fixed blade or expandable

[stealheadfisher]

what would you say is a better idea for elk?

[huntnnw]

there is no question on penetration depth of a fixed head over a mechanical. Ill never shoot a mechanical for elk.  There has been many test videos shared over the years. You lose energy just getting the head to open and the benefit of mechanicals is the larger cutting diameters that also slow penetration and a lot of mechanicals dont have the blade thickness of some of the really good fixed heads out there.

[stealheadfisher]

what type of fixed blade do you think is best

[huntnnw]

there are lots of good ones out there. RAD broadheads,Kudu,muzzy, montec  and shuttle T to name a few

[Zuus]

I have recently done some of the same research. I have not used mechanicals myself.
Each bow hunting buddy I talked to though, said the same thing. They would use mechanicals for deer but not for elk.

[boneaddict]

Fixed!   

[Archry]

Hybrid.  Bloodsport gravedigger 125 grain.  I shot my bull elk this year with one. It didn't go 40 yards.  I have also shot three  mule deer and one cow elk with this setup. All have dropped under 40 yards.

[Cab]

fixed 125g Slick Trick Magnum for my compound and fixed 125g 1964 Bear Razorhead for my recurve.

Why? Because I dread the thought of shooting an animal and the blades not opening, I don't like adding any more moving parts then I need to.

[jstone]

Fixed

[Tracker0721]

I like the ashby studies personally. So fixed and heavy. Also single bevel and I’ve found nothing stronger, more accurate(groups with field tips past 70), or easier to sharpen. Though I did hit them on my worksharp and a strop- not a file. Shooting them into my 3D really shows how much more spin they put on compared to a double bevel.

But my buddy took his bull with a slick trick 125 and the other took his cow with a muzzy 3 blade 100 grain. Both absolute perfect shots at 40 yards. Both other buddies hit, one at 6 yards into the shoulder and no penetration, arrow fell out. Other one was at 20 yards and the arrow was found broken off with 4” missing. Never found anything on that one in 5 more days hunting the area.

So accuracy is key in my book but I always prepare for anything bad to happen to happen and I wanna tip the odds in my favor.

[ridgefire]

I like a one piece, three blade cut on contact broadhead myself. Magnus Snuffer SS has worked great for me on elk. I have always had great penetration with this broadhead.

[mossback91]

fixed! Flying on a heavy arrow! Big fan of heavy arrow setups!

[buckfvr]

Fixed......and Ill add the only buck I know of from this year NOT recovered, was shot with a mechanical.

[Limhangerslayer]

My buck was shot with a mechanical this year, shot back but quartered into the liver.  Went 50 yards max.  Haven't shot am elk with them yet, but have heard the same thing other people are saying. 

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Fixed all day every day! NAP Thunder Head 125.