and medium density foam, the arrow's energy is absorbed, resulting in far less penetration of the high density foam which ultimately stops the arrow. This results in a very durable target and easier arrow removal.

Whitetail Deer Inc wanted to"build a target that would stop any broadhead shot out of any bow, have unbelievable durability and smooth, easy broadhead arrow removal." I think they have done an exemplary job in putting together a target for bowhunters that performs exceptionally well at a very reasonable price. The King Broadhead Target is less than $40.00 at any of the venues I found; how's that for a bargain!

I used both the Browning Cobra which draws 45# and my new SiegeWorks Creations American Longbow that draws #50 on the King. I'm using my new Muzzy Phantom MX broadheads which, by the way, I'll be reporting on in the near future.

I found that, as expected, field points where substantially more difficult to remove. Broadheads came out with considerably less effort. Having only shot about sixty arrows in a half dozen days at the target, I haven't had an opportunity to see how the long term effects of shooting broadheads at the target will be, but I am keeping a log for future comments.

Pulling field points with care!

If you plan on shooting field points, then you will have to get an arrow lube like PSE Scorpion Venom Arrow Release Fluid. It is formulated to allow the easy removal of arrows from targets. I have not tried it, but the commentaries I have read are positive. I think it was originally developed for 3D targets. Think about it; that arrow shaft must be building up quite a bit of heat as it slows down in the target material. The lube helps defeat the grip of the material on the arrow.

Overall, the target performed as I had hoped it would. It stopped the arrows and something some folks might think very important, it doesn't leave a mess as you draw the arrows out. Some targets leave bits and pieces of themselves every time you pull an arrow. I've pounded the middle left aiming point now, and I have yet to have anything come out.



I only had one thing go wrong, and that was the fabric handle. This is not an important issue for the target. I was lugging the target from point a to b, and the nylon strap let the screw head work its way through. Later on the other side let loose too. Easy fix, two small washers or even a couple of pennies. Back the screw out, lay the strap back down drive the screw through the penny and that is the end of the problem. That will have to wait until I get back home. Again it's my fault it tore out, I sure don't baby anything I own.

I can fix that lickety split.


Register for the
American Whitetail
FREE target give away!


There is one more thing. The good folks at American Whitetail Inc. have a weekly drawing for one of their targets, all you have to do is register.

That's right! Every week, American Whitetail Targets will give away a broadhead target. The give away is open to all US residents. To register, simply fill out the form at their website (Here) with your information. (In the notes section you could put down that you saw it here at The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles...)

So enter, it's free, and give it a shot!

King Broadhead Target
MSRP: $36.95

American Whitetail Inc.
Box 299
Ferdinand, Indiana
47532
Ph. 1-888-233-1976
Fax 1-812-937-4157
Email: Tammy@archerytargets.com


There is a pretty good video on YouTube on the King Broadhead Target




As you can see, the King Target takes a licking and keeps on stopping arrows.

"I can wholeheartedly recommend the Whitetail Inc King Broadhead Target without reservation. It is a well made target, made of quality materials, here in the USA, by bowhunters, for bowhunters. The price is very reasonable and it works as advertised. That my friends, is a good American deal!"
Albert A Rasch
The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles



The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nothing better than a good target to catch those modern fast arrows of today. It's not like shooting at hay bails like years ago.

Thanks for the review.

Albert A Rasch said...

After I shot a few field points into the King, I decided I needed a hay bale or two to catch the target arrows. You can see I had to flip the target face up so I could carefully draw the arrows out.

With broadheads it was no problem, but as expensive as they are, (The broadeheads.) I dedicate one to the task of practice. Yes, I do alot of walking! But that's why I still have some original Anderson broadheads, sharp as the day they came from the factory!

Now if I only had the Fred Bear Razor heads I had as a kid...

Thanks Rick!
See my friend Rick at:
Whitetail Woods

Unknown said...

I've never tried PSE Scorpion Venom Arrow Release Fluid. A cheaper alternative... plain bar soap. We always make sure to grab the mini soaps when staying at hotels b/c they are perfect size.

Michael Spinelli said...

Albert,

Nice review, I'm really surprised that it is so reasonably priced for the quality construction. I went to their comparisons page and there is quite a difference between targets.

Thanks again for the thorough review.

Cheers,
Mike

Paul Steeve said...

I like the idea of varying foam densitites in the construction. That is also a great price for a decent target. Great review--I'm definitely going to check this target out.

Anonymous said...

Albert, much better article this time. Plus you did not wear your smurf outfit. Now all you have to do is grow a few more inches and angle that fork away for it's target. Your mouth.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous,

Love your humor!

Missing the part about the smurf outfit though... are you sure your color balance is alright on your monitor?

Anonymous II

PS: Have you EVER put a fork in your eye? trust me it ain'a all it's cracked up to be. Which reminds me, I wasn't allowed to use a fork until AFTER the uhhhmmm, facility... In fact we were only allowed to use crayons to write home...

PPS: I wonder what your IP is...

A II

Josh said...

Good lookin' target.

Now, what broadheads are you using? This year, I'll be cutting my own from old circular saw blades (to hopefully put on some cut rose-shoot arrows), but I've been using Magnus II's, and love 'em.

Albert A Rasch said...

Ahhhhh,

It took me a couple of comments, but I recognize my anonymous commenter! It's none other than...

Mark Osterholt!

Once again he gives himself away with a clue (or two) that identifies him.

Silly fellow, do you really want to play again?

Albert "Bring on the Rain" Rasch

Michael Spinelli said...

Th Osterholt Saga Continues?

You would think that after the well deserved drubbing he received the last time he came around, he would have learned his lesson. Some people just never learn.

Cheers,
Mike S