Intense scouting has paid off this year so far as I have seen at least three shooters on the different properties I have permission to hunt. Now do you think I am going to rely on questionable equipment when the shot of the season presents itself? I don?t think so. My valued scouting time is not going to be wasted. The only thing I want to see when I release a broadhead is a well placed arrow with a big antlered bruiser posing broadside to receive it. That is why I will rely on a dependable broadhead year after year. Dependable means it carries the characteristics of a strong head with sharp blades and most of all accurate. If it doesn?t shoot like my field points from a well tuned bow then it isn?t worthy of being in my quiver. Barrie Archery, the maker of Rocky Mountain Broadheads, has supplied me with one that fits the characteristics very well called the Ironhead 100. 

Initial Inspection

The Ironhead 100 is a fixed blade broadhead that carries a total of five very sharp cutting surfaces. The three main blades are composed of .030? Stainless Steel making them extremely durable. These are complimented by a .025? razor sharp cut on impact head that seats firmly into a one piece stainless steel body. The one piece body is the key to durability as I find multi piece heads often breakdown when encountering heavy bone. 

The compact design combined with the 1? cutting diameter is deceiving, giving the overall look a small but lethal appearance. The Ironhead 100 design, which features a 3 3/16? overall cutting area, translates into a very accurate broadhead out to any effective bowhunting range. 

Assembly 

The broadheads come unassembled and three per package. The colorful package details the contents and all important broadhead aspects on the front. Flipping the package over gives a short description of the head, assembly instructions as well as repeating the aspects from the front. Finally Barrie Archery contact information including the web address is printed at the bottom.

Assembly is simple as each individual main blade slides into a channel on the ferrule body. After inserting the blades a washer slides down over the threads and rests on the shoulders of the blades. To secure, turn the head into your arrow shaft and tighten with the supplied broadhead wrench. Do not try to tighten by hand because one slip and the razor sharp blades will cut you. 

Tests

Tests were conducted indoors at a 20 yard range. I utilize an indoor range so that no outdoor elements will come into play. For the test the Ironhead 100 was mounted on an Easton ACC 360 with a length of 28.75?. The broadhead seated perfectly and spun perfectly when checked by spin testing. The total weight of this setup came in at 410 grains. To test accuracy the Ironhead 100 was launched from a 2003 Bowtech Patriot Dually through the chronograph at 286 fps. This calculates into 74 ft. pounds of kinetic energy.

The arrows flew perfectly and had no problem cutting their way through a layered target. After a few arrows I was completely satisfied with arrow flight and moved on to the critical durability test. 

The durability test consisted of shooting at a treated two by four at a distance of approximately 10 yards. At this distance I not only wanted to see how well the head would hold up but also what kind of penetration could be achieved. I carefully aimed at the heart of the old wooden trophy and let fly. A crack instantly informed me that the arrow had found its mark. As I moved in to inspect my kill I noticed that the broadhead was intact and fully engulfed by the board. It did not quite make it through the other side. The Ironhead 100 was so engulfed that in order to retrieve it I had to do some extra chiseling to remove it. Upon inspection the main blades as well as the cut-on-impact razor tip were all intact. The head sustained no damage and in order to use it again all I will have to do is change the blades. 

Overall score 

Design 4.0 out of 5
The overall design of the head is compact, which probably has a lot to do with the pinpoint accuracy. The 3 3/16 overall cutting surface could stand to be just a bit larger. 
 

Toughness 4.5 out of 5
The toughness of the Ironhead 100 puts it at the top of its class compared to other similar heads. The one piece stainless steel body and precision blade retention system held up through the tough treated two by four.

Sharpness 4.5 out of 5
The cut on impact head razor head and main blades were razor sharp straight from the factory. No touchups were needed. 

Accuracy 5 out of 5
No doubt the Ironhead 100 will hold its own in groupings out to any effective bowhunting range. I will have no problem drawing on an animal out to forty yards.

The overall score indicates to me that I will have no problem carrying this head into the field. The best features that I like about the Ironhead 100 are the tough one piece stainless steel head combined with the replaceable cut-on-impact razor tip.

For information on these and other Rocky Mountain Braodheads contact: