broadhead choice- fixed vs. mechanical

NVpackrat · Jun 21, 2006

I would like to hear opinions & preferences from those of you who have used both of these types of heads. I'm not thrilled with the last ones I used, and am thinking of switching for this year's archery deer hunt. I have used Muzzy 75 grain fixed, and am thinking of maybe going to a 100 grain mechanical of some sort. Are there any problems with them? Also, I have seen some that have a 2" cutting diameter- are these better than the normal 1" average cut? I have a suspicion there may be more problems than benefits with these. Thank you.
NVpackrat

elk_horn · Jun 21, 2006

Alot of guys will tell you a fixed blade is better and I shoot a Magnus stinger and really like it however I used to shoot a rocket steel head 100 and loved it ...very accurate!

BOHNTR · Jun 21, 2006

Do a search in this section on that topic......lots of good info there, as it's been discussed several times.

BOHNTR )))---------->

COLO3D · Jun 21, 2006

In my humble opinion, you can get the main benefit of shooting a mechanical, increased accuracy, by shooting some of the new fixed heads. There alot of heads that fly better than Muzzy's. I have had nothing but problems getting good groups out of Muzzy's.

That said, I have a few friends that will not shoot fixed heads, they shoot Spitfires, Jackhammers and Rockets. They have taken numerous elk with no problems.

Cass · Jun 21, 2006

I am up in the air about this subject. I've heard and seen too many of the Mech blades either not extend or break off easily when they hit bone. Never had that kinda problem with my Fixed Wasps.

-Cass

Lien2 · Jun 22, 2006

>I am up in the air
>about this subject. I've heard
>and seen too many of
>the Mech blades either not
>extend or break off easily
>when they hit bone. Never
>had that kinda problem with
>my Fixed Wasps.
>
>
>
>
>-Cass

Exactly my thoughts.........except for being up in the air. Only fixed blades will be shot from my bow.

Lien2

DesertDiesel · Jun 22, 2006

I've been using the 2 blade Snypers for a few years now with no problems at all. On one hunt, my arrow blew threw a javalina at 20 yards and my arrow went head on into some large boulders. The broadhead had a bent tip, but no broken blades.

My heads have never failed to open and they fly very accurate.

NVpackrat · Jun 23, 2006

It seems there is about a 50/50 split in choices on either, and I thank you for the input. I really would like to try these mechanicals, but have heard there can be malfunctions and lost impact energy as opposed to the fixed. I'm glad I'm not the only one who has had problems with Muzzy- people sure do recommend them highly, and I wasn't impressed. I wish we had a consumer reports for hunting equipment!!
NVpackrat

cpugsie · Jun 24, 2006

If you shoot the right Mechanical they work just fine. The Rocky Mountain Snyper is all I ever hunt with no matter what I'm hunting. Coyotes to Elk. No failures, they open before entry, large entrance and exit wounds, cut on contact tip, rearward opening to prevent poll vaulting and very swept back blade angle with very sharp and stout main blades. And the fly just like a field point.

Carl

txhunter58 · Jun 25, 2006

If you find a fixed head that flies well from your bow, why would you consider a mechanical? There would always that nagging doubt in the back of your mind about whether they could fail. Not so with a fixed blade. Magnus heads fly great out of my bow. In my mind, there is no reason for me to even try a mechanical.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

muleybull · Jun 25, 2006

Stay away from the mechanical.

AZG&F is the downfall of hunting in Arizona!!!!!

jodog · Jun 25, 2006

I've tried the mec. heads but it's been a few years. I like fixed broadheads and I shoot them all year. I never even practice with feild points it's just muzzy 3 blade 100gn. broadheads year round. As far as penatration, a 2 blade cut on contact is the best there is, but the muzzy's have been so good why fix it if it's not broke?

jamaro · Jun 26, 2006

It is all about trust and faith... If there is ever any doubt or question in YOUR mind about mechanicals then don't use them...

Jason

CAnAZbwhnter · Jul 13, 2006

Im glad someone else is having the same concerns as me. Im contemplating switching over to mech but being that Ive only ever used muzzy, I will likely stick to the fixed heads.
Have any of you shot with the Wack Em's? Im looking for a nice quality fixed head to shoot. The muzzy's just arent consistent enough for me. Thoughts please?

MDnut · Jul 13, 2006

I have always shot Thunderheads and have had great success with them. If I were having a problem getting a fixed blade to fly I would consider them, but not if I can get my Thenderheads to fly like they do.

MDnut

Buckrub · Jul 13, 2006

I've used both, but, have had some problems with mechs moreso than with fixed.
Angle of entry and bone contact can really alter mech performance.
With that said, I ordered the Wac'ems, yesterday and can't wait to try them out!!

"Good mass & long brow tines"

THEHAANTA · Jul 13, 2006

I use NAP Spitfires, I have never had a problem with them. I have killed an Elk and a deer and had good penetration, no bending or breakage............

Use the technology to you advantage.... no time spent tuning, field point arrow flight......great penetration....

Aztrophytaker · Jul 13, 2006

it goes like this, the more moving parts an object has, the greater risk it has to fail.

Drake · Jul 13, 2006

Why shoot a broadhead that if it needs to make it through a shoulder does not? mechs bad news altogether, they expand alot of energy on impact, also if the arrow stays inside the critter mechs more times than not close, a fixed stays cuttin all day, when a critter pulls a arrow out with it's mouth or a tree or bush the mech will always close with reverse frictions a fixed won't. I'm sure there are some awesome mechs out there, but there is far better fixed. i shoot the nap crossfires on a gold tip pro arrow with a well tuned bow and never once have i had a flyer. good luck

Blackknight · Jul 13, 2006

I agree with AZ! I MYSELF LIKE THE FIXED AND TEND TO STAY AWAY FROM MOVING PARTS. IM ALSO HEARING AWESOME THINGS ABOUT THE 'ROCKET ULTIMATE TITANIUM' FIXED BROADHEADS. YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHECK EM OUT!!!!

cmiddleton · Jul 20, 2006

LAST EDITED ON Jul-20-06 AT 10:05PM (MST)[p] i have killed several deer with mach and never had a problem and also taken several elk with them but last year i had one problem when the angle of the hit opened one blade befor the others the arrow flipped i hit the elk quotering away but the one blade cought a rib and flipped the arrow the arrow. never entered the rib cage it cartwheeled off.
i shot mach for 6 yrs now and this year i am going back to fixed.
the elk i took last yr with a mach didn't leave a good bloodtrail either even though i double lunged him.
my son shot his with a crimson tallon and that was like walking down the side walk we were following blood we could see 30 yrds ahead of us.
deer and antalope i think machanicals are allright but i'll never use one on elk again.

Idahoelk · Jul 23, 2006

The main reason folks say they want to shoot mechanicals is they want field point accuracy. Ten years ago with some of the designs that was harder to acheive with fixed blades, so the answer for some was mechanicals. Today there are at least a doz. different fixed blade heads that will out shoot mechanicals. So why the need for mechanicals? Get a good quality fixedblade and hunt without the worry. I have the new Snuffer SS in 125 grn. The head is one peice construction with a small aerodynamic profile, and its reusable. Thats right no need to replace blades, practice in a broadhead target with them and then touch them up on a diamond stone about 1 minutes time per head and they are shaving sharp again. Several others like wac ems , slick trick, stingers,razorcaps ect. are good performers.Good luck and great hunting.

recurvehunter · Jul 30, 2006

Anyone serious about understanding the mechanics of arrow penetration and putting together a consistient maximum penetration arrow / broadhead combination needs to read Dr. Ashby's 2005 study. Check out the Trad Gang web-site to find his 4-part study. This is the best data-driven, real life study out there. You won't see this stuff in the main-stream archery mag's, to many arrow and broadhead advertizing dollars at risk.

Recurve

HuntElk4Fun_ · Jul 30, 2006

There is a reason mechanicals are banned in some states IMO. Cut on Contact broadheads are hands down the best for Elk. Do the research, read the articles, I'm talking the technical ones, not the ones put out by the companies. Visit places like www.broadheadtests.com, etc.

I think we get caught up on hype waaaay too much these days. Plus, keep in mind that 75+% of the archery world revolves around whitetail hunting. They are barely bigger than an Antelope... heck a blunt might drop one from the treestand, 20 yards away! LOL Sorry.. couldn't resist.

Fixed only out my bows...

ODDNUT1
Kirt C.
Hunt Odds.com

Big_D · Jul 31, 2006

I have a buddy that once shot an elk w a mechanical head, he claims the shot placement was perfect, but we found the whole arrow shaft right where the animal had been standing. The head was snapped clean off. Our conclusion was that the head impacted a rib on one side of the head, but not the other. This impact caused a lot of torque, with the blades opening ect, and made the head snap off the arrow. (this is what we assumed happened) We followed blood & tracks for 2 days, and walked ridges and hillsides in the area looking for the animal w/o success.

We have never shot mechanicals again.

I currently use Wac'ems. I shot a 165 buck last year w them, and they performed very well for me. They seem really tough, with excellent penetration, and they have been easier to tune than the thunderheads i have used for many years.

hope this helps