Rage Crossbow X Broadheads

[SummitSitter]

I just picked up some Rage Corssbow X Broadheads after deciding to switch to mechanical broadheads with my crossbow. I’ve been reading some posts on other forums regarding the blades not opening on these broadheads, especially with crossbows shooting under 400 fps. Some guys are suggesting changing out the Red High Energy Shock Collars, to the Black Shock Collars.

Has anyone had any issues with these broadheads not functioning properly? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[paulaboutform]

Well, if you'd like an honest opinion, the Rage broadheads would probably be one of my last choices. I only tried them once and the hog I heart shot died within five steps but the blades didn't open. To me that's a fail. I gave the rest of them away. They typically rate on the low end of durability and penetration tests compared to most other broadheads. However, they do have a fantastic marketing department. If you're using them I do hope they work well and perform for you.

Paul

[robertyb]

Well, if you'd like an honest opinion, the Rage broadheads would probably be one of my last choices. I only tried them once and the hog I heart shot died within five steps but the blades didn't open. To me that's a fail. I gave the rest of them away. They typically rate on the low end of durability and penetration tests compared to most other broadheads. However, they do have a fantastic marketing department. If you're using them I do hope they work well and perform for you.

Paul

You did this with the Hypodermics?

[paulaboutform]

Well, if you'd like an honest opinion, the Rage broadheads would probably be one of my last choices. I only tried them once and the hog I heart shot died within five steps but the blades didn't open. To me that's a fail. I gave the rest of them away. They typically rate on the low end of durability and penetration tests compared to most other broadheads. However, they do have a fantastic marketing department. If you're using them I do hope they work well and perform for you.

Paul

You did this with the Hypodermics?

No. This was with the original Rage when they first came out. I used the three blade. I haven't used them since and my experience was a long time ago so I can't comment on their new products. I have read about a number of people, even on this forum, complaining about Rage fails. So, as I said, if you choose to use them I do hope they perform flawlessly.

Paul

[robertyb]

Well, if you'd like an honest opinion, the Rage broadheads would probably be one of my last choices. I only tried them once and the hog I heart shot died within five steps but the blades didn't open. To me that's a fail. I gave the rest of them away. They typically rate on the low end of durability and penetration tests compared to most other broadheads. However, they do have a fantastic marketing department. If you're using them I do hope they work well and perform for you.

Paul

You did this with the Hypodermics?

No. This was with the original Rage when they first came out. I used the three blade. I haven't used them since and my experience was a long time ago so I can't comment on their new products. I have read about a number of people, even on this forum, complaining about Rage fails. So, as I said, if you choose to use them I do hope they perform flawlessly.

Paul

The reason I asked was because I keep seeing folks on the major crossbow forums jumping in with the "they are crap" statements but whenever I ask they say they tried them years ago just like you. I would never buy a Rage at all until recently because of all the bad reviews I had seen. Like you I considered them to be pretty much worthless. A couple of months ago though I saw some for sale on one of the internet sites and bought a couple of packs of the Hypodermics to try them out. I was very surprised when I found them to be on par with the Swackers and G-5 Montecs I normally shoot. The new Rages are way under rated because of their prior problems. All I can speak for though are the Hypodermics as that is all I have shot.

[paulaboutform]

Robert, we're all interested in the latest and greatest. Keep us updated on your findings.

Paul

[SummitSitter]

I spoke with a rep from Rage today and he said that they have received only a handful of emails regarding complaints of the blades not properly deploying out of the thousands of broadheads that they sell. For a crossbow shooting over 320 FPS, the Red Shock Collars are fine to use and there is no need to swap them out. The practice heads shot great today. I did not have to make any adjustments after going from field points to the Rage practice heads...



40 yards

I’ll give them a try this year and report back on their performance.

[SummitSitter]

Delete

[SummitSitter]

Delete

[galamb]

I'm a vendor and we do get many "returns" for Rage broadheads.

BUT the biggest issue is user error. Most often they don't read the package or go check out the video on how to properly install the shock collars.

Having said that, like Paul and a few others, Rage would be one of the last heads I would use. I have had many "samples" over the years and the only ones I have ever used are the long discontinued KE-40's which were for low poundage bows and thus were a good match for my traditional recurve if I wanted to shoot a mechanical.

Rage, through their product offering "appears" to only be interested in the market for bows "pushing the envelope". So if you are shooting 350 fps plus, making somewhat north of 90 lbs of KE on impact that is "their market".

Three or four years back we took a tool box full of broadheads (mechanicals) from Rage, G5, NAP, Deadringer, Antler Insanity and a few I can't remember and put them through a few (un-scientific) tests.

We tested for depth of penetration in a block target (same bow, same arrow, all 100 grain heads). The Rages came in dead last regardless of the sub-model. G5 was at the top (Havoc's and T3's) BUT all would have passed through a deer if hit in the vitals "broadside".

We also (subjectively) visually inspected the heads for damage, which we termed as "durability" - Rage wasn't at the bottom but they were nowhere near the top (actually the G5 T3's sustained the most damage - broken (channels) in the ferrule that held the blades).

The last (test) was to try and determine the "pounds lost to deploy". That was done by taking a coffee can and covering the open end with a piece of leather. The can was then placed on a persistence scale. A piece of arrow shaft was chucked in a drill press, the broadhead installed and we noted the (weight) measured on the persistence scale when the arrow deployed in contact with the leather.

In this one, regardless of whether it was the more cut on contact, chisel or pointed head the Rage's averaged 15 lbs to deploy, a full 5 pounds more then the next nearest brand/model.

And those tests were done with either the "regular" collar or the old style black o-ring - not the new crossbow collars which are (somewhat) harder to deploy.

What we concluded was, if you are shooting a lighter poundage bow, or are at the bottom limit of KE "at impact" for whatever game you are hunting, the Rage's were the ones "most likely" to not penetrate fully or completely pass through.

Again though, it kinda doesn't matter what you shoot if you are impacting at 90 plus pounds, but if you are down say "near 50" and you lose 15 lbs just to deploy (again not scientific but makes you think), maybe you should shoot something else.

So while I sell their product, and we sell a lot, if you came in asking for a recommendation I would point you to just about any other head on the rack. They do a great job of marketing and they have taken thousands of deer. I just want a little more "forgiveness" if the shot is just not exactly perfect.

[robertyb]

I'm a vendor and we do get many "returns" for Rage broadheads.

BUT the biggest issue is user error. Most often they don't read the package or go check out the video on how to properly install the shock collars.

Having said that, like Paul and a few others, Rage would be one of the last heads I would use. I have had many "samples" over the years and the only ones I have ever used are the long discontinued KE-40's which were for low poundage bows and thus were a good match for my traditional recurve if I wanted to shoot a mechanical.

Rage, through their product offering "appears" to only be interested in the market for bows "pushing the envelope". So if you are shooting 350 fps plus, making somewhat north of 90 lbs of KE on impact that is "their market".

Three or four years back we took a tool box full of broadheads (mechanicals) from Rage, G5, NAP, Deadringer, Antler Insanity and a few I can't remember and put them through a few (un-scientific) tests.

We tested for depth of penetration in a block target (same bow, same arrow, all 100 grain heads). The Rages came in dead last regardless of the sub-model. G5 was at the top (Havoc's and T3's) BUT all would have passed through a deer if hit in the vitals "broadside".

We also (subjectively) visually inspected the heads for damage, which we termed as "durability" - Rage wasn't at the bottom but they were nowhere near the top (actually the G5 T3's sustained the most damage - broken (channels) in the ferrule that held the blades).

The last (test) was to try and determine the "pounds lost to deploy". That was done by taking a coffee can and covering the open end with a piece of leather. The can was then placed on a persistence scale. A piece of arrow shaft was chucked in a drill press, the broadhead installed and we noted the (weight) measured on the persistence scale when the arrow deployed in contact with the leather.

In this one, regardless of whether it was the more cut on contact, chisel or pointed head the Rage's averaged 15 lbs to deploy, a full 5 pounds more then the next nearest brand/model.

And those tests were done with either the "regular" collar or the old style black o-ring - not the new crossbow collars which are (somewhat) harder to deploy.

What we concluded was, if you are shooting a lighter poundage bow, or are at the bottom limit of KE "at impact" for whatever game you are hunting, the Rage's were the ones "most likely" to not penetrate fully or completely pass through.

Again though, it kinda doesn't matter what you shoot if you are impacting at 90 plus pounds, but if you are down say "near 50" and you lose 15 lbs just to deploy (again not scientific but makes you think), maybe you should shoot something else.

So while I sell their product, and we sell a lot, if you came in asking for a recommendation I would point you to just about any other head on the rack. They do a great job of marketing and they have taken thousands of deer. I just want a little more "forgiveness" if the shot is just not exactly perfect.

Exactly what I mentioned above. Try out the new heads.

[SummitSitter]

I'm a vendor and we do get many "returns" for Rage broadheads.

BUT the biggest issue is user error. Most often they don't read the package or go check out the video on how to properly install the shock collars.

Having said that, like Paul and a few others, Rage would be one of the last heads I would use. I have had many "samples" over the years and the only ones I have ever used are the long discontinued KE-40's which were for low poundage bows and thus were a good match for my traditional recurve if I wanted to shoot a mechanical.

Rage, through their product offering "appears" to only be interested in the market for bows "pushing the envelope". So if you are shooting 350 fps plus, making somewhat north of 90 lbs of KE on impact that is "their market".

Three or four years back we took a tool box full of broadheads (mechanicals) from Rage, G5, NAP, Deadringer, Antler Insanity and a few I can't remember and put them through a few (un-scientific) tests.

We tested for depth of penetration in a block target (same bow, same arrow, all 100 grain heads). The Rages came in dead last regardless of the sub-model. G5 was at the top (Havoc's and T3's) BUT all would have passed through a deer if hit in the vitals "broadside".

We also (subjectively) visually inspected the heads for damage, which we termed as "durability" - Rage wasn't at the bottom but they were nowhere near the top (actually the G5 T3's sustained the most damage - broken (channels) in the ferrule that held the blades).

The last (test) was to try and determine the "pounds lost to deploy". That was done by taking a coffee can and covering the open end with a piece of leather. The can was then placed on a persistence scale. A piece of arrow shaft was chucked in a drill press, the broadhead installed and we noted the (weight) measured on the persistence scale when the arrow deployed in contact with the leather.

In this one, regardless of whether it was the more cut on contact, chisel or pointed head the Rage's averaged 15 lbs to deploy, a full 5 pounds more then the next nearest brand/model.

And those tests were done with either the "regular" collar or the old style black o-ring - not the new crossbow collars which are (somewhat) harder to deploy.

What we concluded was, if you are shooting a lighter poundage bow, or are at the bottom limit of KE "at impact" for whatever game you are hunting, the Rage's were the ones "most likely" to not penetrate fully or completely pass through.

Again though, it kinda doesn't matter what you shoot if you are impacting at 90 plus pounds, but if you are down say "near 50" and you lose 15 lbs just to deploy (again not scientific but makes you think), maybe you should shoot something else.

So while I sell their product, and we sell a lot, if you came in asking for a recommendation I would point you to just about any other head on the rack. They do a great job of marketing and they have taken thousands of deer. I just want a little more "forgiveness" if the shot is just not exactly perfect.

Which model G5 broadheads performed at the top of your list? Fixed blade or mechanicals?

[xcaliber]

I'm a vendor and we do get many "returns" for Rage broadheads.

BUT the biggest issue is user error. Most often they don't read the package or go check out the video on how to properly install the shock collars.

Having said that, like Paul and a few others, Rage would be one of the last heads I would use. I have had many "samples" over the years and the only ones I have ever used are the long discontinued KE-40's which were for low poundage bows and thus were a good match for my traditional recurve if I wanted to shoot a mechanical.

Rage, through their product offering "appears" to only be interested in the market for bows "pushing the envelope". So if you are shooting 350 fps plus, making somewhat north of 90 lbs of KE on impact that is "their market".

Three or four years back we took a tool box full of broadheads (mechanicals) from Rage, G5, NAP, Deadringer, Antler Insanity and a few I can't remember and put them through a few (un-scientific) tests.

We tested for depth of penetration in a block target (same bow, same arrow, all 100 grain heads). The Rages came in dead last regardless of the sub-model. G5 was at the top (Havoc's and T3's) BUT all would have passed through a deer if hit in the vitals "broadside".

We also (subjectively) visually inspected the heads for damage, which we termed as "durability" - Rage wasn't at the bottom but they were nowhere near the top (actually the G5 T3's sustained the most damage - broken (channels) in the ferrule that held the blades).

The last (test) was to try and determine the "pounds lost to deploy". That was done by taking a coffee can and covering the open end with a piece of leather. The can was then placed on a persistence scale. A piece of arrow shaft was chucked in a drill press, the broadhead installed and we noted the (weight) measured on the persistence scale when the arrow deployed in contact with the leather.

In this one, regardless of whether it was the more cut on contact, chisel or pointed head the Rage's averaged 15 lbs to deploy, a full 5 pounds more then the next nearest brand/model.

And those tests were done with either the "regular" collar or the old style black o-ring - not the new crossbow collars which are (somewhat) harder to deploy.

What we concluded was, if you are shooting a lighter poundage bow, or are at the bottom limit of KE "at impact" for whatever game you are hunting, the Rage's were the ones "most likely" to not penetrate fully or completely pass through.

Again though, it kinda doesn't matter what you shoot if you are impacting at 90 plus pounds, but if you are down say "near 50" and you lose 15 lbs just to deploy (again not scientific but makes you think), maybe you should shoot something else.

So while I sell their product, and we sell a lot, if you came in asking for a recommendation I would point you to just about any other head on the rack. They do a great job of marketing and they have taken thousands of deer. I just want a little more "forgiveness" if the shot is just not exactly perfect.

Very good report/review! Thanks.

[nchunterkw]

Heck...just watch a few deer hunting shows. Many show you the closeup of the Rage on the tip of the arrow and when the shot happens MANY times 50% or more of the arrow is sticking out of the deer.

I lost a big buck to a Rage POS several years ago. Hit behind the shoulder at about 10yds from a Horton Legend. Maybe I'm the most unlucky guy in the world and that blade lined up exactly with a rib or something, but it only went in about 4" or 5". The buck just stood there for awhile and then took off. After about 1 mile he stopped bleeding and I never found him.

I sent all the Rage crap I had to a buddy who loved them out of his vcert bow......until he did eh same thing. Good hit, big deer, no penetration. And he had killed a bunch of deer with Rages.

IMO i see zero need to hunt with a mechanical head of any kind. It is not very hard to get "golf ball" sized groups with fixed heads at 40 yds wth these bows. So I ask, why add in another possible point of failure?

[Bcxbow]

I think the biggest stumbling block for people not wanting to shoot fixed blade heads is that “most” fixed blades do not have the same POI as their field points which leads them to believe the heads are bad which is not always the case.

All broadheads wether they are fixed or expandable should first pass the spin test to insure there is no wobble. Then start shooting for groups with broadheads and if the groups are good just adjust the scope for your broadhead POI and go hunting.

Unless the broadhead is very short and compact there will almost always be a different POI then field points because of the difference in FOC.
Just my opinion

Billy