What Mechanically Expanding Broadhead Would You Recommend?

Hey guys & gals, I'm going down to the local shop this weekend to get some new arrows and I have decided to go with an expanding broadhead point. But their are so many options out there that it's kinda mind numbing, so that's where you guys come in, I was wondering if you guy's could share your opinions and recommendations on what are the best brand's and model's that I should look into?

Any and all help would be appreciated, thanks in advance too.

 

I used Rages the past 2 years, never had any problems. This year, I'm switching back to fixed blade though. Going with Slick Trick Magnums.

 

Ya my cousin is all about fixed bladed broadheads, but this upcoming season being my first bow hunting, I figured I'd start out with an expanding broadhead and after I become more knowledgeable and have a few season under my belt, I could switch to a fixed blade broadhead.

 

Only two mechanicals would I try and use. Grim Reaper and NAP Spitfires. I used Grim's last year and they did great...have had enough firsthand experience or stories from buddies about their Spitfires that I'm confident in recommending them. *I too though am going back to fixed this next season more than likely...looking at Slick Trick Magnums and Hellrazors.

 

No offense but, IMO, that is backwards. I would recommend new bowhunters stick with fixed blades until they become more knowledgeable and then apply that knowledge so that the expandables performed the way they are supposed to.

 

Thats what I was thinking as well. My first two seasons, I used Slick Trick standards, then switched to Rages. Now back to the basics.

 

I shot the 2 blade bloodrunners last year and they worked very well. The meat seekers flew amazing though I did not hunt with them. A guy I work with that has been instrumental in my bowhunting uses them and he swears by them.
I have a pack of rage but I have not gotten to use them on any game yet.
However, like stated above, it's better to start with fixed. Grizz Tricks by slick trick flew amazing, I don't regret using my bloodrunners last year, but it was a total toss up.
If you want, search the posts I have started for one called "Broadheads, broadheads, broadheads", it's older, but there's some good info in there.

 

Well I was told that their is a lot more that goes into tuning arrows that have fixed blade broadheads and there for can have more things go wrong. Plus I was told the the expanding broadhead will perform more like a field point and that's all I have shot up to this point, I know that the mechanical broadheads can fail to open or open prematurely, but thought overall that they are a little easier for a novice to use. Now with that being said most of this info came from friends and family, so nothing is written in stone and that is exactly why I asked this question here. The more opinions I hear the more knowledgeable choice I'll be able to make.

 

I will definitely check out that post, thanks.

 

A poorly tuned bow and arrow will not perform efficiently and so the expandable will not perform as well as it should. Getting your setup to shoot fixed blades properly will force you to gain the knowledge about your equipment that you should have before using expandables. A correctly tuned setup can shoot any fixed blade but, more important, is that it is transferring energy efficiently. You need the most efficient transfer of energy to get the expandable to perform as they should.

Too many folks use expandables to make up for a inefficient and poorly tuned setup. Then we get the posts that the BH let them down and didn't perform as it should.

 

Thanks for the info brucelanthier, I will have to reevaluate my decision then on the broadheads, I definitely don't want to do anything half *** with my setup. Could you then maybe recommend a brand & model of broadhead I should look into?

 

Slick tricks are a good, solid, inexpensive BH with a few options.

 

Rage. I have been using them since they came out. The new Extreme 2.3 for this year looks very interesting and they new collar/locking system this year looks better too.

 

CV, even though you're a novice tuning a bow isn't that hard as long as you have a head on your shoulders and at least something between your ears. It can be intimidating, but if you do it in small steps you'll find it very easy and fun.

That said, do a google search on the "easton archery tuning guide". It is a PDF file. I actually have it saved on my phone for a reference when I'm out shooting. Read it carefully. It's kind of long but it goes into great detail. After you have read it, things will make more sense. IMO, try paper tuning first. It's very easy and it's a great base for the rest of your tuning. After that, there are a few more methods described in the guide that you can try. The more you shoot and work on it the more comfortable you'll be.
*For a paper tuning equipment, I started with a piece of white computer paper taped across the front of a cardboard box that was strengthened with duct tape. I then moved up in life by cutting the bottom out of a milk crate and taping computer paper across the front of that.

Even though you're a novice, don't think you can't do it or it's too much. If you have any questions, just ask, I have yet to see even the most basic of questions not be answered.

By the time you get done you'll have a great understanding and the option and confidence to shoot any broadhead you want.

 

My broadhead of choice are the Red Head Gators. They fly with my field points and are $10 cheaper than most mechanical heads. They are very sharp as well. I have used them the last three seasons on deer, turkey, and a bear and they performed great. If you look at the 2012 lineup of broadheads you will see that NAP, G5, and Trophy Taker all have new heads coming out that mimic this one. They all are a little different but the actual mechanics of how it works are the same. Like I said, most of the time they are $30 for a 3 pack and occasionally they run them for $19.99. Looks at the reviews online and you will see. As far as fixed....I have used the Slick Trick Grizz Tricks and the G5 strikers and I liked both of them. Lots of heads out there so do some research and read the reviews....

 

ok bruce is absolutely correct you really need to make sure you have your bow tuned properly,
the down side to SOME fixed blade broadheads is that they will never fly the same as your field points,
How ever the slick tricks are great and so are the stingers by magnus. (they have both flown out of my bow out to 60 yards with not onwe adjustment)
Slick trick is coming out with a new head called the viper trick which is bigger the the grizzly and slimmer.
If you are stuck on the idea of using a mech blade wait for the new KILL ZONE by nap to come out they are sure to be sweet.
BUT please practice practice practice no matter what you shoot. let us know what you decide and how it works out for you.

 

Most expandable blades will work given you have the proper setup, arrow weight and Kinetic energy. Putting that head where it needs to be placed is the Big story though! Some of the NAP'S are kinda best of both worlds. They are expandable and are already semi open but open further on contact.

 

NAP Spitfires are a great expandable head. If you have a good set-up that is properly tuned I would recommend these.

I have not heard very many, if any at all, complaints about this head. They just flat out work. Good luck and have fun with it!

 

Ive been having great success with Rage. Used to use cut on contact Steel force for years and loved them too. Just practice hours on end and put the shot where it needs to be and it wont matter what BH upon use! Lol wish it worked out that easy.

 

I've used a Rage, didn't get full pass through, but the blood loss was immense. If the idea is to kill by hemorrhaging, this seems like the best bet. Not to mention it needed very little tuning.

Have also used NAP Thunderhead and it required a little bit more tuning.