Fixed or Mechanical??
 

Hey guys, I was just wandering what type of broadhead I should use. I had heard that if you used fixed, you have to reset your sights. Now, do I have to set them back everytime I want to practice with my field tips? Seems like alot of adjusting to me. Or, would it be easier to use mechanical? I had heard that they were alot like field tips, and didn't have to be adjusted each time. Any help or opinion on this matter would be greatly appreciated. Especially since season opens here in 2 days. Thanks, Jodie

RE: Fixed or Mechanical??
 

Uh huh....

RE: Fixed or Mechanical??
 

If i were you, i wouldnt be goin hunting, until you know FOR SURE your broadheads are tuned.. Better get some help from someone..

RE: Fixed or Mechanical??
 

Ditto, If you tune your fixed blade braodheads correctly they will fly the same as your field points if your arrows are straight and your bow is tuned right as well. That being said, some of the mechanicals are pretty good. The key is to make a good shot in the boiler room no matter what broadheads you shoot.

RE: Fixed or Mechanical??
 

If your practiced up with your field points and are confident you can make a lethal shot on a deer, and don't know that much about tuning or don't have the time. Go with expand ables, they fly true and do a number on critters. You need to practice with what ever broad head your going to shoot. Buy a six pack and keep half of them new for hunting and practice with the rest.

For everything you need to know about tuning go to www.eastonarchery.com and download their tuning guide!

RE: Fixed or Mechanical??
 

The sad thing is, he's probably serious. Just amazes me the misinformation and the levels of bad arrow flight some people will accept. The problem of course is not with this hunter but with the education and professionalism at the point of sale. My pro shop wouldn't let you walk out with your first bow without thoroughly educating you and giving you a set of standards that would make you answer all these questions yourself. They would tune you to knowing what good arrow flight is, why you need it and how to achieve it. Then the question of fixed or mechanical would be answered by personnal preference and the equipment of choice(poundage/K.E.)

RE: Fixed or Mechanical??
 

Well, considering you posted exactly no information as to what your setup is, I can not recommend a mechanical head. With it being 2 days from the start of you season, I can not recommend you bowhunt either.

RE: Fixed or Mechanical??
 

Regardless of wether or not you think I should be hunting here is not the question. I have only been bowhunting for one year. I am sorry if I don't know all there is yet. I had a perfectly good question, and decided to ask. I guess I'll seek my answer elsewhere. Thanks anyway.

RE: Fixed or Mechanical??
 

I'm sorry but I have to agree with the others here. You posted a question about something you heard about fixed broadheads.I don't know who you heard this from, but I can assure you if I heard that I would ask WHY that is. And if you ask why you would have got the answer you seek, and that is: they should both fly the same! The only reason why they don't is because your BOW is not tuned.

Now what you don't know (obviously) is, by letting the others here know you have no idea what it is to tune your bow, you are not taking bow hunting seriously. Because if you did you would realize that, that step should not be overlooked. Am I making any sense here?

I suggest as others have that you go back to step one and take the time to UNDERSTAND your bow, how and why it works and what you need to do to get it (the bow) to shoot as true as it can possibly do. I guaranty you will never post a question like that again. It's not that the question was bad (no such thing) it's what it implies that is.

Sometimes we are in such a hurry to run out and hunt that we don't take the time and the STEPS needed to ensure that we are as prepared as we should be.

I hope you understand how disturbing that post was as you are only two days away from opening day and you have not taken the time to understand your bow and how it should work.

RE: Fixed or Mechanical??
 

I haven't been bowhunting long, so I'm not as knowledgeable as most of these guys. What I do know is my mech. heads flew just like my fieldpoints did. I've never shot fixed heads. Last year was my first year hunting and I shot 5 deer all 40 yds or closer. For whatever that's worth, there it is.

RE: Fixed or Mechanical??
 

What you are saying makes perfect sense. However, my bow is tuned just fine, atleast to the field points. I havent been able to practice with my new broadheads yet. And I was told that it would not shoot the same. That is why I asked the question. I mean, is what you are telling is that a field point, and a fixed broadhead will fly exactly the same if my bow is tuned right just by using the field points?? And as far as my our season opening in two days, I said nothing about hunting this early. I realize my bow isnt ready yet. I was just simply questioning what I had heard.

RE: Fixed or Mechanical??
 

All I can say is shoot,shoot, shoot, then shoot some more. Sometimes you can be your best teacher.

RE: Fixed or Mechanical??
 

Don't listen to what other say MIGHT happen if you shoot fixed broadheads, go out and shoot them and see for yourself. You just might be surprised and they hit right where you're aiming!

If they don't shoot where you want them to, then try tuning you bow to find out why. It may be the bow (most likely) it may be the arrows, but find out why it's not shooting where your field points are.

I'm sorry if I came across harsh but I am very adament about people taking the time to learn a little about the weapon they are using (bow or gun). I'm not saying you have to be an expert, God knows I'm not. There are some things I leave to the pro's. But it's not hard to get a good understanding of how your equipment works.

Do that and you won't need to rely on others so much. There are many ways of obtaining information. I think someone posted the Easton guide to tuning, read it it's full of good information.

Good luck and I hope your bows shoots fixed broadheads greatthe first time you shoot them andI hope you get into the woods soon.

RE: Fixed or Mechanical??
 

You must make sure the Broadheads are aligned correctly too. You need to spin test the arrows. If you dont get a perfect spin, switch the broadhead. Put it on a different arrow and so forth until you get a perfect spin.. Then shoot it. It should shoot damn near where your field points are hitting. I shoot muzzy's and i switch arrows and broadheads until i get all of them shooting like bullets. Sometimes i even refletch the arrow if necessary..

RE: Fixed or Mechanical??
 

If that is in fact the case than the fixed broadheads will land close to the field tip.

if they do not hit close to your filed tips than the bow is not tuned just fine.

So shoot your fixed broadhead into a box of rags or something to find that out.

www.eastonarchery.com select download and selct tuning guide and read about tuning.

Good luck to ya.

RE: Fixed or Mechanical??
 

I second the motion of the BIRDHUNTDOG......practice with the same broadheads the you use in the field..That is truly the only way that you can be on and worry free. None of this resetting and oops ..forgetting the resetting. Just hunt!!!!!
NOTE WELL....mechanicals are recommended for use only with bows rated at 50lbs or more due to the heads requiring additional energy to open upon penetration. Can you hold that 50lbs for a few minutes to get that broadside or quartering away shot????? Sounds like youre new to this!!!

RE: Fixed or Mechanical??
 

Reylamb......Im still laughing at what you said.. how true.... how true
the new guy just goes into the woods and thinks that thats all it is .
HE should definitely go to a club and seek advice and proper skills training....he could hurt himself or someone else. The problem is you go to a Bowhunters course..answer some questions...and youre "ROBIN HOOD"

ps..Im still laughing

RE: Fixed or Mechanical??
 

fire chief whats up??? hey listen to this Alot of hunters try to go out on opening day whatever the costs.. We assumed you were one of those hunters..sorry for that... Also safety is a big part of what is talked about in these forums, your safety came to mind with you question. NO DISRESPECT JUST CARING.. THE ONLY STUPID QUESTION IS THE ONE NOT ASKED.....KEEP ASKING KID....ITS GONNA BE ALRIGHT

RE: Fixed or Mechanical??
 

Ease up guys, for heck sakes the man is trying to learn here. I think he is doing the responsible thing in trying to get some help. Isn't that what this forum is for? Or was the forum created to riddicule those that don't know as much as you?

Icfirechief,
The info about fixed heads not flying the same as field points is not neccesarily true. How is your accuracy right now (how big is your 3 shot group at distances of 20, 30 and 40 yards) with field points? If your hitting your target consistently with field points, then try shooting broadheads at those same distances (keep in mind you will need to shoot at a broadhead target). If your not hitting the same point of impact as your field tips, then you will need some tuning done. Easton Archery has a great web site that can inform you how to do this. As a beginner, I would recommend finding an archery shop that is willing to show you how to do it.

As for what broadhead to use,depends on several factors, your draw length, poundage of your bow, arrow weight, speed of your arrow, and the game you are hunting. Ensure that the broadheads you are using are the same weight as the field tips you are using.

Even better, PM me and I will be glad to help you out as best I can.

RE: Fixed or Mechanical??
 

There is some good reading here. Sorry to the Chief, these are at your question.But very good points are made in this post.

The only input I have is I am going to shoot the fixed blades tomorrow that I bought today. I have always used mechanicals and have made some great shots. My complaint is there has never been a blood trail to follow. Drip here, 30 yards, another drip....... hands and knee action for tracking. Needless to say I am going to try the fixed blade this year. I will let ya know how they work should I have the opportunity. Good luck, and shoot some 3-d in the off season!!

RE: Fixed or Mechanical??
 

Okay guys, I downloaded the tuning guide. And yes, it was a huge help. Thanks to all. As far as some of you guys slammin me, I'm a rookie of bowhunting. And yes, I can see how there are safety issues involved. I deal with safety issues everyday. If one of my guys screws up, they die. Plain and simple. Not because of something they did, but rather the lack of good knowledge. I'm trying to learn here guys. Like one of the guys said before, this is a place of learning. I didn't ask because I wanted you guys to see what a newb I was. I asked because I simply didn't know. I bought my Browning from a pawn shop. The sticker with all the info had been rubbed off for some reason. So I have no idea what the poundage,or draw lenght, or anything else about it is.Hell, I dont even know what type it is! And Browning is no help there. Their customer service sucks.
So anyway, thanks to all those who helped. I'll try to keep my questions a little more...advanced I guess. Thanks again.

RE: Fixed or Mechanical??
 

This is a great place for questions and there really are some knowledgable folks around here. You just have to wade through the BS and all the PC Hunters and wannabes to get reliable info. You can imagine though tha for many here that take the sport so seriously what a shock to the system it is to see a guy trying to get his stuff together right before the season opens. We see it every seasons, the forums are slow and all of a sudden right before all the bow seasons open we get hundreds of new members asking questions that should have been asked many months ago.

Best of luck to ya and please don't be afraid to ask questions. Remember, the ONLY stupid question is the one NOT asked. Good luck and good shootin'

RE: Fixed or Mechanical??
 

Chief, I would go to a pro shop and get your bow looked at. They can tell you the draw wt, and see how it fits you. This is a great site for info but the best thing is to try things yourself. I've shoot mechs but have shot fixed also and have gotten good flight with both. My experience has been the fixed will magnify problems such as bad form or bow out of tune. Don't get upset or quit asking questions. You should be familiar with some things before trying to take an animal. I would never shoot at an animal with any broadhead, or any firearm for that matter, without having shot it enough times to know what its characteristics were, not by what someone told me - even my best friends. Good luck and good shooting.

RE: Fixed or Mechanical??
 

Good blood trails are more of a question about arrow placement rather than what type.In the beginning I wasn't satisfied with my blood-trails either. As I learned aboutshot angles and entrance and exit points Igot better blood-trails. Now I can usually predict how the blood-trail will look before Ishoot based on the angle the deer is giving me atany given moment. I also learned that I had to pass on some because the angle just wasn't there.

there isn't any magical broadhead out there, in general the bigger the broadhead is, the more tuning expertise is required to get them to fly right. But the potential for accuracy and good blood-trails is there with all the broadheads on the market. How accurateand what blood-trail they producewhen you shoot them totally depends on you.

shoot placement has been and always will be the key to a good bloodtrail.

RE: Fixed or Mechanical??
 

For the record, I swear by the Rocket Steelhead Series! These b-heads have been absolutely devastating! In fact, with better than 25 deer taken with these heads, not a single animal has taken more than 60 yards on me! They are as accurate as ANY b-head in the industry and always have 100% full size entry and exit wounds. Bloodtrails are always impressive for such a short distance and they hit and penetrate like no other b-head I've personally ever tested! They are certainly worth your time to take a very serious look at and see why they have so many fans.... they've clearly earned this respect. Check 'em out?

RE: Fixed or Mechanical??
 

On the other hand, if you shoot field tips well and want to shoot a mechanical, why not? There are tons of hunters that screw on mechanicals every year that fly just like their field points. Use a good one. To me, the wasp jackhammer, inch and a quarter cut, would be good. Vortex makes a good head as well.

RE: Fixed or Mechanical??
 

[quote]ORIGINAL: Bees

I do not agree. I have 5 kills with a steelforce all within 5-15 yards from 16+ feet in the air. Exit woonds have been somewhat low to out the bottom and have never had more than a drop at a time. They do not go far, but 60 yards with nothing to follow could be a waste of animal. Only one shot did not take out part of the heart. There has got to be something else out there that works better(for blood trail) than the chisel point mechanical I have been using.