 Many
years back when mechanical heads first came out I absolutely refused to
use them. Too many questions surrounded the design and reliability was
a huge concern! It was only a couple years back when that all changed and
I took the plunge. Since that time many animals have met their demise after
one of my mechanical heads zipped through their lungs.
Still, I have always said
that there is much room for improvement in the basic design of mechanical
broadheads. One of the fundamental rules of good engineering is the K.I.S.S.
principal or “keep it simple stupid/sir/sonny (whatever floats your boat)”.
If mechanical heads are to make great strides they will most likely incorporate
this principal.
With the “next great stride”
in mind the design team at Sullivan Industries started out two years ago
to achieve just that. They didn't want to jump on the bandwagon just to
have a mechanical broadhead in their lineup. Rather, they took a slow deliberate
approach and would not release an expandable model until they were satisfied
that they had something that realized their goal. The result is the InnerLoc
EXP 100 Grain 3-Blade Mechanical Broadhead.
Now, it is our job to see
if Sullivan has achieved their goal. Did they come up with an innovative
product? Have they added anything to the market? If the design of the EXP
model comes anywhere close to the design of their fixed heads that I just
evaluated a few weeks back I would say yes!
Basics:
 The
InnerLoc EXP mechanical broadhead contains five main components, the ferrule,
tip, blades, ClipLoc clip and stop collar.
The ferrule is CNC machined
from a solid piece of 6262-T9 aircraft grade aluminum and then finished
with a long lasting green anodizing process. The one end is threaded to
screw into your arrow while the other end is drilled to accept the cut
on impact tip. Along with three shallow blade slots there are also three
clip pockets that house the ClipLoc stainless steel clip.
The tip, constructed of
hardened stainless steel, was absolutely impossible for me to remove to
see how it attached. In fact, I destroyed a head in the process of trying
to remove the tip! I called the manufacturer and found that the tip is
not intended to be replaced. It is press fitted into a hole in the ferrule
and will not come out through normal means. A countersunk bevel under the
tip allows the practice blade tips to be “captured” for a secure fit.
Something that these tips
have accomplished that no other tip I have ever tested accomplished
was to actually cut my finger during testing! These chisel-type tips, other
than the short threaded stud, are actually the same as those on the fixed
100 grain heads.
The key to the InnerLoc
EXP’s design lies with the blades and ClipLoc clips. Each blade is
.030” thick and constructed of hardened stainless steel. At the base of
the blade there is an engineered “cam shape” that interacts in several
ways with the U-shaped spring clip - also made of hardened stainless steel.
 The
clip engages the blade through a hole in the ferrule’s clip pocket and
one in the blade. One leg of the “u” is longer and called the axle while
the shorter leg is the spring leg. When inserted the shorter spring leg,
which is angled slightly inward and contains a small locking catch, snaps
into position for a secure hold. As the blade pivots around the axle leg
of the clip the “cam shape” at the base of the blade loads a small amount
of tension into the spring leg of the clip.
This tension is used to create
a positive snap-shut action as the blade closes. The pressure needed to
activate the cam action upon target impact is precisely engineered to provide
fast reliable opening.
Blade Changing is one
of the features that, in my opinion, sets this broadhead apart from most
others. It is a simple process that employs the use of a small specialized
tool (included in each pack) and the ClipLoc clip. Not only is it easy
but the process can be performed repeatedly with no adverse effects on
any of the components. This is a far better than the little, virtually
unusable, and oft times once-and-done screws used by some of the other
manufacturers.
The InnerLoc also features
2CD, which stands for two cutting diameter options with each head.
This is accomplished with a reversible stop collar. To adjust between 1-7/16”
or 1-1/8” cutting diameters the stop collar is simply flipped over. One
side of the collar is flat while the other is countersunk.
Practice blades are also
available and proved easy to install.
Testing:
First up on the testing
agenda was to carefully and thoroughly inspect each head for craftsmanship
and mechanical function. All of the components were generally in good order.
The locking latch on the spring clip had several tiny burs on two heads.
All components functioned well and the finish was seamless.
Most of my career I have
shot only to perfect hunting accuracy not to blow an “X” out of a target
and win a tournament. This is brought up to help you understand the limitations
of the accuracy test that will be presented here.
Accuracy of an individual
broadhead is hard to prove or disprove because when shot out of a shooting
machine, such as a Hooter Shooter, every head has always hit the same hole.
This has been my experience and the experience of others I know who have
experimented with shooting machines. Even if the head appeared to plane
it would do the exact same thing each time. I think a better test is a
grouping test to determine the accuracy or rather repeatability of a pack
of broadheads. A quick spin test showed all heads to be properly aligned
with the arrow followed by a paper test to assure proper tuning. Again,
un-tuned arrows may actually hit the same general area but improper flight
will certainly translate into decreased penetration and perhaps a wounded
animal.
To determine repeatability
between the heads in the two packs (3-pk) being tested I shot 20 rounds
with both packs for a total of 120 shots. I also installed the practice
blades on one set for a few rounds.
The results were as I expected.
Most of the time all groups
were tight out to 20 and 30 yards with the occasional miss-hit, which can
be attributed to my skill not the performance of the broadhead. At 40 yards
it was much harder to determine any conclusive results as my performance
at that distance right now is marginal.
I also threw in a few field
point and practice blade tipped arrows to see if the EXP heads were grouping
with them. All arrows, no matter what tip, flew as well as expected producing
a 1.5” diameter group at 20 yards and approximately a 2.25” diameter group
at 30 yards. Again, that is about the best I can do on any given day at
this time of year. To prove repeatability further I would need to use a
machine.
*Note* For
those of you who do not know what a spin test is, here is a short explanation:
Using a completed hunting arrow (broadhead tipped) place the tip of the
broadhead on a smooth, flat surface with the length of the arrow perpendicular
to that surface - fletching up. Using one hand, make a circle around the
shaft of the arrow about ½ to ¾ of the ay up with your thumb
and index finger, like an “OK” gesture. With the other hand spin the arrow
as fast as you can. Watch the very tip of the broadhead. If the arrow spins
without moving the tip position it is coupled well with the arrow shaft
and lined up. However, if the tip “walks” or oscillates it is either bent
or incorrectly seated on the arrow shaft and will result in less than perfect
arrow flight.
Will they open? To answer that
question I draped the hide from a recent harvest over a wood frame and
placed a foam target behind the hide. In all cases the InnerLoc EXP
opened completely before ever getting to the foam target as indicated
by the hole in the foam matching the diameter of the heads fully deployed
diameter. This was done for both cutting diameters with the same results.
A ruggedness test was
performed on three of the six heads by shooting them through a 1” thick
rough-cut pine board. As mentioned in other reviews, I do this test to
indicate the overall ruggedness of the head - not to equate it with any
hunting situation.
From 20 yards away all three
heads were fired from my new rig at 293 fps (Love my new Bowtech Allegiance!!!)
into the board. Expandable heads have generally not faired as well as
fixed in this test for me. While the InnerLoc EXP heads performed very
well at this test there was one bent blade on one head after busting completely
through the board. Every board tested head penetrated completely.
General Commentary:
An expandable head with
truly replaceable and durable blades - now there is something to get excited
about. In the past, mechanical heads were mostly disposed of after only
a few shots and generally only one! The cam shape on the blade and the
way in which it interacts with the ferrule and ClipLoc is simple and extremely
effective. When first playing around with these heads I was a little concerned
with the amount of pressure needed to open them. The hide test described
above was enough to alleviate those fears. The value of the 2CD feature
is somewhat questionable for the average guy but will certainly help dealers
by reducing the number of broadhead models they need to stock. I will definitely
use these heads, possibly this winter yet, and report back then on actual
field results.
Design: 4.5 of 5
Great design but would like
to see a 1 ¾” or 2” model.
Assembly: 5 of 5
Once you are familiar with
the process, assembly or blade changing is a snap.
Sharpness: 4.5 of 5
Blades were sharp and the
tip cut me - can’t get much better!
For information on these or any other
broadheads from Innerloc, contact:
Sullivan Industries
1472 Camp Creek Road
Lakemont, GA 30552
706-782-5863
Email: connie@sullivanindustries.com
Web Site: www.Innerloc.com |
