Basic Mech broadhead ?
 

Shot 100gr Thunder heads the last 3 years,
2 things, they tear up my targets (the last 2 weeks before season)
and I have "twigged" 3 times.

Switching to Mech will stop the target slaughter and cut down on the twigging (a lot less Frontal area, less chance of hitting that twigg)

What is a good, basic, solid mech broadhead. I am not a "hype" person, I was not impressed with the "packaging" that was hanging at Bass Pro. I really dont need pictures of Snakes and Eagle Talons on My broad head packages, how about printing the "stats" from testing on the package ?

Any how, What would be a good solid performer for Mech Broadheads.

Nick

RE: Basic Mech broadhead ?
 

Not quite sure I understand the story but I have been using a old style Vortex for around 12 years and IMO is a damn good BH for a set up that produces lots of KEbut I am not sure how it will help your target situation as the 100gr cut 2 1/2" and the 125gr cut 2 3/4". Anyhow, they have them in cabelas if you are interested, I have always shot the pro's, never have shot any of their other heads....Good luck in your search!!!

RE: Basic Mech broadhead ?
 

The rage 2 and 3 blades are really nice, not cheap. Same for grim reaper. One is a rear deploying blade, the rage, that allows for more penetration with less loss of energy and no deflection on quartering shots. Grim reaper deploys from the front. Very reliable, but there is risk of some deflection, though negated by its newer styles over the last few years, and there is more of a loss of energy.

I think those are two pretty good heads to choose from.

RE: Basic Mech broadhead ?
 

Spitfire baby! They are a tough, solid, simple head that cuts a massive hole, leaves great blood trails, doesn't need o-rings or rubberbands to keep them closed, fly great, and only require about 45 #'s of K.E. to open.

here is a link of some slo mo test footage it shows a spitfire going through a cow femur and opening on a water balloon.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Byvk_D35aOQ

Also they make a practice blade that replaces your hunting blades. I shoot them into my block with zero damage and the same point of impact.

RE: Basic Mech broadhead ?
 

slackdady,

You are in my neck of the woods.

Trophy Ridge Ubdertakers are pretty nice rear deployment heads that continue to spin on impact. They've been shown to be as tough as nails too.

RE: Basic Mech broadhead ?
 

I don't use mechanical anymore, but I did have good luck with Grim Reapers.

RE: Basic Mech broadhead ?
 

There are so many different broadheads it's hard to pick just one. Take a look at my website, and read through the mech vs fixed as well as the new heads section. After you do that drop me an email or Pm if you have anyquestions. To be honest I can't reccomend any heads without first knowing what type of bow you shoot, poundage and your draw length. Kinetic energy plays a big part in choosing a mechanical broadhead, as well as bow tuning. I would also suggest you read the ratings page so you can understand the scoring system.
www.broadheadtests.com

RE: Basic Mech broadhead ?
 

just picked up some rage 2 blades.....been a muzzy 3blade guy all my life.

not sure I like them, or not yet. I like the idea of rear blade deployment etc...best design for a mech out there IMO.

But I was thinking, doesn't it take up some of the arrows energy to push those blades open? therefor sapping force used to push that blade through the animal vs. a solid cut on contact etc...type broadhead.

The smaller cross section while in flight I like for better long range/ wind bucking characteristics, but I'm not sure about a few things, 1, using energy to deploy the blades, and 2, being a mechanical, things seem like more parts to go wrong, also the tips seem very dull, the blades seem sharp, but thigns seem flimsy, so I don't know.

Considering Montec G5, or NAP razorbaks, in place of both my muzzys and rage 2 blades.

RE: Basic Mech broadhead ?
 

All broadheads will tear up a target real quick. Shooting a large mechanical is only going to do it faster than the thunderheads you have been shooting. So you certainly wouldn't be helping your situation any by using a mechanical.

Then you need to quit shooting through twigs. Your vanes stick out much farther than your thunder head blades do so you will still have the same problem you did before switching to a mechanical.


I don't know what to tell you.
One problem you don't have any control over and you are just going to have to accept if you are going to shoot broadheads while practicing.
The second problem you have complete control over and you just need to pick your shot better.

RE: Basic Mech broadhead ?
 

I agree with bigbulls on both points.
Stop shooting thru twigs!

RE: Basic Mech broadhead ?
 

Sheesh ! hard crowd :)

I had "heard" that you can "band" the Mech broadheads closed for practicing ?????? so they will not open on impact.

Not like I was shooting through a rasberry bush, 3 times it was a lone, small twig, not visible to the eye.

Thanks,
Slack

RE: Basic Mech broadhead ?
 

You may be able to band the forwardfacing blades so that they do not fold back on impact. Not sure about that though. Not sure what to do on rear deployment though.

Also, I have no problem with a person practicing real world sort of shots. You concentrate more and also it makes you notice everything that could come into play and there are definitely a lot of twigs hiding outin the woods that most people do not even see until after the arrow is gone.

RE: Basic Mech broadhead ?
 

I wasn't trying to be harsh. Just saying that a mechanical isn't going to help you out with twigs and you gotta make sure they aren't there all together if you want to "fix" that problem.


You can tape up the mechanical heads but you then add weight to the broadhead and instead of making a nice slice in the target it will then rip and tear the target.

I suggest that instead ofpracticing all the timewith your broadheads simply just shoot several to verify where they are impactingand if they are impacting with your field tips you are good to go and go back to field tips and put sharp blades in the broadheads for hunting. Every now and then during the season shoot a few broadheads to verify they are still going where they are suppose to and keep hunting.

RE: Basic Mech broadhead ?
 

bigbulls makes a point about practicing with the broadheads. Once mine are dialed in I go back to field tips and may just shoot the broadheads again right before season and every once in a while during the season.

I actually have 2 sets of broadheads though. One set for practice and one for hunting so that I do not have to worry about sharpening or replacing blades after practice and ifI ever need an extra head or 2 I can use my practice tips with new blades.

RE: Basic Mech broadhead ?
 

I like vortex mechanicals but shoot fixed heads nowadays , the rage and snypers look like a good design , just dont get too large a cutting diameter

RE: Basic Mech broadhead ?
 

I sure hope you meant 4-5lbs of KE.:D Sorry, I couldn't resist. After seeing personally the devastation they do on hogs, I would say that they are a solid choice.

RE: Basic Mech broadhead ?
 

Aside from the BH performance, the end of that video shows how beneficial an STS would be on a bow to stop that string from vibrating!!!!

RE: Basic Mech broadhead ?
 

No, I did mean 45#'s that is what your bow needs to have for K.E. for the heads to consistently open.

RE: Basic Mech broadhead ?
 

I'm sorry, I could see where 45lbs KE being the recommended minimum to hunt with (actually, I think NAP recommends 50lbsKE). But 45lbs KE to get the blades to consistently open? Nobody in their right mind would hunt with a broadhead like that. I've reviewed testing that showed the Spitfire to consistentlyfully open w/ no deflection on pork ribs set at an angle. The setup used produced a whopping 18ft.lbs of KE.

RE: Basic Mech broadhead ?
 

I would also look at the Innerloc EXP 2 or 3 blade expandables. They open a bit faster than Spitfires, and changing the blades out is way easier as well.

RE: Basic Mech broadhead ?
 

Check out Bowhunting World magazine (October 2008 issue, Whitetail Special). They performeda field testwith 15 different brands of mechanical broadheads. I believe you will find the results of the test interesting.Hopefully this will answer some of your questions.

RE: Basic Mech broadhead ?
 

AND,require a boatload of energy to get a passthrough.

Over the years on this forum and watching the "pros" on tv,I can say without a doubt that these head require much more energy than most mechanicals to achieve a full passthrough.


45# of energy to open is a freaking ton of energy to open a head.The heads I have used Rocket Steelheadsfor years and theyoutpenetrate most 3 blade fixed heads.