Revolution 100
Rocky Mountain Broadheads
by Dave Conrad

In the last few years the craze in the archery industry has been for speed. A hunting bow shooting an arrow over 270 fps is not uncommon. However the best-tuned bows with arrows at these speeds may be accurate with field points but put on a fixed broadhead and planing becomes a problem. As the bow speeds increased mechanical broadheads have made there way into the market. Mechanicals fly like a field point but upon penetrating game the blades expand to become deadly much like a fixed blade broadhead. Barrie Archery has broken from the pack and revolutionized the mechanical market with it's hot REVOLUTION.

This results in a finer blood trail. Barrie Archery has developed their REVOLUTION with a unique design that alleviates this problem. The REVOLUTION Broadhead utilizes a blade opening system that actually starts with the cutting edges exposed when closed, and then cam into the open/cutting position. This rearward opening system is definitely a bonus, especially during angled hits that would normally kick out a standard mechanical head or at least impede penetration.

The REVOLUTION weighs 100 grains and features a 5/8" in flight diameter and a very respectable 1 3/8-inch-cutting diameter upon impact. The Tri-Cut chisel tips can also smash through bone and provides good penetration.

The ACC 3-71 arrows tipped with the 100 grain REVOLUTION heads flew with pinpoint accuracy out of my 75 pound Hoyt Defiant. I was careful not to shoot at the same circle twice on the target because I found out ruining arrows can be an expensive habit. All test arrows opened on impact and indicated deployment on entering the target, unlike other mechanicals, which took some travel after impact to become fully deployed.

Penetration was not quite as good as conventional broadhead due to the extra energy required to deploy.

However with the REVOLUTION you should have no problems with complete passthroughs from a well placed broadside or quartering shot. I was hoping to prove this on a couple late season urban doe hunts but the does just would not cooperate. On one hunt I just couldn't convince them to step out from behind the brush for an 18-yard shot. Rich Walton was quick to remind me "That's why they call it hunting".

Just like all new things, it did require some practice to install the broadheads. But once I got acquainted with the procedure, it took minimal effort to secure the blades in place on the rubber grommet. The stainless steel blades come razor sharp and are tough at .030" thickness. Replacement blades are now available in convenient Slide On Blade Cartridges that make blade changing simple. No set screws to fool with. When the blades are dull, simply unscrew the arrow from the shaft and slide the blade cartridge off the broadhead body.

Replace with a new cartridge, screw back on the arrow shaft and you are in business. I've never changed blades this easy before on anything. At the 2000 AMO show in Indianapolis it was announced that the REVOLUTION broadhead would also be available in Titanium for this falls hunts.

Design - 4 of 5
An innovative design that deploys on impact to provide a large entry and exit wound. The only improvement on this quality design would be to have the blades lock into place when fully deployed.

Installation - 4 of 5
Took a little getting use to when locking the blades into the rubber grommet. Barrie suggests sliding the rubber grommet onto the arrow shaft then sliding up over the retaining ring to lock the three blades is place. A plastic vial is supplied in every pack to keep fingers from getting the worst of the deal.

Toughness and durability - 5 of 5
In all the shooting tests the Revolution held up great, even when shooting through highly compressed material, the blades cut right through. The .030 blade thickness never failed.

Recommendation
I believe you can't go wrong with any quality broadhead from Barrie Archery. The REVOLUTION and new REVOLUTION-Ti (Titanium) is another quality addition to their vast lineup of archery products. I might add that it was a delight when Bruce Barrie took time out from his busy schedule to call me for my inputs on the REVOLUTION. By the end of the conversation more time was spent on our love of archery then products, giving me a real sense for the company's commitment toward the outdoors and the sport.

Rocky Mountain Broadheads has a web site at www.rockymtbroadheads.com.
For more information on this or any other Rocky Mountain product contact:

Barrie Archery, LLC
PO Box 482
Waseca, MN 56093
http://www.rockymtbroadheads.com