fixed vs mechanical broad heads?

[Apocalypse_now]

What's everyones opinions on mechanical broad heads over fixed blades? benefits, downfalls, preferred brands and what-not. I'm new to bowhunting and looking for some experienced insight. whats the deal?

[jacobin]

Here is an old thread that should cover what you want to know.

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showt...+vs+mechanical

[Apocalypse_now]

thanks

[Don K]

Look at Grim Reapers. They are awesome. Shot a 7' book bear last year, end for end and it passed thru! Deer, elk, bear, moose and my buddy took his bison with them. No issues ever, even on hard quartering shots. Would never go back to fixed.

[heretohunt]

IMO use fixed unless you have to use mechanicals, though lots of people have been successfull with mechanicals and they are getting a lot better.

[TOG]

These days any good broadhead will do its job if you do yours and put it in the right spot. Some thing you might want to consider is, how much energy are you throwing? Mechanical BH are great these days, and most of them are very dependable. But fixed heads are alot better these days as well, the good ones are flying alot better.

With my self I have a short draw length which directly effects the amount of eneergy I am able to throw. Because of this I stick to a fixed cut on contact head so I can get as much penitration as possible. Would a mechanical head work for me? You bet it would, but for me, shooting the fixed C on C just puts my mind at ease knowing That I am going to get as much to, and through the animal as I possible can.

I shoot Magnus stingers. Others I like: Slick Tricks. G5's all of them.

For mechanical. I have seen amazing kill shots done with Grim Reapers.

Pick the one that shoots good out of your set up, and gives you confidence.

[mulecrazy]

I prefer fixed. My choice is the slick tricks. Fly perfect every time. It puts my mind at ease knowing that when the arrow hits it is already cutting and there is no chance something has gone wrong with the broadhead (not opening). My WT only went about 20 yards before falling over dead, and my mulie went about 80 yards with a shot that was a bit low (just below the heart).

[jim-bo]

You can't go wrong with either honestly, its a little bit of give and take. I often find myself on both sides of the argument, they'll both work.

There is always been a stigma around mechanicals, I have had nothing but success with them. There is also a simplicity around fixed heads, if it ain't broke don't fix it.

How have I tried to make up my mind... about $40 at a time I like the see how they work and make my own decision.

For example, I had a conversation with a gentleman on the weekend about how his friend's NAP spitfires did not open on his deer... Went 150 yards before expiring. I showed the gentleman a photo of a squirrel I had shot earlier this season, all three blades opened and the head preformed flawlessly... on a squirrel.

They all work... its about where you put it.

[Supermag]

DNorthernsniper uses Rage broadheads. Iv'e seen pics of the wounds that they inflict. Devastating! Looks like a hatchet fired out of a cannon hit the animals!

[newell]

i use a tekan t3 mainly because they dont need to fold over backwards on themselves. they require less energy to open which may not be that important with a straight shot but if the deer is quartering on a angle even the smallest amount it will not put the same force on the broadhead making it less likely for the rage style to open. having said all of that i think if you are taking a good ethical shot any quality broadhead should do the trick.

[Stinky Coyote]

i talked the guy who got me into bowhunting years ago to try the grim reapers this year after my 65 yrd whitetail last year, i've only taken a doe this year (64 yrds) but he took a cow moose at 72 yrds, p&y muley buck at 74 yrds and a spoon and cricket 4x whitetail at say 35 yrds, everything has been a pass through with short recovery that i just listed above....scary thing is we are shooting wimpy bows this year, his specialist draws 58.75 lbs and my mr7 with the 60lb limbs is 59 something....the 65 yrd whitetail buck i tested on last year was with a 70 lb monster xlr8 however so a pass through was pretty much guaranteed on that one....was surprised to hear the pass through on the moose though

standard 1 3/8" reapers, i'm using razortips and i believe he is using the razor cuts and i think his deer were with the 1 3/4" cut but the moose 1 3/8"

my buddy is not a guy easily convinced but i think the reapers are winning him over, he still thinking about going back to cut on contact style fixed but hard to ignore the performance we are seeing from the reapers in essentially our proving phase....they fly with our field points to 80 yrds on both bows and i'm steering mine with blazer x2's helical and him standard 4" with wicked helical (those will steer anything...but he's old school)

[bowtech3006]

Originally Posted by mulecrazy

I prefer fixed. My choice is the slick tricks. Fly perfect every time. It puts my mind at ease knowing that when the arrow hits it is already cutting and there is no chance something has gone wrong with the broadhead (not opening). My WT only went about 20 yards before falling over dead, and my mulie went about 80 yards with a shot that was a bit low (just below the heart).

Find the tricks have to shallow a cutting angle & don't get near the penetration of thunderheads or razorcaps the steeper the blade angle the more penetration in physics opinion.

[Stinky Coyote]

ha, update, i shot two more deer this season and my buddy one more, all of them we watched drop....fantastic performance on 4 animals each now over 2 seasons, can't complain

grim reapers, watch'em drop!

[Lefty-Canuck]

Originally Posted by Stinky Coyote

ha, update, i shot two more deer this season and my buddy one more, all of them we watched drop....fantastic performance on 4 animals each now over 2 seasons, can't complain

grim reapers, watch'em drop!

I have switched to these as well.

LC

[jim-bo]

Originally Posted by bowtech3006

Find the tricks have to shallow a cutting angle & don't get near the penetration of thunderheads or razorcaps the steeper the blade angle the more penetration in physics opinion.

The blade angle is only one physic's equasion that pertains to penetration, and not that important of one. Penetration is a measurement into the chest cavity, not how far into the dirt the arrow goes.

The micro heads such a slick tricks provide a shorter head with less surface area that has better flight qualities at range than the longer counterparts.

[Stinky Coyote]

from memory on a study for say african requirements or just broadhead penetration period...the best ratio was 3 to 1, if you had a 1" diam cut diameter the blade length would be 3" long....this was the best penetrating....i believe blade angle had plenty to do with penetration and why the grim's can run with the fixed no problems, even with the trocar tip of the razortips...just sayin, chopping vs slicing...the steeper the blade angle the closer you get to 'chopping' (which requires way more force) than 'slicing'

[jim-bo]

That is correct Stink, but it is the traditional rule of thumb to use a head that is 3:1. It does aid penetration on lower poundage bows at lower velocities.

Many archer's still adhere to this rule, however the equipment has changed substancially and with modern equipment the need to maximize penetration is not as emphaiszed.

any edge, when coupled with pressure can cut, regardless of angle, however the more acute the angle, it exerts a smaller amount of surface area. When you actually look at mechanical heads, they "chop" as you put it. when you examine where the blade begins and ends and the distance from the medial line of the arrow, its not 3:1, howver from the point to the tip of the blade presents a larger ratio, it is not exactly true.

If penetration was a concern I would build my arrow accordingly. There are several other factors that need to be taken into account before the broadhead.

Mechanicals have come a long way, and yes they can hold their own with fixed blade's. Grim Reapers performance can be accounted for several different designs that both ehance the ferule profile and blade design that allow for deep penetration.

There is no perfect head, merely what becomes the best compromise.

[Stinky Coyote]

agree, happier with reapers than i was with montecs so far, i used montecs a long time, only 4 of my own with reapers so far with a partners 4 to reference also, not bad for a mech, i tried about 4 other popular mechs in past that also worked well, just didn't stick with them over the montec, these reapers i'm going to keep going until i see something i don't like...so far so good

[Artist]

I had a look at these broadheads a couple of years ago, but wasn't convinced...
http://www.arrowds.com/atom/atom.htm

I also just got a package of "Swhacker" broadheads, and again, have some reservations. I didn't realize it at first glance [my mistake], but the Swhacker only opens to it's large cutting diameter after its has penetrated. Initial entry wound is only about 1" which in the event of not achieving a pass-through, may result in a very small entry wound, and, therefore, a small bloodtrail as well.

[KENWORTH]

...couldnt convince me away from a G5 ever,....mecanicals are just junk IMHO....lost a huge white tail to a spitfire head years ago, because of the way the broadhead hit....he would be mounted and on my wall if it was a fixed head....my 2cents.....

[HoytAlpha35]

Guy I worked with did a pretty extensive broad head test for penetration and durability. This was a couple years back and I wish I had a copy of it, he found the rocket steelheads to be the best. I personally have only shot 6 animals with them, but I have made a couple bad shots and still recovered the animals. The worst damage to the broadhead has been one blade that bent a little. $30 a three pack I won't be changing anytime soon.

[remmy300]

Originally Posted by KENWORTH

...couldnt convince me away from a G5 ever,....mecanicals are just junk IMHO....lost a huge white tail to a spitfire head years ago, because of the way the broadhead hit....he would be mounted and on my wall if it was a fixed head....my 2cents.....

There is absolutely no comparison between a spitfire and a grim reaper. When I shot into block target with my PSE axe shooting 332 fps the blades or at least one of the blades onn the spitfire break off. I have seen dozens of critters shot with Grims, from buffalo moose elk, you name out. Don't knock em till u try it.

[Stinky Coyote]

Originally Posted by KENWORTH

...couldnt convince me away from a G5 ever,....mecanicals are just junk IMHO....lost a huge white tail to a spitfire head years ago, because of the way the broadhead hit....he would be mounted and on my wall if it was a fixed head....my 2cents.....

if its montecs you shoot i might be able to convince you, buddy sent a pic of three that had lost most of the broadhead to brittleness, pretty sure they came out of elk and maybe buff, he may see this thread and comment, i was surprised as i hadn't shot anything but big bodied muley bucks with perfect track record until that same year one cracked and lost back part of blade...the cs version would likely be much better choice for bigger than deer, i assume it would be more bendable and less brittle than the cast stainless versions...

guarantee you he would be mounted on your wall if it was a reaper...the reapers are in a league of their own when it comes to mechanicals, they have a reputation as good as any fixed head...for over a decade...if you research you'll see, its the only mechanical that has a reputation that good

[Stinky Coyote]

Originally Posted by HoytAlpha35

Guy I worked with did a pretty extensive broad head test for penetration and durability. This was a couple years back and I wish I had a copy of it, he found the rocket steelheads to be the best. I personally have only shot 6 animals with them, but I have made a couple bad shots and still recovered the animals. The worst damage to the broadhead has been one blade that bent a little. $30 a three pack I won't be changing anytime soon.

i shot one doe with these and it was a paint can blood trail, i was impressed, they are simple, tough and fly well, the only thing i don't like as with all of this design is the straight jacknife of the blades, like spitfires etc....the reapers suspension and laid back blade angle are the shizz for your nizz, i'd like choose the steelheads over spitfires if i had to choose but if reapers didn't exist i would be shooting fixed

[ShawnM]

Everyone has their preference when it comes to fixed vs. mechanical broadheads. As discussed many times there’s no right/wrong in the situation, just whatever you feel comfortable with. Each person has their own logical and sound reasons for going one way or the other. Make a choice based on your hunting style or assumptions and don’t look back.

My OWN opinion on the issue is that I use fixed because there’s far less variables in using them. I don’t have to think about ice, sap, twigs, etc. preventing them from opening properly. There’s no worry about them opening in the quiver or in mid-flight. With fixed I always know my cutting surfaces are all being presented at the point of impact. I don’t lose any energy from the opening of the broadhead; which one could easily argue that a fixed blade pass-through doesn’t make as efficient use of energy as a mechanical that doesn’t. I don’t have to keep them oiled and moving etc.

Basically I know that for myself a fixed broadhead does the job perfectly and with less to think about. So for me a fixed broadhead is the best solution. I use either Crimson Talons or Carbon Express F-15's, with a preference for the F-15's.

[Jameson340]

wow, suprized to see all the positive feed back on the grim reapers, i shot a doe with one last year right behind the front shoulder, picked up my arrow and found that all 3 blades were gone, found the doe 300 yards from where i shot her. I have since switched to slick trick fixed blade broadheads, very happy with them, i made a bad shot on my white tail buck this year and he only went 60 yards.

[Stinky Coyote]

u put that thing together wrong or some shizz, that is a freak occurance for a reaper although seen same thing from montecs, entire blades/cage bust off the threaded base...just a nub left...buddy sent me that pic and a couple more that busted off portions/blades....that surprised me too

i got cool pics this season of my 47 yrd doe broadhead performance, went out the offside paddle bone and just the tips of the blades hung up in paddle bone, tip of broadhead exited shoulder but did not break skin on other side, weird seeing blood on both sides when skinning but nothing on outside of hide, little tug with pliers and it came out (almost a pass through ), all of my recovered heads would be useable again, that one took rib on entrance also, clean cut through, it was a quartering away shot

will have to get around to uploading those pics for presentation, blade definitely do a number and the entrance wound would make any rage blush lol, got that pic too, the blood gushing out of that only hole was incredible to watch until she dropped in sight about 60 yrds recovery, my 64 yrd doe was pass thru and took ribs both sides but no shoulder, 59 lb draw, 368 gr arrow, close to 300 fps from memory

[mulecrazy]

Originally Posted by bowtech3006

Find the tricks have to shallow a cutting angle & don't get near the penetration of thunderheads or razorcaps the steeper the blade angle the more penetration in physics opinion.

I have never had a penetration problem

Anyhoo, Both bucks I have killed recently have had excellent penetration. 30yards on a WT buck complete pass through with the arrow sticking in the ground. this years mulie buck at 47 yards and arrow went all the way through and lodged in the opposite shoulder.

[Grizzlyman1980]

I Use 100 gr.2 Blade Rage Broadheads,2 Shots,2 Pass Thrus on 2 Bucks this Fall,one was a 31 yard Shot the other a 42 Yard shot,The old Man shot and dropped a 325 lbs Black Bear at 17 yards Pass thru and Dropped in Eyesight,Massive Blood Trails and Excellent Entry and Exit Holes,I Was never a Rage Guy,I Am now,They will be tipping my Arrows for years to come,And all three broadheads were still in Perfect Shape and Are Reusable,Just need the O-Rings,I Cant wait to try the Turkey Heads coming out Jan 1st.My opinion,Mechanicals are What i will be using my Whole Archery Career and im 31,But i have nothing bad to say about Fixed,Just a Choice.And my Buddy destroys everything with Reapers!

[Stinky Coyote]

my beef with rage are the handling of them and how easy it is to deploy via a bump, the fact that you need o-rings of any sort, and lack of robustness compared to the reaper, oh and the over marketed hype is a turn off too, congrats to your success this season