Mechanical Broadheads

[Buffalotears]

I’m not sure if this have been asked before (sorry if it has). And maybe it is not specific to traditional but anyways. With my compound I have shot a few deer using NAP spitfire max broadheads. They did a great job. Will mechanicals work differently with traditional equipment? And is there a certain speed/poundage you think is needed to make them work?

 

[CJ19]

Trad bows i shoot wouldnt make me comfortable shooting a mechanical. I think it would kill the deer but i would have concerns about reliably getting an exit wound in my case. I have killed a number deer with fixed and mechanical from a compound and they are both fine with the right set up. Youll need to do the math and see if your set up has the energy necessary to feel comfortable with the blades you are talking about.

Personally, i see no benefit to a mechanic from a trad bow. In my compound, some mechanics just shot better than the fixed blades i had at 30-40yards and thats why i chose those mechanicals. I dont shoot that far with trad. All the fix i shoot from my trad shoot fine. I think people overthink the broadhead thing. You either shoot the deer in the lungs/heart or you dont. Any quality fixed blade from a reputable manufacturer is going to kill a lung shot deer quickly.

 

[Buffalotears]

Trad bows i shoot wouldnt make me comfortable shooting a mechanical. I think it would kill the deer but i would have concerns about reliably getting an exit wound in my case. I have killed a number deer with fixed and mechanical from a compound and they are both fine with the right set up. Youll need to do the math and see if your set up has the energy necessary to feel comfortable with the blades you are talking about.

Personally, i see no benefit to a mechanic from a trad bow. In my compound, some mechanics just shot better than the fixed blades i had at 30-40yards and thats why i chose those mechanicals. I dont shoot that far with trad. All the fix i shoot from my trad shoot fine. I think people overthink the broadhead thing. You either shoot the deer in the lungs/heart or you dont. Any quality fixed blade from a reputable manufacturer is going to kill a lung shot deer quickly.

Thank you for the reply. Thats kind of what I was leaning towards but I thought I would ask. Also, because I already have the broadheads. I will look into some fixed blades. It’s overwhelming with the options. I’m only at about 40lbs. I keep trying what to prioritize speed or energy. Lots of opinions out there. I am hoping to find first hand experience here.

 

[nevadabugle]

Thank you for the reply. Thats kind of what I was leaning towards but I thought I would ask. Also, because I already have the broadheads. I will look into some fixed blades. It’s overwhelming with the options. I’m only at about 40lbs. I keep trying what to prioritize speed or energy. Lots of opinions out there. I am hoping to find first hand experience here.

At 40 pounds don't do it. No need for a mechanical and penetration will be terrible. Just find a good cut on contact head and don't look back. Lots of good options from high priced to low priced. For the higher end I reccomend Day Six, mid range Cutthroat or VPA, cheaper end Stingers or Steelforce.

 

[CJ19]

Zwickey Eskilite 2-Blade Screw-In Broadheads 3-pack

Check out the deal on Zwickey Eskilite 2-Blade Screw-In Broadheads 3-pack at 3Rivers Archery Supply

www.3riversarchery.com

Or eskimos. Have piled up a lot of deer over the years too.

 

[Beendare]

The big forward opening mech head designs are the most inefficient made. The reason why they work OK with Compounds is they have so much excess stored energy. A compound has energy to burn...thus any head design works.

The low energy trad bows need an efficient BH design; tapered 2 or 3 blade cut on contact designs.

You really notice those facts move when going from a compound to a Trad bow setup. The efficient COC designs are incredible penetrators.

 

[SuburbanWoodsman]

Good advice here … stick with COC head

 

[Trumpkin The Dwarf]

Another reason trad bows and fixed heads tend to work together is the arrow speed is slower on launch. The broadhead is corrected more easily by the fletchings at slow speeds. Basically, with good tune, (and a good release under pressure) any true spinning fixed blade head will fly straight. Add in the lack of energy in a trad bow system, and most guys couldn't make a mech head work. Especially at 40 lbs.

That said, as a long draw length guy, I've definitely considered testing some lower energy mechs out of my longbow. Curiousity killed the cat, and all that. Sometimes you gotta just tell the good idea fairy to shut up.

 

[Buffalotears]

Thank you all! I will be looking into COC broadheads. Won’t be this season but would like to get out next season with the recurve.

 

[nevadabugle]

Thank you all! I will be looking into COC broadheads. Won’t be this season but would like to get out next season with the recurve.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[Btaylor]

The others covered the mechanical issue well but something that imo kinda goes along with that when considering which fixed head is to avoid heads with steep blade angles. Esp. at 40# draw weight. You will have better penetration generally speaking if you stay with a head with a more shallow blade angle.

That was mentioned but I felt it was worth highligthing again.

 

[Beendare]

The others covered the mechanical issue well but something that imo kinda goes along with that when considering which fixed head is to avoid heads with steep blade angles. Esp. at 40# draw weight. You will have better penetration generally speaking if you stay with a head with a more shallow blade angle.

Agreed. I've seen the short wide heads that chop their way in kill critters....but they compress the hide and chop a bunch of hair on the way with their plowing effect. I've seen it dull heads badly like the Slick trick Mags.

Those tapered heads really are an eye opener- the ease of penetration and the way they stay razor sharp through the animals is a winner.

I use 2 blades with my Compound too...but recently went back to the old Thunderhead just for the heck of it. Blew through an elk this year with one, down in 20y.

 

[Coveyleader]

Back in the late 90s' the guy who owned an archery shop I used to go to used spitfires off his recurve without issue. Some giant Pike County IL bucks fell to that combo. He was shooting about 60lbs or so.