I'm considering mech again.
Is there some sort of minimum KE rating for each manufacturers/model of mech Broadheads?
Now shoot a field tip throughout the same material and measure its velocity before and after the target material and calculate the KE for each velocity. The difference is the KE required for the field tip arrow to pass through the material.
The difference between the KE required for the field point and mechanical is basically the KE required to open the blades.
Mechanicals usually require VERY little KE to open the blades in soft material. However, a huge amount of KE is used if they open in bone or spread two ribs apart. The exact amount can be determined as shown above.
I know I can get a passthru on a whitetail using Spitfires with my Elite GT-500 @ 52# and a 27" DL on a Carbon Tech Panther shaft. Hitting the leg bone will have different results, but I have gone thru the flat part of the scapula with no issues.
As a disclaimer... my equipment is as well tuned as any human can get it. Equipment tune, shot placement, and blade sharpness each pretty much equal in being top producer of penetration. In fact, KE wouldn't make my top ten of factors to consider for penetration.
COC is working from the moment it touches an animal and with not mechanical failure issues.
The amount used to deploy the blade is nill compared to everything else, you would be better to focus on the design of the blade deployment rather than the energy part (sales gimmick). Rearward-sliding deploying blades might be better than ones that swing open.
The leg bone below the scapula of an elk will stop any broadhead, mechanical or fixed, and cause minimal damage other than breaking a leg...
Major is blade angle (mechs are known for poor angles)and large cutting widths up to 2-2 1/2". I think Bruce is right, KE out of a modern compound isn't an issue. Pushing that head with a toothpick is. The heavier shafts will perform better.
Still another issue with poor mech performance or penetration has nothing to do with KE or weight. A good many mechs are sold because folks can't make fixed blades fly worth a darn. The bow is not tuned, arrows are coming out at an angle, not straight. Mechs will fly "like field points", FBBHs do not. So mechs it is.....
Nothing magical suddenly made the bow tuned, it's still launched arrows crooked. And crooked when it hits it's target. Huge amounts of energy wasted. But it did hit the spot.
Blade deployment is a non-issue IMO stacked up against all these other issues.
Yep much similar to the rocky mt snypers, not sure why anybody would need a larger cutting BH? Pretty much everything I shoot with my snypers dies within sight!
"Put on a Rocket Steelhead and you will be fine. Will out penetrate many of the popular fixed heads on the market."
that IS what KE is ..... once the arrow starts slowing down, it loses KE, once it hits, it loses almost all its KE
and since KE is 2X on speed .... well you can see how KE really is irrelevant to bowhunting
to answer your questions, the same things apply today as it did 20 years ago - is the head well built, can it fail to open, how much momentum does your bow generate to drive that less than ideal penetrating broadhead through what you shoot ....
One more story 7-8 years ago my stepson shot a big w-tail doe with the 100 steelhead. Doe was broadside, hit right behind the shoulder. He was shooting about 45 lbs at about 26 or 27 draw. Shot right through it. Ed
While there are a LOT of tv "pros" that shoot poorly tuned bows. The biggest "problem" the Drurys seem to have is shooting very large cut BH's, and light arrows/poundage. But really how much of a problem is this when it still kills the deer, dead is dead. I see plenty of fixed blade head on hunting shows that fail to get pass throughs as well. A passthrough is great, but it's not the be all end all.
Said you seen plenty of fixed heads not pass thru, but I don't think I've ever seen a mech pass thru.
How many of those hunting shows use dogs to track? I've seen where they try to make it look like it was an easy tracking job and pull up a rigamortis deer. How often do they leave the deer overnight?? The only thing a mechanical BH company does better/more than fixed is advertising. Do the world a favor (and your quarry) and don't drink the Kool-aid.
I remember steelheads where good too but I wasn't a fan of spitfires at all only because they opened so hard and for light weight bows I passed on those and went with the easier opening shockwaves,,,,,,, you would think the big fat triangle head on the shockwave would hurt penetration but it was all passthrus for me I really loved that head.
When the Drurys can't track a deer for lack of blood due to not achieving an exit wound, have to leave it overnight so a buddy of mine can track it for them the next day only to find the part not eaten by coyotes had spoiled - I'd say that is a problem.
"Said you seen plenty of fixed heads not pass thru, but I don't think I've ever seen a mech pass thru."
Excluding turkeys, I've probably gotten pass through with mechanicals on 90% of the animals I have shot them with. If you aren't seeing pass throughs with them, I'd bet money it isn't the broadhead or style of broadhead but rather the culmination of other decisions made by the hunter that used them.
