Category Archives: Big Game Hunting

Articles about Big Game Hunting.

Burris Oracle X Crossbow Scope Review

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I bought this Burris Oracle X scope hoping to extend the fun and accuracy I can have in my backyard and in big game hunting. Cost: $644 on Amazon. This is definitely not a toy.

 

 

The warranty includes lifetime fix or replacement, no questions asked whether new or used. Wow!

The video below is excellent!

I own a very accurate 10 Point Turbo S1 Crossbow below (before adding the new scope) .

 

The scope can be setup for 2 different arrow weights, aka target and broadhead hunting setups. When I am in summer mode, I can setup to target shoot out to 75 to 100 yards for fun. In fall, I can setup for max 50 yards in the deer woods with heavier broadhead tipped arrows.

Things I will need to setup the scope:

  • A very steady rest. I have a great adjustable clamp type Death Grip tripod. It works! You can use a bench rest too.
  • I needed to purchase a 10 Point raised cheek comb to have better eye alignment. 

  • Get a torque wrench for clamping the scope to the picatinny or weaver base, and torque to 40 to 70 in-lbs. I own a Wheeler Fat Wrench. Test for eye relief distance before torquing down screws.

 

  • A few Extra Lithium Batteries. CR123 or CR123A work. I like Duracell but the scope does come with a battery.

 

My practice priority is for the hunting setup with my 125g Swhacker 231 practice broadheads. I get close with field points at 20 yards then switch to the practice Swhacker heads and make minor adjustments. 

The most important thing, Oracle says,  is to shoot accurately at the get-go for 20 yards. I mean within 1/4 inch of center if possible.

Read the short Instruction Manual. Takes 10 minutes.

Try a check shot at 5 to 10 yards to make sure your arrow hits the target. My scope was off by 8 inches vertically so the check was very valuable as arrow/bolts cost $14 each without a broadhead.  

 

Next, begin the electronic truing at hunting yardages of 35 and 50 yards, or for target, out to 100 yards. The software allows for two arrow types and gives you a max of four truing points.

The internal software likely has built-in curves to best fit your arrow flight. Besides the first 20 yard manual crosshair shots, you will need at least 2 electronic truing point shots say at 35 and 50 yards for hunting arrows.

Read the manual.

How long did it take time and number of arrows to zero at 20 yards? About 15 shots over 2 hours.

My 20 yard shots were very repeatable otherwise.

Once you set the 35 and 50 yards hunting truing points per the manual or video. Your done. Test your setup.

Hit the range button on the wireless remote and your target will have a red dot where to aim and provide distance.

 

I like this scope.

Good Shooting!

 

 

 

 

Crossbow: Field Point/Arrow Tuning Tip to Swhacker Broadheads

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I love my Swhacker 125g Broadheads and Practice Broadheads. 

However, now I use my 125g field points in my Big Shot target to replicate the broadhead impact at bear hunting distances. How?

My field points normally hit 2 to 3 inches higher than my Swhackers at 20 yards. Perhaps minor aerodynamics account for the impact shift up. 

Accordingly,  I have tuned the arrow/fieldpoint with 5 grain brass arrow washers added to the field point and now have identical impact at that distance.

I do this to relieve the constant use of my broadhead target and make pulling field points from my Big Shot target so much easier.

I shot both the 125g practice broadhead and extra weighted 135g field point at 30 yards and they both grouped within 2 inches of each other. Wow!

Three Rivers Archery sells the brass washers by arrow diameter. Give them a try…

 

Good Hunting!

Swhacker Broadhead Science

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I am interested in the science of Swhacker Broadheads for my Alberta Crossbow black bear hunt. I am hunting with my Ten Point Turbo S1 which shoots 350 fps with Swhacker 231 broadheads and whopping KE of 140 ft-lbs at 20 yards.

 

I recently shot the Swhacker 231 practice heads out to 50 yards like field points with supreme accuracy. Wow!

Note: A separate practice head used to come with the package of three hunting broadheads but practice heads are now sold separately. 

Remember, when shooting broadheads of any kind, “it is accuracy that kills” provided the blades are sharp.

There are several models of Swhackers but each follow the same concept of saving the rear deployed razor sharp blades for cutting internal organs and not the hide and bone on entry.

 

Made in USA.

Good Hunting

 

The Most Important Part of Broadheads – Accuracy

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An accurate, sharp, big game broadhead shot from your bow is essential. Years back, when I was shooting new arrows out of my compound, I would paper tune the shafts with and without fletching. Then tune with broadheads with the intended fletching.

I’ve always liked feathers on my arrows as they are more forgiving than vanes. The downside of feathers in the hunting woods is rain. They lay flat and no longer steer the broadhead well.

Today, many new bowhunters have bypassed paper tuning by going for mechanicals that fly like field points. It is a shortcut that can create a less informed archer about his/her equipment and more reliance on mechanicals to forgive poor bow tuning. 

In my crossbow, vanes make more sense. I advocate spin to all arrows. It’s like rifling in a rifle. The spin creates stability, and allows rotating broadhead blades from steering the short crossbow arrow.  I like offset vanes.  A slight helical may work too. Experiment! Experiment! Experiment!

When all your tweaking comes together you should have some understanding of your setup and limitations. As for me, my crossbow limitations with fixed blade heads end at 25 yards. I like muzzy 1 1/8 3 and 4 blade heads. 

Muzzy 225 Bowhunting 100 Grain, 3 Blade Broadhead, 1-3/16" Cutting Diameter, 6 Pack,MULTI

Big blades tend to plane, avoid them.

Accordingly, for me, a mechanical head like the Swhacker 125g 231 is a great choice for longer and accurate shots provided you have the delivered KE and lethality for the shot and shot angle.

 

One thing you may want in your bag of tuning tricks are brass arrow washers to add some weight to a broadhead or a field point. Three Rivers sells them. They are 5 grains each.

Good Hunting!

My Christmas Swhacker Stocking Stuffer and 10 Point Arrow Puller

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My new 10 Point Arrow Puller works great so I don’t damage my vanes when pulling my crossbow arrows

 

Swhacker Practice broadheads for hunting.  Just tested them today at 20 and 30 yards. They fly like a field point and don’t drift. More tests at 40 yards soon. The trocar tips are cut-on-contact.

Swhacker 125g broadheads open to 2.25 inches .

I am shooting 350 fps out of my 10 Point Turbo Crossbow with my pro Elite 400 arrows. With the 125 grain heads the arrow and head weigh in at 535 grains. I calculated Kinetic Energy at 20 yards at 140 ft-lbs, at 40 yards Im still shooting a terminal energy of 134 ft lbs. More than enough energy for Black Bear, Moose and Elk. The broadhead was designed by a NASA Engineer. The head on left has two blades that cut a one inch hole and when inside game, it opens to 2.25 inches. Swhackers have been in the field for many years and proving their worth day after day. Yup, Amazon sells them!! I will make a video at some point.

Good Hunting!

The Slick Trick Crossbow Broadhead vs Muzzy MX-4 Broadhead

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I am testing the 100g Slick Trick Crossbow 4-blade broadhead against the 100g Muzzy MX-4  Broadhead.

 

Both are 1 1/8 cutting diameter. Both are hunting broadheads for use with any Crossbow, Compound, Recurve or Longbow say the manufacturer.

 

Slick Trick Crossbow 4-Blade Broadhead 4=Pack. Cost $45 or $12.50 per broadhead Unassembled

 

Test Observation

Assembly: Requires assembly, no tools provided.

Extreme care needed to avoid getting cut. Needs threaded arrow insert to hold the broadhead blades together.

Tip – Steel 4 edge align with blades. Not true cut-on-contact

Blades: 4 stainless

Blade thickness 0.035″

Weight: 100 grains

Cut on contact tip edges not cutting sharp

grouping  – 4.5 inch drop from field points and 2.5 inch right at 25 yards

Reuse – Yes 

Made in USA

Notes: The Slick Trick ferrule is made of steel. This is needed as the wider slot cuts for .035″ blades would significantly weaken an aircraft aluminum ferrule. Small metal ring to hold blades in place. Don’t lose them. 

 

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Muzzy MX-4 Blade 100g Broadhead 3-Pack Cost 29.99. Cost $9.99 per broadhead Assembled. 

Test Observation

Assembly: None needed.

Trocar Tip – Hardened Steel 3 trocar edge with true cut-on-contact

Blades: 4 stainless

Blade thickness 0.025″

Weight: 100 grains

grouping  – yes but 4.5 inch drop from field points, zero lateral drift at 25 yards.

reuse- Yes

Made in USA

Conclusion

Both broadheads work but fell 4.5 inches below field point. I prefer cut-on-contact tips and lower cost and ready assembled Muzzy. Slick Tricks were a headache to assemble and fall apart if not screwed into an arrow. Looked like Slick Trick tips would be cut-on-contact but not so. They are not cutting sharp.

 

Clear Winner: Muzzy MX-4

 

Cut-On-Contact Thoughts

Why do some hunters believe cut-on-contact broadheads are so important?

 I believe, for example, like using an ultra sharp laboratory needle to draw patient blood, the pain nerve signal was never sent to the brain as it was cleanly severed on needle contact and the patient rarely feels much. 

However, a really dull needle used to draw your blood; Imagine that for a moment!! The patient or deer will scream and adrenaline along with coagulants will rush like an ambulance to the wound site. And your trail to recover game will be much longer. 

Big Game Animals have those same nerves. Cutting-nerves on contact (on game) before the pain signal is sent. VERY SMART!!

Good Hunting!!

Browning Speed 7mm Rem Mag with Hand Loaded 160g Nosler Partition on Black Bear

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The Nosler Partition bullet is renowned around the world for penetration. I used it exclusively on an African Plains game hunt thus my selection for bear hunting. My Browning Speed in 7mm Remington Magnum was my choice. 

 

On my Maine Foggy Mountain black bear hunt, I tried to get 175g Partition bullets for my bear adventure. Unfortunately, they were not available, luckily, the 160g Partition bullets were.

I have chronograped my new hand loaded 160g Nosler Partition at around 3050 fps using IMR 4831 powder. That is cookin’

As you can see below, I shot my bear in the slightly quartering toward front left shoulder.

The bullet exited the off side ribs wrecking the lungs. No death moan aka no lungs. I estimate the terminal energy at around 3400 ft-lbs. Wow! The boar went 25 yards and piled up. Funny, I never felt the recoil estimated to be near 28 ft-lbs.

On inspection during meat processing, the wound site had a 2 inch by 3 inch wide football-like cavity beginning at around an inch in after entering. I did not hit shoulder bone. 

The bullet continued through lungs, ribs and exited. Was that overkill? Many bear hunters use the 300 Win Mag with 180g bullets. delivering 3700 ft-lbs at 25 yards and hitting you with 35 pounds of felt recoil.

If I go on a trophy black bear hunt, where bears often exceed 300 to 400 pounds, I may opt for a 300 Win.

Big Canadian bears can be aggressive, like climbing into your treestand and popping their teeth. 

If you can handle heavy felt recoil… not a problem.

Good Hunting!

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Do You Want/Need Full Bullet Penetration On Black Bear? How did the Nosler Partition do?

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One of the biggest complaints I hear and read by “bear guides” during the recovery phase is “lack of a blood trail” on a supposedly lung shot bear.

Bear fat, experts suggest, can often plug the exit hole if the exit hole is small and dense bear hair can absorb blood as well. Exit hole size on exit can aid in blood flow if the hole is large enough. Energy to penetrate and exit is equally important. Bullet caliber?

Bigger bores work but you also need penetration. 

Are we missing more here? What about the bullets construction?

What about the sectional density of the bullet? Is the bullet monolithic copper, standard cup and core, is it bonded, or is it partition/A-Frame?

Terminal ballistics tell the story here. Both bonded, partition, and monolithic bullets lead-the-pack in penetration. Cup and core, jacketed lead works but tend to separate thus penetration is often less in big game such as elk, moose and bear but cost much less. I have used both monolithic copper, bonded and partition/a-frame more than typical cup and core styles. They do cost more but I’m a good, better, best kind of hunter. Often seeking the best in bullets. 

My recent Maine bear was hit with a 7mm 160g Nosler Partition In the shoulder at 3000 fps.

The internal damage was devastating and left a 2 inch wide tunnel on entering the shoulder, wrecked the lungs,exited and left an immediate blood trail for just 25 yards where we found the bear piled up. 

The bullet mushrooms extremely well and the rear core remains intact for deep penetration and often exits. 

The Nosler Accubond is one of the worlds best bonded and accurate bullets but Nosler says the Partition bullet is best on penetration for an exit wound. 

And they were right! The Nosler Partition did the job very well. Go Nosler!

Good Hunting!

 

Making Maine Black Bear – Bear Balm

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 Bear oil/grease below is the base of this easy-to-make bear balm recipe.

The many uses of bear fat is legendary in early America.

It is used for cooking, frying, pastry, lubricating, candle making, skin and hair care, waterproofing boots, shoes, and softening/protecting leather are but a few. 

It is an easy to make recipe which looks alot like mayonaise.

 

Ingredients:

1 cup black bear rendered oil/grease.

1/4 cup Jojoba Oil

1/4 cup cosmetic stearic acid beads heated to liquid.

Heat bear oil and organic stearic acid separately in a water bath below. The stearic acid  beads liquify at 180F. 

Combine hot bear oil and stearic acid liquid quickly in a glass mixing bowl while hot and mix. Then add the Jojoba oil and Essences and mix again by hand.

I used 50 drops of Bayberry Oil, 12 drops of Lavender Oil, and 12 drops of Sandalwood Oil to my basic recipe.

Scent essence oils are essential for calming aromatherapy too. 

Chill the balm in the fridge till stiff, then the whip the balm with a power mixer.

It looks like fluffy mayonnaise!

Place in small jars, label, and use small amount on hands and arms, rubbing it in.

The Bayberry oil etc. comes through as a very pleasing aroma. My next batch will be eucalyptus and peppermint scented. Enjoy!!!

Smooth Skin and Good Smells

Good Bear Hunting!!