aluminum or wood

[boondocksaint]

JBL MAGNUM 450 XHD
TOTAL LENGTH: 68"
SHAFT LENGTH: 56"
NUMBER OF SLINGS: 3
RANGE: 35 feet


JBL WOODY MAGNUM
TOTAL LENGTH: 63"
SHAFT LENGTH: 48"
NUMBER OF SLINGS: 3
RANGE: 24 feet

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I think wood stocked guns in general area lot quieter and the quality of the Woody JBL guns is better than on the regular JBL guns.

But if I remember correctly the XHD's have larger diameter slings than the woodies as well as a better/more durable/longer lasting trigger assembly.

In some respects though you are comparing apples to oranges as the XHD counterpart to the Woody Magnum is the XHD Magnum. The 450 is a larger gun with a lot longer and heavier shaft.

Anyway you slice it, none of them will give you the effective range stated in JBL's advertising.

 

[Wayward Son]

The better questions are what do you want to hunt & how do you want to hunt it? Under what expectable conditions?

 

[Loneranger]

My question is where did JBL get those distances. That must be the range the spear will travel and bounce off the fish, and not the "effective range" of the spear.

 

[Wayward Son]

That's the total measurement of the gun, line & spear when fully extended. JBL has always published unrealistic "max range" values.

 

[Chad Carney]

The better questions are what do you want to hunt & how do you want to hunt it? Under what expectable conditions?

Agreed.

Boondocksaint, where will you be spearing?

The type of rigging will greatly effect the range of the gun, as well as it's design. Gun construction materials are also best chosen to suit the intended purpose.

I'm glad to see you ask about big guns, if you have the conditions for one. More often new shooters look for a small gun to start off, and it usually ends up a big disappointment!

Chad

 

[boondocksaint]

florida
hogfish
grouper
cobia

 

[Chad Carney]

Still one important unanswered question... WS asked how do you want to hunt it?

I take that to mean mostly, on scuba or freediving?

Also you will often have to use different techniques and gear on wrecks, rigs, reefs or ledges.

If you fill out your profile, it will provide much insight.

Chad

 

[boondocksaint]

scuba
reefs

 

[pescador775]

You don't need either of those guns. Get the JBL magnum metal gun or similar. The Biller 54 teak is deadly on the reefs but needs to be appreciated for its diverse capabilities. A nasty old metal gun would be first choice. Not too big and not too expensive. Use a 5/16 arrow and detachable JBL rockpoint.