FOC Broadhead

[SEW]

Boo's recent thread on what helped the most for success prompted this thread. We are all aware of the debates that take place over fixed vs expandible broadheads. Fact is, that in general, expandable broadheads have significantly improved over the decades since the introduction of the Puckett expandible ~30 years ago. I've tried many and have only lost 1 deer out of over 100 shot with expandibles. However, there is a big difference in the inflight and terminal performance of the various expandibles. I'm consumed with ballistic matters: went to benchrest schools, precision reload, taught ballistics in the USAF for aerial gunnery and bombing, and have shot well over 10,000 arrow shots testing arrow shafts, fletching, foc, point types, etc - much thru xbows. This is my passion!
I have found that with 18-20" shafts ( Executioners and Zombies ) and lower profile expandable broadheads with helical Blazers and plastic nocks and a 26g AL insert/170g FOC provides adequate foc for stabilization for tight groups to 110 yds. 92 and 110g brass inserts with 100g Schackers and SFs were adequate to 100 yds (farthest tested). I expect 80g inserts would have worked for the Swhackers and maybe the SFs( they steer a little more ).
After 14 deer with FOCs, 6 DRT, with very short recoveries,; plus 6-7 additional by my son with FOCs with similar results, I was convinced this was my broadhead. I test extensively at long range especially with cross winds and head/tail winds. FOCs are deflected by xwind less than any other broadhead except for being equaled by the Swhacker. The FOC practice points I made ( actual FOCs/JB Weld in blade grooves) last well and are good for fine tuning at 50yds+.
Out of my 380 & 405 , Optimizer/Duralyt 2-8, I get 1"-1 1/2" 3-shot 80-100 yd gps with 170g FPs and 1 1/2-2" FOC groups.
Out of a friend's Exocet, shooting the same, solid 1" 3-shot 80 yd(Max sighted in to) groups. This is with FOC's! My 380/405 won't equal this, yet!
All shooting with Hart Windage adjustable rest, Protektor #13 rear bag, occasionally wind flags.
I've used many of the more common fixed and expandible broadheads over the years(187 shot, 182 recovered) and nothing has had the terminal effect of the FOC . When a broadhead has the best inflight performance and best terminal performance a shooter has experienced, then, for him, broadhead selection becomes a no-brainer.
I haven't tested all broadheads so I can't say the FOC is absolutely the best; but at the very least, it's a finalist. I expect it'd win.
$32/3 off Amazon.

[racking up points]

I'm sold! I'll use them this season from the tree and magnum slick tricks when I'm in a blind. Looking forward to getting the performance you've experienced. Thanks for the info!

[Retired05]

I also find the Swhacker's very accurate and when they open up you have a fresh new set of blades to cut up the inside of the animal. Being a meat cutter for 50 years you learn how to sharpen blades. Yes they have to be sharpened on both cutting edges. I am able to get them sharp enough to shave with. When they are very sharp they go through a deer like a hot knife through butter. Using a Vortex.

[Deep In Cover]

Very NICE read! I will look into them.

[Normous]

I can really appreciate SEW's FOC broadhead review on the FOC since I use the exact crossbow, arrow and FOC broadhead and agree with his findings. Those .039 thick FOC blades blades surely contribute to the improvement of expandable performance over the years.

I have only taken 4 deer with the FOC and documented very short recoveries from gaping holes after being arrowed.

The FOC is the 3rd expandable that I have used out of my Excalibur starting with my first Rocket expandables purchased in 1996. Since then I have only taken 2 animals with fixed blade Slick Tricks which left me wanting larger wound channels but appreciating the Slick Tricks superior track record regarding design, strength and sharpness.

I know for sure the FOC will be on my deck in 2015.

[Talltines]

SEW i became a believer in the FOC this year a d for my excalibur 405 won't shoot anything else . Awesome blood trails and deer die fast which means short tracking jobs. Love them and swhackers. Won't shoot aanything else.

[Retired05]

SEW do you find putting the cock vane on the stiff side of the shaft helps to tighten up groups? I have been using Gold Tip pro laser11's. This is out of a Vortex.

[bubba]

Wow sew!! that was some review. I'm shooting a Ibex this remainder of the year but will have a matrix 355 or 380 next year. And after that review I'm gonna definitely try the f.o.c. broad head.. Great read.....

[Carnivorous]

Another FOC user here.

This deer did not like the FOC that went through it!

[GGC]

Sew
Bought the FOC's and the 380 Matrix is ready.
Need to break the ice, six weeks and no shots. We have a little snow now, that may help.
The 405 arrived today and will use the same arrow.

[Bullzeye]

Crap, I just bought Toxics to try and now I read this

[Outback]

Been reading a bit about these broad heads and will be giving them a try next season for sure.

outback

[Southern Comfort]

Sew, that was a great review to the point that next season you sold me on at least trying them.

[paulaboutform]

Crap, I just bought Toxics to try and now I read this

Don't be disappointed with the toxics. I'm shooting the same setup as Sew but with 92gr brass inserts and 100gr points. He's got an extra 5 gr up front but I'm still hitting 1"-1 1/2" spots at 65yards(as far as I've tested them) with ridiculous blood trails. Of the nine critters I toxed nothing beyond 55 yards....I'm sorry Sew, this is a great thread with awesome info and I'm not trying to hijack it. I just wanted to respond and put concerns aside.

[SEW]

Crap, I just bought Toxics to try and now I read this

Don't be disappointed with the toxics. I'm shooting the same setup as Sew but with 92gr brass inserts and 100gr points. He's got an extra 5 gr up front but I'm still hitting 1"-1 1/2" spots at 65yards(as far as I've tested them) with ridiculous blood trails. Of the nine critters I toxed nothing beyond 55 yards....I'm sorry Sew, this is a great thread with awesome info and I'm not trying to hijack it. I just wanted to respond and put concerns aside.

I'm in no way saying that the FOC is absolutely the very best broadhead to use but believe it has a lot going for it. It does score high in many critical categories . These large cutting Expandables are not for low energy bows. It's not the only excellent expandable, for sure.