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Does X Mark The Spot Of A Great Broadhead? | G5 Striker X Review

Thanks for checking out my review of the G5 Striker X broadhead.

In this review, thanks to a friend who sent me a test pack, I tested a really popular broadhead that I’ve gotten a lot of requests about. I hope this review is of benefit to the bowhunting community!

The G5 Striker X Up Close…

Let’s take a close look at the G5 Striker X.

g5 striker X broadhead

The G5 Striker X is all-steel construction with a steel ferrule, steel tip, and steel replaceable blades. By my measurements, the blades are 0.032 inches thick based on the measurements with my micrometer.

G5 STRIKER X vented area on head

You’ll notice that the blades of the Striker X are fairly vented. That’s going to make them probably a little bit loud in flight, which doesn’t really bother me in a broadhead. Arrow noise has really never bothered me and I’ve taken animals all over the world.





The fact that the blades of the Striker X are so vented could spell problems for durability, so we’ll dive into that in our testing.

striker x ferrule and tip

Notice the dimple and the “scooped” ferrule on the Striker X broadhead.

Now, the tip of the Striker X is a really stout, all-steel chiseled tip. It’s not as sharp as some chiseled tips like the Grim Reapers, which are super sharp, or the QAD Exodus heads. However, the Striker X has just got a decent edge to its tip, it’s just not really that sharp.

It has a dimple that begins like a scoop, begins at the back of the tip and then goes down the ferrule. That’s going to aid in penetration and aid in flight as well. It makes it a bit more streamlined and aerodynamic.



G5 Striker X Testing

I was really eager to put the G5 Striker X boadheads through a battery of tests. Let’s see how they performed!

As always, I’m using my Bowtech SR6 set at 72 pounds and Bishop FOC King arrows at 460 grains. Let’s see how the Striker X performed!

Flight Test

In the flight test, I shot the Striker X heads from 40 yards. First, I shot a field point, and then two of the heads for comparison.

g5 striker x broadhead flight test vs filed points

Here you can see the results of the flight test (one field point and two broadheads to compare.




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Out-Of-The-Box Sharpness Test

Initial sharpness reading of the Striker X out of the box was 125.

g5 striker out of box sharpness test

Here was the out-of-the-box sharpness test reading.



Ballistic Gel Penetration Test

I shot the Striker X into ballistic gel that was fronted with a 2/3″ foam matting and 1/2″ MDF.

G5 stiker X ballistic gel test

The Striker X penetrated 6-1/4 inches into the ballistic gel.



Edge Retention Test

After the ballsistic gel test, I checked the sharpness of the head again to see how well it held its edge.

g5 striker sharpness test after ballistic gel

After the ballistic gel penetration test, the Striker X had a sharpness reading of 200.



Layered Cardboard Penetration Test

I shot the Striker X into layered cardboard to see how many it could penetrate.

g5 striker x cardboard penetration test

The Striker X penetrated through 38 layers of cardboard.



Steel Plate Durability Test

Next, I shot the Striker X into a steel plate 5 times. On the fifth shot, this happened…

g5 striker x after steel plate test

The fifth shot was the charm… I mean, the HARM to the Striker X.

So, as you can see above the head held together through four shots through the steel plate. The blades are pretty vented, and so that’s where that weakness comes from.



To make the weight of having 4 blades, they have to be relatively thin and relatively vented. But again, they held together through four shots. And the tip got a little bit blunted, but it actually held together very well. It was still in good enough shape to sharpen out and use again.

The blades experienced quite a bit of edge chatter after the first shot. The chatter then increased with each subsequent shot.



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G5 striker x steel plate test holes

Here, you can see the wound channel in the steel plate and you can see that square hole in the middle and then the four slits coming off of it. Now, there’s other 4-blade broadheads that make a better square hole than this. This is more of like the hole within the slits rather than a bigger square. So it’s a decent wound channel but there are other broadheads that make a better wound channel with the same cutting diameter.

So, after this test, these blades are not reusable. You would have to file away way too much in order to use them again. It held together better than some, not as well as others.

The head did still spin true, though. So, the ferrule didn’t bend, which is a by-product of that all-steel construction.



Zero Penetration Test | Cinder Block

Finally, I shot the head into a cinder block…

G5 Striker cinder block text

Here’s a look at the hole the Striker X put in the cinder block.

How about a shout-out to the Bishop FAD Eliminator Arrows? I’ve lost count how many times I’ve shot this one arrow into concrete!

G5 Striker x rolled tip after cinder block test

Here’s the head after impact in the concrete, spins extremely well. The only damage you can see is that the tip got a little bit rolled over, a little bit curled there and blunted on the end. The edges of the tip, they got blunted as well, but they held up well and the structural integrity of the head is just fantastic.



Final Thoughts and Score Cards On Striker X Broadheads

So what do you think of the Striker X?

It performed pretty much as I expected. It was just pretty average to be honest.

Now, the cut size is above average. The sharpness was above average. And, the way it held up to zero penetration test in the concrete was above average.

But, the blade durability, the edge retention through the steel plate, and the penetration… those things were about average or below average, honestly.

If you compare this head to say, Tooth of the Arrow XL, it’s just not close.



So, if you compare it to some other similar heads in the market, it just doesn’t stack up. So, I’d say they’re a decent choice. It’s a good average head and it will get the job done.

If you’re a big fan, more power to you. But I think there are better choices out there.

Good luck out there bowhunting!

scorecard for G5 striker x
G5 Striker X lusk golden arrow grade

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rifle scope on eat elk rifle

How To Choose The Right Scope For Your Rifle [On A Budget]

If you’re not an expert on rifles, picking the right rifle scope can seem overwhelming.

So, how about a little crash course on what to consider in a rifle scope so you can make a purchase you are happy with…  

Rifle Scope Considerations

man shooting rifle with scope on range

Everyone’s budget is different, but there are certain things you should consider before purchasing a rifle scope.

Below are things to consider before purchasing a rifle scope:

rifle scope diagram
Rifle scope diagram

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Objective lens

The objective lens is the lens opposite your eye. The diameter of your objective lens determines the amount of light that can enter the rifle scope. If you intend on using the scope in low-light conditions (i.e. hunting), you need a bigger objective lens.

A larger lens size means you have to increase the mounting distance above your barrel. If your rifle scope is too high, you will have difficulty getting the correct eye alignment which affects your shooting accuracy.  

Scopes with overly large objective lenses are heavier, and more expensive. If you will be using a rifle for hunting purposes go for a 50-mm maximum. 

However, if you need a general purpose scope then settling for 40mm or 42mm like this one is an ideal choice. 





Rifle Scope Glass

man holding rifle on wood pile

Rifle scope glass has a direct correlation to the image quality a rifle scope will provide.

Glass lenses are the centerpiece of any rifle scope. Pick the best glass within your budget.

The ED, or extra-low dispersion glass, is great because it minimizes any chromatic aberration giving you real-life colors and sharper images.  



Some lenses are commonly called HD, however it has no bearing on the type of glass, but rather the image quality it gives.

The coating used on the lenses directly affects the image quality by improving the light transmission and adding scratch resistance. A “coated lens” means that there is a one-coat layer on one or more lenses. 


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“Fully coated glass” has a single layer on all the air to glass surfaces. Multi Coated glass means you have multiple layers on more than one lens.

Lastly, a “fully multi-coated glass” means the lens has multiple layers on all the air to glass surfaces.  

In short, a lens with more coating is better. So, choose a rifle scope with multiple coatings covering all the interior lenses. 




Scope Magnification 

rifle lying next to dead bull elk

A greater scope magnification will make images in the scope look larger, making them appear brighter. This can be helpful in leading to greater accuracy.

The magnification of the scope largely depends on the kind of game you are hunting and your shooting range.

Many big game hunters, like deer hunters, take aim at their quarry 200 to 300 yards away. Traditionally, a scope with 4X-12X or 3X-9X is plenty for that. 



Likewise, open-country hunters, who mostly target smaller games like varmints and predators, benefit greatly from scopes with greater magnification. Advances in scope design have led to greater zoom ranges.

Greater magnification will cause target objects to be larger, which will make them appear brighter, which can lead to greater accuracy.  



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Gas filled

Rifle scopes filled with anhydrous gas is mainly to displace water vapor or moisture and prevent the scope from fogging up. Nitrogen is the most commonly used anhydrous gas. This is mostly because it has a lesser chance of effusing through the seal or membrane.  

Argon is more resistant to any temperature changes compared to nitrogen. Regardless of what gas you fill your scope with, moving between environments having big temperature gradients will make any exterior scope fog.  



Main tube diameter

In the past, scopes had a 1-inch main tube. Nowadays, rifle shooters desire more distance envelopes and want scopes with 34 mm or 30 mm main tubes which are increasingly common.  

Having a larger diameter tube creates more room for the reticle to move. In turn, it increases the adjustment range.

Bigger tubes are sturdier and allow more light through them. However, they are more expensive and heavier. A 1-inch tube is enough for normal hunting ventures.  



Field of view

Normally measured at 100 yards in feet. The field of view is what you can see through the rifle scope from right to left at a particular distance. Increasing the magnification lowers the field of view.

Decreasing the magnification means increasing the field of view. In short, a 3X variable rifle scope can have a field of view at 100 yards of at least 30feet, but at 9X variable scope, the field of view will be close to 14 feet.

Likewise, having a larger objective lens doesn’t affect the figures. So, the field of view is determined by how the eyepiece is constructed.  



Scope reticle

target showing through rifle scope

The rifle scope reticle can vary in styles and appearance from different scope manufacturers.

Some people call the reticle the “crosshairs.” This is the aiming point of any rifle scope. The reticle can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, having lines, dots or other markings.  

Some scopes have illumination for better visibility in low light conditions. Most rifle scope manufacturers have different reticle styles.  



Turrets

scope turrets for sighting in riflescope

The windage and elevation adjustment knobs on a rifle scope are called turrets.

A turret is an adjustment knob on the scope allowing the shooter to adjust the reticle. The top knob on the riflescope is your elevation adjustment while the knob on the side is your windage adjustment that adjusts from left to right.  

Examine the turrets before buying the scope to ensure it fits your preference, as some turrets are adjusted by hand and others need a special tool to adjust.

Consequently, some turrets make a clicking noise during adjustments and some don’t.  



Minutes of angle

Many inexperienced shooters have difficulty understanding minutes of angle (MOA).

Below is a video that explains MOA.

One MOA is equivalent to 1.0472 inches at approximately 100 yards commonly rounded down to 1-inch per 100 yards.



Final Thoughts On How To Choose A Rifle Scope

rifle with scope

At the end of the day, you want your bullet to find the mark. Consideration of these rifle scope features will help you find one that fits your budget and your intended use.

The last thing you want is to settle for a rifle scope that will not have the features you need to take down your game.

So, don’t just settle for any scope. Use the considerations we’ve covered in this article to help you make your decision.  

The good news is, you can get yourself a reasonable sighting tool for under $500 and have a scope that meets your shooting needs.

Happy and safe shooting and hunting!

Can’t Miss Pheasant Hunting Tips To Bag More Birds

male pheasant

The pheasant is a magnificent bird that provides a relaxing, yet exhilarating hunting experience.

If pheasant hunting is something you want to experience in the outdoors, this article will help steer you in the right direction.

Shotgun Selection

For decades the preferred choice for a shotgun in pheasant hunting is the trusty old 12-gauge. But, you can also hunt pheasants using a 20-gauge shotgun as well and it will do the job.

But, for many hunters, it’s hard to beat the reliable killing power of a 12-gauge. The extra shot, along with the increased range, is worth the small increase in recoil and weight.

6 shotguns standing up

There is not single right answer when it comes to which shotgun to use for pheasant hunting, but it’s hard to beat the range and killing power of the12-gauge.

Shot Size

Shot size is pretty important in pheasant hunting. If you use shot that’s too small, you’re probably going to end up wounding birds and never finding them. As most hunters know, this is not the ethical way to hunt.

If your shot is too large, you might miss the bird due to small shot quantity. Or, you might end up doing too much damage to the bird.

A good shot size is going to be #5 shot, as it’s the best all-around size for birds like pheasant.




Do I Need a Trained Dog to pheasant hunt?

If you are new to bird hunting of any type, whether it’s waterfowl, ruffed grouse, or in this case pheasant, chances are you don’t have a trained bird dog at home, as this is something only the hardcore bird hunter will typically have.

black lab with pheasants

A good bird dog is hard to beat, but is not a necessity for hunting pheasants. Focus on hunting smaller areas where finding birds won’t be as tedious.

The short answer is no, you don’t need a dog to hunt pheasant.

While trained hunting dogs do make a huge difference in not only locating and flushing birds, but also in finding downed birds in tall grass, you can get away without one.



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While it’s a great feeling to find your dog has located a pheasant, if you’re hunting alone without a dog, simply pick smaller areas to hunt if at all possible, so that the search for hiding birds doesn’t seem like hunting needles in a haystack.

Hunting fence lines, small patches of tall grass, and other small localized and isolated areas should be your target.

If you have friends interested in hunting birds, by all means bring them with you. More people in the field will mean more contacted birds due to being able to cover a large area.



Hunt The Edges

Pheasants can be compared to other wild animals like deer when it comes to daily movement and feeding. Many hunters walk through large tracts of land in search of pheasants, but many might overlook areas like fence lines and ditches.

Think of these areas as natural highways for all sorts of different wildlife, particularly those that are constantly on the lookout for predators like wolves, coyotes, foxes or one of the pheasants’ greatest predators, hawks.

pheasant on field edge

Pheasants will travel during the day seeking food and cover, so don’t overlook areas like ditches, fence lines, and transition areas.

Edges provide concealment as pheasants travel around during the day or night. Pheasants travel quite a bit throughout a day in search of food and sanctuary, and many of the fence lines, ditches, and tree lines can be transition areas, or areas that lead from food to shelter and keep them relatively safe from predators (or so they hope).





When It’s Hot

When the weather is hot and dry, pheasants will often gravitate toward areas with plenty of water. So, don’t neglect areas with streams and ponds.

Even areas that have irrigation ditches, pump houses, containers for feeding livestock, and other water producing locations could hold birds.

pheasant in water

Pheasants get thirsty too! So, be sure to check areas that hold or provide any type of water.



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Go Slow

Long-tailed roosters don’t get that way by being stupid. You can rest assured that they have seen a thing or two in their day, and have had more than a few brushes with death. So, when you get out there and start hunting, it’s important to remember to take your time and go slowly.

Many hunters walk around haphazardly and quickly through an area until they stumble into a bird, but in doing so they miss opportunities to get the wise ones.



Go slowly, using a zig-zagging pattern to really pick apart the areas that you are hunting. You will find that you will not only encounter more birds overall, but you will find the old and wise trophy birds as well.

Make sure you pause regularly. Many times there are birds near you that won’t flush as you walk by. By pausing, you can make that bird nervous and question its hide or fly response and send them skywards.



Be Silent

You might not think of pheasant hunting like you would if you were hunting other animals like deer or large game.

In those scenarios you would do your utmost to avoid slamming your truck door or step on a twig, or make any unwanted noise. However, this type of stealthy hunting also applies to hunting upland birds like pheasants.

pheasant flying

When hunting areas that typically have heavier hunting pressure, pheasants will likely flush much sooner if they hear unnatural noises. So, be as quiet as possible.

Strange and loud noises will cause pheasants to hunker down or head for thicker areas and vegetation long before you reach them. They will do this whenever they feel threatened by things like four-wheeler noises, coughing, talking, or any other “unnatural” noises.

Noise is definitely something to keep in mind when you’re in areas that get heavy hunting pressure, as the pheasants that have seen such pressure will flush much sooner and at a greater distance, causing many missed opportunities.





Best Times to Hunt Pheasant (It’s Fine If You Sleep In)

While there’s hunting pheasants early in the morning can certainly be productive, hunting in the afternoon and evening can be some of the best times to be out.

pheasant in food plot

Areas near food sources can be a great evening spot for pheasant hunting.

You late risers will be happy to know that many birds will move out into the open areas to feed after spending the day in cover, which means that you can find them fairly easily, especially the last hour of shooting light.

Grassy patches adjacent to food sources like corn fields are a great place to hunt in the evenings.



Hunt When It’s Cold Out

The weekend warrior type of hunter might be putting their guns away for the season when some of the best hunting has yet to start.

If you’re willing to brave the frigid air and flying snow, late season can be some of the best pheasant hunting you will find all year.

A great place to hunt in the late fall and winter is around lakes, ponds, or marshy areas that have cattails on the shorelines.

man with pheasants in snow

The late season, although cold, can provide some excellent pheasant hunting, as wet areas freeze and allow for greater access.



In the early parts of the season, these areas are typically flooded with water and not inhabited by pheasants. And, even if they were, you wouldn’t want to trudge around in that wet and mucky stuff.

This means these areas receive little to no hunting pressure, because most people aren’t out hunting, and if they are, they usually overlook these areas as they have earlier in the year.

In the winter the water freezes into ice, allowing you to walk through these cattails and hunt untouched areas.



Best Places to Hunt Pheasant 

All of the other tips and tricks we have covered help improve your pheasant hunting experience in their own ways, but at the end of the day, your hunting location plays the biggest role in whether you have a successful hunt. A hunter can know every trick in the book, but there’s very little you can do if there are no pheasants to shoot.

There are pheasant hunting opportunities in most US states, but there are really 5-10 states that take the cake when it comes to quality pheasant hunting. These states all have their perks, such as Kansas pheasant hunts, that offer more favorable game limits, as they have higher population figures, and then states like Idaho, which has game, but far superior views.

Which state is right for you depends on what you are looking to get out of your hunt, so it is important to really consider which are the best pheasant hunting states for you.



Pheasant Hunting Tips Conclusion

Upland bird hunting, whether it be pheasants, ruffed grouse, or other birds, can be a relaxing and therapeutic experience. Some who take up pheasant hunting never want to do anything else!

Now that you have some pheasant hunting tips you can use… get out there and see if pheasant hunting is for you. You might just find it’s the only thing you want to do!

man sitting in front of bus with pheasants he killed hunting

You just might find that hunting pheasants is one of the most relaxing and gratifying types of hunting you’ve ever done!