Fixed or mechanicals?

[elmore]

Ok, I am new to the bow hunting scene, which broadhead is better and why? Thanks for any help.

 

[Kirby]

I personally like Fixed blades, however this year I was shooting mechs, and found them to work well. I'd say less to go wrong with fixed, but I do find them harder to shoot well, kinda toss up. It really does come down to personal preference.

Kirby

When in doubt, floor it.

Diplomacy is the art of saying "nice doggy" until you find a big stick.

 

[Lien2]

I'm a fixed blade guy too. I have heard too many horror stories about Mech. I know, they work a lot of the time, but I WILL NOT have my shot of a lifetime come down to moving blades, rubber bands, etc.
Kirby - Try Slick Trick broadheads, they seem to fly VERY well! I've shot them out to 60 yards and they group great. Not to state the obvious, but make sure you bow is tuned, almost all b-heads should fly well if it is.

Lien2

 

[robinh00d]

i shoot fixed blades, dont want anything to go wrong at the right moment. i use thunderhead 100 grain broadheads

 

[cauch]

I would say fixed. Heard to many stories of how the big one got away because the mechanicals didnt perform how they should have.

 

[cpugsie]

Mechanicals when legal, Rocky Mountain Snyper is the only mechanical to shoot. Wackems where mechanicals are banned.

 

[Zigga]

Don't buy mechanicals! Any questions?

 

[Silentstalker]

I witnessed a shot last week on a late season cow elk shot at 18 yards with a mechanical broadhead. The bow was set at 70 pounds and the arrow struck the shoulder dead on. The arrow penetrated 1 inch past the BH and fell out of the shoulder. Would a fixed blade have penetrated? I don't know. I have seen some that have. Either way I would never shoot a mechanical. Shot placement is key which ever you choose, and Mechanicals create a massive wound channel when they work properly. Good luck to ya either way.

Chad

 

[azcoueshunter]

im probably the only one whos gonna say this and i might get bashed for it but oh well. i say mechanicals. ive shot many animals and theyve never given me or anyone i know a problem. i use a Vortex 75gr all the way!

azcoueshunter

 

[waridgerunner]

In Washington you cant shoot mechanicals for big game, that being said I havent used any mechanicals to date. I have used several different brands of fixed blade heads. Muzzy and Innerloc are by far the best as far as strength goes, atleast with what I've seen. I shot a whitie this year just a touch forward ( 100 gr innerloc) and my arrow went through one shoulder blade and actually stuck in the other shoulder blade. I pulled the arrow right back out of the entry wound and all the blades were still intact and not bent. Tough broadhead in my opinion.

 

[elmore]

Thanks for the input. From most of the comments, I can't see a reason to choose a mechanical, do they fly or group better?

 

[wfm]

I dont think it matters. I shot the old Satelite three blades for years and killed. Ive used Interlocks and killed and Muzzys and killed. I now shoot, and have shot for the last five years mechanicals. I truely beleive its all about the shot placement. People tend to aim for the shoulder. That front shoulder bone on most animals is a b12ch to go through. Behind the shoulder is where I try and place the shot. On your longer shots is where I notice more accuracy with mechanicals since there is no open blade to act like a sail and give you a flyer. Although you can twist your vanes a bit to help that problem on fixed blades.

 

[sixgunn]

I have experience with both heads as well. The last several years, I have shot Rocket Steelheads and have had great luck. I agree with the above post about shot placement. It doesn't matter what head you use if you make a bad shot. I can tell you though, I have had great success with mechanicals.

 

[dl19]

Fixed are far better. You don't have anything to worry about not working or half working. You need a lot of animals shot at different angles and distances to give a fair comparison. Simply watch the archery shows, and all the animals shot with different broadheads. Unless you have the ability to shoot numerous animals in a single year the TV is a very fast way to gather information. It will not take you very long to see how minimal the penatration is with mechanicals. As far as what Brand take your pick of the better quality brands. Simply tune your bow to the broad head and use helical fletching. My 100gr 3 blade Muzzy's shoot as well as field points, and have given complete pass throughs at 62 and 50yds with a 65#bow. The 62yd shot broke a rib going in and exited the offside shoulder blade dead center sticking into the frozen bank. The 50yd was a rib and a rib out. Both were mature MD grossing 174+,and 177+ officially not wishfull guessing. I have only archery hunted for three years, so I don't have a lot of kills with arrows. Just my minimal experiences.

 

[cpugsie]

Mechanicals will generally group better out of most bows particulary at longer distances. You simply have less area at the tip that can effect the arrows flight. With fixed heads you effect the arrows flight at the tail and the head. With a bad release or an untuned bow your arrows will not be as consistant. A bow that is tuned perfectly and shot perfectly with little to no cross wind will group fixed heads well also. But lets face it, A LOT of bows are not tuned the way they should be and hunting situations provide for less than perfect form. Why do you think Randy Ulmer shoots mechanical heads (Rocky Mountain Snypers)? I will agree that all mechanicals are not created equally. I personally shoot the Rocky Mountain Snyper because of it's unique caming design. You can read many articles about this head stating it's unique properties and it's penetration compared to other heads. I have many photos of entry wounds that are just amazing. Email me if you'd like me to send you some photos. This head just can't be beat!!! IMHO!! Keep in mind, most any head will do it's job if it can make it to it's intended target.

 

[Serrano]

I have gone back to mechanicals. I had poor penetration with Rocky Mountain Snypers in 2003. It was a twenty yard shot broadside with 270 fps. I only penetrated 1 lung and I searched 1 hour 'til dark and 4 hours in the morning. The bull was still alive when I found it. It may have been a fluke and the shot was higher than it should have been. Maybe I just need heavier arrows.
Ken