INNERLOC proved their toughness by being shot into a concrete block and still staying together. This is attributed to full-length screw in shaft of the cut-on-impact tip. Plus, you can change blades without removing the broadhead from the arrow, and it penetrates deeply and flies accurately.
by Dave Conrad
For any broadhead to be successful it must incorporate toughness and accuracy. A tough broadhead is no good if it can't fly straight, just as an accurate one is no good without penetration. Accuracy is achieved through aerodynamics just as toughness is dependent upon durable components and design. Both also rely on tight tolerances. All these significant features can be found in the new 100-grain LT Series Broadhead from INNERLOC.
The first thing I noticed when assembling the INNERLOC broadhead is the tight tolerances. All parts when assembled combine to form a smooth and tight fit. This is most noticeable between the ferrule and the head, combining to form a smooth transitional surface. Sullivan Industries has accomplished this by complimenting beveled edges on each piece allowing both to compress and lock together as one unit. This is important for two reasons, penetration and arrow flight. A rough transition would cause air disturbance and erratic flight meaning a loss in accuracy. Upon striking your quarry penetration would suffer as well.
INNERLOC has proven their toughness by being shot into a concrete block and still staying together. This can be attributed to full-length screw in shaft of the cut-on-impact tip. As the tip is screwed down into the ferrule base, the locking flange of the blades are held firmly in place between the tip shaft and the inside radius of the ferrule. The blade flange wrap around the shaft over its entire length, providing superior strength. Many competitors' blades are held in place by sitting in a slotted ferrule and locked in place at the front and back of the blades. If the ferrule is bent in any way, the blades will come out of the ferrule. This may result in broken or lost blades when encountering ribs or bones thereby decreasing penetration. This INNERLOC design is so unique it is even patented under the "Center Locking System" name.
The front loading design also allows you to change blades without removing the broadhead from the arrow. This is a plus when aligning and tuning your broadhead. You are confident that your point of impact will not change, which my tests concluded.
The tip as well as the .020" blades are made out of hardened high carbon stainless steel, further contributing to the toughness. The blades are also strategically vented to counter windplaning but also leave more material at high stress points for added strength through bone. Yet if an indirect hit on hard bone is encountered, they are flexible enough that penetration will not suffer
The Brick Test
Tests on the broadhead were conducted using an Easton ACC 3-60 arrow cut to 28.75". The arrows were shot out of a Hoyt Defiant with Command Cam set at 75 lbs. Speed was in the neighborhood of 280 fps and a Humungo Target served as the backstop positioned at twenty yards. Arrow penetration was exceptional compared to two other mechanical broadheads and one fixed broadhead I used for a comparison test. Compared to field points the point of impact was approximately one inch lower. That is exceptional when shooting at this high of speed. The toughness was also noted. The broadhead stood up to the challenge of the "brick test" using an aluminum arrow. On an ACC arrow the broadhead did sustain a fair amount of damage but all blades remained locked in the ferrule. Still the INNERLOC gets a very high rating because bone is nowhere near the toughness of a two-inch thick brick.
I was testing the new 100 grain, three blade broadhead with a cutting diameter of 1 1/8". If however a 100 grain broadhead is not to your liking you may look to the INNERLOC name for 16 other broadheads ranging in size from 85 to 145 grains. These broadheads can also be found with a minimum of 2 blades all the way up to a maximum of 5. When blades and tips become worn, convenient replacement packs are available for all head and blade combinations.
Design 5 of 5
The INNERLOC broadheads are by far the best engineered I have seen or used. The "Center Locking System" results in blades that firmly anchored in place. I give the front loading design a big thumbs up.
Assembly 4 out of 5
The blades were sometime a little stubborn getting started into the ferrule. Once in place however the tip screwed easily into place.
Durability/Toughness 5 of 5
The INNERLOC was the toughest broadhead of any I tested. Passed the "brick test" when shot with an Easton aluminum arrow. My conclusion is that this head should be able to take quite a licking when penetrating bone and be able to smash the toughest of ribs. These heads will definitely be going with me this fall on a Montana Elk hunt if am lucky enough to get drawn.
Sharpness 4 of 5
The INNERLOC were one of the best in penetration tests. The blades however were not as sharp out of the package and fell into the middle of the class with other broadheads tested.
In conclusion the INNERLOC 100 grain broadhead is one of the toughest and best on the market. The patented Center Locking System is one of the best when securing blades in the ferrule. I would recommend the INNERLOC with confidence for whatever game that you are pursuing. From small varmints to large game Sullivan Industries has the INNERLOC broadhead combination to match it.