Can't beleive I'm sayin this, but give me some input.

[muzzyman88]

I really can't believe I'm saying this, but I finally think I'm coming around to the expandable head market after all the years with the Muzzy. What are the better expandables out there. My dad is using the Rockets out of a Xbow. Not real impressed with them Seem cheesy if you ask me.

Heck, I'm really not sure if my setups have enough KE for them for that matter.

Here's my setup:

Hoyt Xtec 65lb 28" draw
Easton Axis 27" with 100gr head total arrow weight is 385gr.
My string is clean. Just a loop, fletcher peep and leaches.

Enough KE?

[atlasman]

Why the change??

WASP JAK-HAMMER'S are pretty sweet.

Montec has a new mechanical head that looks awesome.

Rocky Snypers seem popular on the boards.

I like the looks of the NAP Scorpion but never used one.


Are you gonna change your name too??

[Matt / PA]

Muzz,
Don't knock the Rockets......they are extremely effective if you match the style head to your set-up and game you intend to hunt.

I have taken a BUNCH of deer with Rockets and they have been impressive. I typically shoot high end KE set-ups so I lean toward the larger cut stuff.......Sidewinders,Slammerheads,Miniblasters. They give me the combination of a large cutting diameter with terrific penetration.

With you set-up I would stay away from anything over 1.5" diameter in a typical lever open style head.
Probably the best Rocket suited for your set-up is the 100gr. Steelhead. Great penetration and a proven reliable head.
Glad to see Rocket is addressing the sharpness knocks too........I hope they also address the problems that they have had with threads/inserts. My newest packs of Slammerheads are nice and sharp.

I have used the NAP Scorpion and that might be a good choice for you. Very sharp, opens quickly and solid.

One thing to consider.......if you are going to shoot a mechanical head of the same cutting diameter as your current heads and you are having no issues? What's the point?

The reason I choose to shoot mechanical heads for deer is simply because I typically have KE to spare. I like overkill and want to put that energy to good use, bigger cuts, more tissue damage.
If you feel that you might be on the light side for mechs you might just want to stay with what you trust. You definitely don't want to be looking out at the end of your arrow shaft wondering at the moment of truth.

[TFOX]

I don't think any mechanical will hold up to the Muzzy in the durabilty area so if that is what you are looking for you need to just quit looking now.


You have plenty of ke to shoot the Rocket steelheads and I really feel that you will like them.The Wasp Jak Hammer SST 100 gr 1 1/4" also looks like an awesome head with great penetration qualities along with more durability than the Steelheads.They have a little thicker blade.I ,may actually give this one a look,maybe need to check and see if 5 shot has given it a whirl.

[JeffB]

I've had very good luck w/ the Steelheads. Tough as nails, very low profile, and the 125s have a good 1 & 1/4" cut.

The Steelhead 100 has some issues with thread length. Some arrows it will barely screw into, if at all. Like Matt said, it's only a 1 & 1/8" cut, and like him the biggest reason I like mechs is the large cut. I also prefer a bigger entrance hole, so I want something that has "legs" on the bladetips to catch and open quicker upon impact. Steelheads don't quite have the entrance holes due to no "legs", but the exit holes are scary!

There are alot of good mechs out there these days. Since your draw length and poundage is on the "mild" side (not low, but not "hot" either), I'd say stick with something with around 1 1/4" cut and one of the new cut to the tip heads. The Scorpion XPs from NAP, the Rocky Sniper (actually I think the Sniper is 1 & 3/8" to be exact), etc. That new Jackhammer w/ the 1 & 1/4" cut should be good too. I've had good luck with the older 1 & 3/4" 100 grain Jak-Hammers. SCARY sharp blades, and BIG exit holes (again though, no "legs", so the entrance wounds are not quite so large).Rocket has a new series of steelheads this year with a cut to the tip head too. I think a Steelhead with that tip would be an excellent setup.

At the same time though, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. If you are shooting Muzzy's with great accuracy and are satisfied with the performance, why change? My only beef w/ Muzzy has been (lack of) blade sharpness and (lack of) blade thickness, but I shot the 90 grain 4 blades back in the mid-90's and was very happy with them otherwise...they killed deer and flew great out of a very hot set-up (for the time)

[PABowhntr]

I agree with both Jeff and Matt on certain points. Considering your setup I would think the 100 grain steelheads would probably be the best choice though you could probably "get away with" the 100 grain Sidewinders if you are looking for a slightly larger cutting diameter. I shoot Rockets almost exclusively now and am entirely satisfied with their design and performance.

[ijimmy]

I use vortex minimax myself , I use to shoot muzzy's and still do for hogs . Checkout 5-shots webpage , it'll give you some great info . The other heads I would consider are , snypers , and sidewinders .

[Trushot_archer]

Glad to see this post. I've been tossing around the idea myself. I've also been holding out to see first hand the Tekan from Montec. As soon as they become available I'll be trying those. Never shot a Mech. before though so I'm not sure I have anything to base it on, but the shop owner down the street has Rockets and Rocky Mountain's laying around everywhere so I'll have to see what works best.

[Double Lung Em]

Personally I would opt for either the Rocky Mtn Sniper or the new G5 mechinal. IMHO they will take less energy to open and with a marginal set-up I would go that route, both have respectable cutting diameters as well.

The only "jack-knife" type head I would use is the Rocket Steelhead (100gr or 125gr).

[Bird Hunt Dog]

I got burned on a Spitfire last fall, the first deer I wounded in years!
The deer was quartering away the arrow glanced I hit nothing but fat & muscle. I'm going back to Muzzy's this year!