and yet MORE powerhead questions...

[Ironcat]

1. If a powerhead is most effectively used as a "bangstick" on the end of your spear, why not just carry a bangstick so you can use your speargun the way it's is supoposed to be used?
2. If you shoot a spear with a powerhead does the spear come zooming back at you like a 2x4 in a table saw?
3. I can see using a .357 or .38 or whatever if the intent is to stone a fish but if the intent is to kill a shark that might otherwise be gonna kill you wouldn't it be better to use a shotgun shell and fill his head with lead?
4. Sound carries farther and faster underwater, does using a powerhead stun, deafen, hurt, or otherwise bother you?
5. Does the round ever go through and through? I understand that the water on the other side is an effective break after a few feet but if something soft (your buddy for example, etc) is on the other side of whatever you are hitting with a powerhead isn't there a chance that said soft item can be damaged also?
6. Anyone else have any questions I didn't think of?

 

[Wayward Son]

1) You can do that. It's an extra bit of gear to keep up with but some prefer a bangstick over a PH.
2) It's possible, but rare. Not likely when impacting on a fish, more possible when shooting something like concrete. The heavier the spear, the less likely as there's more mass & inertai to offset the recoil.
3) Pretty much any of them will kill a decent sized shark. It's the gas that does most of the damage, not the bullet. Shotshells work quite well but are likely too messy onm a fish you want to keep.
4) Doesn't seem to be a problem unless setting one off under an ledge or something that reflects the sound.
5) Yes. Dunno how far it is dangerous on the other side, but at least for a bit.
6) Learn the laws regarding their possession & use for the location you plan to take one.

 

[Tom Smedley]

Powerheads - as far as I have seen - are most effectively used with a pole spear. The powerhead works on the principle of expanding gasses. Shotgun shells use a slow burning powder that creates lots of pressure but slowly. Rifle and pistol catridges use a fast burning powder that creates lots of pressure quickly. The projectile has little to do with the killing power- the explosive effect of the burning powder does. In fact - blanks work just as well and are much safer to handle than cartridges with projectiles.

The .223 (5.56mm) bullet has a large amount of powder that burns very quickly - thus producing the muzzle velocity of those weapons. It is probably the lightest weight and most effective powerhead for killing stuff and making lots of noise.

Your profile says that you live in Florida. You would have to ask some of the Florida Barristers such as H2Andy to get the straight scoop but I believe that powerheads are illegal in Florida.

Head shots are not effective. The most damage is done with a broadside just behind the gills.

I have actually witnessed powerhead use on two occasions. Once in Guam a person shot a 6 foot hammerhead with a .44 magnum powerhead on a pole spear. He had no reason to shoot the animal except to show out for the group. He forgot to pull the safety pin and the really ticked off shark put on a wonderfully funny show. I can call it funny because I watched at a distance.

The second time I saw the aftermath of a .223 powerhead shot to a 4 foot dusky in Gulf Shores Alabama. The poor animal was literally blown in half. We all turned backs to the shooter as he climbed back on the boat. He left the shark in the water and didn't even keep the meat. What a waste.

The next time you see a shark - keep the WMDs in your pocket - get as close to it as you possible can and look at it for as long as you possibly can. Say "Hey magnificent creature."

 

[Ironcat]

Tom thanks for the advice but I am not really wanting to even use one of the things at all. The thing is, I started asking questions in a different thread and got so many PMs telling me to carry one that I continued with more questions. I am going to be doing a lot of hunting (eatin' fish, not sharkie fish) and wanted the info purely as a self defense against fishies wanting to eat me back, as evidenced by question 3 above. I love sharks and would never target one unless it would save large chunks of me from being not me anymore.

 

[Wayward Son]

In FL state waters, they are illegal for hunting. They are legal to use for defense. In federal waters they are legal for both. You need to read up on the regs & understand the fine points. IE, don't shoot a fish with one in fed waters, boat it & then stop for a dive in state waters on the way back in. Stay underway all the way across stae waters back to the landing.

 

[Tom Smedley]

In his book - Without Remorse - Clancy describes use of a powerhead on a short stick to do some serious chest surgery on one's enemies. The chest cavity was described as vaporized,

 

[pescador775]

I see some stuff that I can't agree with. When a 6 ft shark is hit in the midsection, eg along the sides, the .223 bullet makes a small hole and the animal keeps swimming, fast. When it is hit one foot behind the gills, it will spiral downward still thrashing. When hit in the head, it will sink, unconcious with a great deal of damage.

The .44 mag is just as effective as the .223, and just as loud.

I've never seen an arrow backfire but it could happen. I have seen powerheads prefire a couple feet in front of the gun due to strong rubber bands and inertial setback of the powerhead.

 

[Tom Winters]

When powerheads became popular in Australia in the 60's, guys up there went wild blasting sharks. Then the reefs went murky, the carcasses were just sitting on the bottom uneaten, and everyone realized, "Hey...."
I always wanted one of those Oceanic Shark Darts - it was a short lance with a tip that filled a shark's midsection with CO2. They had one-use versions, and a refillable one with a little hose and tank.
It was pretty cool - you only had to hit a shark in the middle third of its body to kill it, and the swim bladder would pop right out of the shark's mouth.
I guess a lot of non-divers found out how handy the thing was on other life forms besides sharks - like say convenience store clerks since it's specifically banned by name in pretty much every First World country.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

sharks don;t have swim bladders.

 

[HK182]

I beleive the Navy had something like that they called "puke the magic dragon", I remember my Dad (who retired after 26 years in) telling me something about it.