RAM TUFF GAME 200+: BROADHEAD TEST

This is a test of the 200+ gr RAM TUFF HEAD Single Bevel 2 blade head.
Here is summary of my 2024 Testing Procedure & Scoring w/the scores of this head posted in parenthesis as well.
1. Flight Forgiveness (20%, 22 pts)
I'm using a Killer Instinct SWAT X1 crossbow, mounted to a BOG tripod, shooting a 670 gr Bishop Archery GOAT bolt (300 fps) at 30 yds. Field points consistently hit in the 10 ring & bullseye. I use the exact same bolt to shoot the broadhead. The only difference in the two shots is the broadhead's flight forgiveness vs that of the field point. A bullseye gets a score of 11/10, or a score of 22. The 10 ring gets a 10/10, or 20 points; a 9 ring gets a 9/10 or 18 points...& so forth, with each wider ring being 1/2" farther from the bullseye. Mechs are also given 1 Bonus Point for extra forgiveness.
2. Cut Size (20%, 9.68 pts)
The more tissue being cut, the more lethal the head, all else equal. The entrance cut, total cut, & width of the cut (a crucial variable for bloodletting) are all scored:
The entrance cut size is compared to a standard of 2.5" then that fraction is weighted to 7% of the score. (1.125" = 3.15 pts)
The max cut size is compared to a standard of 2.5" as well, then that fraction is is weighted to 7% of the score. (1.125”=3.15 pts)
The max cutting diameter is compared to a standard of 2.0", then that fraction is weighted to 6% of the score. (1.125" = 3.38 pts)
3. Blades (20%, 19.85 pts)
Initial sharpness 9%, 190 grams = 10/10 = 9 pts + .10 Bonus = 9.1 pts & Edge Retention (9%, +1 grams = 9.7/10 = 8.75 pts) are measured using the Edge On Up Sharpness Tester. The pressure needed for a blade to cut thru a copolymer wire is measured in grams.
Edge Retention is the loss of sharpness after the head is shot in Penetration Test 1, thru 1/2" MDF & 2/3" rubber foam mat & Clear Ballistics FBI gel. For every 50 "grams" of sharpness lost, 1 point is deducted from 10.
What are some sharpness scores for common edges?
A butter knife takes 2000 grams of pressure to break the co polymer wire.
A new high end cutlery edge: ~ 375 grams of pressure.
A utility razor blade: 200 grams.
Based on the many broadheads I have tested, here is my scoring scale:
Out of the Box Sharpness:
0-200 gr: 10
201-300 gr 9
301-400 gr: 8
401-500 gr: 7
501-600 gr: 6
601-700 gr: 5
Ease to resharpen or replace blades is judged & given 2% of the score. (10/10= 2 pts)
4. Penetration (20%, 16.49 pts)
There are 2 penetration tests:
Pen Test 1: 1/2" MDF, 2/3" rubber foam mat, Clear Ballistics FBI gel. Depth of penetration is compared to a standard of 9" & weighted to 10% of the score. (7" = 7.78 pts + 1 pt bonus (L:W=2:1) - 8.78 pts
Pen Test 2: Layered cardboard. # of layers penetrated is compared to a standard of 70 layers & weighted to 10% of the score. (47 layers= 6.71 pts +) 1 bonus pt: L:W = 2:1)= 7.71 pts
5. Durability (20%, 20 pts)
Each head is shot thru 1/2" MDF 3 times. Its condition is judged 1-10 & weighted to 12% of the score. (10/10 = 12 pts)
If a head survives that, it is then shot thru 22 ga steel plate twice. Its condition is judged 1-10 & weighted to 5% of the score. (10/10 = 5 pts)
If a head survives that, it is then shot into concrete once. Its condition is judged 1-10 & weighted to 3% of the score. (10/10 = 3 pts).
Steel plate & concrete are certainly not "realistic" mediums, but they do reveal the outer limits of a head's durability.
Bonus:
+.05 pts single bevel rotation 5 degrees @ 10 "
+.5 pts (extra thick blades .0591"
+1 pt modular weight system/replaceable ferrules
TOTAL SCORE: 89.57 pts = 10 Golden Arrows (rounded up)
Price: $57.33/head
Special Notes:
Please check out my sponsor, Stay Sharp Guide. staysharpguide... or @Innovative Outdoorsman They make excellent broadhead sharpeners. The support I receive helps me improve my channel
I also have some Broadhead Discount Codes I can share:
Accubow: LUSK10 saves 10%
Afflictor: LUSK10 saves 10%
Accubow: LUSK10 saves 10%
Afflictor: LUSK10 saves 10%
Annihilator: LUSK10 saves 10%
Bishop Archery: LUSKFIVE saves $5 on any order
Contact-Archery.com (formerly Method & Vector): LUSK10 saves 10%
Crimson Talon: LUSK10 saves 10%
Easton Bowtruk 2: LUSK25 saves $25 and Free Shipping
Evolution Outdoors--Jekyll & Hyde heads: LUSK10 saves 10% on any order
Exact Archery: LUSK10 saves 10%
Kayuga Broadheads: LUSK10 saves 10% on any order.
Lathrop & Sons Synergy Footbeds: Lusk1000 saves $10 on any order
Ozcut Broadheads: LUSK10 saves 10%
QAD Exodus: LUSK10 saves 10%
SEVR: LUSKFIVE saves you $5 on any order & can be used on top of any online sales.
Terra Firma: LUSK5 saves 5% on any online sales
Tooth of the Arrow: LUSK19 saves 10%
Toulou: LUSK10 saves 10%
TRIFECTA: LUSK10 saves 10% on any order.
VPA: LUSK10 saves 10%
ZEUS & HERA Broadheads (New Era Archery): LUSKFIVE saves $5/pack

[@brentbarnetthunting]

WOW! The result of the cinder block shot was very impressive, John.

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

Yes indeed.

[@richarddean3154]

Bear Archery makes a similar product using a variable weight system. I bought a package and am tinkering with them now. Thank you for finding these heads and running them through the paces. You have developed a great testing regime. Thanks again

[@blessedvetoutdoors]

Solid looking head Mr Lusk. Great review and thank you for a thorough test on this head. Pretty impressive

[@LuskArcheryAdventures]

Thanks brother.

[@TheAssOfBalaam]

Great video. Cool head!

[@dozierlester3971]

Well done John. Great commentary imho. Keep up the good work. Dozier God Bless!

[@mikemellon80]

So funny how many super high tech complicated designs there are and this very simple design is all you need. But it sure is fun to try the new hotness designs.

[@progradepainting3755]

That’s a great fixed head. I’d definitely run that head for elk. The weight modularity is a great design feature.

[@dougjohnson8904]

I noticed that you talk about your Killer Instinct crossbow if u have not shot the KILLER IN.......... SPEED 425 I know u would love it from 1 deer hunter to another deer hunter love your Broadhead testing videos awesome job 👍👍

[@155michaelx]

definitely a winner

[@jerritpearce6254]

That looks like an awesome head for a trad shooter

[@ThirdLawPair]

S7 is a really interesting choice. It's about the same cost as mid-grade tools steels like A2 and O2, but it achieves extreme compression resistance at the cost of very poor wear resistance. In most cases that low level of wear resistance would mean it will dull exceptionally fast. But then again, a broadhead only needs to make one cut at a time.

[@lonestaroutdoorsman9652]

Build quality alone says it all

[@TheEverLovingOutdoors]

Impressive

[@vfonte218]

I was surprised at the lack of rotation

[@judefuselier]

Whoa Nelly!!

[@feralgrandad4429]

looks like i found my new head. Especially as i live in Europe so they'll be easy to get .

[@KeeganDuprey]

Great reviews r we going to get a ranch fairy review plz

[@aaronhall765]

Maybe Chris Bee 🐝 should have watched some of your broadhead test🎉😂❤

[@HuckFTW]

Have you replaced the ferrule after shooting into concrete to see if the head still spins good? Would be nice to see if that feature works as advertised

[@jameswilson5562]

Good broadhead

[@yourmomma2995]

you forgot to point out what you always do point out with the longer length mechanicals, the long tip went 47 layers into the cardboard, but the larger cutting area of the blades did not.

[@mkeller8114]

Did fantastic except for the rotation. Wondering if that red groove right on the edge of the bevel hindered rotation. Seems it took some of the bevel surface away.

[@M1_u]

Don't mean to knit pick but it's the wrong name for the flight test at 7:03 but outstanding video love all your work

[@mikestackz854]

What’s your favorite head and what will you be using this season?

[@baraksinz]

Sure! Let me go take out a loan real quick so I can buy a set. 😬😆 I do have one concern, though. What happens when the ferrule breaks leaving the threads in the broadhead? Also, do the weights just rattle around in the ferrule? 🤔

[@kip.k]

is archery/bohunting big in Germany, or is this meant for other contries? Also, would that hardness score on steel make this more difficult to sharpen? Understanding that would also aid in keeping a sharp edge.

[@skylerseth7683]

This Broadhead will require a heavy shaft. I feel like we should have seen more penetration as far as the gel block and cardboard.

[@frankgulla8782]

It has a large surface area in which the gel kind of grabs, won't get a deep penetration in gel

[@C.Fowler]

😉👍

[@UserFormelyKnownAs_hjkh]

Would you recommend wider or narrower cutting diameter for tough shouldered animals such as hogs?

[@josephfolsom2030]

John, Do you think the red scooped out line is to aid in flight and penetration?

[@jonbrown9490]

So it's basically the same as a glue on head with an adapter? or like the new Bear Razorhead.

[@bent13ways]

That's gonna pass through any animal on earth. Blue whale included lol

[@stick__shooter]

Looks like a great trad head. The rotation was pretty lacking. Is the Trifecta still the winner for most rotation in a single bevel? Wasn't it 145 degrees or something?

[@SlimPickins_07]

It's a right bevel head coming out of a bow that is most likely spinning the arrow left. Testing shows they don't rotate well that way. Left bevel would rotate a good bit more.

[@stick__shooter]

@@SlimPickins_07 I highly doubt you'd see much rotation difference if you matched the bevel and rotation. The force of air causing rotation is nothing compared to the force of the gel causing rotation. Many other right bevel heads, like the Trifecta, have rotated much more.

[@SlimPickins_07]

@@stick__shooter check out a video by Innovative Outdoorsman titled How Fletching spin direction impacts single bevel rotation on impact. It certainly makes a difference.

[@jayfry905]

I wonder how it compares to rocket meat seeker 3blade 2” 😊

[@deborahsturdivant6884]

It’s seems as though most single-bevel blades are machined for rightward rotation. Is that kind of the status quo?

[@tray22]

It is the most common fletching rotation so they matched it.

[@MrBowmanmt]

Cost per head?

[@brentbarnetthunting]

$57.33

[@yourmomma2995]

@@brentbarnetthunting geez oh petes man! some folks think spending more money on equipment will make them a better hunter. i don't see that happening.

[@brentbarnetthunting]

@@yourmomma2995 I hear you there. This year I’m using Exact Archery broadheads. $7.60 per head and rated one of Lusk’s best performing heads.

[@corh2367]

Leave it to the Germans....