BroadHeads... Fixed or mechanical?
 

I was wondering if anyone can give me some insight on wether to use fixed or mechanical broadheads? Im currently shooting a Bowtech extreeme VFT at 29" draw and 70lbs. Ive read numerous articles stating that mechanical broadheads are much easier to pattern but they tend to loose alot of killing power on contact. Whereas fixed heads kill alot more efectively but because of the speed of the bow are much harder to pattern.....

RE: BroadHeads... Fixed or mechanical?
 

Depending upon your arrow weight, you should have enough energy to use Mech heads on game such as deer or even some larger game, as long as itswithin reasonable shot distances.

However, fixed blades get a bad wrap. A well-tuned bow can spit them out with Field Point accuracy. Dontoverlook fixed blades. Many quality ones on the market.

Sorry this is so short, butthere are lots of threads about this, and if you doa search,Im pretty sure you could find moundsof more info about this.

Good luck---Matt

RE: BroadHeads... Fixed or mechanical?
 

get fixed blades they are better than mechs on any day at any time get slick tricks or cabelas F3 they fly just like field tips

RE: BroadHeads... Fixed or mechanical?
 

I use fixed because I have a basic distrust of anything with moving parts ... ;)
Seriously though , while I haven't tried mechs I won't rule them out .

RE: BroadHeads... Fixed or mechanical?
 

http://www.broadheadtests.com/MECHANICALVSFIXED.html
Read through the info on my link and then go to the tuning and FAQ pages. They should help get you started and to make a more informed choice.

RE: BroadHeads... Fixed or mechanical?
 

Just had the same problem two weeks ago. Go w/ fixed, I had mechs malfunction on 2 deer and i lost both of them. I just did a personal test: http://forum.hunting.net/asppg/tm.asp?m=1143448

I found it was pretty easy to tune my bow, and i got my groups w/ broadheads to be equal to that of my field points. Why have more moving parts where something can go wrong. Plus, its hard to beat fixed for penetration. And as far as im concerned id rather have a complete pass through than a wider cut dia

RE: BroadHeads... Fixed or mechanical?
 

I personally would never use the expandable heads but that is only my opinion. You can get the Slick Tricks or Magnus Stingers to fly just like your filed points so there is no need to take a chance on a expandable failing. Good luck.

RE: BroadHeads... Fixed or mechanical?
 

I prefer the fixed ones myself.
I just like things to be solid and foolproof.

Fixed blades are not that bad to tune.
They will however always plane more in the wind.
No big deal, just don't go out when it's blowing 30mph, or keep your shots shorter if it's windy.

I would definitly consider a mechanical head for Turkey for the larger cutting diameter, but I like fixed for deer.

RE: BroadHeads... Fixed or mechanical?
 

pick a broadhead for the game you're hunting. I use mechanical on whitetail deer, turkey,coyote, and other small game. I use fixed for elk and mule deer!There are some very reliable sharp mech. broadheads available. Sounds like you've got a set up that wull produce plenty of KE to use what ever you choose!
It still cracks me up when mechanical broadheads are blamed for lost deer! Yet when deer are lost using fixed heads, the fixed heads don't get blamed[:o]

RE: BroadHeads... Fixed or mechanical?
 

You got enough power behind the arrows to shoot either.

However, with the huge number of fixed blade heads available today that will fly every bit as good as any mechanical there really is no reason anyone needs to shoot a mechanical to hunt big game.

Ten years ago mechanicals really caught on when the best flying broadhead was a Muzzy. These large heads could be a real pain in the arse to tune. But with todays shorter and more aerodynamic fixed blade heads a mechanical just isn't needed any more.

Some of the newer fixed blade heads such as the NAP nitron and Rocky turbo actually have far less blade surface area expesed than many mechanicals do. It's no wonder that they fly so good now.

RE: BroadHeads... Fixed or mechanical?
 

Though I think you will find folks who will argue the conventional wisdom of all the points made in the original post I tend to believe that most of them ring true. Expandable heads are no alternative to a well tuned bow but they can be exceptionally effective for a bow with alot of KE and respectable momentum.

RE: BroadHeads... Fixed or mechanical?
 

If your bow is tuned and your shot placement is good the mechanicals will put the game down very quickely. I find a 1 1/4 inch mechanical to be very efficient on whitetail deer. You should use the style that you are the most comfortable with, the one you can shoot the most accurate.

Be for warned that shooting a deer is different than shooting a target. You can't duplicate the elevated heart rate when shooting targets. when a live deer is there your heart rate tends to go up and your routine might be completely different. some call it buck fever. what ever it is, it is one of the main reason's things don't always go as planned. when this happens to some that are really good shots on targets, they just can't believe that they could miss by that much, so they start to blame thier equipmnet for the miss. Ain't the equipment at all. it is the unknown element of the hunt, and not even you know how your going to react to the next deer within bow range.. good luck.

RE: BroadHeads... Fixed or mechanical?
 

I've always used fixed heads and have no reason to change. My favorite heads are Thunderheads and i've neverhad a problem getting them to tune with any set-up i've used. They fly great and do the job everythime if i do mine. :D

RE: BroadHeads... Fixed or mechanical?
 

Fixed broadheads, hands down. Mechanicals were designed for those who don't have the knowledge or time to tune their setup. Mechanicals have too many variables like the angle of the shot, bone or soft tissue impact and dramatic loss of energy on impact. Purchase a quality fixed broadhead and take the time to tune your equipment and you will have a more reliable setup. If you are like me and spend a good deal of time scouting and preparing for a hunt, the last thing I want to have is a broadhead that may not perform when the big guy is standing broadside at 20 yards.

RE: BroadHeads... Fixed or mechanical?
 

Though mech's will work no doubt (out of a well tuned bow), I've never seen the need to use them. If your bow is tuned properly, you can get any fixed blade head to fly great. IMO fixed has many advantages over mech.

RE: BroadHeads... Fixed or mechanical?
 

Yeah, and the compoind bow was designed for those that don't have the knowledge and time to learn how to shoot a real bow[:o];)
Oh really, apparently so do some fixed heads according to this post!
Imagine that, a FIXED head kicking off of a deer. Hmmmm, thought it was only possible with mechs.BUT now we are hearing that short cutting plane fixed heads do the same thing!!! Now who do webeleive?Would it be possible that poor shot placement/selection might have something to do with the poor performance of some heads?

RE: BroadHeads... Fixed or mechanical?
 

Bottom line, compounds were invented because society wanted something hi-tech for archers, kind of like keeping up with the times, also companies found out that more people wanted to get into archery but lacked the time to effectivley use traditional equiptment almost like a quick fix, buy it sight it in and go hunting. Probably was a money thing. Sure it takes skill to use traditional but the same can be said for compounds. One is not better than the other, just 2 different ways to harvest game. Most of the older archer's started with traditional and mastered it, then compounds came out and it was a hold new world that opened up. Back to the topic there are to many fixed bladed heads that fly like field points to use mech, sure you get great bloodtrails, but the cons outway the pro's. Way to much energy is wasted when the blades open up. Why take the chance when you don't have to.

RE: BroadHeads... Fixed or mechanical?
 

I have used both the Thunderhead 100's fixed and the Spitfire Pro 100's mechanical. I found no difference in the two other than the mechanical heads tended to have a better blood trail and the deer traveled less distance after the hit. They both flew the same and I had pass throughs with both and non-pass throughs with both. The ironic thing is the non pass through with the mechanical head went through both shoulders but didn't make it all the way out. The non pass through fixed head went through one side rib and got lodged in the opposite side rib and didn't come out at all. Both were shot at about the same distance 26 & 28yds respectively and both from my Browning Boss Tracker 70lb 33in draw 540grn arrows at about 260fpswith tons of energy!

I have yet to loose a deer with either or yet to damage a blade with either.

To me it's a coin flip. I think you should use what gives you the most confidence when in the field. For me, I will use the Spitfire Pro's only this year.