| Our task was to help balance the herd and bring the doe:buck ratio
more in line. It also gave me the opportunity to try out the new Rocky
Mountain Ironhead XP. So our first stop was at the range to set up and
sight in.
The Ironhead XP is a trouble free expandable broadhead that installs
with ease. Coming out of the package completely assembled and ready to
shoot means no need to wrestle with O-rings, or loose blades. Performance
of any broadhead relies on its accuracy, as hitting your intended target
is the first priority.
 
The Ironhead XP delivers excellent accuracy at all ranges, with flight
characteristics of a field point. I shot these broadheads at ranges of
15-50 yards, moving 260 f.p.s., and they grouped just like my field points.
This is the confidence that you need to take with you on your next trip
afield.
The Ironhead XP's are a Stainless Steel bodied broadhead, meaning they
are much more rugged than the typical Aluminum bodied heads. Stainless
Steel also means no corrosion. Their cut on contact tip, mounted 90 degrees
from the expanding blades make for easy entry, great penetration, and large
wound channel.
The 1-1/8" cutting diameter is plenty big enough for most big game,
and sized right for deep penetration. All three blades are replaceable,
and are available through retailers and directly from Rocky Mountain Broadheads
online at rockymtbroadheads.com
or via phone 507-835-3859.
Enough range time, let's get hunting.
Saturday afternoon in Pennsylvania's target rich environment gave us
the opportunity to take some adult Does and help bring the Buck:Doe ratio
into line. It wasn't 30 minutes after climbing into my stand that I had
company below. Finding an adult Doe, and waiting a few minutes for the
right shot opportunity, I took advantage of the situation.
With a 12 yard broadside shot she was quickly dispatched and easily
recovered within 60 yards. The shot was a complete pass-through, taking
out both lungs. I recovered the arrow intact, broadhead looking like new.
It was still "surgical sharp", but I decided to run a sharpener across
it anyway before putting it back in my quiver for another day.
Monday morning rolled around quickly and I was back on stand. Thirty
minutes after sunrise, a mature 8 point buck made an appearance, and after
grunting him to a stop at 15 yards slightly quartered away, I decided to
take him.
Another pass through, taking out both lungs, he made it 40 yards before
expiring. That's two deer with the same broadhead. Recovering the arrow
showed the rugged Ironhead XP still intact, still in great shape.
Knowing Barrie Archery's products, meant these quick recoveries were
no surprise. This was my first experience with the cut-on-contact style
heads, and I must say I am impressed.
Monday's hunt ended, but not without taking an additional Doe to help
balance the herd. Another clean harvest with the Ironhead XP. No tracking
needed. That's three deer, all recovered within 60 yards of the stand.
Barrie Archery has again hit the mark with an impressive broadhead.
It is practically fool proof, no assembly is needed, and as long as your
equipment is tuned and selected properly, they'll fly just fine.
There is no doubt in my mind that if the hunter can perform his duties,
these broadheads will perform theirs quite well.
- Bob Stotz is a member of the management team at Northern
Wilderness Outfitters, Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada; www.huntingalberta.com
215-453-9236
267-614-2799 - cell |
