Mechanical Broadhead for Muskox

[Kalvert123]

Hey RS,

I’m going on a NWT Muskox hunt in April, and I am thinking about using mechanicals. I’ve talked to several people who had killed them with mechanicals, ranging from Sevr’s to Grim Reapers.

Would you feel confident in this? My set up is listed below.

Mathews Lift 33
31.5” draw length @ 70lbs
VAP SS arrows (545 grains)
272 fps

Thank you!

 

[butcherboy]

I know people have done it but I would not trust a mechanical on a Muskox. Heck, I don’t trust mechanicals at all. I’ve seen way too many deflections on animals being brought in to my meat plant. They died but weren’t found till many hours later or were finished with a fixed blade.

 

[Wrench]

That is a LOT of hair to get through.....

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

Agree with the above. I’m not a mechanical hater, killed several elk and a moose with mechanicals, but wouldn’t be my first choice on muskox. I’ve never hunted them, but that is a lot of hair….

Are you just wanting the increased cutting diameter? I’d go fixed, follow up shots should be easily obtained, where are they going to go?

 

[Whitefox82]

Why mechanical? With good shot placement you will watch him die right there with the fixed blade. I don’t think it’s in their nature to run after being shot, they stay there within their herd circle or stand their ground, right??

 

[Soj51hopeful]

I would go with a mechanical.300 wsm

 

[Wrench]

I've been within 20 yards of a lot of muskox. I explain them as a goat wearing the largest wig ever seen. The amount of hair is dumbfounding.

 

[Kalvert123]

Why mechanical? With good shot placement you will watch him die right there with the fixed blade. I don’t think it’s in their nature to run after being shot, they stay there within their herd circle or stand their ground, right??

My fear is with how cold and windy it is that I might not be able to have perfect form and could lead to poor arrow flight with a fixed broadhead. But you are right. And if I can get to 20-30 yards then it shouldn’t be difficult. I may bring a few sevr’s as I know people have had success with them as well.

 

[Nick Muche]

Here's a video of one I shot, with a rage broadhead. Total arrow weight was around 700 grains.

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[Kalvert123]

Cool! Great video! Yea, as I said I’m right around 550. I wouldn’t want a big mechanical either, probably a 1.5”. I’m just nervous about fixed blades planing in the wind, or my form not being perfect because of the cold and wearing a ton of clothes.

 

[Eastonsgrandpa]

That is a LOT of hair to get through..... View attachment 1029045

That was my thought. Never seen one in person or touched the hair. What is it like? Is it coarse or fine? If super fine it would probably be ok, but it does look like an energy sapping pillow of hair otherwise.

I think I’d probably choose a big two blade for something like this. Not much blood but on open tundra you’d watch him fall.

 

[mathews52]

Shot these two last year in NWT with Evolution Hyde's. 460gr total arrow weight and shooting a Lift X at 70lbs. Shots were 30 yards. As mentioned above, they just stood there in the group after being shot and died right there.

 

[Kalvert123]

Sweet. Makes me feel better about using a mechanical

 

[cj7zrcool]

Just me thinking, but it would seem to me that a MuskOx would have a super heavy and dense coat that may not be friendly to mechanicals.

 

[chasewild]

A buddy used Evolutions last year on polar bear and I couldn’t believe how devastating they were.


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[Blockcaver]

Shot a musk ox with a 3-blade 1-1/8” vented replaceable blade head (Rocky Mt Titanium). No penetration issues.

Shot a polar bear with a 3-blade 1-1/2” over-the-top mechanical (original Spitfire). Inuit guide said he never saw one die as quick.

 

[CMF]

The 700-grain arrow getting less than half an arrow length of penetration is enough to keep me away from mechs on a musk ox...
I wouldn't trust any mech on a critter like that.

 

[wildwilderness]

I shot two musk ox in Greenland with Iron will broadheads, - iirc mechanicals are illegal there for musk ox.

I put 2 arrows in both and did not get a complete pass through. 30” draw 70# and about a 500gr arrow.


But then again you don’t need a complete pass through with a large cut and lots of blood. It’s just that the hair is so long and thick! And you can usually get in close bow range… so what ever shoot better for you should be ok with your setup.

Just don’t shoot in-front of the crease, they are really thick and hairy in the shoulder so it’s thinner by the crease, but not too low. Lungs go back and higher than gut.

In this pic you can see one of my arrows made two holes but didn’t zip through all the way even with a sharp iron will (standard with bleeder) was a bit forward according to Karsten Lings, my bad and that’s why a second arrow was needed. Usually able to get a following shot as they are made for bowhunting