Broadheads (mechanical or fixed) ???

[redelkarcher]

Just wonderin' what ya'll think about expandable broadheads rather than fixed heads. I am thinking that I might switch to the expandables this year and give up on the good ole Muzzy's. Tell me what cha think.
Redelkarcher>>>---------->

 

[SLIVER]

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Well red elk I shoot grim reapers and have had good luck. No lost animals, complete pass through and they tear one big hole
in a deer. I would highly advise that you purchase some.
I am a fan!
}}-SILVER-->

 

[Tinman]

redelkarcher,

Why do you think you need to switch? Are the muzzys not performing the way you would like them to? I know most expandable broadhead companies advertise "They fly just like field points", but a fixed blade broadhead can be tuned really nice out of most bows. With the fixed blade you dont have to worry about the blades not opening when you shoot that trophy buck or bull. With archery I like to keep it simple, when depending on mechanized equiptment there is more room for something to go wrong.

 

[bittersweetmuleymeat]

Fixed, I have seen some expandables perform awesome, but unfortunately have seen some fail when a fixed would have done the job. I use Zwickey 2 blade 125s and have been happy with their "loyalty" when it comes to making a hole, holding up against bone and their consistent flight pattern.

 

[elk_horn]

Our hunting party has shot several Bull elk and several cow elk along with several deer... .we shoot Rocket steel Heads 100 gr mechanicals never seen one fail.... and not sure how one would not open...the only thing that holds them shut is a small elastic band...they have worked well with us and fly like a field point.

 

[sneakem]

I have seen the NAP expandables open on grass, twigs, thick paper, about anything they hit. I don't think the concern should be will they open, biggest concern is if they hit something and open before they get to the target. Don't really think that would be a concern because a fixed blade would have the same result hitting an object before the target, bye bye arrow! with the kenetic energy and speeds of bows today, I think it would be adviseable to use expandables. A lot of guys are getting pass throughs with carbons and high speed bows, and that means one cut and one cut only. The expandables by far have a larger cutting diameter, thus more damage on a pass through. However if I were shoot aluminums or lower poundage slower bows I would stick with a fixed because your most likely leave an arrow to turn inside and probably not going to pass through. You hear all kinds of horror stories, but I've seen both bad and good for both. Most of the situations that each fail, 90% chance it was the shooter taking a poor percentage shot, not the broadhead. Shoot them and then make a decision on your personal preference...What's best for you and what you feel most confident with!

 

[Tinman]

How do the expandables you guys shoot perform on quartering away shots?

 

[sneakem]

LAST EDITED ON Mar-17-05 AT 09:49AM (MST)[p]I've watched a friend of mine take an antelope out of the blind, quartered to him....Shot just behind the front shoulder, went lengthwise out the ham on the opposite side....pass through... However I personally will wait for broadside or quartering away shot....Higher percentage shot...Hit more vitals. I personally haven't had problems with quartering shots and expandables..

 

[elk_horn]

Quartering away with the steelhead expandable works great! Never had a problem with this broadhead!

 

[bowhuntwa]

Ok lets look at it from a different perspective. I think if i had a choice to be shot by a broadhead i think i would choose a fixed blade because it would do less damage. I think 1 3/16" hole would do less damage than a 2 to 2 1/2" hole. Hope you catch my drift w/o thinking im weird. I personally would shoot a mechanical due to excellent arrow flight, but they are illegal in my state and the only ones who suffer from that law are the wounded animals.

 

[BOHNTR]

bowhuntwa:

Well, I don't know if I agree with your general statement on broadhead damage and here's why. I've been arrowing critters for close to 30 years now with ALL types of heads and one thing I've learned is wounded animals are generally a result of poor arrow placement and NOT the broadhead design or cutting diameter. ANY broadhead that enters both lungs of an animal will put it down, regardless of the cutting diameter and/or design.

With all the new expandables and replaceable blade heads out there, there's still been more critters killed with 2-bladed Bear Razors and Zwickeys than probably any other head out there. Simply because they've been around for years and they are tried and true.

If you like and trust exapandables (I only trust a few) and they work for you, then shoot them if they're legal in your area. But the reality is, they don't provide "more" advantage over conventional heads if both are placed in the right spot. Both will have the same result. Just my .02. Have fun and good luck.

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

 

[quickdrawkinker]

Fixed blade broadheads are a much more fail-safe setup as long as they are being shot out of a well tuned bow. If a bow is out of tune then it will become quite evident if you try to shoot a fixed head out of it. This can be misconstrude as being the fault of the broadhead. Something else to think about is the penetration factor, the blades on the fixed head are generally a lot stronger since they don't have any moving parts. I'd much rather have a 1" cutting diameter from a head that is going to hold up and give me a complete pass-through rather than a mechanical head that has a 3" cutting diameter that has weak blades and no pass-throughs. Like Bohntr said as long as you poke a hole in both lungs it's a done deal and it sure makes tracking easier when you have two open holes instead of one hole that is plugged up by an arrow. Something to think about........

 

[DallanC]

Ditto GrimReapers.

Incredibly strong and they have a small spring that keeps the blades closed instead of rubber bands... they open up fast and worked great on my last buck.


-DallanC

 

[redelkarcher]

Thanks everyone for all the input ya'll. I am pretty sure that I am gonna switch over to the mechanicals. The last two years I have had some bad luck w/ the muzzy's. I have had some deflection problems. Every one I hunt with uses rocket steel heads and I have seen lots of success, so I might give em' a whirl. Thanks again
Redelkarcher>>>------------->