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Introduction
I am always looking for bargain equipment but,
more often than not, such a bargain ends up
being disappointing on performance or quality
side. I then came across the NAP Thunderhead 125
at $30 per box of 6 these days it is a bargain
so how does it compare to other broadheads that
come at $30 per 3?
TNSP
Thunderhead is the middle brother of a family:
there is a 100 grains version and a much heavier
170 grain version. The 170 grains Thunderhead is
specifically designed for crossbows in order to
move the arrow balance (FOC) forward. Another
difference for the 170 is that it has a steel
ferrule (hence the heavier weight) , the 170
model is also sold in 3 broadhead packages that
include practice matched weight field points.
The NAP Thunderhead 125 is the IKEA version of a
broadhead, in fact it does require some
assembly.
The cardboard box contains six aluminum ferrules
with steel tips (with chisel point) already in
place, two sets of 9 razor sharp blades each and
a plastic broadhead wrench that comes handy
during assembly and 6 replacement O-Rings. The
cardboard box besides the usual product data and
warranty info has printed some basic assembly
instructions.
The assembly is rather simple but, having to
deal with sharp objects, you must be extremely
careful and some
precautions are mandatory.
·
Find a suitable working
table where to assemble the broadheads;
·
Make sure the working area
is safe and well lit
·
Manage the blades with
extreme caution possibly wearing safety gloves
·
Remember that blades are
RAZOR sharp !
·
Never leave assembled
broadheads and unassembled pieces (ferrule,
blades etc) hanging around where they may be
picked up by other people (especially childrens
) unaware of danger!
Assembly
Now
let’s put our broadheads together:
Insert the ferrule into the wrench triangular
hole, keep the wrench with one hand with the
ferrule point down , insert the blades into the
ferrule slots then move the steel collar down to
lock the blades, finally screw on the arrow and
store the arrow in a safe place. You need to
screw the broadhead onto the arrow to keep the
blades in position. An OR is set between the
arrow insert and the steel collar in order to
prevent the broadhead from unscrewing.
How does it work?
Field testing revealed that the difference in
point of impact from a field point with the same
weight is rather minimal with both 4” and 5”
fletching (commercial arrows) however I
recommend some testing with your own specific
setup combination of arrow weight, fletching
size, arrow balance (FOC) ,
and arrow speed in order to archive proper
pinpoint accuracy and scope setup.
Hunting performance is just awesome: I used
the Thunderhead 125 in my very first boar hunt
and the stopping power is just tremendous, the
boar was front hit, the arrow went in almost to
fletching depth, the boar went just tree yards
before dropping dead. The broadhead was later
removed from the ribs onto the other side of the
chest the only damage was one bent blade.
The Thunderhead 125 can be easily unassembled
for maintenance as well as for blade
replacement, just in case you are not skilled or
do not want to deal with blade sharpening.
( I never replaced the bent blade of my first
hunt as I framed it in memory of the hunt…)
Conclusion
The New Archery Products Thunderhead 125 is a
terrific broadhead: it is rather inexpensive at
$30 per 6,
it flies very well
and has tremendous stopping power. Surely
a recommended product !
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