Mechanical broadhead question

[Polar Bear]

I haven't made the switch to mechanical heads yet but I have one important question. Do they open every single time without fail?

I don't mean 99.9% of the time but EVERY time. With my luck the one tenth of one percent failure rate would be just when Old Mossy Horns is sneaking past my stand.

[PerchJerker]

I've used Rocket mechanicals for the last few years and I don't see how they could possibly not open. They're a great design and have been awesome on whitetails for me. I've never used any other brand for hunting so I can't comment on that.

Even so, I plan to go back to fixed blades sooner or later. I'm 100% confident in the mechanicals I shoot for whitetails, but I don't think I'd use them for bear or elk. And I've never taken a guided bow trip where the outfitter won't allow mechanicals, but I keep hearing that more and more will not allow them.

[Neiko]

I will second you on the first part. I have only used Rocky's and love them. As far as bear I shot one 2 years ago with 125 gr and it went right through him with no problem. He went 25 yards in the woods and let out 13 death moans and I knew he was done. That is a cool sound to hear if you can.

[cybermuskie]

I use NAP's Splitfires, and I haven't had any problems with them either. There's no rubber bands to get in the way, and I don't see how the couldn't open either. Now they are making one with the cut-on-contact tip. I am loving it. Good luck with with your broadhead choice. Also, don't let those Muzzy guys give ya a hard time! haha

[irvingdog]

To answer your question: yes. The possibility exists that it may not open. That said, some brands are quite reliable as far as that problem is concerned. The above mentioned brands come to mind.

Forget the whole "they fly like darts" and "practice point accurate" nonsense. At the end of the day, mechanicals were designed for bows that are not tuned properly. Get your bow to a shop. Get it to tear perfect holes, and fixed blades will perform beautifully. And they will always open.

[EXTREME]

I wouldn't worry about them not opening. If you spend the money they will open. I have heard of opening problems with extreme angle shots? The only problem that I see with them is penetration. I have shot a couple of deer with them and they worked fine, but did not pass through. If you shoot them in the pump station; any head will do fine.

[WB make the CUT]

Extreme brings some good points "The only problem that I see with them is penetration"

The mechanicals will loose significant kenetic enery at impact where a fixed will not.

The answer to your question thought is NO they will not open every time, the word mechanical illustrates just that.

[bigbucks]

I don't know the brand, but I definitely know someone that has had only one blade open on a hit. Granted it was a poor hit, too low, can't remember if the yardage was underestimated or he got a branch deflection or what. The hit was terrible, but luckily it was a small deer & it opened up the entire underside, so the deer still didn't go very far at all (50 yards?).

[Stratosman]

I just don't like all the "what if's" involved with mechanical broadheads, all the talk of the possibility of a malfunction... no thanks. I'll stick to my fixed blades. A finely tuned bow matched with the correct arrow shaft and broadhead weight will shoot just as consistant as mechanical. I have no problems with groupings or flight with my fixed blades, and I know they'll do the job once they're sent. It's just with all the variables already involved with bowhunting, why add another? Untill I have a problem with the fixed, I won't change.

[Gus]

I tried shooting a fixed blade and a mechanical blade side by side last year before picking out which to use. They both flew just fine but on impact the fixed blade failed to open. I was shooing into my Block. I'm not sure if it was because I was shooting into a block, or because the broadhead really failed. Anyone else have similar results? That was the first time I had attemped to use mechanicals and I was scared it would not open on impact. I am just getting back into bowhunting after a little dabbling in High School so I am a little green on everything. This debate is interesting to me to say the least after my personal findings last year.

[jlm]

I think the concept is great and the design is fantastic. However, it is like anything else with the hunting and fishing industry these days. Bigger, better, and more complicated. Thats not a bad thing but I personally am trying to simplify things a little a get rid of these gadgets I have been hauling around for a number of years. For this reason, I have elected to continue to use my fixed blade broadheads (Thunderhead 85g) just to keep it simple and deadly. I have harvested countless deer and to this date, I have only had one shot that did not pass though and that is because is was a long shot and an odd angle. The performance of fixed blades are well documented and in my opinion, there is no need to improve on them with another, more complicated system. However, if you want something new and trendy, go for it! They perform well! Good luck all!

[WB make the CUT]

jlm, yeh no kidding, simplifcation goes a long way.

My thought is that a mechanical is for the lazy archer, dont get me wrong I am not pointing fingers, but bottom line it seems like, sell me a bow....now I'm an archer.

[Captain B.R.K]

Gus- I use mechanicals and practice shooting in my block target. I have never had a problem with the blades opening up. In fact my blades are bent because of using the block...now I'm out a head

[I'llTakeWhatiCanGet]

When you're shooting those mechanicals at your block, you probably don't need them to open up. If you wanna be able to practice with them without dulling the blades, try tieing some dental floss around the blades to keep them closed and sharp

Porter

[Fall Morning Fanatic]

Stick with fixed blade broadheads. If you have your bow tuned properly and have correct shooting form,and you practice as much as a bowhunter should, they will fly as well as any mechanical.

Then you don't have to risk the chance of the blades not opening up. And you don't loose the energy when your arrow makes contact with the animal you are attempting to take.

Mechanicals are just another addition to the many many items that flood the market each year in an attempt to lure people by useing fancy terms like "Flys just like Field Points". The bad part is, Most guys' field points don't fly worth a dump because they don't know how to tune a bow and archery manufactures know this.Also if you hit a deer square in the shoulderblade with a mechanical blade you will NOT always get the same penetration that you will with a topquality fixed blade head.

Mechanicals have their place and their piece of the pie, but they do not, can not, and will not replace accuracy, practice, and knowledge.

Unless you have had major problems with the broadheads that you currently use, Why would you switch ?

Don't let fancy adds and people who don't know, mislead you.There is NO mechanical head on the market that is better than a good quality fixed head.

[Royce Aardahl]

C'mon guys. Get your bow tuned what ever you shoot. I've killed plenty deer with fixed and mechanicals and I prefer the meachanicals. I would be surprised if I switched back. I've used rocket wolverines and now I use wasp jackhammers for 5 years. I only shoot 60 pounds and have a 28 inch draw. Same rate of pass throughs with each. 3 years ago I blew through front shoulders at 18 yards on a nice buck. I think a fixed hitting the same spot would do the same unless it was a wide cut. 3 guys I hunt with all shoot the wasps cuz I have had great success with them and now they have also. 75 grain 1 1/4 inch cut. there's the safety issue also. I don't have to worry about an exposed blades knicking me or my string. nobody can call me lazy cuz I tune my bow and shoot year round. to your origional question nothing in hunting is guaranteed 100%. never will be either.

[DRH1175]

I am on the ropes as well. I have shot muzzys for many years I now just invested in a new Switchback and was thinking about switching to the new nap Spitfire xp's. However still have my doubts about the opening issue. If you want a great flying fixed head I would say take a look at the Slicktricks they are suppose to be deadly accurate and have heard nothing but good things about them. I am between these and the slicktricks.

[poutpro]

I shot mechanicals for 2 years and had probably 2 or 3 times where they didnt open. This could have been because they werent 50 dollar blades, but when I switched to fixed blade muzzys and thunderheads, I absolutely loved the change. I wouldn't go back to mechanicals ever. Another thing i don't like about them is that on a lot of them, you need to put on new rubber bands every time. Also, it seems like that on some of those blades, they wouldnt be opened in time for the best hit. They may open later where a fixed blade cuts whatever it hits.