There is absolutely no fixed blade broadhead that will shoot as well as a good mechanical broadhead. The fact they don't have exposed blades means they fly like field points. Period. Bladed in the wind or any other questions unknown issue will plane.
And for the tuning geniuses that will tell me I don't know how to tune, try again.
Skook, I respectfully disagree. And I also tune my own bows. ;)
For years I suffered the tang of verbal assaults -
everything from "mechanical - why do you want one more thing that "could" go wrong" :the blades "only" open sometimes" "If it shoots like a practice tip - I tune my own bow" - "only a lazy hunter would hunt with a broadhead that shoots like a practice tip" And, on and on and on -
Guess what?
Over the years ya don't hear that much anymore and more and more guys are sayin - "Damn - that wound channel on the RAGE (and/or) NAP Spitfire I could drive a truck through it".... "Awesome Head"
I've been shooting NAP Spitfire over 15 years and "Wow" - I have also shot "RAGE" for chits and giggles and "WOW"....
Gotta shoot what YOU like but never sell the mechinicals short my friends...
One of the big problems with mechanicals is what I hear from novice bowhunters. Statements like " With my (mechanical) I can hit anywhere on the deer and still get my animal."
They work fine on deer, but not bears....
I have shot lots of bears (MN, WI, Canada) with broadheads and they do kill bears fast. I have never used an expandable so I can't really compare them.
One thing I did try for a while was string trackers and I quit using them because both bear and deer seemed to run farther with that string burning thru them as they ran.
I think everyone of your comments hits the nail on the head but I agree most with your sentiment that a deer hit in the vitals (lungs, heart, liver or gut) is a dead deer. Shot placement and the pathway of the arrow are the key factors. Understanding the angular anatomy of a deer's vitals when shooting from a tree stand leads to proper arrow placement. Bow type, poundage, or brand as well as style and manufacture of a broadhead don't amount to diddly if you don't hit 'em where it counts!
Years ago I used to display my broadhead collection at shoots, banquets, conventions, and deer shows. It always received a lot of attention and garnered a lot of comments. But what I heard most was, "Which is the best broadhead?" My standard answer was something like, "It's the one you have faith in and can can send through the vitals. You've got to believe in what you're using, your set-up, and your skill. Master that and you're 90% of the way there." I believe that I could have used virtually any one of the broadheads in my collection to kill a deer if my shot was on target.
Such are the unexpected speed bumps down life's roadway. Yes, I know Larry Whiffen.
I've killed 11 bears in my hunting career - the first was with a 30-06 rifle - All other have been with either a NAP Spitfire or a Rage Broadhead.
I think the farthest anyone of them has gone is 45 yards - DEAD!
Guess I wont be in your bear camp!
I wouldn't think of shooting anything else at a deer/bear or an elk for that matter. They are blood letting - Massive wound channel drillin' machines!
And what I have said for years - the most important piece to ANY kill - SHOT PLACEMENT!
I can kill a deer with a target point on an arrow - with proper shot placement!
Shoot what you want -
Shot placement is the number one key,,, but there are a lot of variables that can effect your shot. I wouldn't use them on elk , moose ,, yet.... but will on bear for sure and maybe deer someday.