Another Broadhead question

[huntelk8863]

I have searched for the answer to this question, just no luck. I have hunted with a traditional broadhead but all this talk about mechanical heads has me wondering. I understand they fly better(or more like a field point), and I have heard some types leave incrediable damage, but what about practice? Can they be shot into a broadhead target like a traditional, and then how are they re-set to be shot again?

Thanks, Mark

 

[BigPig]

Yes they can. Just tie them shut with a little dental floss. Make sure you give them a good spin test before hunting though.

 

[BGbasbhat]

I think the principle behind mechanicals is that they fly like field points, so you don't need to practice with them. As long as your field points are flying well, your mechanicals should fly just the same. Since there are no exposed blades to deflect wind, there should be no difference in flight between FPs and mechanicals.

..also, most mechanicals give you a practice head with the purchase.



"...I'd rather be tried by twelve than carried by six..."

 

[huntelk8863]

I went outside and shot a Grim Reaper into a 4 x 4 block---looks like there is a rub on each of the blades, but how do you know they are actually opening or do you just assume they are. I have a really worn spot in the block and shot through it by about 5 inches and it was not open. Maybe it has to hit something a little more firm?

Mark

 

[COLO3D]

It probably closed back up when the momentum stopped.

 

[BGbasbhat]

tape a piece of cardboard on the block and shoot through it. It might not open up on thin paper; but it will on the side of a beer case or box.



"...I'd rather be tried by twelve than carried by six..."

 

[cantclosethedeal]

I think mechanicals are a great second option and definitely have their place. For me, I prefer fixed blades. If I can't get GREAT accuracy with a fixed blade, I know there is a problem in my setup that must be addressed.
Nonetheless, if you are having broadhead tuning problems or you would like to keep it simple. An expandable will get you on target quicker. Also, if you are a speed junkie and shoot a Monster/Omen/Reezen/ etc. you may find it almost impossible to tune fixed blades when pushing 300-320+ fps.

One of the major issues with mechanicals is what happens in the quiver. When you pull them out for the moment of truth, they can semi-deploy and fly terrible. Having to check your broadhead before you shoot is ONE MORE THING to think about when most of us can barely think at all!
IMHO

 

[dcl]

Hey Mark. Some of the packages of expandables come with a "practice head". Same profile just non-expanding. Saves alot of wear &tear on the hunting heads. Rage and snyper to name a couple. Love the 2 blade rage for deer size game. But i think overall I prefer a good fixed blade. dave

 

[huntelk8863]

Accuracy is not a problem with either a field point or a broadhead. Just trying to understand all options that are out there. I shot a Drenin LD and dont know if that falls into the catagory you speak of, but I am not experienced enough to know. As for the quiver issue, I have yet to cross that bridge but will advise if I am able to engineer any thing that works. Thanks, I appreciate all ideas and shared information.

Mark

 

[huntelk8863]

Thanks Dave, I am leaning that way as that is the only thing I have shot in my limited experience. Just wondering why all the hype\talk etc about the incrediable damage done by mechanical heads and how they compare to fixed blades.

Mark

 

[mathewsman]

Generally speaking, mechanicals have a larger cutting diameter than fixed heads which cuts a bigger hole, hence more damage. Bottom line is with a good arrow (properly placed through vitals), both will get the job done....and done well! The debate lies in which head will help you "place" that arrow where it needs to be. Granted about 90% is on you as the bowhunter to properly execute the shot, but you can't convince me that if you're standing at 60 yards (my maximum shooting range with ideal conditions) with 2 arrows; 1 field tip, and 1 fixed blade broadhead that they are going to fly the same and hit within a couple of inches of each other. With mechanicals though, in that same scenario those 2 arrows WILL group better-it's that simple. Incidentally, I switched this year from montecs to grim reapers and I'm not going back-even though montecs are awesome broadheads.

 

[GotBowAz]

?One of the major issues with mechanicals is what happens in the quiver. When you pull them out for the moment of truth, they can semi-deploy and fly terrible. Having to check your broadhead before you shoot is ONE MORE THING to think about when most of us can barely think at all!
IMHO?



I hear this quite often from those who just start out using mechanicals. Mechanicals are just that, they move on contact in one form or other. Quivers were never made to hold an arrow at the cover/foam. They were designed to keep you the archer from getting cut and or to protect the blades from damage. That being said if your quiver properly locks your arrows in place then simply move or cut the foam away enough that is does not contact the head or blades.

GBA

 

[COLO3D]

One of the major issues with mechanicals is what happens in the quiver. When you pull them out for the moment of truth, they can semi-deploy and fly terrible. Having to check your broadhead before you shoot is ONE MORE THING to think about when most of us can barely think at all!
IMHO

The new Fuse Ventera quiver was designed with that problem in mind. It has no foam in the hood, just a hole in the rubber lining of the hood.

 

[dcl]

Mark. As far as the damage done by expandables. I havent shot anything bigger than corn fed,Illinois whitetails with the expandables. But on deer size game,broadheads like the 2 blade rage and snyper, 3 blade rockets, make a huge entrance and exit hole. Im talking like "holy crap" size holes. But I've also had great results, but not as big of holes from from ultra sharp slicktricks,savoras, montecs,& snuffers. Not sure if I'd chase elk with an expandable or not. I know alot of people do with great results. ButIf my rig is tuned right, It will shoot slicktricks perfectly out as far as I'd ever shoot at an elk, moose, bear. hope this helps. dave

 

[huntelk8863]

Thanks for all the information guys. I still have no idea what I am going to do but I will figure it out. Dave you said you were not sure about elk, is that because of the size of the ribs if they get hit or something else. Thanks again.

Mark

 

[Buckriser]

Has anyone checked out the new EP Reign. It looks interesting. The steel drum test was pretty amazing. Id be curiuos to hear from anyone who has used them. Does anyone know if they'd be legal in Utah?

 

[dcl]

Wish I had a better answer for ya. The only personal experience with elk and archery gear was a 25 yd perfectly broadside shot on a big cow. Shot went perfect, watched her fall inside 40 yards with a 125 gr. montec hole in the center of her heart. I think any well constructed b-head would have worked on that shot. fixed or expandable. My rig at the time was pushing 90 lbs. of K.E. so the elk really didnt even slow down the arrow. But after we got her hung up and started taking her apart I was really impressed with the thickness & weight of her ribs. I imagine the ribs on a mature bull would be even heavier. I'm thinking that this fall the montecs or slicktricks will be traveling west in my quiver. No expandables allowed-for me.I just dont think they will get the job done like a heavy fixed head if you encounter heavy ribs or god forbid whack the shoulder.dave

 

[GotBowAz]

This is also from personal experience with mechanicals on Elk. I have killed 5 cows and one bull all with the 125 grain vortex. That blade opens up to 2? width and is more like an ax as the blades do not have much angle to them next to the ferrule. I shot all these Elk out of a Oneida Arrow Force at 70lbs approximately 120 fps. All shots out of a tree stand at 20 yards and all shot perfectly broadside. I had complete penetration threw ribs on the near side and hitting but not going through the far side of all elk. All double lung shots and all fell within 40 yards. I do not recommend quartering shots with these in the least but I am merely stating what expandable are capable of even on heavy boned Elk with a well placed shot.

GBA

 

[GotBowAz]

Oop's, I meant 220 fps.

GBA

 

[STITZEL]

I have tried the fixed muzzies and I was terribly disappointed in how they shot compared to my field tips.( 7" high and to the right) I switched over to the Crossfire mechanical broadheads and they shot just the same as my field tips.