Best Target

[Freddy]

Hey guys need your help in picking the right target. I have a Matrix 330 which I have used for the last two seasons with great success and just love it. As of Jan. this year I have retired and the company bought me a Matrix 355 which I have not shot yet, I am not a Gorilla and don't want fight to get my bolts out. Would like a target for mostly field points but would also like to shoot a couple of broad heads into it before hunting season or is it necessary? Next question, what is the best colour fletching for hunting, I have all green with my 330, both deer taken the bolt went right through and had a hard time finding them, I use a tree stand about 15' high, should be easy to find but I have a hard time and they are usually where I think they should be, I have all yellow for my 355. I don't want to use luminock, not sure why? Any advise would be appreciated.

[L. E. Carroll]

When not using "Ignitor" nocks, I rely on a strip of white Florescent tape about 1/2 -3/4" wide, wrapped around the shaft just below the nock and above the fletch. I have found that if I go out just after dark with a flash light, they seem to " jump right out " as long as the slighest bit of the shaft is sticking out of the ground or weeds after returning to the area I'm pretty sure the arrow should be in...

I hunt from the ground and many times my arrows bury completey in as the ground seems softer near the top....Shooting thru an animal, or even a miss for that matter, from an elevated stand should retard penetration and hopefully leave enough of the shaft sticking up for the reflective tape to aid in its detection.

I know Dan Winicki aka: "Xcalibur" here on the forum believes in this method as he told be about it and uses it when hunting from elevated stands. He uses both a Matrix 330 and a Matrix 355 for all of his hunting needs.

I hope this helps you, as it the cheapest way I know of to make your arrow "stand out" and I have found it to work for me on the occasions I had enough arrow above ground for the light to find and reflect off of.

BTW, both models you have are exceptional hunting models and either will get the job done... I have had each, even though I now have a Micro 335, Matrix 350 SE, and a Matrix 380. ( I took a nice Roosevelt 4x4 Bull Elk last fall with my Matrix 355 from the ground at just over 40 yards. )

Gene

[racking up points]

To answer your first question get a Rhinehart block style target and you'll be good for years of BH practice. If you want the best field point target, make your own out of feed bags or old clothes with zippers removed. There is no better FP target IMHO. With a Matrix 405 and at point blank range I never damage fletchings and removal is easy peasie.

As for finding your arrow, nothing beats a Lumenock and I don't know why you'd have an aversion to using them. Not only will you find every arrow but you'll know precisely where your animal is struck. Reflective tape won't help you buried under leaves, a Lumenock buried under a foot of snow is like a beacon, trust me. They pay for themselves if you're sending a $30 arrow/BH downrange each time. I have never lost one and the batteries are still good on some of the units I bought 4 years ago. Alternatively, orange, pink or bright blue vanes are easier to find in the forest floor's litter.

[Riflemanz]

For field point only use a morell yellow jacket field point crossbow bag for around $55
For BH I use rinehardt 18-1

[robertyb]

For field point only use a morell yellow jacket field point crossbow bag for around $55
For BH I use rinehardt 18-1

X-2
Pretty much all I use. I have worn a few out but it takes several thousands of shots to do so.
I use the Yellow Jacket broadhead target too but do not shoot it except to make certain I am still sighted in for the BHs I am shooting. Mine is probably 10 years or so old and will probably out last me.

[Phillyarcher]

I have a Morrell crossbow target for field points. I have Dicks target that I have used for years for BH it's called the Black Hole it's a layered foam. As far as finding arrows I have used luminnok and they are great both on my Firebolts and the Quills. The fletching are the factory ones and I have a few different colors which I have not changed with luminnock they are easily found.

[Freddy]

Thanks guys, great info. Will try some of these ideas.

[ThackMan]

I use a Delta McKenzie Speedbag 20/20 for field tips it's around $30.00 USD.

For broadheads I'm using a 18-1 rinehart and I like it a lot.

[newbie]

x2 with Derrick.
i have a rhino block that is now in need of a new insert for broadheads but i could continue to shoot the rest for years. Buy a aet of Danny Miller arrow pullers and its easy to remove field tips. i basically shoot it exclusive.
I just use white or pink vanes on my arrows. They both stand out.
I gave up on luminoks.... they are not the cure all to find your arrows. The last year i used them i lost three arrows. Bury it under leaves and its gone. I have an easier time loosing a 20 dollar arrow instead of 30.
Now having said that im going back to them this year. My arrow components were bought cheap enough i can justify the added expense of loosing another 10 bucks.

[Czy_Horse]

My garbage can rag target for field points and a Crossbow Block & Danny Miller pliers for broadheads.




The dart board target face comes from these guys.

http://www.archerytargets.com/

[Freddy]

Thanks Guys for the info, I tried a home made double feed bag stuffed and packed as much as I could with rags, worked ok for about 10 to 20 shots bolts came out super easy but then I started to bury the bolts and wrecking the fletching at 20 to 30 yards with the Matrix 330

[Big John]

Means you need to pack way more into the bag. Have to really pack them in tight! For Broadheads I only use the Rinehart Rhinoblock 18"in. Same one for years. Thousands of shots from field point and broadheads.

Big John

[MTBighorn]

I use the feed bag packed with old clothes for broadheads and field points... Field points slide out with two fingers and I've never been able to shoot through the bag with broadheads even with the 380. But I do shuffle the clothes during every retrieval.
Broadhead removal I just point the arrow up through the open top and push the arrow up till I can grab it and pull it on through... My bag is so worn out it's basically just a pile of clothes sitting against the backstop from this falls Broadhead practice

I love the garbage can idea... Thank you for the idea!! That is soon going to be my target