Swhackers and Matrix 380

[flatone]

Finally got my Matrix 380 issues taken care of... Built me a set of BE Zombies, 18" with 92 grain brass inserts. I picked up a pack of the Swhacker 125 grain heads. The practice head drives tacks at 50 yards. I figured I should try out a real one.... and it hit 6" low and 6" left. I could tell that when it hit the target, the blades were deployed. I shot it again... and same thing. So I put 3 bands on and it was dead on and the blades did not deploy before impact.

For those of you who shoot the Swhacker heads, have you had any issues like this? I assume it can't hurt to put on 3 bands?

I will shoot again tomorrow and make sure that I am getting consistent performance with 3 bands... I might try 2 and see if that does the trick.

[vixenmaster]

I shot mine 100gr 2" cut, had the blades taped so they wouldn't open. Were dead on out of Marie Laveau at 40 yds. Spect you could try 2 bands wid the 380

[youngguns]

I too shoot 380, and I don't understand putting bands on broadhead, I am going to shoot rage crossbow x 125 gr. Right now shooting field tips w/bee 18" 92. Brass up front 2" blazers w/ right offset 125 gr. Tip do I or should on put bands on to make sure they don't open before impact?? Explain or picture of how done please would be helpful always shot fixed out of my horizontal trying mechanicals for first time . Any and all help greatly appreciated thank you !!!!!! Youngguns

[UPSMAN]

That's one of the reasons that I quit shooting Shwackers. I suggest you try one of the many quality fixed blade heads on the market. You will be happier in the long run.

[Riflemanz]

I use 2 bands on my Hammerheads just for insurance.They fly fine and leave a blood bath in their wake!

[Normous]

I too shoot 380, and I don't understand putting bands on broadhead, I am going to shoot rage crossbow x 125 gr. Right now shooting field tips w/bee 18" 92. Brass up front 2" blazers w/ right offset 125 gr. Tip do I or should on put bands on to make sure they don't open before impact?? Explain or picture of how done please would be helpful always shot fixed out of my horizontal trying mechanicals for first time . Any and all help greatly appreciated thank you !!!!!! Youngguns

If you search "dental bands" you may find Wheelies photo using them on Rage broadheads. Place them on the most forward part of the outside blades. I verified this with Rage who said dental bands are very popular for those stalking to prevent opening incase of some contact in the bush.

Also, I would suggest using bands on the 380 and each time you load them on deck make sure the blades are full seated in the O-ring and the band in in place.

You may need fingers like a raccoon to put them on.

[Hester0305]

I shot Rages for years and also used Dental Bands and they work great but I switched to Slick Tricks about 3 years ago and as good as they fly I will never go back to a mechanical head again. The Slick Tricks are a whole stronger and a breeze changing out blades.

[884savage]

I'd certainly try 2 bands to see what you get. If you can get 50 yard accuracy, you've arrived. You need nothing else. You will find guys that will bash mechanicals all day, and you'll find guys that love them too. I'm a believer. I've personally never once had a failure, and my Rage 2 blades are 14 for 14 on hits to recoveries. 3 of those shots were marginal. Could a failure ever occur, possibly, but my guess is if it happens it's more of an error on my end. I'd bet a whole dollar that over 90% of mechanical failures were really operator error with pride being the reason they can't confess. Also, if you look at the difference in performance when both mechanicals vs fixed blades work correctly, mechanicals knock a hole in an animal twice the size. That means on a liver shot, you cut twice the liver putting that animal down twice as fast. If it runs 300 yards with a mechanical hit, that could be 400-600 yards with a fixed blade head. That can be the difference between finding a deer and not. So, one day my mechanicals may fail me, but the times they save me will always far outweigh the times the fail. Since I've never seen a failure from my Rages I don't even know what could fail. I'm sure someone will happily tell me. I'm sure someone will also tell me I should have never made 3 marginal shots, and they"ve never deer hunted. It happens. I feel prepared for that with a big 2 inch or bigger cutting mechanical. Keep using them. You'll be happier in the long run for doing so.

[Wisc Mac]

I took a Doe last year with my M380 using a 125gr Shwacker on a BE executioner. Entrance was 1". Exit was 2.25". Opened inside just like they are supposed to using a single factory band. Hit both lungs and the heart (shot from a ground blind). It was right before dark but still had no problem finding her. Looked like some had paint a 4" red line 25 yes right to her. I will be Shoot Shwackers again this year.

What kind of target where you using. The blades deploy with resistance. If it was a tough skinned target, could they have been deploying during the entrance?

[Mo wannabe]

MONTECS 125 gr........ Your search is over

[vixenmaster]

I used couple of swhackers last yr. they did the job, i used them wid a vixen & under 285 fps. They lacked the punch needed with lower powered models. So this yr i will be trying them wid Marie Laveau Also Spitfires n Hammerheads will do well on killin them Tick Toters