One more thing to go wrong?

IntheVelvet · Jul 28, 2014

I'm a lurker who has recently seen the light and started to post. With that out of the way I am looking for opinions on the subject of fixed vs expandable/mechanical broadheads. I have always shot fixed and I have always looked at mechanicals as something else that could go wrong on my hunt. With all the options out there I know there are great broadheads of both types. So what I am wondering is have any of you had bad luck with expandables or is my concern about them not working properly as valid as my concern about what I'm going to do with my money once I win Powerball?

RidgeRebel · Jul 28, 2014

I used a Rage 2 blade on a cow elk last year and it worked great. The shot was only about 8 yards. Obviously it was complete pass through. The elk went only 10 yards and was dead in minutes. That said, this year I am using Ramcats. I would use the Rage again though.

utarchery · Jul 28, 2014

Rage is a great broadhead, ive used the 2 and 3 blade on several animals for the past 5 years and have been very impressed. never had an animal make it more than 30 years before piling up.

mtnrunner260 · Jul 29, 2014

Utarchery, sounds like those critters are dying of old age after you hit them with the rage.

. I think that there is a big difference between today's and yesterday's mechanical broadheads. I'm not sure if most of the stories about failed heads are do more to poor hits.

Weiserbucks · Jul 29, 2014

I have been using the Rage 2 blade heads the last three seasons with no regrets . Iv taken three deer with all three dead inside of 50 yds . Im a Rage fan for sure but most of the reputable brands carry a strong following with both fixed and mechanical heads .

IntheVelvet · Jul 29, 2014

All the info is helpful, I think I'm going to pick up some mechanicals and try them out this season and provided I can put a good shot on one of the bucks I've been watching this year I'll be able to see how well they work. Thanks for the input.

AdrenalineAddict · Aug 23, 2014

Don't worry about one more thing to go wrong. I know a lot of folks shooting mechanicals with great success including myself (spitfire). There is always going to be some grumpy old cuss that is going to say his mechanical failed because his deer was not recovered, it's not the fault of the mechanical it was a poor hit. Every game animal from the present to eternity that was shot with a fixed blade and not recovered will simply be a bad hit. Every game animal shot and not recovered with a mechanical will be the fault of the mechanical. You are going to find some hard headed anti-mechanical dipsh!t in every group of folks you sit down with.

hntnnut · Aug 24, 2014

I've never ever had a problem with mechanicals as they have never been allowed on my arrows, although the new Ulmer stainless has my attention.

Richard

smitty · Aug 24, 2014

I shoot the Swhacker and love it. Killed bears, and elk.

Although, in Idaho I use the Montec by G5. Simply because Idaho doesn't allow mechanicals. And I've killed elk and bears with Montecs as well.

Like has been stated already, it all boils down to shot placement. Good shot with a mechanical kills just as dead as a good shot with a fixed. I like the mechanical simply because it cuts a wider path through the vitals, and I know they fly exactly where I want them to.

Make sure and check the regs of whatever state you are hunting to make sure you're in compliance.

nfh · Aug 24, 2014

When mechanicals first came out they used rubber bands to keep them closed and would open up at impact. Well they didn't do so good. some were just to stiff to open up but that is all the past.

In todays market it seems products are getting better. I am personally a fixed broadhead guy. I found that the crimson talons work great. out of 6 kills with them I haven't had to track more than 40 yards. It is also one broadhead that shoot perfect to where I don't have to adjust my sights.

So I got on ebay and bought about 40 of them. All my hits have left some nasty exit wounds and lots of blood on the ground..

diablo · Aug 25, 2014

Yes - one more thing to go wrong. I'm a fixed-blade guy myself. I personally wouldn't mess with mechanicals for anything bigger than a deer.

__________________________________
There are two kinds of people without
beards - boys and women. I am neither.

Cutbow · Aug 31, 2014

I've killed a few bucks and a bull with the rage 2 blade. None of them went far....

My son killed his first archery buck with the 2 blade this year too. Always leave a good blood trail.

I really like the new hypordermic tip...

Cutbow

huntindudley · Sep 2, 2014

I have been a fixed blade only guy for the past 15 years but this year I have switched to the Rage 2 blade. All the other coments on the Rage are very encouraging. Hoping for a chance to follow one of those short blood trails for myself this year.

sageman · Sep 2, 2014

The buck I shot this year was hit in the spine at 74yards. I shoot a Hoyt element set at 63#. I used swackers for the first time and was amazed that the blade sliced threw the back bone. I will use them again! Yes I hit him too high but I belive the swacker is a real killer.

grosventrehunter · Sep 7, 2014

LAST EDITED ON Sep-07-14 AT 11:12AM (MST)[p]I shot a bull yesterday morning with a rage two blade and it went about 50 yards. I've used 4 blade muzzy's for years but that might not be the case anymore.

Lkslayer · Sep 7, 2014

I have used the Rage 2 blades for the last 4 years now and have killed Antelope, Bear, Deer and Elk with them. They have never let me down and I've never had a problem with them. Of course, shot placement is key with any broad head.

IntheVelvet · Oct 12, 2014

Got a lot of good response on this topic. Just to update you guys I started out hunting with a muzzy fixed blade and on the first Monday my brother gave me a Grim Reaper to try for a couple of days and that evening I connected on a nice 4x4 that is in the 26"-27" range and I have to say that mechanical did the trick! It put a great hole in that buck. I think I'm leaning towards the mechanical now but I'm convinced that either is a good option, it all depends on where you place your shot. Here is a picture of the buck I took and he went about 200 yards down the mountain and dropped dead.