Rocky Mountain Broadheads has a history of innovation in the broadhead making business and with the introduction of the new twin blade Snyper it appears as though they intend to stay on the "cutting" edge!

The Snyper is a 100-grain head with two rearward opening .035" thick stainless steel blades. A closed-position cutting diameter of 5/8" opens to a 1-3/8" cut when fully deployed. The fixed traditional-style blade insert tip starts the action by slicing the target on impact. This 3/8" cut made by the replaceable tip is 90 degrees to the cutting plane of the expandable blades. From there the next step in the process occurs when the leading tips of the expandable blades are forced straight back the black anodized aluminum ferrule which cams them into a fully deployed cutting position. The twin expandable blades are retained in flight by a small rubber band that fits over the leading tips. 

As the saying goes, "The proof is in the pudding". In this case the pudding is the testing - and test them I did! The following tests were performed on three different heads zipping out of my Darton Maverick at 278 fps: First up was simple paper tuning and the results were great. Near perfect holes were achieved with the exact tuning needed for my field points to do the same. Next was an accuracy/grouping test at 20 paces. I shot one group of three heads eight times. All rounds averaged a 1.1" diameter group. They performed exceptionally and cost me quite a few fletchings and three nocks!

One of the major concerns expressed by some bowhunters concerning expandable heads is the claim that they "kick-out" if shot at sharp angles thereby significantly reducing penetration. To test the Snyper for possible "kicking" I shot all three heads several times at various targets including a McKenzie 3D Deer, American Whitetail broadhead and Cube targets, and a homemade bag target covered with deer hide - all at extremely steep angles. Again the results were great. Not one arrow kicked with approximately 45% of the entrance holes showing a distinct "one-blade" first cut! I wouldn't hesitate to take an angled shot with a Snyper after seeing the results of this test.  

The third test was an efficiency/penetration/durability test all rolled into one. The first leg of this test utilized unused portions of my Cube target. Each head was shot two times and the distance from the back of the target to the tip of the head was measured. Also noted was the condition of the blades at this point. The average penetration of the three heads over two rounds was 5-3/4". The fixed blade on the tip of the head and the expandable blades were in perfect shape at the end of the first test. All entrance hole diameters were just above the "at rest" position and the exit holes revealed a fully deployed cutting diameter. A ¾" pine board was secured at 10 yards for the second part of the test. The average penetration of the three heads through two rounds was 8 3/8" measured from the back of the board to the tip of the head. After running these heads through this test I compared them to an unused head and it was near impossible to tell them apart - they looked that good! 

I found only light blade chipping on one of the heads. The fixed position tip blade was undamaged through all of the testing. 

In general the Snyper is an extremely tough head that has superb flying characteristics. Penetration is also above average for an expandable head. The design eliminates the fear of "kicking" shots out to the side as indicated by the testing. This is a head worth trying!

Design: 4 of 5
The cam action design and the innovative cut on impact fixed tip give the Snyper a good score here.

Durability: 4.5 of 5
Almost perfect through all of my testing!

Flight: 4.5 of 5
These heads fly like darts and are consistent head to head. If you're hitting the bull with your field points you will most likely be doing the same with the Snyper.
 

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