I've used judos with success but prefer a non penetrating head particularly when shooting around the house. The large diameter 145 grain Saunders bludgeon is my favorite, a solid hit transfers 100% of the energy without penetrating in nearly all instances. Their 125 and 100 grain heads are smaller diameter and can penetrate. They can be purchased off their website if you are interested, I haven't seen the 145 grain heads available elsewhere recently.

 

Only problem I ever had with Judo is breaking some tips but that's after a really hard it. I was giving a 2 pack of Talon small game heads to try and so far they have been the best yet. Once the weather breaks I will post some photos and write a little review on them

 

I have used judos for everything from doves to woodchucks and have had great success. Those little wired prongs will not only make it near impossible to lose the arrow, but they do a surprising amount of damage snagging and tearing flesh.

I can’t really find anything bad to say about them. They fly true, I have never had one break, and they do an amazing job of not losing an arrow.

 

I had heard some folks complain that they (judos) can get snagged on brush if you're shooting in heavier cover, diverting the arrow.

When my buddy & I go rabbit hunting this fall, I may pack a couple Saunders and a couple judos to see what works (assuming I even get a shot).

 

I've use VPA SGH's which look to be about the same as the Hammer heads. They work very well, but never stop in the game I've shot them through. They will hide under the grass some so they tend to be harder to find that say judo points.

Last year I bought some of the smallest Snaro bird points that I could find. I pulled the wires back so that the loops were very small. Head was about 7/8-1" in diameter. These things are super incredible. They don't break, will bend the wires back if shot in the tall grass, and are super easy to find. You can bend the wires back and keep right on shooting. So far on blue grouse and squirrels, they are deadly. With the grouse, they would not go through the bird, but whack the bird so hard it killed it immediately, no matter where I hit it in the body. Just delivers a crushing blow. Arrow bounces back so it is easy to retrieve.

After years of small game shooting, these are my favorite head. They weigh about 145 grains when I'm done, so they tend to shoot low since I'm shooting 100 grain tips for broadheads. But once I know where they hit, I am good to go.

 

I'm bad. I bought 12 knock off Judo Chinese heads for $12 delivered. Only because we are going to use them on Pheasants & could not justify a $5 head. They have worked fine. Oh, b/4 condemning me, I spend "a lot" at my closest archery pro shop & other US Archery places.

 

i shoot a LOT of small game with my bow, hence my affinity for a verstile arrow system that doesnt break the bank.

ive used g5 small game heads, judos, rubber blunts, bludgeons, adders, wing nuts and 8/32 bolts, etc. ive used most all of the budget options, i havent used the higher end small game stuff besides the g5, so no ramcat, slick trick stuff.

a few points, then reviews. my arrows are designed around 100gr heads, so my tune, sight and knowledge of trajectory is all based on 100gr, so thats what i use for small game. no switching weights and guessing on where my arrow will hit.

the g5s are devastating, but LOUD, like a bottle rocket. they go through rabbits and squirrels and the claws are a little brittle in rocky soil or hardwoods. ive broken more than few.

the rubber blunts like to skip and are harder to find than judos. same with wingnuts unless you are in taller grass.

judos are my favorite. im guilty of buying the cheapos from amazon. they work and they are cheap.

as for grabbing in brush, youre probably best served with an adder and a field point for those shots, but nothing is really going to be great for those.

 

I agree 100%......they all have issues but judo's are the best overall.

 

I was looking at something like these for stumping and small game: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0765SQKH...0765SQKHD/?coliid=I19UVRH6R467FT&colid=1WIMLQNZ0JG0Y&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

if youre using the recurve in your signature, you should be fine. if youre using a higher energy compound, heads like that can grab the tree/stump and bend your insert or damage the arrow.

 

I think the all blade is just the ticket for small game. Flies like a field point + 7 grains. 6 for $20. Call Dave and ask for the show special. He may give it to you. 12 blades for $20.
http://www.all-blade.com/

 

I think the all blade is just the ticket for small game. Flies like a field point + 7 grains

My cousin got a few packs of these for some promo work, I'm curious to try them out (he passed a few along to me), I was hoping to put a few into some grouse this year but never had the chance. They do seem like they would make a great small game head. To be perfectly honest I wouldn't feel comfortable using them for anything else, but as a SGH I think it's a good option.

 

I've used the judo points on grouse several times, they worked every time I hit the bird. Was thinking about the G5 small game tips for this year maybe.

 

I just started using a the ramcat smoke heads and I’ve been impressed with the flight. I have the g5 heads as well and they seem to be better made but the ramcats fly much better off of the flu flu arrows that I bought.

 

Ramcat smoke seems interesting for rabbits.
Anyone else have experience with these?

 

I have used the Chinese knock offs, but tend to make my own also, if weight is a big factor.

 

With regard to small game, I mainly shoot groundhogs to control the population around my property. X2 on the G5s being a little delicate, I have broken 1 or 2 and recently bent one - I expected them to be more durable. I have some Judos that I picked up a while back and shot some "stumps" with a few times, but they seem too light and small for groundhogs. I picked up some of the Hammer broadheads and will likely be trying those out shortly....

 

I shoot a lot of ground squirrels (gophers,) and I prefer rubber blunts. They make less of a mess.

 

These were taken with Judo points in sage brush and cedars. The judos worked great.

 

View attachment 6802855
These were taken with Judo points in sage brush and cedars. The judos worked great.

Wow you did really good!

 

Tagged

 

I shoot a ton of squirrels and have tried alot of heads. I'm currently sticking with the G5 SGH head due to the absolute devastation this head does to it's targets, and two to the ease of finding your arrow. I agree though, they are a fragile head. I've torn up a dozen of them at least, but I can usually get 5 or 6 squirrels before a head tears apart. I'll still shoot them with a prong missing with pretty good success.

Good luck

 

Ace hex heads work pretty well. I also like the saunders blunt.

 

Good info I'll try judo

 

I want to shoot the least expensive setup I can when shooting groundhogs - I hate seeing a $15 arrow/bolt/broadhead smashed up or going down a hole in the ground. What setup are people using for groundhogs/small game and what are the costs? The Ramcat Smoke heads look interesting.

I use Diablo (Easton) arrows/bolts 18" ($7.43) with G5 ($7.68) or some type of Hammerhead ($~2.50 or less) for a total of $15.11 to $9.93.

 

i use the same arrow set up for everything! gold tip cutdown (same specs as XT hunter), bought on clearance from walmart each year, $2.50 a shaft. 100gr brass $1 each, 3 helical blazers (usually pick them up on sale/clearance as well) under $1 per arrow, and for rodents is amazon knockoff judo $1 or less each.

thats $5.50 for a complete arrow with head, 475gr and 18% FoC. i currently have 7 dozen shafts in my stockpile.