Piston-Powered Blades

Rear-deploying mechanical broadheads have been all the rage in recent years, and there are a number of new rear-deployment options for 2009-2010 hunting seasons, including the Meat Seeker from Trophy Ridge/Rocket Aeroheads. The Meat Seeker is available in two-blade (2-inch cutting diameter) and three-blade (1€‰½-inch cutting diameter) configurations.

Both versions are made from solid, heat-treated stainless steel, weigh 100 grains and feature "Piston-Hammer Technology" that deploys the .039-inch blades by forcing the tip of the head down into the ferrule upon impact. Trophy Ridge says the piston design offers 100-percent guaranteed blade deployment, maximum tissue damage and large wound channels.

The piston design also allows the scalloped head to rotate freely -- reducing wind resistance in flight and allowing the head to find the path of least resistance through an animal. In my tests, which involved shooting 2-blade Meat Seekers into a Rinehart 18-1 target, the blades deployed instantly and made some extremely large entry cuts. It's also worth noting a colleague here at BOWHUNTING recently took a pronghorn antelope, black bear and turkey with Meat Seekers. Clearly, they are lethal.

Trophy Ridge says the Meat Seeker -- which has a streamlined, 5„8-inch diameter when closed -- flies exactly like a field point. During my tests, however, Meat Seekers did not group with my field points, though they did group together. The difference was slight at 20 yards but obvious at 40.

I strongly recommend practicing with ANY broadhead before hunting to ensure you're on target. While shooting Meat Seekers, I also noted a slight metallic whir during flight, perhaps from the rotating piston tip.

Contact: Trophy Ridge, 817 Maxwell Ave. Evansville, IN 47711; 800-694-9494; www.trophyridge.com

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