Make sure you get your arrows spine correct for you as well. I had the same issue and even after trying to broadhead tune it just wouldn't line up. Got some Maxima Reds to rule out spine issues and what do you know...flying right with the field points now. With the new cams in todays bows I think most charts are still underspined for the specs of the bows. Chill R and slick tricks are what I am shooting. Good luck
Fixed vs Mechanical
- Thread starter Slugz
- Start date
Work2hunt
Veteran member
As was stated, typically with fixed blades you will need to tune your arrow and bow set up. Field points and mechanical broadheads are more forgiving and typically you can just shoot them both with minimal tuning.
Another plug for ensuring your bow is tuned to perfection. Makes a world of difference and the article Scott referenced is spot on perfect.
I saw that the Grim Reapers come with a exact non opening practice head also. I like the idea of that a lot.
Bonecollector
Veteran member
This is true. The practice heads are nice.
I've tried most broad heads on the market. I have a friend that owns a local shop.
The Grim Reapers have always impressed me due to the 3 blade/ wound channel, ease of blade opening, and the superior accuracy.
I practice with them out to 150 yds. I think that alone speaks for itself concerning accuracy....
I won't get into a debate about which head is the best, but I've yet to see many that hold up the reapers. Rage Hypodermic has potential, but the 2 blades is debatable. And yes, I've used and killed with them.
I've tried most broad heads on the market. I have a friend that owns a local shop.
The Grim Reapers have always impressed me due to the 3 blade/ wound channel, ease of blade opening, and the superior accuracy.
I practice with them out to 150 yds. I think that alone speaks for itself concerning accuracy....
I won't get into a debate about which head is the best, but I've yet to see many that hold up the reapers. Rage Hypodermic has potential, but the 2 blades is debatable. And yes, I've used and killed with them.
I've been a G5 Montec guy forever. I just don't like the fact now a days I cant get them razor sharp due to the angle they come out of the box. I'm torn with all these elk hunting shows on tv and the guys are dropping animals with what seems to be always using a mechanical.
Bone Collector, how have the Grim Reapers held up on elk size animals?
Bone Collector, how have the Grim Reapers held up on elk size animals?
Bonecollector
Veteran member
I drew about 5 times on a 9 day archery elk hunt in NM last year, but sadly, did not get to stick one. However, I have tested them by shooting about everything else. lol
I have shot them threw my 55 gallon burn barrel and continued to use them. Last year I shot a doe at 75 yds and it stuck into a tree. I worked it out and used it again. However, I won't say I've never broken or bent a blade. It does happen. No blade in invincible. I've bent fixed blades.
I have shot them threw my 55 gallon burn barrel and continued to use them. Last year I shot a doe at 75 yds and it stuck into a tree. I worked it out and used it again. However, I won't say I've never broken or bent a blade. It does happen. No blade in invincible. I've bent fixed blades.
Well, I've never shot an elk with a bow...so take this for what it's worth. I've shot numerous whitetail with a bow. Mechanicals and fixed. Tuning is a no brainer between most mechanicals and field points. When mechanicals first came out I tried some, don't even remember the brand. It had a long point that pushed back on contact, into the body of the broadhead, and deployed the blades. Not a very good design. Well I shot a deer broadside/double lung and never deployed. Fully pass through and the deer fell over about 50 yds away. I did see the deer fall over, and not a great blood trail. That arrow basically acted like a field point. My point is I believe that it really doesn't matter all that much mech or fixed as long as the shot is good. Now a marginal shot is a different story. IMO as long as the broadhead can pass through hide and ribs maintaining most of it's integrity you'll be good to go with a well placed arrow.
mallardsx2
Veteran member
- Jul 8, 2015
- 3,923
- 3,243
Muzzy 4-blade 90Gr.
Why on earth would anyone shoot a mechanical broadhead? With all of the things that can go wrong while hunting why would you involve a mechanical device on the one thing that should be the simplest most bulletproof part of your hunt??? I never understood that and never wil.
I know a lot of people who have had major problems using mechanical s shooting deer. Even after I had this very conversation with them. The answer is always "The fly like my field points"...I just shake my head. It shows their inexperience with archery gear.
I had a buddy go moose hunting with me one year and he showed up with Rage broadheads. I made him switch out his broadheads to my muzzies or I wasn't going to call for him. I didn't want anything to do with his setup wounding an animal in the bush in the center of Canada. Some minor tuning and a half-hour later he was hitting water bottles floating in the lake at 60 yards.
Why on earth would anyone shoot a mechanical broadhead? With all of the things that can go wrong while hunting why would you involve a mechanical device on the one thing that should be the simplest most bulletproof part of your hunt??? I never understood that and never wil.
I know a lot of people who have had major problems using mechanical s shooting deer. Even after I had this very conversation with them. The answer is always "The fly like my field points"...I just shake my head. It shows their inexperience with archery gear.
I had a buddy go moose hunting with me one year and he showed up with Rage broadheads. I made him switch out his broadheads to my muzzies or I wasn't going to call for him. I didn't want anything to do with his setup wounding an animal in the bush in the center of Canada. Some minor tuning and a half-hour later he was hitting water bottles floating in the lake at 60 yards.
Hilltop
Veteran member
I think you will always find people on both sides of this fence and I don't believe either is wrong. I have shot mechanical broadheads exclusively for 20+ years. I have taken over 100 big game animals, including several elk, with them and have zero complaints. A razor sharp anything in the boiler room kills... Hunter just has to do his job.
Hilltop, what mechanicals do you have experience with on elk and what is your bow setup? I am trying to get an idea of what type of energy is sufficient for elk and mechanicals. I recently bought some rage hypodermics for turkey and am thinking about using them for other bigger game.
Agree with that 100%......I think in the last 10 years also the technology and manufacturing has made them a considerable amount better.
Hilltop
Veteran member
I currently use Cabela's Laser Strike 2 broadheads. They run $19.99 per 3.
I have used Spitfire, Grim Reaper, Satellite, Rage, and some other off brands. All worked fine but I prefer my current heads to all of them. My current bow is a PSE X-Force set at 69 pounds and 30" draw length. I have used mechanical heads with my last 4 bows with no issues- all typically set at 65-75 pounds.
As I have increased my shooting distance over the past 10 years I have consistantly had better results at the longer shots using Mechanicals. I haven't given up on fixed heads and am currently shooting them every day getting ready for this years hunt. However..
I have used the Rage Hyper on my last 2 elk the first bull was a text book shot and a short tracking job, the second bull was hit far back we backed out went in the next morning and found him after a short tracking job. So I have had good results but would prefer a fixed head.
I have used the Rage Hyper on my last 2 elk the first bull was a text book shot and a short tracking job, the second bull was hit far back we backed out went in the next morning and found him after a short tracking job. So I have had good results but would prefer a fixed head.
laxwyo
Very Active Member
People need to take care of their mechanicals and make sure they're in working order, just like a fixed.
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Hilltop
Veteran member
I agree- Many of the issues I have heard about involved some form of negligence on the hunters part.
FitToHunt
Active Member
Washington legalized expandables last year so I made the switch. I went with the Rage Hypodermic 100gr and took a 5x5 elk at 77 yards. Those heads did a great job. Flew exactly like my field tips.
Thanks everyone for the input. Im making some arrows for the kid as we speak. Easton Axis with added weight inserts/Blazers/Nocturnal nocks and some Rage Hypodermics for Antelope and Muleys this year. Im most likely gonna stick with my 100gr CS G5 Montecs for another season. Good luck this fall!