Mechanicals...???

[winzo]

I have a question: Why do you use mechanical broadheads?:peepwall:

[Colorado_Outfitter]

I dont!!!!

[outbackarcher]

I don't right now but I used to shoot them. I shot them because the ease of tuning and the lack of planing. I also liked the big holes that they cut. I shoot the G5 Stiker now and they fly extremely well out of my setup.

[30X]

The only time I use them anymore is turkey hunting. For our hogs and deer I like to stick with a four blade fixed head. I don't want sny more than necessary that could give me any kind of problems. Forget cut and hole, it is all about shot placement.

[KARBON]

I DON'T AND WON'T

I played with some of the "in" mechs last year...I didn't care for the amount of penetration.

I'm more than happy with the 4 blade slick tricks.

[winzo]

Here in South Africa they have become fairly popular. I don't like them and don't shoot them either. Just one more thing that can go wrong.
I also think that they are the easy way out of tuning a bow properly. Sadly, that sometimes is not always the cheapest way out.
Penetration is always adversly affected when the arrows are not flying straight and have a wobble to them. They may hit the target with field point or mechanicals but the penetration is no good because of bad arrow flight..... my 2c worth.....

[jksnvly]

I went back to a fixed head this past year. But the prior 2 seaons I shot Grim Reapers. I took 4 deer. All pass throughs, none went further than 40 yards. Very impressive broadhead. May use one again this year...

[TX Rattlesnake]

I have had better results with mechs staying in the turkey better. Only thing I shoot mechs at.

[3drchr]

for those of you that think expandables do not penetrate and are not durable, read this article.www.bowonlyoutdoors.com/broadheads.html I was suprised.

[buxndux]

I've used Grim Reaper expandables shortly after they came out. Only time I haven't had a complete pass thru is when I hit one in the spine. I only shoot 62#'s. I like the big cutting diamaters they have and short blood trails.

[Bweger]

I shoot Rage 2 blade broad heads and until I got my GTO I was getting pass throughs with a bow set at 59 pounds. I shoot them cause when I have to trail an animal it is nice to have a blood trail you can see with your eyes shut. Also I like the fact that with the big cutting area if your shot is just slightly off the animal still doesn't go very far.

[carcus]

I shoot snyper expandables for deer and bear, reason being they are very forgiving when I am hunting deer in late november up here in manitoba canada and bundled in heavy winter camo. I don't use them for elk or moose, for the larger critters I perfer a cut on contact, this year I will try silverflames for moose.

[champion2]

The Rocket Steelhead 3 blade 125 grain mechanical head works great for me. They are super tough with the short ferrule, awesome penetration, they fly great, can be shot thru the mesh of the blind unlike some other mechs, and the blood trails are amazing. No need for me to shoot another head. Most of my setups produce around 63-64 lbs of Kenetic energy. I cant remember the last time I did not get a pass thru???

[shootstraight]

I've used both over the years and don't see much advantage on penetration on either end. I've had arrows not pass through using both. I've had plenty of pass throughs using both as well. I like the fact of an arrow that doesn't plane "at all". I feel I'm more accurate with the expandable and accuracy is more important to a clean kill than other things.

[Rattler]

I plan on trying the Rage 2 blade this year.

[TxHunter]

Rage 2 blade for me until I got my GTO. Now I am going to try and find some 125 gr. heads I like.

[Rattler]

I am getting some fixed bladed heads that will leave a hole the same size as a Rage 2 blade. They are $$$$ though!

[Maybee-R]

I just test shot some NAP Spit fire xp I put them on my 3/d arrows, they were spot on. I cant believe how easy it was. this is great I can go to a shoot, screw them on and turkey hunt on the way home.

[theshocker]

I really like the cutting diameter and the blood trail it produces.

[shootstraight]

I just test shot some NAP Spit fire xp I put them on my 3/d arrows, they were spot on. I cant believe how easy it was. this is great I can go to a shoot, screw them on and turkey hunt on the way home.

This is what I've been using.

[cordwood]

I used rocket sidewinders for many a year. I had mixed results...some blew thru and stuck in the ground, some hit good but got terrible penetration, and quite a few got an exit but not a complete passthru resulting in alot of broken arrows. I lost faith/confidence in them and went back to fixed heads. If I went back to mechs, Id like to try the 2bld rage, the grim reapers, and spitfires. But for now im sticking with fixed heads...Im just glad some of the 'new generation' fixed heads like STs and G5s fly so good!

[archer1983]

I used Rage this past season with good success. This year I will probably try Montecs, strikers or ST's :noidea:

[frazier2019]

I SHOOT THE RAGE 2 BLADE. I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THEM. BEFORE THEY CAME OUT I WAS NOT TO THRILLED WITH MECHANICAL, DUE TO HOW THE OPEN HALF THE TIME. BUT WITH THE RAGE, I KNOW WHEN IT HITS THE ANIMAL IT IT TKO TIME.:2thunbs::2thunbs::2thunbs:

[Rackaholic]

used montecs last year, this year will try Rage 2 blades, seen polaroids of the awesome wound channels they produced

[Sable]

I see from the posts in this thread that quite a few of you guys are very much against the use of mechanicals. I was too, until last year's hunt in South Africa, where I tried the NAP Scorpion XP for the first time. I shot 8 animals on that trip with this broadhead, and all the shots were clean pass-throughs. Among the animals were Waterbuck, Gemsbuck, Zebra and Kudu, i.e. fairly big animals. Still the Scorpion XP worked flawlessly. I must add that I was very careful with shot angles, though. By this, I don't mean to say that they are the best solution in every hunt situation, but they surely impressed me.

[Meleagris1]

I agree with the above post. I am a big fan of the Scorpion XP's. I've used them since they came out and have taken a lot of game with them myself.

I also just recently took the new No. 2 and No. 4 typical archery turkeys in NY with Rocket Slammerheads (1.75" cut 3 blade mech).

Why do I use Mechs? Because at times they are the perfect tool for the task at hand. I'll be Elk hunting in Idaho this year, and while I would feel confident using Scorpion XP's (illegal in ID) I will be shooting G5 Strikers.

Pick the best tool for the game you are hunting and your equipment, and try not to let ignorance get in the way of making a well informed decision.

[dajcentex]

the ease of set up and the gigantic hole the rages make! never have deer go very far and thats what is important to me. I love watching them fall.

[29@62lbs]

I've used Grim Reaper expandables shortly after they came out. Only time I haven't had a complete pass thru is when I hit one in the spine. I only shoot 62#'s. I like the big cutting diamaters they have and short blood trails.
Same for me, paper tune bow just don't want to deal with shooting fixed blades to see how they fly. Knowing my grim reapers fly just fine.

[tim doll]

I wouldn't mind trying them out but I primarily hunt elk and I prefer a cut on contact head .

[2xR]

I look at it this way, K.I.S.S. A mechanical is just one more thing that "could" go wrong... I know you guys haven't had an issue, but any variable that I can remove from the equation, the better. I don't want to worry about whether or not my mechanical is going to open like it is supposed to... No matter how good they are, eventually they WILL fail. Everything mechanical does. With a cut on contact, that is one less variable... This is just my humble opinion, but I'll stick with the K.I.S.S. principal and my Slick Trick's...

[ropadop]

I shot NAP thunderheads for many years. In calm to light winds, they were very accurate when my bow was well tuned. In medium to high winds, the planing would become a problem...like 6" to 8" deviation beyond 25 yds. With todays faster bows and carbon arrows, I want my broadheads to perform in accuracy as close to my field tips as possible in all conditions. Therefore, I shoot mechanicals (wasp jakhammer 1 1/4" cut or grim reaper) because I am mostly concerned with accurate shot placement. I have also considered some of the mini-heads like Wasp boss bullet and Slick tricks, but I like the blade angle and more cutting surface on the mechanicals. If you think your fixed blade heads don't plane, try shooting them in a decent cross wind at 30 or 40 yards. I would like to hear about your results. Of course, if you hunt mostly on calm days...fixed blade heads do shoot well from a tuned bow at hunting distances.

[meyerske]

I shoot mechs because they work well on the game I am hunting (whitetails). Penetration is simply not an issue on whitetails with a properly placed broadhead and the gear I'm using. Like it or not, mechs are unparalleled in accuracy.

I did my own cross-wind test using a Muzzy 4-blade, Slick Trick, and Wasp Jak-Hammer mech (1-1/4 cutting diam). I shot at 40 yards with a moderate left-to-right cross-wind (moderate meaning it was not enough to move my bow arm at full draw). If I made a bad release, I did not count the shot. Each shot was my best attempt at getting the arrow dead center in the target. The Muzzy grouped about 12 inches to the right. The Slick Trick grouped about 5 inches to the right. The Wasp grouped about an inch to the right. I was using Easton Axis arrows with Blazer vanes and shooting approx 300 fps, perfectly tuned.

I was impressed with the performance of the Slick Trick until I did the cross-wind test. It does plane under certain conditions and I believe that any fixed blade would do the same. It has to by design.

So, I could use the Slick Trick and limit my shot distance to maybe 25 yards if I recognized in the heat of the moment that I was shooting through a cross-wind. Or I could use the Wasp Jak-Hammer and shoot out to 40 yards and know that I would not be affected by a moderate cross-wind.

I've been using the Jak-Hammer for about 8 years and I've had fantastic performance with it. Most deer drop in sight. The head is as tough as they come and it leaves huge holes. I used it for turkey hunting this year and my gobbler went about 10 yards and dropped like it was hit with a shotgun.

My question would be: with this data and experience, why would I NOT use a mechanical? There are bad mechanicals out there just like there are bad fixed-blade heads out there. Believe me, I've tried many heads over the past 25 years and when you find a good one, stick with it.

I would recommend not using a mechanical with 1-1/2 inch or larger cutting diameter. For the most part, that's where mech penetration issues lie...unnecessarily large cutting diameters. Stick with 1 to 1-3/8 inch cutting diameter on all broadheads, mech or fixed.

My opinion.

[ntypicl11]

Last year I spent the bucks and got some expandables. excellent flight characteristics. No problem passing thru my target dead on with blades still folded in on other side, threw them in the trash. It is all shot placement. one of my nephews shot a deer last year with a target tip, (oops), grabbed the wrong arrow. It went about 65 yards. I don't condone doing this, but after all, it was a mistake, and he got his deer. Heart shot.

[Slugger]

I look at it this way, K.I.S.S. A mechanical is just one more thing that "could" go wrong... I know you guys haven't had an issue, but any variable that I can remove from the equation, the better. I don't want to worry about whether or not my mechanical is going to open like it is supposed to... No matter how good they are, eventually they WILL fail. Everything mechanical does. With a cut on contact, that is one less variable... This is just my humble opinion, but I'll stick with the K.I.S.S. principal and my Slick Trick's...
Is that why you use a rest with a spring and a cord?:flush::thumb::kick::slap: sorry had to say it, you left it wide open:nenner:

[ntypicl11]

My cord for a drop-away broke during season last year, during some practice shots at my block, that part I WILL take a chance on!

[DOAGuide]

I don't and won't. Fixed blades work better for ME!

[meyerske]

Last year I spent the bucks and got some expandables. excellent flight characteristics. No problem passing thru my target dead on with blades still folded in on other side, threw them in the trash. It is all shot placement. one of my nephews shot a deer last year with a target tip, (oops), grabbed the wrong arrow. It went about 65 yards. I don't condone doing this, but after all, it was a mistake, and he got his deer. Heart shot.Which head? Are you sure that it did not open and then the momentum from the arrow stopping closed the blades? (this was clearly shown in the Grim Reaper DVD)

[Jack12]

What are prefer to use 2 or 3 blades with Mech ?

Thank you !.

[L-train]

I usually carry 1 mech, for longer or windy shots I will carry one. Ive used Rockets and snypers with success. Plus will use on grouse(judo tip during elk) or yotes that make the mistake of comin too close.

[ntypicl11]

Which head? Are you sure that it did not open and then the momentum from the arrow stopping closed the blades? (this was clearly shown in the Grim Reaper DVD)
If I tell you the name I'll have 300 people jumping on me, telling me it did not happen with that brand. I'll give you a clue, the rubber binder was still holding them closed. Yeah the Rage are all the rage in this area, but I will stick to my fixed, heard of the trouble with not expanding with all types. When you have that (shot of a lifetime) come by, anything can and will happen, Murphys law. Expandables can get something jammed in them, ie. hair, tallow, dirt, whatever, just won't take that chance anymore.

[2Racks]

I have a question: Why do you use mechanical broadheads?:peepwall:



I used Muzzys from the day I learned to shoot a bow.............one day I saw the damage that a RAGE 2 blade did to a deer a friend shoot and I switched and never looked back. Being a low poundage shooter having something that does that kind of damage helps alot.

[2xR]

Is that why you use a rest with a spring and a cord?:flush::thumb::kick::slap: sorry had to say it, you left it wide open:nenner:


Well, everything is an opportunity cost and for that, decisions have to be made... But since you brought it up. I have been experimenting with the Whammy as an inertia rest.

Now, of course this means that if you target panic when you are in the heat of the moment and forget to mechanically raise the arrow rest you are screwed, but I am playing with it...

[Slugger]

Well, everything is an opportunity cost and for that, decisions have to be made... But since you brought it up. I have been experimenting with the Whammy as an inertia rest.

Now, of course this means that if you target panic when you are in the heat of the moment and forget to mechanically raise the arrow rest you are screwed, but I am playing with it...
you know there is a rest called the hostage pro and another called the wisker biscuit that are really great full containment rests for hunting with no moving parts, they are really new so you probly havent heard of them.:movehorse:http://www.bowhunterssuperstore.com/images/OCTHOSTPRO.jpghttp://www.trophyridge.com/images/rests/whisker-biscuit-dx.jpg

[2xR]

Hostage has intrigued me... Bisquit will just slow me down and it is to ugly for an Elite IMHO. I should have qualified that I shoot FOBs, so for now these just won't cut it...Thanks though slugger.

[Slugger]

Hostage has intrigued me... Bisquit will just slow me down and it is to ugly for an Elite IMHO. I should have qualified that I shoot FOBs, so for now these just won't cut it...Thanks though slugger.
no problem RENO 911

[jwg1976]

I only shoot mechs for turkeys

[carcus]

I like the forgiving arrow flight, I use them for deer and bear, I switch over to cut on contact heads for the larger game. The only mech for me is the snyper 2 blade, I have around 25 kills with them without a flaw.

[loomis]

I shoot them i have shot deer from as close as 7 yards out to 60yards,with the nap shockwave mechanical and complete pass threw on all of them,I have saw all kinds of broadhead failures,on both side, broken blades to broken furrels,if you shoot 70lbs with about that in kinitic energy you dont have any trouble with pass threws,Like i said i have shot both kinds and had failures in both,I have had muzzy failure,rocket,wasp,trophy ridge,exspandables that are bullet proof that i shoot are,NAP shockwave and spitfire,Rockymountain snyper,had bad issues with the first run of the rage line,so i have not tried the new ones,The ones i listed have shot through shoulder bones intact with no blade loss or furrel damage,a buddy of mine shot the grim rippers with great results,all will do their job if you shots are perfect but in hunting thats not all ways what you get so the ones i have listed are the ones that work best for me it my opinion,I will be testing out the new rockymountain blitz this year great flight,with pin point accurracey,

[bowman_79]

i like them i need no other reason

[29@62lbs]

Grim Reaper Mechanicals.......

['Ike']

I've shot deer and Turkeys with them, one of my favorites...For me and tunings not an issue they fly like darts and pack a punch :boxing2: leaving a big hole which I really like for Turkeys..

[ALM0093]

Try looking at the videos of Undertakers at Trophyridge.com

[Scablands]

Mechanicals are not legal in Wa. so I'll probably stay withe the 100 gr Montecs, they have served me well the last two years. I did pick up 6 Magnus Stingers to try.

[Diamond_Victory]

I shoot 2" rage because there is no tuning, easy to shoot, accurate for long distances. Also like fixed blade, just not the small cutting diameter.

[the reaper]

cause they fly nice

[bloodtrail1]

I shot mechanicals for years and had great luck with them.
I shot them as I bought into the fact that they flew like a field tip, and you could get some wider cuts. The Rocket Sidewinder was my favorite with the 1 1/2" cut and did the job!

[montec]

I have used 100 grain spitfires 515 grain arrow, 32 inch draw @ 68 pounds, 265 fps for 2 seasons now. Also slick tricks,montecs and strikers.

The spitfires have never let me down ever. Impressive flight, holes, blood trails and pass throughs on wildebeest! Strikers break blades, montecs are great but noisy. Slick tricks are fantastic at lower speeds.

I am in the process of purchasing a xxl in 32 inch draw in 80 lb. I intend setting her at about 74 lb and acording to my calculations should launch a 500 arrow at about 300 fps. I will only use spitfires out of this set up. Will be great on all thin skinned african game.