Mechanical broadhead vs. fixed blade?

I shoot a Bear Lights Out, with a 31" draw at 70#. Currently I shoot fixed blades, but have wondered if I would be better to switch to mechanical broadheads for whitetails - especially given my draw length and weight. I hunted from the ground last year (1st time archery hunting), but wasn't able to get a shot off. I did get a turkey though! I suppose any broadhead will kill if you hit your target properly. Anyway, thought I'd throw this question out there to see what people think.

 

I don't see a problem shooting mechanicals out of your setup. You'll likely hear opinions both ways but, like you said, if the shot is good it won't matter which BH you use. Find a BH you'll have confidence in and use it.

 

I have been exclusive to mechanicals for pretty much all of my bowhunting years. I had some thunderheads the first year I hunted w/ a bow at all but never got a shot off.
You will get a ton of different opinions on this subject, some folks tend to stay away from mechs because of the fact that some do not work well, they do not open well on impact, too many moving parts, etc...
To be honest w/ the 2 types of mechs that I have used; NAP Sptifires and Rage 3 blades, I have never had one fail to open and have had 100% pass through on every deer I have shot, thats the truth. But at the same time all of these shots were placed well and I have always had enough KE to have the heads work correctly.

I have the itch to shoot fixed heads this next year, I have some G5 montecs that I am excited to get tuned and shooting them.

Like I said you will get a lot of opinions on this subject so here is mine: Quality mech heads have killed plenty of game in their time, I have absolutely no problem with them, I have had nothing but good experiences with them so my opinion could be biased. If the stigma of blades not opening hinders your confidence dont use em, plain and simple. If you like fixed head thats fine too, to each their own.

 

It's not so much about the BH as It's about shot placement. Put that arrow where It needs to be, done deal!

 

I carry both in my quiver. Schultzy is right though, shot placement is key, but I do like the big swath that the mechanicals offer. Just a tad bit more room for error in case things don't go right.

 

I use the G5 Montecs. No complaints with them. I shot 2 deer this past season and both were pass thrus. Like the others have said its all in the setup and the shot placement.

 

I use the Rage 2 blades and haven't had any problems with them opening up. I feel the only difference between them for me is I can get mechanical heads to fly a little better. Thats just with my experience and you'll have to shoot some and see what you like.

 

ive always wondered this to. i used fixed blades the last 2 years and was thinking about making the change to mecs. im going to shoot both before the season starts and what ever one a i feel most comfortable with is what im going to use.

 

I see Rage has a 2 blade mech head out called 40KE for low poundage shooters, kind of
interesting.

 

Any good mechanical or fixed blade head will do the job. I do like my arrows to have a complete pass through. A great deal of kinetic energy is used to open the blades on a mechanical head. The only way to do that with a mechanical blade is to use a heaver arrow.

Most of us hunt from tree stands so I think we need to have an exit hole to leave a good blood trial. If you do not have a low exit hole the blood must fill up in the animal to the entrance hole before it start leaving a good blood trail.

Some of the mechanical heads have a problem when hitting a deer at an angle. They will not go into the body but will deflect of the animal. Many of the new designs for mechanical broad head have corrected that problem.

I agree that any sharp head will do the job if put in the right area. But as we all know for what every reason we will make a bad shot in our bow hunting lives. And that will require a sharp and durable broad head with some weight behind the head.

 

Well said by all - if we spent as much time worrying about good shot placement we would never have a broadhead failure. Hit them in the vitals and they will expire quickly and be found easily.

 

I am using 340 bemans w/ 100 gr. grim reapers. What are the opinions on that? I understand that a heavier arrow may provide some extra opening power but is there anything wrong with this setup?

 

I would never say that you are shooting a wrong setup.
If this setup is doing what you want it to do, then I would keep shooting this setup. Myself like my arrows to go all the way through a deer. I have shot deer with both types of heads. What I like and works well for me is a little lighter arrow with a fixed blade head that is cut on contact. My hunting arrows with broad heads and with target points all group together with no planning problems. I know this setup will also go through a big bone or shoulder blade at 20 yards on a 250 lbs deer. I shot a buck 2 years ago a little high and forward. I did not get a complete pass thought but it did get both lungs and did the job. I do not shoot at animals over 40 yards so I do not know if a fixed blade or mechanical blade is better.