I have been out of bowhunting for about 7 yrs and am just getting back into it. I just perchased a new Mathews Z7 and am shooting Carbon Express Maxima Hunter 250 at 28" with 2" Blazer vanes. I used to shoot 3 blade 100 gr Muzzy's with 4" feathers in right helical, and I notice everyone seems to be shooting these 2" vanes now. So here is my question, can I still shoot the Muzzy's with the 2" vanes for hunting or should I re-fletch my arrows with something bigger to get proper arrow flight?? I have also looked at some of the new mechanical heads but don't have much faith in them as I had tried ones in the past that were junk and always went back to the Muzzy's. Any and all feed back would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!
I use 2" Blazers @ a right hand helical with 4 blade 100 gr Muzzy's and am very happy with this set-up. Just put in the time to get your bow/arrows/broadheads "tuned" and all will be well.
Not "all" mechanicals are garbage....givem' another try you might be surprised! But just to be clear I have nothing against fixed blade bh's. I just feel less "tuning" is required with mechanicals.
I understand that mechanicals are more forgiving shot through an untuned bow, but I don't believe in shooting an untuned bow. My feelings on it are that if you intend to hunt an animal, at least show that animal respect by shooting it with a perfectly tuned bow, perfectly sighted in rifle or whatever you choose to hunt with and practice till you are as close to perfect as you can be and only take shots that will kill that animal as fast and humane as possible. I understand that all of us have shot deer that we have lost for one reason or another, but to do it because you were too lazy to tune your bow or sight in your rifle is a piss poor excuse in my book. So I will buy as many different broadheads as I need to until I am tack driving with them before I ever hunt with any of them. I was just trying to find out if 3 blade Muzzy's fly ok with 2" Blazers, and if the newer smaller ferruled Muzzy's would work better than the old style.
Couldn't agree more about not using an "untuned bow". I've found that it's not that difficult to get fieldpoints and fixed broadheads to fly the same. I'd probably just as serious about this if I did in fact shoot mechanicals. I want the best perfomance I can get out of my bow. So if a shot goes "fubar" I've got a good idea where the problem is. By the way, I also shoot 3 blade NAP Thunderheads with the same POI as the 4 blade Muzzys. 2" blazers work great. Good luck to ya.
Some states have outlawed mechanical broadheads as well. Oregon is on of them. I totally agree with these laws and with thundercloud.
I still use 4" and some 5" feathers with my 3 blade muzzy heads. Who cares about the guys using 2" vanes?
Just because someone chooses to shoot a mechanical broadhead doesn't mean they are shooting an untuned bow. My Tribute will shoot a perfect tear every time that I shoot it though paper. However, for deer here in South Carolina I use Rage 2 blade heads because of the great success I've had with them and the amount of damage they cause. I've never had to track a deer shot with them nor have I never failed to get a complete pass through. For hogs I use Razor Tricks. They fly great and I like the cut on contact. A few weeks ago I killed two hogs with one shot (by mistake). The BH busted a rib going in and coming out and still had enough energy to punch directly through the center of another hogs shoulder and into it's heart. Both went less than 50yds. I've used Blazers with no problems. I currently use Fusion vanes with the Bohning Helix jig and love it. As for Muzzy heads. I would take a SlickTrick over a Muzzy any day of the week. IMO SlickTricks are probably the best fixed BH on the market. They fly great, produce large holes, and are very well built. I've killed several hogs with the same head, just resharpen the blades.
Strutin, Don't get me wrong, I wasn't saying that everyone who shoots mechanicals was shooting an untuned bow and I am sure some mechanicals work great. I was just saying that you shouldn't just settle for a mechanical head because you are too lazy to take the time to tune your bow. And unfornuately some guys out there are just all about stickin' sumthin" as they put it. Years ago I had a small Pro Shop in my basement and a guy came in the night before the season opened and wanted to buy a bow so he could go hunting with his buddies and had never shot a bow before. I refused to sell to him. He was one of the guys that give our sport a bad name same as the guys who don't tune their bows and just sling arrows down range and pray they hit something. I'll check out the Slick Tricks you spoke about, thanks for your input!!!
AGREED!!! I tune my bow every year (just in case) and then i take fixed and mechanical broadheads until I am hitting exact same spot. When I accomplish this is when and only when I am satisfied. It only takes a few hours to do and doesn't have to be done all at once. ANYHOW I started shooting the NAP BLOODRUNNER last year and it was awesome so this is my suggestion as far as a mechanical if you got that route.
The first thing you should do is Not worry about what everyone else uses and use what works for you! Do a little experimenting and learn first hand. I hate expandables and wish they were illegal here in Wisconsin. I don't trust them and it makes for lazy hunters in my opinion. I like shooting my broadheads, that way I know right where they are hitting and I have no surprises. As far as vanes or feathers, I lean towards 4" feathers. Like I said try some different combinations on your own and draw your own opinion. You will be happier and more confident in the end. Do you want to learn or become part of a fashion statement? Like Christine said don't worry about those 2" guys! LOL
New Z7 I also purchased a z7 about a month ago. Very nice bow. All I can do is smile inside every time I shoot it. In regard to your question. What draw weight are you shooting? If you are shooting more that 60 - 65 # you might want to try a stiffer shaft and heavier broadhead. I am shooting 65 pounds, using a 350 shaft and 125 grain broadhead. With that weight I am still getting 292 FPS, which is a realistic speed for the z7 not the 332 IBO they boast. What bow does though? I don't think you can go wrong with 2" blazers. But you have to go with what works for you. As far as mechanicals, I used thunderheads for years and just switched to mechanicals 2 years ago. The mechanicals you used 7 years ago WERE junk, they have improved 1000%. I have used the Rage (JUNK), Spitfire (GREAT/USER FRIENDLY), and the G5 Tekan (hard to maintain). This year I have gone back to the Spitfire xp pro series for many reasons. Too many to list here. I have a friend who swears by the Trophy Ridge mechanicals. Don't know the model name. The thing about bow gear is everyone has an opinion. That is what works for me. GOOD LUCK.
