broad heads or mechanical?
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location:
Posts: 24

I was wondering if anyone could tell me if mechanical heads would be better for arrow flight, when shooting a traditional bow? I know that they are not realy considered traditional, but would they not fly more like a field point?
Just Wondering !
Holler critter
Just Wondering !
Holler critter
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a

Well, any bow, compound, recurve, or longbow or even crossbow, less winged area on the front will make it fly more like a field point. But if any of these bows are tuned good and spine is correct, and your form and release is good, it shouldn't make much of a difference.
I used spitfires on several deer with compounds. On less than perfect shots where I might touch the shoulder, I usually bust thru it, but it damaged the mech head. Once broke it off.
I wouldn't dare use a mech on a traditional. I mean my compounds are kicking out 400gr arrows at 270fps, my longbow is pushing 500gr cedars at 182fps. Big difference. In fact I went with a two blade for penetration.
I used spitfires on several deer with compounds. On less than perfect shots where I might touch the shoulder, I usually bust thru it, but it damaged the mech head. Once broke it off.
I wouldn't dare use a mech on a traditional. I mean my compounds are kicking out 400gr arrows at 270fps, my longbow is pushing 500gr cedars at 182fps. Big difference. In fact I went with a two blade for penetration.
#3

From experience, tuning compounds and traditional bows to shoot broadheads are two very different critters.
Tuning the compound to shoot broadheads can be much more intricate. But even then, I'd tune the compound with the broadhead on and then let it be. Didn't care where field points went in relatation to the broadhead, and why should I if it was a hunting bow.
Tuning the compound to shoot broadheads can be much more intricate. But even then, I'd tune the compound with the broadhead on and then let it be. Didn't care where field points went in relatation to the broadhead, and why should I if it was a hunting bow.
#4
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Mississippi USA
Posts: 15,296

I'd stay away from mechanicals, period. Besides the fact that anything with moving parts is more apt to have a problem (one of the reasons I swapped to trad bows), you loose energy with mechanicals, and most folks don't have it to spare with trad bows.
One reason compound shooters use mechanicals to get around tuning. With the high speeds and light arrows, being just a little off in tuning will show up more with fixed blades.
For what it's worth, I've never had a problem getting 2, 3, or 4 blade broadheads to fly great from a trad bow, even with my not-so-good release. I have never had to make any adjustments when swapping from field points to broadheads with my longbow.
Chad
One reason compound shooters use mechanicals to get around tuning. With the high speeds and light arrows, being just a little off in tuning will show up more with fixed blades.
For what it's worth, I've never had a problem getting 2, 3, or 4 blade broadheads to fly great from a trad bow, even with my not-so-good release. I have never had to make any adjustments when swapping from field points to broadheads with my longbow.
Chad
#5
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: West Bloomfield Michigan USA
Posts: 262

The normal rule of thumb is that you need 50ft/lbs of kinetic energy for mechanical broadheads to be effective. This would require a traditional bow that can shoot 600gr arrows over 190ft/sec, whereas a compound bow shooting a 400gr arrow at 240ft/sec will generate 51ft/lbs.
#8
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Stoutsville Ohio USA
Posts: 191

I would not use mechanical heads with Trad equipment. Come to think about it I wouldn't use mechanical heads at all. Any thing "mechanical" can and will fail. Why take a chance. Tune your bow to the correct arrow and broadhead weight and it will do just fine.
#9
Dominant Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: land of the Lilliputians, In the state of insanity
Posts: 26,274

I shoot mechanicals with my compounds, but wont even try them with my trads. I personally do not think my trads will generate enough K.E. for them to function properly. Muzzy 3 blades and slick tricksfor me. I have been trying the Sonic broadhead and think im growing fond of them.
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