Mechanical vs. Fixed Broadheads

[Hornhunter]

Currently preparing for my first elk hunt ever and plan to pack the bow. Wondering who has had experience with successfully harvesting an elk with a bow and what kind of broad head they used.

I currently shoot mechanical but always have the thought in my head they could fail. I also only use these on whimpy whitetail and not arguably one of the toughest big game animals. So, what do you shoot and have you had success? What are your horror stories?

I am sure there will be both but just thought it would be an interesting topic.

 

[Montana]

Holy Hanna...

 

[Hornhunter]

good talk... I see you are from Montana, still snowing?

 

[Montana]

Snowed yesterday. 70 tomorrow

 

[packmule]

My only horror story with mechanicals was on a doe I shot (hit ribs) at 20yds with a wasp jackhammer. The o-ring didn't let the blades deploy. I watched her fall, but I haven't shot mechanicals since.

 

[tdcour]

I haven't shot fixed blades yet. I'm a rage guy for right now, but I am planning an elk hunt in NM for 2014 and will be putting on fixed blade broadheads for that. With an animal that big, I want a cut on contact broadhead that will give me more confidence on the shot. I know there are people that shoot expandables and there is no problem with that, but I won't get to go elk hunting very often so I really don't want a faulty broadhead to mess it up. If I have to blame something for messing a shot up, I want it to be me and not a broadhead that didn't expand or didn't penetrate well or something like that.

 

[Hornhunter]

what brand of fixed broadhead do you suggest? those are my exact fears, I will make enough mistakes on my own on this hunt I just don't want the equipment I am using to make it worse.

 

[tdcour]

what brand of fixed broadhead do you suggest? those are my exact fears, I will make enough mistakes on my own on this hunt I just don't want the equipment I am using to make it worse.

Use the search feature in the forum and search for "broadhead". That will bring up a lot of information for you. There are a lot of individuals on here that have been shooting longer than I have and have shot more broadheads than me. I'm shooting a 100 grain Muzzy MX3, but there area a ton of options out there.

 

[dhershberger]

I don't know how many times I've seen the mechanical vs. fixed broadhead debates on hunting forums. Usually turns into a Chevy vs. Ford typ of debate but I'll give my two cents. There is no one size fits all broadhead for archery. It really depends on personal preferance and also your setup. This year I will be shooting 4-blade Magnus stinger buzzcuts. They fly like field points, have an unconditional lifetime warranty from Magnus, and you can send your broadheads to Magnus and they will sharpen them for free.

 

[packmule]

I'm a slick trick fan, like the shorter broadheads to balance more like field tips.

 

[MileHigh]

I like Ram Cat broad heads for elk, plus they make a deep six version. I used them on hogs and elk last season. No problems yet. On the other hand my brother uses Rage on everything and he has not had any problems either. IMO...it's what you like and what your bow likes.

 

[WapitiBob]

NAP spitfire is my #1
Thunderhead 125 #2.

 

[Snydly]

If it is man made it can fail... the more moving parts the more apt to fail. I would stick to fixed blade especially if it is an important hunt such as in another state, one you have to pay for or on anything bigger than and antelope.

 

[THelms]

Okay here is some groundbreaking, earth shattering news... if you put a sharp object into the soft spot behind an elk's shoulder and push it in hard enough to puncture one or more of the vital organs the elk will die! Okay, now that I got that out of my system... here tis.

I've shot elk with Rages and seen my buddies shoot elk with Rages along with plenty other people (Primos boys). I've been shooting them for a long time and love them for absolutely everything. With that said, a man couldn't go wrong with a fixed blade either (Fred Bear)! It truly is personal preference. Shot placement is the key!

 

[25contender]

I have been a Muzzy 125 MX3 fan for Elk since they first came out. I like the Stainless steel feral on the 125 instead of the Aluminum ferals that most broad heads have. That being said all conditions being perfect and placement is good all the time either will work. I just never seem to be find myself with those perfect conditions. I guess I operate on a worst case scenario when Elk Hunting. Mark

 

[Kent Anderson]

I have used the muzzy mx3s with great success and am now shooting the Magnus snuffer ss. Hard to pass up the lifetime replacement and like the way they shoot as well. Best of luck.


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[Bughalli]

Rage two blade is my go-to mechanical. Put many animals down with it. For states that don't allow mechanicals I tested a bunch of fixed blades and found Slick Tricks (standard size) flew the best.

 

[win264]

I shot mechanicals until I was on a stalk and hit a branch and it opened up, I shoot Slick Trick 100 magnums now and they have the same POI as my field points.

 

[Father&son_outdoorsman]

Fixed NAP hellrazors

 

[Elkhunter96]

I've had great success with slick trick standards 100 gr. for my set up, they fly exactly like my field points. I've only tested them to 70 yds, but they are accurate as fixed heads can be. They also are brutal on penetration on big bulls.