I'm not intending for this to be a "What is better, mechanical or fixed" thread, but I am thinking, pretty seriously infact, about switching to a mechanical.

Let me explain. First off, I currently shoot Magnus Stingers at deer. They fly GREAT, are razor sharp and leave good blood trails. I really don't have anything bad to say about them, but the idea of a 2" hole w/ a hammerhead or stricknine is appealing.

My bow is tuned, and fixed heads fly perfectly, so this switch isn't a "bandaid" for a poorly tuned bow. I am also producing 82 foot pounds of KE, so that's not an issue either. This is all about cutting diameter. I want a large hole through that rascal.

I know the mechanical vs. fixed has been beaten to death, so I'm putting a little different spin on it.....cutting diameter. Let's leave the fact that they are mechanicals out of it, if possible. Is a bigger cutting diameter better?

I know my NAP Spitfires make a big hole and leave a great blood trail.

nap spitfires leave some of the biggest holes i've seen there nasty, and to answer your question yes a bigger hole is better......

Okay, now my question to the last two replies on NAP Spitfires, How is the entrance hole? Spitfires open through impact, not on impact correct?

mobowhuntr: I have been shooting mechanicals and have always been really pleased. I shoot rocket steelheads. This year however, I found that one of my entrance holes was about 1/2 the size of the exit hole. This got me REALLY thinking of switching to fixed heads.

Another thing to think about: With my rockets it was one shot (at a deer) and that was it for the specific head. There is no resharpening or reusing that I have felt comfortable with.

Thank you for this thread. I'm really interested in how it goes.

--Millpond

Thats exactly what I was thinking, if you dont get a pass through, that is going to be a very small blood trail to follow. Now I really like the idea of the Rage Slipcam, so in a couple of years when thats perfected I think I will switch to that for larger entrance hole, as well as the damage on the inside.

I knew this is how this would turn out....I'm NOT looking for recommendations on broadheads.......I am looking for a big cutting diameter..

Rob, I understand your point COMPLETELY.....Correct me if I'm wrong, but since the blades on a Rocket sweep back the entrance hole will still be the cutting diameter of the head, yes? I know the tip will be in the animal close to an inch, but the blades will still be at the point of entry as they sweep back....So I am still going to get a good entrance hole.

I guess the real question is this.....Is a big hole better than a small hole?

If its a hole and internal damage your interested in..... check out the pics in this thread:

http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=1849297

millpond, you bring about a good point as well. You can buy replacement blades for Rockets, though. I will admit, I like the fact that I can easily resharpen and re-use my Stingers.

I'm surprised at the smaller entrance hole....in my mind that doesn't seem that would be the case.

You know a bigger hole is better, a no brainer.