Plan to hang up the bow for archery season...

[Armored farmer]

What kind of broadhead is everybody using? Nothing fancy for me, 100 gr. Muzzy's.

I have been stuck on Allen Beartooth 100gr fixed. They are similar to a montec but inexpensive. They are easily sharpened with a stone.
I dislike a flippy floppy mechanical that always pop open in my quiver.

 

[buck460XVR]

I too am one of those that prescribes to the KISS(Keep It Simple Stupid) mindset when it comes to broad-heads. Took my first buck with a bow in 1968 using a fixed blade Bear Razor head. Last years buck was shot using an Allen 100gr Gunnison. For many years I used the old Bod-Kin three blades till I moved up to Savora 125 gr four blades. Whether rigid or replacement blades, fixed bladed broad-heads have always worked well fro me, when I did my part. Don't need to fix things iffin they work. The Gunnison is a sturdy broad-head that shoots like a field point, even in the wind. Last years buck was taken at about 45 yards.....that is the entry wound with a complete pass-thru.

 

[Patocazador]

I have seen too many of the mechanical blades produce wounded deer that were lost. Also, I talked to two hunters last year who used mechanicals with their crossbows. One bragged about shooting a deer at 90 yards but couldn't follow the meager blood trail. The other said he was going back to fixed blade broadheads.

I have shot Hoyt Top-Cut 4-blade heads since the '80s. When they were discontinued, I bought up all the broadheads and blades I could find. They have .040" thick stainless blades and can be re-sharpened. I still have a half-dozen left.

 

[Rembrandt]

I'm interested in opinions on some crossbow 100 grain broad heads. Heard there are some made of titanium. Have never used expandable heads, yet one source says they work quite well with crossbows because of the added force/speed generated. The Ravin puts out 430 FPS. Not concerned about price, just quality and performance.

 

[Olympus]

I'm a dealer and I've sold almost all of the major brands. Ravin certainly makes a high quality bow, no doubt about that. Their range has been tested and confirmed, but as a hunter, I would certainly not be taking any shots on a deer past 50 or 60 yards. There's too much time for a deer to move, jump, and/or duck before the arrow arrives. Way too many variables for a 100 yard shot on an animal, at least for me. Personally, my opinion is the Ravin is more a brand/show-off thing. I know lots of guys that kill way more deer with crossbows that cost less than half the price of a Ravin. The name, technology, and performance is not what makes an archery hunter successful, least not in my experience.

Crossbow broadheads are another hot topic. Guys have their own brand and swear by them. Titanium is 100 percent not necessary for whitetail deer. It's really not even necessary for elk. The best advice I can give is to get one or two brands and try them out with your buy. Pick the one that groups the best with your bow and then evaluate it's performance in the field. If it flies good and cuts good, then stick with it. Personally, I like NAP Killzone mechanicals. The fly great for me and have always gotten the job done. A lot of guys like Rage and Swhacker also.

As for crossbow brands, I personally have shot several different ones and I always come back to Excalibur. They are dead reliable, incredibly simple, have been around for a long time, easy to work on yourself, and are dang near indestructible. I shoot a Micro 355 and I love it. I've found that it shoots Spynal Tap arrows incredibly well. I've had the Horton reverse limb models and even a few of the Ten Point models over the years. All very good bows, but I always come back to Excalibur. Something about shooting a recurve crossbow, no compound, that reminds of me Medieval Times. That and the fact that it shoots so darn good, I don't think I'll ever go with another brand from now on. But there are a lot of good options. Don't get hung up on the name or the "latest and greatest".

 

[Rembrandt]

Here's what I'm puzzled and curious to find out....when discussing mechanicals with conventional bows, it seems there are mixed results, sometimes they deploy other times they don't. Is that because of slower speed (FPS)?, a mechanical defect?, or something related to the impact when it hits?

Does a crossbows speed and higher velocity improve the reliability for the blades to deploy?

What's the difference between mechanicals for crossbows and conventional bows?

 

[Olympus]

Here's what I'm puzzled and curious to find out....when discussing mechanicals with conventional bows, it seems there are mixed results, sometimes they deploy other times they don't. Is that because of slower speed (FPS)?, a mechanical defect?, or something related to the impact when it hits?

Does a crossbows speed and higher velocity improve the reliability for the blades to deploy?

What's the difference between mechanicals for crossbows and conventional bows?

I’m not really sure because I’ve never used a vertical bow. I really wouldn’t overthink it.

 

[FL-NC]

As a new Xbow hunter (never tried a vertical bow) with only 2 seasons and 1 deer to my credit, I use 100 grain fixed muzzies. I took a shortcut, and opted for these instead of spending $ and experimenting. I relied on the suggestion of a more experienced friend. Observation: It seems like the fixed VS mechanical broadhead conversation is almost like the arguments in a "caliber war" over guns.

 

[Flintknapper]

What kind of broadhead is everybody using? Nothing fancy for me, 100 gr. Muzzy's.

Nothing fancy for me either. Just rocks.

120-135 grs. typically.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

^^^
Nice points Sir.
You ever visit the Primative Archer site?

 

[Olympus]

As a new Xbow hunter (never tried a vertical bow) with only 2 seasons and 1 deer to my credit, I use 100 grain fixed muzzies. I took a shortcut, and opted for these instead of spending $ and experimenting. I relied on the suggestion of a more experienced friend. Observation: It seems like the fixed VS mechanical broadhead conversation is almost like the arguments in a "caliber war" over guns.

The biggest argument in favor of mechanical is that they tend fly more like a field point, so there’s very little, if any adjustment needed to swap between the two. Some people say the fixed blades don’t shoot to the same POI as their field point arrows, so they have to adjust their scope when they make the switch from field point to fixed broadheads. Again, that’s anecdotal evidence based on what I hear from other customers. I’ve always shot mechanicals, so I don’t know firsthand.

 

[Patocazador]

The biggest argument in favor of mechanical is that they tend fly more like a field point, so there’s very little, if any adjustment needed to swap between the two. Some people say the fixed blades don’t shoot to the same POI as their field point arrows

I use 125 gr. 4-blade broadheads on my X-bow and they shoot to the same POA as my 125 gr. field points. When my shoulders were good and I shot a compound, I could 'tune' my aluminum arrows to shoot to the same POA also by weighing and spinning shafts before attaching nocks, feathers, and heads. After assembly I spun them again and change out broadheads until there was no wobble.

 

[Olympus]

I use 125 gr. 4-blade broadheads on my X-bow and they shoot to the same POA as my 125 gr. field points. When my shoulders were good and I shot a compound, I could 'tune' my aluminum arrows to shoot to the same POA also by weighing and spinning shafts before attaching nocks, feathers, and heads. After assembly I spun them again and change out broadheads until there was no wobble.

I said "some" people say they experience a difference. I didn't say or even suggest that was the case for every scenario.

 

[Captcurt]

The biggest argument in favor of mechanical is that they tend fly more like a field point, so there’s very little, if any adjustment needed to swap between the two. Some people say the fixed blades don’t shoot to the same POI as their field point arrows, so they have to adjust their scope when they make the switch from field point to fixed broadheads. Again, that’s anecdotal evidence based on what I hear from other customers. I’ve always shot mechanicals, so I don’t know firsthand.

I noticed that the fixed blades worked well until I got over 260 fps. Then every thing has to be perfect. Many broadheads are not true. We spun some in a lathe and several brands had some wobble to them. NAPs Thunderheads were some of the straightest that we found. When I got my Mission bow I had to make sure that every arrow was nearly perfect. Still shoot the thunderheads but if I was shooting a fast crossbow (300+fps) I would seriously consider mechanicals.

 

[FL-NC]

The biggest argument in favor of mechanical is that they tend fly more like a field point, so there’s very little, if any adjustment needed to swap between the two. Some people say the fixed blades don’t shoot to the same POI as their field point arrows, so they have to adjust their scope when they make the switch from field point to fixed broadheads. Again, that’s anecdotal evidence based on what I hear from other customers. I’ve always shot mechanicals, so I don’t know firsthand.

In my experience, this is 100% correct. My 100 grain field tips don't hit the same POI as my 100 grain broadheads. I always confirm my POI with a "sacrificial broadhead". This is also very hard on my cube target, which needs to be replaced after 2 seasons.

 

[Laphroaig]

The original set of three blade Muzzys that I bought came with a practice broadhead. It essentially shoots to the same POA as my field points.

I noticed that the fixed blades worked well until I got over 260 fps. Then every thing has to be perfect.

I can see where this could be true. I haven't had a problem with my setup so I'm going to keep using them. But I cringe when I hear of people attempting 50 or 60 yard shots. That's just too far for many reasons.

 

[double bogey]

I stopped shooting due to bad shoulders. Went into the bow shop one day and shot a 60# bow. after 3 shots I said "sold". 15 yrs newer than my Mathews lite, couldn't believe how fast it shot.. Now, with a couple of back surgeries, a crossbow may be in my future.
'

 

[Hookeye]

I miss my Hoyt Protec Compound. Really liked it, except for it being so heavy.
Would have been a decent 3D bow, but I had a pinched nerve in spine that took me out of archery for a spell.
Dumped Blackwidow recurve and went back to wheels (the Hoyt) and even then, after a couple yrs could only hunt........no more 3D or indoors.
The lack of shooting got my spine to straighten and rebreaking a rib got the nerve unpinched.
That was an interesting day LOL

So I left everything alone for months and then picked up a recurve, and could shoot a couple dozen arrows pain free.
Am still leery of shooting much, so do a little off and on, never go crazy and shoot all day like I did when younger.

Back to recurve.........54# Blackwidow HS.
Love the grip.
Had a couple HS but this the only FF rated one.

Xbow legal here for everybody now, used to be for handicapped yrs ago.
Some old timers I know went to X bow kicking and screaming, but by golly they got out and had fun, put meat in the freezer.
I say more power to em!

My kid has a messed up shoulder, so only way she could hunt archery season is with X bow.
Dunno if she wants to or not.
Had other shoulder done 6 weeks ago and has PT for the first time tomorrow.

If she wants to hunt I'll buy her one.
Proly a Mission.

LGS carries them.
No way a Ravin.

 

[Hookeye]

Mech broadheads..............shot 6 deer w 6 shots, older 2 blade NAP Spitifre.
All blew through.
All opened on contact.
Medium to heavy aluminum arrows, 73-82# compounds.
Bloodtrails not the best at first, got decent and then HOLY COW what a splash.
Deer down and dead around 50 yard mark.
Those the ones that ran.
A couple just hopped once or twice, quivered, fell over.

Don't like 2 blade trad heads either, for lesser BT's.

3 blade is where it's at for me, or tolerable, a 2 blade w bleeders.
Never again just a reg 2 blade.

Really liked the old Snuffers from trad on deer, big red at the start.

If shorty goes X bow I'll set her up w G5 Strikers.
Liked them from my compounds and got some to try from recurve this yr too.

 

[Hookeye]

For those having a bucket list of a trad deer kill....

Might I suggest a newer bow of fast flite string and maybe 40#.
I had a Hoyt Dorado w Tradtech reg wood/glass limbs (ILF converted to reg bolt on) and it was light, smooth and pleasant at the shot (w Great Northern strap on quiver). Mine was 53# though.

That to me was not a cheap bow, but a bargain.

Broke a finger on draw hand, ripped tendon on bow hand...........and was not able to practice much before season.
Had to change how I shot, as before it was unconscious gap shooting (instinctive) and that took a lot of arrows.

Using weight tuned arrows, I found going 3 under w a higher anchor allowed me to use the arrow as a sight.
I shot the same sight picture for 20 as I did 30 yards, but used a lower anchor for the longer D.
2 sight pictures, 2 anchors.........20,25 and 30 yards............arrow as a sight.

My deer popped up at 25, drew, held and smoked him. That w a 60# Blackwidow HS (sold the Hoyt).

That easy.

Problems with that style of shooting are:

High anchor makes arm/shoulder feel funky (after shooting a lower anchor for decades).
It is not fluid, is kinda static........just seems unnatural......again, that after shooting reflexive for so long.

The plus?

Accuracy can be had with minimal practice.

 

[entropy]

I just gave my bow to my oldest son, my left wrist isn't strong enough for it anymore.(Nerve damage down left arm to hand. Can't play guitar anymore either. ) He said he'd give me his crossbow, if he can get it back from the buddy he lent it to....I'll have to see what it is, but in the mean time, I'm looking around. I only get out a couple times a year, so it won't be top of the line.

 

[Hookeye]

If I can do it, anybody can
View attachment 841205

 

[Hookeye]

I miss my Schecter Stilletto bass.
Wanted a Steve Harris Fender.
Had over half of Maiden's World Slavery Tour memorized.
But fingers, hands, wrists are pretty much shot.
Gave it up too man. Sucks.

I fell at work what, a month ago? and cracked my arm.
Mounting scopes on rifles using the Wheeler torque driver, really aggravated it.
Was pretty ouchy today.
This in the wrist, not farther up where it got cracked.

 

[Hookeye]

Dunno how many yrs I have in trad archery.
Won't be going X bow.
I'll just give it up and gun hunt.
Not that big a deal.
Just toughing it out hoping for a P&Y by recurve.
Different hunting area, chances slim.
I should take my bow in gun season and stay on the creek, in case a big one tries to slip through.
No P&Y sized bucks seen in last couple yrs. 2017 we let em all walk, nothing over 100".

 

[T.R.]

An unhealed elbow fracture ruined my archery hobby back in 1999. So I bought a second hand Hunt Master crossbow for a very fair price and began to familiarize myself with this amazing hunting tool. Back in those days, Maryland allowed crossbows for deer hunting if a state form was signed by an M.D. Many whitetails were downed with this crossbow; my longest shot was about 35 yards. I continue to hunt in Florida with this most excellent weapon.

Many crossbow companies have appeared within the last 5 years. Pricing is all over the place from low to high. But both of my nephews bought Beowulf crossbows from Sportsman's Guide and have been very happy with them, yet priced under $400.

TR