Broadheads
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dominic from OH asks:Mr. Winke, first off I'd like to thank you for all the great advice you give out from Midwest Whitetail. My question to you is, in your opinion as far as broadheads go.. what is the most reliable broadhead you can use for a whitetail deer? I know you shoot rocket heads, as far as blade deployment, field tip accuracy, and blood trails, which broadhead is the perfect choice in your mind?Winke Responds:Dominic, I have been shooting the Rocket Steelhead since around 1997. It is accurate, penetrates well and has killed literally hundreds of deer and other big game for me. It is a mechanical head, but a conservative one that is made from steel so it holds up very well. It always opens and flies like a field point. That is all I can ask. There may be other heads that have these same qualities, but I have so much history with this head that I haven't spent much time trying other models. Good luck. (4-10-12)
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Alan from NC asks:Really enjoy the show. Bought a crossbow that shoots 375 fps, what broadhead would you suggest? Was looking at the steelhead extreme in 125 gr not sure if they still make it or not. ThanksWinke Responds:Alan, I don't remember that head, but either way, it is not in their line now. At that speed, I would recommend something with very little exposed blade surface so you don't get planing. The regular Steelhead should be fine for that. Good luck. (3-12-12)
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Torrey from NY asks:I have always been a vertical bow guy. I work at a sporting goods store and have seen the xbow craze and hear all the stupid things guys are doing with them not to mention the poaching. However, my wife recently bought me a xbow Barnett Predator 385fps. Its fun to shoot, I am still kind of skeptical hunting with it seeing I had always been anti xbow but the more I think about it I do have a few shotgun only spots in suburbia where the xbow may come in handy. What do you think is a good broadhead for a bow that fast?Winke Responds:Torrey, They are becoming more popular for sure. Even if legalized here, I am sure I will stick with a vertical bow. I just love that form of hunting. I guess any good broadhead that will work for a conventional bow at high arrow speed will work for a crossbow. I personally favor the Rocket Steelhead. They are very accurate, pentrate well and are made of steel. Good luck. (3-4-12)
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Gary from MI asks:First off, my Monday mornings are lost without your weekly reports. Lately most magazines I pick up have broadhead articles about the weight. 100gr VS 125gr. I am 64 years old and shot a Bear compound @ 62#, 27" draw. I still shot 2117 alumium arrows with a 100gr cut on contact broadhead. My question is, does that extra 25gr make that big of a difference ? Best show on TV. Wish I was your neighbor. Thanks, GaryWinke Responds:Gary, Thanks Gary. That is funny. The answer is: Nope. Adding 25 grains to your broadhead won't make a big difference. Your arrows will have a slightly more forward balance point that might make them a bit more stable if they come out crooked (not perfectly tuned) because the center of mass of the arrow is farther forward giving the fletching a stronger affect on the arrow's position (stability). I know that is a bunch of garble, but for those who care, that is how it works. Bottomline: you will possibly see some improvement in arrow flight and consistency by adding 25 grains to the front of the arrow, but maybe not too. More than likely, you will not notice that small change. Good luck. (2-8-12)
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Paul from MN asks:Why move to the Steelhead XL instead of the Meat Seeker - both have chisel points, 3 blade, 1.5" and 100 gr.? Bill, I enjoyed the recent questions/comments and science on broadheads. We're still shooting 2 blade 1 3/8" Snypers with great penetration and kill rates, but we will be running out soon! We bought as many Snypers as we could at Cabelas a couple years back when they were discontinued. Anyway, it sounds like you may be making a switch to the Steelhead XL. #1) Curious why you're thinking of switching and #2) if you do, why would you choose the over-the-top deployment of the XL vs. the rear deployment of the Meat Seeker since they are both 3 bl, 100 gr, 1.5" cut? Thanks for the great show this year.Winke Responds:Paul, I am conservative. I like simple things that you can see. When that blade flips over center, I know exactly what my cutting diameter will be at all times. Plus, the blades aren't super long so they don't shock the arrow too much when they open. I understand the logic behind some other styles, but like I said, the steelhead design is very simple and I like simple. Snypers were interesting heads too. I always felt that the drag from the stub end of the blade that kept it open, seemed counterproductive to me. However, Sam Collora shot that giant he killed back in mid 90s with one of them and he showed me the shoulder blade that he had to shoot through. There was a perfect hole about the size of the head when it was folded, punched right through the blade. The blades folded back when they hit the bone and snuck right through. I am not sure he would have gotten that buck with a standard that didn't fold down on that hit. Again, right or wrong, I am a simple guy. What you see is what you get with the Steelhead and Steelhead XL. You don't have to wonder what it is doing. Plus, I have killed probably over 200 deer (and other big game) with them over the years. Good luck. (2-3-12)
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steve from IN asks:Bill, my son and learn alot from you and your pro staff. I want to use the 100 grain steelhead for whitetails and black bear. I'm having a confidence issue since the first time i'll be using them will be in May for bears. I know if I put it in the right place thats the key to a short blood trail. Have you ever had any issues with angle shots using the steelheads? I shoot an Alpha Max 27" draw, 65# with FMJ 400s. Thanks for your advice.Winke Responds:Steve, In my experience, bears are actually easier to kill than deer if you hit them right (kill zone is lower and farther forward than you might think). I have literally killed hundreds of animals (mostly whitetails and mostly does at that, but some elk, mulies, bears, caribou too) and have never had a problem with the heads doing their part. Sure, a larger head would be nice on some hits, but if you hit them good, the Steelhead will deliver the kill. Your setup sounds really good. Steelheads are very good penetrating heads and very accurate. Good luck on the hunt. (1-13-12)
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cal from MO asks:i was wondering if a 100 grain, meat seeker, 3 blade broadhead with a 1.5 inch cutting diameter is to big for 50 pounds draw weight and 24 inch draw length. or what broadhead you think might be better for me. love the show. thanks, CalWinke Responds:Cal, The 1 1/2 inch model is probably OK, but a bit marginal. If was going to suggest one, I would suggest the Steelhead. It is smaller and I have done testing to show that it penetrates very well. It might be a better choice of your lower poundage and shorter draw length (less stored energy). Good luck. (1-9-12)
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Keenan from MT asks:I was wondering if you can reuse broadheads and arrows after you've shot an animal. And if so how should I clean them.Winke Responds:Keenan, I just wash them in warm water. I reuse arrows all the time. I had one arrow a few years ago that I had shot seven deer with. Do you think I felt deadly when I put that on the string? It was awesome. You can also definitely replace the blades on the broadheads too. Good luck. (1-6-12)
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Brandon from CO asks:How often will you change the blades on your hunting steelheads?Winke Responds:Brandon, I am spoiled, I never change the blades, I just throw the heads away after shooting an animal and replace the head with a new one. If I was changing them, I would change the blades after every time I shoot the head. I would not shoot one into foam even, without changing the blades. Good luck. (1-2-11)
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Jacob Stuttgen from WI asks:Hey Bill, I was looking at buying some meatseeker 3 blade broadheads. So I went and looked at reviews for them on Cabela's website, and some people on their site said that the blades don't deploy, or that they have pore penetration, or that the exit hole is less than an inch, and there is no blood trail. What are your true thoughts on them. I want an accurate broadhead that penetrates deep, with a big hole. Thanks for your advice Bill, it is really appreciated!!!!!Winke Responds:Jacob, Anytime you shoot a head with a large cutting diameter it is not going to penetrate as well as one with a smaller cutting diameter. It is the eternal tradeoff of maximum tissue damager versus maximum penetration. The Meatseeker's blades float a bit - pressure on the tip is what holds them open, so it is possible that at times it won't be cutting as wide as its maximum because the pressure on the blades is greater than the pressure on the tip. This can also work to your advantage by increasing penetration in heavy tissue. Personally, I love the Rocket Steelhead. That is no secret. I have shot them for more than 15 seasons and they have never let me down. I have literally killed hundreds of deer with them. I think they are a very good, accurate, penetrating head. Plus, they are made out steel, what more could you want? Good luck. (12-12-11)
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Luke from OH asks:Mr Winke just wondering what are your thought on the best broadhead is right now on the market. Also what is the best scent control.? Thanks so much for having Midwest Whitetail love watching it every week for Ohio!Winke Responds:Luke, I love the Rocket Steelhead. Once I find something that works, I don't change. I have felt that is the best head on the market for the past 15+ years. That is how long I have been shooting them. They fly well, penetrate well and are super rugged. I am going to pass on the scent control question until we get finished up with the suit I am working on with Cabela's. If it is anything like the first one we made back in 2004, it will do a very good job of controling scent. It will be in their catalogs starting next fall. Good luck. (12-12-11)
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Mitch from MN asks:Mr. Winke, I was bowhunting in ND the night of Halloween, and shot a respectable buck. My question is, what are your experiences with 2 blade broadheads? I shot the buck with a 2 blade (rage) good hit, hit both lungs and sliced his heart, broadhead opened up perfectly, he ran 50 yards and died quickly but there was no blood trail. I thought because I hit heart it could no longer pump blood hence no blood trail but others argued that the 2 blade slice doesnt open up the wound channel big enough for blood to spill out. What are your thoughts? ThanksWinke Responds:Mitch, A heart shot produces a massive blood trail, to be sure. That is assuming the blood can get out of the carcass. I agree with the other guys who say the slit is not as adept at letting out blood as a hole caused by a three-blade head. However, dead is dead in this case. The problem comes in when the hit is marginal and the deer goes farther. Then a good blood trail is important. I truly believe a three-blade head produces a better blood trail. Good luck. (11-19-11)
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Mitchell from MN asks:I am 14 years old and i was wondering what broadhead i should use. My draw weight is 42 pounds.Winke Responds:Mitchell, 42 pounds is a pretty good bit of draw weight and will surely get the job done. I would probably focus on a three-bladed head with a moderate cutting diameter. I personally like the Rocket Steelheand and am sure it will perform well for you. It is a good penetrating head. The other option is to go for maximum penetration with a head like the Bear Razorhead (two-blade cut to the point head) or one like the Phantom. Both strategies will work. Good luck. (12-8-11)
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Joshua from IN asks:I've been away from bowhunting for 15 years...until this year. I am shooting an older Darton Ranger (approximately 17 years old that I bought when I was in high school). I have maxed out the poundage at 60 lbs. I upgraded to standard Gold Tip carbon arrows with 100 grain tips and a Whisker Biskuit rest. My chrono speed is about 240 fps. I have harvested 1 antlerless this year and a 9 point buck that I was very proud of. I say all that to say this...now that I have nearly depleted my existing broadhead stock I need to buy new ones. I need help making this choice. It feels great to be back!Winke Responds:Joshua, Welcome back. We missed you! Congrats on your success. I have never been shy about promoting the Rocket Steelheads. Anyone that has been on the site for very long will know that I love them. They are rugged, penetrate very well, open every time and are very accurate. They do everything I need so I have shot them almost exclusively for the past 15 years. There are many other good heads on the market, but I really don't think you can go wrong with the Steelhead. Good luck. (11-22-11)
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Mike from MO asks:Hi, Bill. I am 33 now, but I grew up near a major city, and so I have just recently become interested in hunting. And due to your contagious enthusiasm for bowhunting, that is where I have decided to begin this new chapter in my life. I am in the process of choosing my first broadheads (everything is a first at this point). As a novice archer, I am mostly concerned about my shot placement. I initially decided to go with the Steelheads because of its history of success. However, I have been practicing with 100 grain field tips on Goldtip 5575 arrows and draw back 28.5" on a 60# bow. I wonder if I have enough kinetic energy to be able to shoot the entire arrow through the animal with Steelhead XLs (1.5" diameter) for, potentially, a bigger and easier blood trail to track. Quick and humane kills are important to me. I know where your loyalty dwells, but the 125 grain Steelheads you shoot are 1-1/4", whereas the 100 grain Steelheads, which are comparable in weightWinke Responds:Mike, I would start conservatively where you know you will have success. The Steelheads have been proven performers for me for 15 years. They penetrate well, fly like field points and hold up to bone hits. I suppose the XL will do nearly all the same things, but will not penetrate quite as well on hits to heavy tissue like muscle, shoulder blades, ribs. You won't have any problem killing them quickly with the Steelhead, but I won't try to talk you out of the XL. That is a good head too. My friend Mike Sawyer shoots them and they fly just fine for him. I just love the Steelheads, so naturally I think everyone should shoot them! Either way, you win. Good luck. (11-16-11)
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Todd from IA asks:Bill, what weight Rocket Steelhead do you use the 100's or the 125's and why do you use that weight? By the way great show really enjoy it. ThanksWinke Responds:Todd, I use the 125s because I shoot heavy arrows and they balance my arrows best. 100 grains is probably fine for most bowhunters. Thanks for the support. Good luck. (11-6-11)
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Randy from FL asks:OK, having a confidence issue. I just aquired some steelheads and was testing them on my broadhead target. The first couple of shots, the blades did not deploy. The third shot appeared to deploy, but since I can't see inside the target, all I have to go on is the rubberband missing from the head. Is there anything I can check/do tha will insure the blades deploy when I hit a deer? Thanks in advance, and love the show.Winke Responds:Randy, @ They are actually deploying. I have seen this many times. When the arrow goes into the target, the rubber band rolls up the shaft and when you pull it out, it rools right back where it started. You can see this if you rock the arrow and pull it out very slowly. They will deploy on a deer. I promise. I have shot literally hundreds of deer with Steelheads. Good luck. (11-4-11)
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joshua from MI asks:i have a martin thershold bow 63 lbs 29" draw and am shooting 29" carbon express mutiny 350's with a 125 grain montec head. Is this a good arrow for my set up or should i use a 100 grain head instead? thank you for your timeWinke Responds:Joshua, I wouldn't change a thing. I don't think it will make any difference. Both heads will fly roughly the same at most bowhunting distances. If you start shooting long distances, the lighter head will cause a very slightly flatter trajectory. Because it is a medium-weight arrow, both of them will balance your arrow adequately for stable flight. If you are going to err, it is better to err toward too much point weight than too little. For that reason, I like the 125 grain heads. That is what I shoot. Good luck.
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Dylan from MO asks:Hey bill,i am getting new broadheads. I want rocket broadheads..so my setup is I have a Hoyt ALphamax 35 and im pulling 65 lbs with a 29 in draw...i am thinking of goin with the 3 blade 2 inch cut but what would your preference be in this type of set up? thanks and good luck this season!!!Winke Responds:Dylan, My preference is cast in stone. I have killed literally hundreds of deer with Rocket Steelheads over the years. I like them because they fly great, they penetrate well and they are made of steel so they can handle hard bone hits without folding over. The only upside of those big hits is the greater tissue damage you get if you hit the deer in the paunch, or maybe even the high lung. It will definitely create a better chance for recovery in those situations, but reduce your chances if you hit them in the shoulder. Good luck.
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Jordan from IN asks:I have seen you say that you like the steelhead broad heads and that they are durable and good broad heads. I am looking into using the XL's and was just wondering if you have shot them and if you have, did you like them the same as the normal steel heads?Winke Responds:Jordan, I have shot the XL and they seem fine too. I like the smaller blades of the regular Steelheads. They offer less blade surface in flight and that can also mean better accuracy (less chance for planing). I also like the smaller blades for penetration purpses. However, if I were going to break with the Steelhead 125, it would be for the Steelhead XL. Good luck.
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jonah from NC asks:hey, i also wanted to know what grain broadheads you shoot and what kind i have shot the rockets before but they were mechanical what do you like better mechanical or fixed woudnt fixed desinigrate a bone better? thanks. and goodluck shooting those huge bucks!!!!!Winke Responds:Jonah, I shoot the Rocket Steelhead 125. I have shot it for about 15 years. They are mechanical but penetrate very well and since they are made of steel, they handle bone hits very well too. Good luck to you too.
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Ben from VA asks:Bill, could you explain the tradeoffs between a 125gr. 1.25 inch blade versus a 100gr. 1.50 inch and 100gr. 2.00 inch? I am shooting Easton 340s at 70 pounds. I know your solid with the physics of archery equipment. Am I going to sacrifice too much penetration with the 2 inch heads, or is it worth it to drop down to the heavier but smaller 1.25's? Maybe I already have enough kinetic energy in my arrow, and am splitting hairs, but splitting hairs and shoulder bone is what my goal is. Take care.Winke Responds:Ben, 340s at 70 pounds will get you good penetration energy. It is always hard to give broadhead advice because there is no way of knowing where you are going to hit them each time. For example, on a soft tissue hit, the bigger cut is the way to go to get maximum tissue damage for liver or paunch hits. On thick tissue hits and bone (or cartilage) the smaller heads will penetrate better. I tend to be a middle of the road kind of guy favoring heads with cutting diameters from 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches. If I hit the shoulder by accident, I want to get enough penetration for a clean kill. Good luck.
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Colin from FL asks:Hey Bill me again, do you think a 1" cut broadhead would do the job for a clean kill?Winke Responds:Colin, One inch will get it done. Some states have a minimum cutting diameter. Not sure on FL. Just make sure you check it out first. Big heads are nice if you hit them in the paunch, but smaller heads are better if you hit shoulder. I remember John Musachia (from Muzzy) once told me that any sharp broadhead will kill them if you hit them in the right place. When you make marginal hits (back or forward) that is when you have to be sure you have the right head on your arrow. Good luck.
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Todd from MA asks:Hi Bill: What is your opinion on the rocket broadheads vs the grim reaper broadheads. As were coming into the season soon i would like to make the right decision. Thanks !Winke Responds:Todd, I think I answered that one previously - going into some detail. Please look in the rest of the Recent Questions. If the answer is not there, please look in the correct category for the already filed questions. Have a great day.
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Todd from MA asks:Hi Wink: question about broadheads. Originally i was looking at rage broadheads until i came across the grim reaper brand of broadhead. The sales man pointed out the mechanical differences between them and why the grim reapers were better. I know you use rocket broadheads and i wanted to know if you had a comparison between those and the grim reaper brand. Thanks !Winke Responds:Todd, There are always pros and cons and tradeoffs to every style. The Rage heads are big - that can be good or bad depending on where you hit the deer. I have seen them open in flight (first hand) and that is defitely bad. Not sure if they have fixed that problem or not as I quit experimenting with them at that time. I have used Grim Reapers too and I always felt like the blades opened a bit hard, but they definitely stay closed in flight. I killed some deer with them. The longer ferrule (made of aluminum) also worried me. I have not had a Grim Reaper fail, but I have had other long ferrule mechanical heads break when impacting frozen ground. That means they will also break when impacting shoulder (at least potentially). Not saying I have seen that with the Grim Reaper, but I have seen it with similar designs. So I tend to find something that is conservative. I like the Steelheads because they stay closed, open fairly easy and are built of steel so the ferrule won't bend or snap on a shoulder hit. They aren't real big so they won't cause as much damage as a GR or Rage on soft-tissue hits (lungs, liver, paunch) but they do penetrate better when they hit other tissue (bone, cartlage, muscle). That is the way I view broadheads. There are a lot of tradeoffs; if you can tell me where you are going to hit the deer, I can easily tell you which head is best.
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jeff from OK asks:ok i have a 2 part question, the first being do you use rage broad heads i am thinking about it but not sure i will, what info can you give me on them? the second question is i recently purchased a blind to hunt out of, but i am trying to debate whether or not to hunt with the screens in or out, i mean i know the arrow shoots straight through them cause i have practiced that way, but when i do shoot through them it makes a loud pop and im not sure if that will cause the deer to duck, so i guess im wondering if you would leave the screens in or take them out?Winke Responds:Jeff, I have messed with them and killed a few does with them. I had one bad experience with them. Shooting in a broadhead competition, I had a couple of them come open when I took, them from my quiver and placed them on the bow and one fellow had one actually come open during flight, potentially costing him the trophy. So that is my only complaint (other than the fact that I am not totally sold on big cutting heads to begin with). If you have a bone, muscle or cartilage hit, these big heads will impede penetration. They are awesome for soft tissue hits like paunch and liver (anything will kill them fast if you hit the center of the lungs or heart). That is thoughts on those heads. Rage may have fixed the opening problem since the time I experienced it. I haven't had enough recent experience to be truly useful, but I have at least used them in the past. If you know you can shoot straight through them (testing by American Hunter magazine showed that the screens were very detrimental to accuracy) you can likely get by with leaving them in. I personally don't use them becasue I am afraid of the accuracy affect. Good luck.
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dave from IA asks:iam a fairly new bow hunter. still trying out different broadheads. looking at the rocket steel heads you shoot.I went down in draw weight and need to shoot less cuting diameter. must be great for you seen how many years you have shoot them. 2 questions hows the rubberbands work and do practice with this broadhead before season they say they fly like feildpoint.Winke Responds:Dave, They are good penetrating heads, with a very conservative design that will hold up to hard hits. If the rubber bands appear checked or weathered, I replace them. They send more with the package. I used to practice with them every year for a few shots just to be sure, but as long as the bow is tuned, they hit the same place as my field points out to my maximum hunting range of maybe 40 to 50 yards. If I was shooting farther I would likely practice with them more. I recommend taking a few shots each year (just keep one head for practice) in order to gain the needed confidence that you have done everything and that there are no surprises. Good luck.
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Pat from TX asks:Bill, for the last few years, ever since my wife got into bowhunting, she has been using the same 100 grain broadheads that I use with a 370 grain arrow at 70 lbs. She is shooting a 305 grain arrow at about 46 lbs. She's done ok with her setup, taking a few deer, but for the sake of efficiency, should she be using a lighter broadhead, or should she just keep on using the 100 grain broadhead?Winke Responds:Pat, That weight is probably just a bit heavy. You create a bit more forward balance on the arrow than you could achieve with a lighter head, but that is not all bad. Ideally, she would be using a 75 grain broadhead. 25 grains is not a big deal, but that will balance up the arrow a bit better. Good luck.
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Cal from AL asks:I am 95 pounds and have a draw lenghth of 22 inches. What broadhead will penetrate the best and are good for light poundage bows.Winke Responds:Cal, Two-blade broadheads that cut on impact are the best. Our son shot a small buck with his bow back in 2009 by using a Phantom broadhead. Another good choice is something like the Bear Razorhead or the Magnus two-blade. You want something that will slice its way in and not have to punch. Those heads are perfect for that. Good luck.
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Ron from MO asks:Bill, I know you shoot rocket steelheads,what grain do you shoot. Do you go with the 100 or 125 with little bigger cutting dia. Also have you heard much about the steelhead XL. Thanks for your time and God Bless.Winke Responds:Ron, I have shot the Rocket Steelhead 125s for about 14 or 15 years. I have some XLs here but have not tried them. I may try them this year. One reason I like the Steelhead is because it is very accurate with very little exposed blad and because I feel like I can hit them in the shoulder and still get good penetration with the steel construction and the small diameter arrows I use. If I go with a bigger blade, I lose just a bit on both of these (more exposed blade in flight and slightly less penetration on a shoulder hit). But, it is probably worth trying at least. Good luck.
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JIM from MO asks:BILL, I HAVE TALKED TO YOU BEFORE AND I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR HELP, AND I STILL THINK YOU ARE PROBABLY THE THE BEST BOWHUNTER AT FIGURING OUT WHITE TAIL BUCKS AND PASSING THAT IMFORMATION ALONG TO OTHER BOW HUNTERS. I READ A LOT OF ARTICALS AND YOURS ALWAYS MAKE THE MOST S ENSE TO ME. BILL I'M 75YRS. YOUNG AND I HAVE BEEN BOW HUNTING FOR 51 YRRS NOW, I HAVE HAD BOTH SHOULDERS REPLACED 18 TOO 20 YRS. AGO, NEEDLESS TO SAY I HAVE HAD TO DROP DOWN FROM 80 LBS. TOO 48 LBS. I SHOOT CARBON EXPRESS MAXIUM BLUE STREAK WITH MY BOW TEC BOW, SHOOTING 278FPS. OVER THE YRS. I HAVE SHOT MANY BROADHEADS, INCLUDING THUNDER HEADS, SHUTTLE, ROCKEY MOUNTION, AND BEAR. I KNOW YOU SHOOT THE ROCKET, MY SON USES RHE WASP HEAD AND HAS HAD EXCELLENT SUCSESS WITH IT.I WAS THINKING ABOUT CHANGING FROM THE SHUTTLE TO EITHER THE ROCKET STEELHEAD 100 GR. OR THE WASP 100GR. ONE INCH CUT OR ONE AND ONE EIGTH OR ONE AND ONE SIXTENTH. MY QUESTION IS WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMEND AND STILL GET GOOD PENITRATION? THANKSWinke Responds:Jim, I appreciate the kind words and support. Several years ago I outlined a scientific penetration test and the Rocket Steelhead won the test even when compared to fixed-blade heads of the day. It wasn't a lot better, but it was better. We didn't test them against two-blade heads. I am guessing the two-blade heads would have penetrated better. I have shot the Steelhead 125 for 15 years and have killed hundreds of deer with them. I stick with them despite the lure of larger cutting heads because I want to make sure I get the maximum penetration possible if I hit the shoulder. However, your situation is a bit different. You need pentration on all hits - even soft tissue hits. The Wasp heads are good heads too, but I just like the Steelheads. I think the Steelhead 100 is a good choice for your situation. They are accurate and penetrate well. Good luck.
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Chris from IN asks:Bill, I am shooting a z7x at 70 pounds, my draw and arrows are both at 28 inches. Lastly, the arrow weight is 377 grains. Would you suggest moving to a 125 grain head to push me closer to the 400 grain mark or is 377 sufficient? I am planning on whitetail and turkey hunting at roughly 40 yards, possibly slightly more. Thanks for the help Bill.Winke Responds:Chris, Today's bows can handle the lighter arrows better than those from a decade ago, but that is pretty light. You must be shooting a very light shaft to get to that weight with a 28 inch arrow and all the components. I would just make sure that it is stiff enough. If it were me, before I would look at heavier broadheads, I would probably look at a heavier shaft. If it's not broke don't fix it, but on the surface my first impression would be that the shaft itself is light - possibly too light. Good luck.
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Matt from NY asks:My bow is a 68 lb Hoyt Vectix XL shooting 29.5" Maxima Hunters 350 set at the 30.5" draw length. I hunt whitetails in New York, Ohio and Iowa when I draw a tag. I am thinking of switching to the Rocket Meat Seekers. Would you recommend the 3 blade in the 1.5" or 2" cutting diameter or the 2 blade in 2" cutting diameter? I want to stay with a 100 grain head to maintain my front of center or would consider the 2 blade 1.5" Meat Seeker. In the past I have shot Muzzy 100 grain 3 blade have tried the NAP Spitfire. I like the concept of the piston hammer technology versus the over the top mechanicals for penetration on big whitetails.Winke Responds:Matt, I always tell people to start conservative when switching to mechanicals. I still shoot conservative heads (Rocket Steelheads), but I may try the Meat Seekers this year too. For that reason, I would suggest the 1 1/2 inch cut for starters. See how they do for you and then move up if you feel the need. The pro staff I have talked with really love Meat Seeker so I think it is a solid choice. Good luck.
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Henry from CA asks:I practice using field points and today I put my muzzy MX-3 practice blade in the group it group the same. But I haven't put a real muzzy MX-? Do the muzzy MX-3 need to be shoot or the practice blades would be fine?Winke Responds:Henry, The blades are shaped differently, which never made any sense to me. I would stil satisfy myself that the actual heads hit with same spot as the heads with practice blades by sacrificing one head and shooting it extensively at every distance you will encounter when hunting. Good luck.
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J. T. from AR asks:Mr. Bill, I use NAP thunderheads and muzzy mx-4, which one do you think I should use for turkeys? This will be my first time and I shoot a 46lb pull. ThanksWinke Responds:J.T. I think they are equal when it comes to turkeys. I like bigger heads to maximize the chance of hitting the kill zone and to increase damage when you do. Remember, they can fly and it is very hard to "track" something that flew away. Thus, we need to drop them quickly if possible. Big cutting heads definitely help. A mechanical head with a cutting diameter over 2 inches is ideal.
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Dan from PA asks:I shoot a 67 lb Hoyt Vectix (30.5" draw length with Carbon Express 350 Maxima Hunters, blazers and 29.5" shafts)and only hunt whitetails throughout Pennsylvania and the midwest. I have only shot fixed blade broadheads for many years and I am thinking of switching to the Rocket Meat Seekers. Which head would you recommend the 2 or 3 blade in the 1.5" or 2" cutting diameter?Winke Responds:Dan, I would start conservative with the two-blade 1 1/2 inch cut. You might also consider the Steelhead. I have shot them for many years and they have always proven effective - rugged, accurate and penetrate very well. Either choice is a good one, but there is definitely nothing wrong with the smaller Steelheads.
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Will from MO asks:Will my regular broadheads I use for deer work well for turkeys? I shoot the Wasp Jakhammers 75gr. I'm trying gobblers with a bow for the first time this year and am needing any advantage I can get!Winke Responds:Will, I like the biggest mechanical broadheads I can find for turkeys. When I used to hunt them all the time I would use 2 3/4 inch cutting diameter heads. Our sponsor, Rocket, makes some whoppers. Consider the Turkey Tom-O-Hawk (2 3/4 inch cut). Turkeys are very tough to kill with a bow. Much of the bird is non-vital so you need the biggest heads you can get, take only short shots and really study your turkey anatomy before you take on this challenge. It can be done, but you need to be very careful about shot selection. Good luck.
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Mike from MO asks:Bill, Have you try out the new 2 blade meat seeker broadheads from Rocket yet ? If so what do you think about them. Which Rocket broadhead do you prefer ?Winke Responds:Mike, I have not shot the Meat Seeker. It is probably one I should try. I have been a Rocket Steelhead man for the past 14 years. Thanks for your support.
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James from WI asks:Hey Bill, as always, I loved the shows this season. They were great! I wanted to see what you thought about the meatseeker 3 blade 2" cut broadhead. I have been shooting 2 blade 2" Rages for years but when I came across those meatseeker broadheads they peaked my interest. I shoot a Bowtech Allegiance(after I get out of Chiro school I plan on getting a better bow) @ 71 lbs with a 27.5" draw and CX Maxima Hunter 350 arrows. Do you think I'll have enough KE to shoot those broadheads with sufficient penetration on whitetails? Thanks for your help and I can't wait to see what next season brings for you guys!Winke Responds:James, Thanks for your support. Yes, I do think you will have the energy you need for these heads, but you will likely not do well with a shoulder hit. That is the only downside of the larger cutting heads. They create a lot of resistance with a shoulder hit. If you have done OK with the Rage, you should be fine with the Meatseeker. If in doubt, they make a two-blade Meatseeker too, which should penetrate a bit better. Good luck.
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Eric from AR asks:Bill,I've been using steelheads 125 for the past 10 years or so. I had bought several packs 4 or 5 years ago of the old packaging. I have finally ran out and I'm gonna have to buy the ones that are made by Trophy Ridge now. From what I can tell just by looking at them the only difference is that they are gold now. My question is are these still the same heads, same quality, better, or worse than the original ones?Winke Responds:Eric, I have been shooting the new ones the past couple of years and have no complaints. If anything they are potentially better. My only complaint about the Steelhead before Trophy Ridge era was that the blades weren't always as sharp as I would have liked. These guys seem to have fixed that. So if anything, the new Steelheads may even be a bit better.
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Chanse from MO asks:I've noticed that you and the crew know quite abit about bow hunting. I'm wondering which do you prefer..fixed broad heads or expandable? I'm getting my first bow here in a few days and I'm really excited about getting everything for it. Thanks, and good luck gettin' after your hit list bucks.Winke Responds:Chanse, I like expandables, but it is a very personal decision. All I can do is tell you why I like them and why some other people don't. I like them because they are very accurate. For me, the number one priority on every shot is to make a good hit. Because the blades aren't exposed in flight, they don't steer the arrow if it encounters a sidewind or if the bow (or the individual arrow) is not perfectly tuned so the arrow flies dead straight and all the components (especially the arrow's insert) are not perfectly in line. As long as you don't get too carried away with a really large head that opens extremely wide (2 inches is definitely wide enough) you won't suffer big penetration losses with mechanical heads. I prefer even more conservative designs and that is why I have shot the Rocket Steelhead for more than 12 years. Some people don't like mechanical (expandable) heads because they feel they are not as durable or rugged on bone hits. OK, they are probably right. They also feel these heads give up too much penetration. Again, as I stated, as long as you are conservative in the heads you select, my testing doesn't support that. Others contend that expandables that open from the front (blades fold backward) can possibly skip or pole-vault on impact with the shot is angled. This may be the case in some examples. I have heard of it and seen it happen in a few isolated occassions myself. However, even fixed blade heads can skip on extreme quartering shots, just maybe not quite as often. Anyway, those are the tradeoffs. Like I said, it is a personal choice. Good luck. I am sure you will love bowhunting!
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Rod from FL asks:Bill, I too have used Rocket Steelheads for years and love them. I'm currently shooting the 125 gr head, but I'm considering going to the 100's. What do you think of the new design from Trophy Ridge (yellow finish). Are they as good as the original? Have they changed anything? Just wanted to know before I ordered them. Thanks and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!Winke Responds:Rod, I have shot the yellow ones for two years and they seem just fine. The ferrule looks a little shorter to me, but overall I think they are essentiall the same head just with a different anodize finish. Should be fine to order. Have a great day.
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Brad from MI asks:Hi Bill..I love the show and just voted for you and the guys on the Sportsman Channel. I just started compound hunting again and have a question: are the Steelhead and the Steelhead XP the same head...just the XP has the cut on contact tip? I am shooting a Hoyt Rampage at 66lbs. with a 350 Carbon Express Maxima hunter and think I might switch to Steelheads for next year. Can you give me a thumbs up on the Steelhead XP? Thanks and keep up the great show.Winke Responds:Brad, Yes, that is correct. They are basically the same head, but with the difference in tip design. I have not shot the XP but I have killed literally hundreds of deer with the Steelhead. So I can certainly give you a thumbs up on that! Good luck and thanks for your support, I appreciate it. Merry Christmas.
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steve from PA asks:hi just want to say I love the show and I have a question for you,which one of the meatseeker broadheads do you recomend for my setup,65lbs,28in draw,aprox 375-400grain arrow including the braodhead? thanksWinke Responds:Steve, The two-blade 2-inch 100 grain seems to be the preference of the hard-core bowhunters I know who are using this head. These guys use this head because it causes devastating damage on impact but still flies like a dart and never opens in flight. Good luck.
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Jason from ME asks:Bill, Love this site,cant seem to get enough! I was wondering why so many brodheads claim to shoot like field points and ery few do? Do you know of any mechanicals that actually shoot just like your field points? I dont have the money to be spending to outfitt a dozen arrows with practice mechanicals, it would be nice to shoot a broadhead that actually shoots the same as my field points. Thanks in advance and keep up the great work! JayWinke Responds:Jason, I shoot the Rocket Steelhead and have shot them primarily for the past 12 to 13 years. They shoot like field points. There are likely others too, but that is the one I can personally vouch for given lots of experience.
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Josh from KY asks:Hey Bill love the show. I don't really have a question but a response to Rich in NC on the subjest of Broadheads. I agree with you Bill 100%. I have been bow hunting for 23 yrs and have used countless types of broadheads. Up until last year I only used fix blade heads. I have killed lots of deer with fixed blade heads. Lots were pass through kills some were not. It comes down to where you hit the animal. I switched to the Rocket steel head 100 grain and I can't rave enough on how well the broad head has preformed. By the way all shots with the steel head were pass throughs.Winke Responds:Josh, Thanks for the feedback. That has been my experience with them too. I have used them for 13 years for a reason. Good luck.
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Steve from SD asks:Another comment on shot selection and the touting of certain manufacturers broadheads. A recent show from Minnesota shows one of the hunters taking a very poor quartering towards shot. The deer runs off with one of the hunters saying "that deer will be fine" or something to that affect. How does he know? Don't shoot deer with archery unless the deer is broadside of quartering away, period. I've also seen a few shows where the hunters are getting very poor penetration with the Rocket brand broadheads, but claim the broadheads did a wonderful job. It might have something to do with shot placement and "buck fever". The most recent show from Illinois for example shows the hunter shooting at close range without a pass through, however he does harvest the deer. I have yet to shoot a buck or doe using Muzzy 100 3-blades without a complete pass through. I'm not saying that Rocket or any other manufacturer is making bad broadheads, but for my money I'll stick with MWinke Responds:Steve, Yes, that was a poor shot and I have discussed it with the guys. However, I will defend the Rocket Steelhead that I shoot. I set up an independent test back about five or six years ago in which all the three blade broadheads on the market were tested side-by-side (mech and fixed blade). Of all of them, including the Muzzy Three-Blade, the Rocket Steelhead 125 did the best. It was a true scientific test with no bias. I think most any broadhead will do well if you hit them in the right place and the mechanicals have proven most accurate for me over the years. I like Muzzy heads too, they are good heads, but I will stick with the Steelhead until I see something compelling to make me change. Thanks for the feedback. Have a great day.
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Which mechanical broadheads do you recommend and do I have enough kinetic energy for a pass-through?Josh from MI asks:What is the best mechancle broadhead in your opinion.And do I have enough kinetic energy for a pass through with the bow im using?I'm currently shooting a Martin Bengal(07) set at 70# with easton full metal jacket arrows weighing 425 grains with a 100gr head.Winke Responds:Josh, You have more than enough energy to get a pass-through with most mechanical heads. I have shot Rocket Steelheads for many years and they have served me well. They penetrate very well and are rugged. However, many of the pro staff are shooting the 2-blade 100 grain Meat Seekers (Rocket) and they love them. I may try those next year. Good luck.
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Rich from NC asks:Mine really is not a question. It's more like a statement. I can't believe that you and your crews use a mechanical head that doesn't deliver pass throughs. I've never seen so many shots with the arrow still sticking out. How can you choose a broadhead that will not penetrate a shoulder? Is it strictly endorsement? Or really your choice! I'm disappointed.Winke Responds:Rich, Not every shot will result in a pass-through. I did some independent scientific testing a few years back that resulted in a mechanical head (the Rocket Steelhead) outpenetrating every other head available at that time. We didn't test two-blade cut on impact heads because they would certainly penetrate better than the three-bladed heads. Some mechanical heads penetrate better than others just as some fixed-blade heads penetrate better than others. It is not correct to say that mechanicals as a category don't penetrate as well as fixed blade heads.
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Peter from MI asks:Hey Bill, hope all is well. I have shot the rocket hammerheads since 2004 and love them, but I am afraid that sooner or later I am going to hit that shoulder and I fear the outcome. I am thinking of switching to the steelheads or steelhead xl, my question for you is have you ever hit the shoulder with the steelheads and what was the outcome and what kind of penatration. Thanks for always answering these questions.Winke Responds:Peter, That is why I shoot Steelheads. I like them for that reason. Otherwise, I would likely go with a larger head. In fact, the Steelhead XL is probably a good compromise. I have only hit the shoulder on a few deer (maybe four or five), one elk and one caribou. I got them all with quick kills. However, I combine the Steelhead with a high draw weight bow and heavy, small diameter arrows. It is a setup geared for maximum penetration on shoulder hits. Good luck.
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Justin from MN asks:Hey Bill Great show, my question is about the latest episode from wisc. jamon shoots an 8 pter using the rage 2 blade. Do they sponsor the show also or can they use any broadhead they prefer? thnx againWinke Responds:Justin, Jamon was still apparently shooting his old heads. We are supposed to using our sponsor's products exclusively but sometimes guys are trying to clear out a few leftover heads.
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Cody from IA asks:Are the old rocket steelheads better than the new ones made by Trophy Ridge?Winke Responds:Cody, I don't think so. I think the new ones have sharper blades for one thing. I have shot deer with both and don't see a major difference.
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Jason from WV asks:Bill I have a question about broadheads. I know your a huge fan of steelheads cause you have shot them for years. I also know someone that loves them too and has easily brought down Caribou and big Canadian bears with steelheads. I have shot the Rocket sidewinders for about 3 years now. I noticed the sidewinders are not far from being twice as long as the steelheads. Do you think this would cause slower arrow speed even though they are both 100 grain? Do you think it would reduce accuracy and penetration? I shoot the Bowtech General and get about 280fps with about a 28" draw. I used to shoot a Fred Bear and got pass-throughs almost everytime with a very similar broadhead called Shockwave. That don't happen now with the sidewinders. Do you think steelhead are my better option?Winke Responds:Jason, I have definitely killed a bunch of deer with Steelheads. I don't think the length will cause slower arrow flight. My issue with the length is on bone hits (I mean hard bone hits, like the leg bone, for example). I feel that the Steelhead will handle those with ease where longer heads (whether they are Sidewinders or other longer heads) will tend to be a bit less stout and possibly prone to curling over. I have killed a few deer with Sidewinders and they did fine, but I tend to set up my tackle to make good on shoulder hits (in the unfortunate event one occurs) and I feel very good about what the Steelhead will do under those conditions. Steelhead are very good pentrating heads. I have done the testing and they are among the best on the market for three blade heads. Good luck.
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Chad from MN asks:Bill, can you guide me in the right direction on new broadheads? I currently shoot Rage 2-blade 100 grain, but I just lost my first deer ever with a bow. I was confident in the shot, but the blood trail was small. I shoot 62 lbs with a 29 inch draw. My arrows fly about 275/fps. I want to change to the Rockets, but I am not sure which style or size to buy. Thanks. ChadWinke Responds:Chad, There are a lot of variables to consider when an arrow hits a deer, it is hard to say exactly what went wrong and what you need to do to fix it. For sure the simple things need to be there: sharp blades, always deploys on impact, rugged enough to handle a glancing bone hit and accurate to shoot at all distances. I personally am shooting Steelheads and have for about 13 years. They probably aren't perfect, but I have shot literally hundreds of deer with them and I can't say that I can honestly blame the heads for any problems with deer getting away. The only time when a bigger head would be nice is when/if you make a paunch hit. A large cutting width or diameter would be nice at that time to do maximum tissue damage and kill the deer as quickly as possible. Otherwise, I personally don't see a need for a large cutting head. I may be missiing something, but that is the conclusion I have come to. I know many on the pro staff shoot the Rocket Meat Seeker and it does a good job for them.
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Greg from MO asks:Hi bill,love the show I am gonna shoot the nap nitron this year, but it only has a 1 1/16 cutting diameter do you think that good enough for a good clean kill.Winke Responds:Greg, Yes, I think that will do just fine. The only time when it pays to have a large cutting diameter is when you hit them in the paunch. Then a large head will really pay dividends. Other than that, the smaller head will do just fine. Good luck.
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joe from PA asks:which broadhead would you use mini max 85 grain or rage? thanks joeWinke Responds:Joe, I am not familiar with the Mini Max. I looked in all my brochures and on line and didn't come up with that one. So I can't really answer this one for you. If you want me to make another attempt, please provide a bit more information.
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Sam from WI asks:Bill, Thanks again for the show. I am using the rage 2 blades and the are opening when I nock my arrow or remove them from my quiver. I was wondering what your thoughts on using a dental rubber bands to hold them shut. Thanks again. SamWinke Responds:Sam, I have not used those heads much, so I would only be guessing. On this one, you had better go straight to Rage for advice on how to fix the issue. Good luck.
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Ryan from IA asks:Hey Bill, quick question here. I just ordered some of those Steel Head XL's from Rocket Arrow Heads. I see that there are rubber bands holding the blades down protecting from false deployment until it really matters, so when they deploy does the rubber band slide down the shaft or does it break? Do you know where to get replacement bands for these and other broadheads of the expandable class? Thanks- RyanWinke Responds:Ryan, If the rubber bands are fairly fresh they will usually slide down the shaft. If they are older and checked, they will often break. The package comes with a number of extra rubber bands. At least it did last year. I am not sure about this year. I believe, based on my experience with braces back in junior high, they are simply dental rubber bands that orthodontists use. My guess is that you can find them on the web. The Steelheads are good heads. I have killed hundreds of deer with Steelheads. Good luck.
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James from OH asks:Mr. Winke Do you think that a mechanical broadheads have to spin perfect to fly right, if your bow is tuned and you are shooting around 280 fps, can they hve a little wooble. thanks J.MarseeWinke Responds:James, I like for the them to spin perfectly, but I am guessing that is a bit of overkill on my part. I never accept any wobble, but I assume (without testing it specifically) that you can get by with some small bit of wobble without affecting your accuracy. However, there is no reason to accept wobble because you can generally eliminate it by swapping broadheads from arrow to arrow, placing a metal spacer between the broadhead and the insert or just selecting arrows that have inserts that fit snuggly into the arrows. I always end up with a couple arrows, for whatever reason, that don't seem to spin true. Generally, squaring them up with the G5 ASD is all it takes to get them perfect. Good luck.
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Eric from PA asks:Hey Bill, Great show!! Just curious if you were to know what difference there is between the Rocket Steelhead and the Sidewinder? Thanks.Winke Responds:Eric, I have shot both. The Sidewinder is a good head too, but being made of aluminum with a long ferrule it is not a rugged. I have killed some deer with devastating shots with the Sidewinder, but I just like the rugged design of the Steelhead.
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Heath from KS asks:Bill, I really enjoyed the spot and stalk Mule deer hunt. Thanks for bringing us such quality information and video. My question this time is in regard to Rocket Steelheads. I just switched to them and bought two packages. They do hit right where the field points do, and that really simplifies life. I was shocked at how close the blades are to the tip when they are closed ready to shoot. With all the deer that you have shot, have you ever had one skip or kick on an angled shot? One more question, is there a minimum pounds that should be used with mechanical heads. I dropped to 55#'s and my accuracy went way up. Will the mechanicals be effective at low draw weight? I shoot an old bow, PSE Fire-flight 33. Thanks!Winke Responds:Heath, I had one shot skip on a mule deer in Wyoming a number of years back. It was a sharp quartering shot. After that I wrote an article about the subject and interviewed several broadhead makers about it. It was interesting that those who were honest about it, told me that even fixed-blade heads will sometime skip under those conditions. That was the only time I have seen that happen. I am certain that 55 pounds is enough for this head. It is a good penetrating head. As with any shot using a lower draw weight (and older technology with less energy storage) be sure to take only clean broadside or quartering away shots. Good luck.
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Reed from PA asks:Afternoon Mr. Winke. I was wondering if you would mind sharing your opinion on the Rocket Steehead XL broadhead. Not sure if you have personal experience with them or if someone on your tema has. I am considering trying these broadheads out on deer in Pennsylvania. Also, what are the drawbacks of these broadheads and how have you/your team mitigated them? I am shooting a 2007 Bowtech Tribute set @ 62 pounds with a 28" draw. I am using Easton A/C SuperSlims @ 430 grains (including broadhead). Thanks a lot for your time Sir. Reed WhiteWinke Responds:Reed, I have shot the regular Steelhead on and off (mostly on) for the past 14 years. I have literally killed hundreds of deer with them. Obviously, I like that head. I also did some penetration testing (purely scientific testing) and found that the Steelhead penetrated at least as well as any fixed-blade (three blade) heads on the market at that time. The only real difference between that head and the XL is the length of the blades and the length of the ferrule. It is still very rugged. I don't see any reason not to shoot that head on deer. It is a great head. As stated, I would not worry about penetration. Make sure the bow is tuned well and then take a few shots with one of the heads on each of your arrows to be sure they hit in the place as your field points. I am betting they will.
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chuck from AR asks:Bill, On your experience with Rocket Steelhead, I ordered 3 pkgs. They came in and I could hardly wait to try them. I screwed one on and went to shoot.When I released I heard a distinct sizzling sound, when I pulled the arrow out of my Glendale Buck (small one) the broadhead did not deploy. I repeated this 4 more times. All with the same results. Do you notice a sound with heads? Is the Glendale to soft to deploy this head? I pushed the band up to the little offset. Is this right. Am shooting Bowtech Admiral, 65lbs, Maxima arrows. The do fly true, just like my field tips. I am a little concerned. Thanks for your honest advice. I am a big fan! chuckWinke Responds:Chuck, I have seen that happen too. Here is what I think. It takes very little force to open those blades. I think the blades are opening, the rubber band is rolling back on the arrow as the arrow goes into the target and then when you pull the arrow out, the rubber band is rolling back down to where it started. Like I said, I have seen this happen repeatedly in certain types of targets. The blades are opening. My guess is that if you shoot into another type of target the rubber band won't roll back the same and you will see that it is indeed opening. Also, you can test it by putting something between one of the blades and the ferrule - not sure what, maybe part of a leaf or something. My guess is that it will be gone when you pull the arrow back out. I am not sure on the sizzling sound. Most heads do that to some degree. Generally, that comes from the fletching though, in my experience, but if you were not hearing without the broadheads on, it must be coming from the heads. I can't say I can recall hearing that sound on my arrows. I guess each person gets hooked on heads that have stood them well. I have shot tons (literally) of deer with Steelheads. The only time I have ever wished I had a different head on the arrow was when I made a paunch hit and then a giant cutting diameter would be better. I hope that helps.
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Jerry from TN asks:Hello, I am very new to compound bow hunting and recently purchased a Bow Madness bow with 60lb pull. I am using full metal jackets and am planning to use the fairley new F-15 Fixed Broad Head. What do think about them? JerryWinke Responds:Jerry, I am not sure I like all those blades. I have not tested them, but truthfully, you don't need six blades. That is a lot of blades to keep sharp. However, at the same time, as long as they are all sharp it is not going to hurt you either. If you can check the heads to see if the blades are sharp, I guess that would be my deciding factor on that head. Good luck this season. Sounds like you are off to a good
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Josh from PA asks:Hi Bill, Cant wait for my season and the midwest season to start!!! I have a question about rocket steelheads. I just bought a whole bunch of these and i love the way they are built and how they fly. Do you recommend sharpening the blades before hunting with them? Cant wait to see what you guys get this year. good luck. thanks, joshWinke Responds:Josh, I would inquire first about replacing the blades. I am sure they can be sharpened, but it is pretty tough to get a blade that small sharp enough to shave with. Thanks for your support. I appreciate it.
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Chuck from AL asks:Bill, Great web site! Enjoy and look forward to all your articles in upcoming months. I have a question about mech. heads. Do you regurly get a complete pass thru with your heads? The shots I see on tv do not get pass thrus. My buddy has used 2 different heads, one a Rage, and has not had a pass thru yet. I want to switch but am a little lerry. Should I worry about this, or just switch. ThanksWinke Responds:Chuck, I always get pass-throughs unless I hit the opposite shoulder. I also shoot pretty high draw weight. However, when you use a large cutting diameter head (whether mechanical or fixed-blade) you will reduce penetration some because the amount of resistance increases. It is a tradeoff. I prefer conservative heads with a cutting diameter under 1 1/2 inches, but part of that is because I want to be sure to be able to make a clean kill even I hit them in the shoulder. I think it is worth considering. Maybe give it a try with a slightly smaller cutting diameter first. I have killed many, many deer with 1 1/4 inch cut Rocket Steelheads and have not had a bad experience yet where I felt the head cost me a deer.
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Eric from IN asks:Hey Bill Wondered if you double rubber band your Steelheads? Thought I remembered them recommending it if you shoot 300+ FPS. Thanks EricWinke Responds:Eric, I always use just one rubber band and I shoot right at 300, a touch over. I have, however, used two rubber bands on these heads when shooting through the cellophane I have used to cover the windows of my ground blinds. I don't think that was necessary, but it was just a safeguard. Sandwich wrap (Reynolds) works great to cover windows of a ground blind to keep scent from getting out while not affecting arrow flight.
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Matt from OH asks:How many deer have u killed with the G5 Tekan Broadhead? What do u think about the HHA bow sights products? Cant wait till the new shows start to be introduced this season!!Winke Responds:Matt, I have only killed a handful of deer with Tekan - maybe a dozen max. I have shot most with a Rocket Steelhead over the years. HHA (Harry Hamm) makes good products. I have tried some of his sights, but don't currently own any of them. We'll have the new shows for you coming out Monday and then all off next week. Thanks for your support. Have a great season!
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Ben from MN asks:Bill - Would you be as confident shooting the Steelhead Xl as you would the Steelhead? I like the bigger cutting diameter, will I lose much by using the XL? Thanks in advance.Winke Responds:Ben, You will loose some penetration. The larger the cutting diameter, the more resistance the head will face as it goes through the deer. It not as important as it used to be because today's bows pack a lot more energy than the ones we shot just five to ten years ago when mechanicals were still gaining acceptance. I would say you would be fine with the Steelhead XL.
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Raymond from NC asks:Hey Bill cant wait for the upcoming season of midwest whitetail when will the new videos start. This will be my first season bowhunting my main question is what broadhead would you reccomend for a 2009 bear truth 2 at 55 pounds and 28 inch draw Im shooting 400 easton axis nano arrows. I have been shooting a tekan head some and it hits right with my field points. Do you think I will be ok shooting the tekan head this season. Also the tekans arent sharp out of the pack what do you use to sharpen broadheads. Thanks Bill and looking forward to the shows.Winke Responds:Raymond, The new shows will start in about a week. Monday Aug, 16, to be exact. We are ready to get it going again. The Tekan is a good head, but like I told the last guy who asked, I favor the Rocket Steelhead because I have shot it effectively for 12 years. It is hard to sharpen one of the mechanical broadhead blades if they are not sharp. I guess you can try a stone, but personally, I would talk to the archery shop owner to see if he has any replaceable blades that are sharper.
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Raymond from NC asks:I was wondering what you thought about the rage broadheads and what you thought the best broadhead is out today.Winke Responds:Raymond, Rage is good. I like heads that I feel like I can shoot the deer in the shoulder with and still have the head stay in one piece and penetrate well enough to make a clean kill. I have not shot the Rage enough to know if it will do that. I have shot Rocket Steelheads for about 12 years and have killed literally hundreds of deer with them, so I am kind of sold on those heads. They are conservative smaller heads that fly well, are made of steel and hold up very well on impact. Being mechanicals, they hit with my field points.
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zack from OH asks:Hey bill i have a question, would you rather prefer to use the G5 tekan's or the montecs?Winke Responds:Zack, I personally like mechanical heads, but that Montec is a great little head that flies good. I think I would try the Montec first. If you can't get your bow to shoot accurately with the Montec, you might want to try the Tekan second.
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Steve from KS asks:My son is going to try to shoot a deer with his diamond nuclear ice set at 29 lbs. Would you suggest the muzzy phantom mx in 85 grains. It is a 2 blade or what other broadhead would you use. Should he shoot a phantom mx or the original phantom. Thanks, Steve Schroeder Concordia, KsWinke Responds:Steve, I think our son Andrew shot his buck last year with the original Phantom. However, the MX makes more sense for a youth sized arrow. I just didn't have any of the MX heads here when I set him up. Any good two-bladed head would be a fine choice. Drew will probably switch to the Bear Razorhead as we added Rocket as a sponsor this year and they make the Bear Razorhead. 29 pounds will do the job if he hits the deer in the right place. Andrew was shooting just 24 pounds! Good luck.
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Kevin from PA asks:Bill you probably get asked questions about broadheads all the time but I've noticed you have gone with Steelhead 125's for a long time now so there must be a good reason why you use them with so many other choices out there today. I wanted to know what you thought about me using them out of my setup. I am shooting 62lbs with a 29 inch draw and a 460 grain arrow. My arrow speed is around 245. I would be using this setup on your big Midwest Bucks and was wondering if I would get full penetration,excluding the shoulder shot. I used the steelhead 4 blade many years ago with more poundage and had good results, the only thing I think they lacked was sharp blades and was wondering if they improved that aspect of the broadhead? Also I wanted you to know that I love watching Midwest Whitetail and I seldom watch the Outdoor Channel, I think your shows are much more informative and realistic for the average hunter. I have to give you all the credit in the world for showing your misses to. KevinWinke Responds:Kevin, I appreciate your support and your kind words. We are gearing up to bring it all again, hopefully bigger and better. However, the format will remain the same this year. I think the Steelhead will work fine for that application. You will soon see that we have added Rocket as a sponsor. That shows how much I didn't want to change broadheads! I like it because it is simple, penetrates well and is made of steel. We did some scientific penetration testing a few years back and they penetrated better than other mechanicals and better than most fixed-blade, but that was before a number of the heads that are on the market today came out, so the results may vary today. Sometimes, I wish I had a wider cut, but then if I get a margin hit toward the shoulder, I am glad they are this conserviative size. No head is perfect for every shot, but it has worked well for me for more than 12 years! They did address the blade sharpness with the new manufacturer. Good luck hunting the Midwest this year.
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Ron from MO asks:Bill, I read your article on tuning fixed blade broadheads,when you talk about minor adjustments to the arrow rest(up and down and right to left) are you talking around .o3o of a inch increments or more,and should I start at 20 yds or is there a better starting point. Thanks For Your Time. RonWinke Responds:Ron, 20 yards is fine. Just tiny increments in the direction that will bring the broadheads toward the field point groups, maybe even small than .030. Just enough so that you can tell you actually moved the rest. Start with a series of very small adjustments until the field point and broadhead are more or less impacting the same place. For those who didn't read the article, this is after you have paper tuned the bow and it is shooting well, but the fixed blade heads just aren't hitting right with the field points. The other option is simply to move the sight to match where the broadheads are hitting - that is also perfectly acceptable in this situation.
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JOSH from PA asks:Hi Bill, I have been looking at changing broadheads this season. I currently use the rage, but i am not sold on them and have not shot a deer yet with them...I am afraid of the o-ring failing in flight and the blades deploying before impact, and have also heard they do not penetrate as advertised. I think I am going to get the trophy ridge steelheads. Do you still use those? Are there any other broadheads that you could recommend? I want accuracy, and penetration above all else. This seems to be impossible to find the "perfect" broadhead. You have to sacrifice something no matter what you choose. Also, do you think the forward deploying blades cut down penetration? thanks, joshWinke Responds:Josh, I am a Steelhead man. Any good, mid-sized mechanical will work great, but I just like simple designs. Also, small compact fixed-blade heads are also very accurate. In that category I like the G5 Striker 100, Muzzy's new MX heads. Yes, there is no perfect head. If you tell me where you are going to hit them, I'll tell you which broadhead to buy. Every one has tradeoffs - large wound channel versus reduced penetration on thick tissue hits, etc. I think the forward deploying heads are just fine as long as the cutting diameter is modest (1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches). Also, short blades roll over easier than long blades.
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John from MN asks:What broadhead would you recomend for a 40lb youth bow.Winke Responds:Phantom two-blade is a great choice - I love it for youth and women. Our son used that to shoot a buck this past season with even lower draw weight. They make a 125 and an 85 grain size. They may also make other sizes too, but the 85 would be a great choice for a youth-weight arrow. Good luck to both of you.
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Bill from WI asks:Bill, i recently got some Slick Trick broadheads as a christmas gift, have you had any experience with these heads?Winke Responds:Bill, Yes, they seem to work just fine. They fly well and penetrate well and hold together well, so I think you will be happy with them. Good luck.
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Jared from FL asks:What broadhead do you use in the field?Winke Responds:There are a lot of good heads on the market. I shot the Rocket Steelheads this past year. I have used them for years on and off. I have also tried other heads. I favor mechanical heads for their accuracy, but some of the compact blade fixed-blade heads are also very accurate.
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ian from WI asks:i too have noticed for the first time string jumping deer i noticed on the table in the last episode blazers on the arrows did u switch to them as well to increase speed and mayb switch to a lighter broadhead? i am a speed freak but it seems that deer are un-predictable at best anyway on to my question is setting up right in between two bedding areas in a marsh bad late season for huting afternoons i wud probally be within 75 yards of numerous deer in the area but this one tree is the only one that i have determien dall deer pass to go two several picked fields also how do u deal with deer that have ur stand zeroed. last weekend i had a doe look right up into the tree at me upwind and blow i wsnt moving and hadnt been in the stand for a month? moving the stand isnt realy an option not to many trees should i go higher im at 15feet and this usually hasnt been a problem the suburban deer im hunting are smarter than anything ive ever encountered these does have to be 7 years old+Winke Responds:Ian, I think that was Chad's bow. I did switch to lighter arrows just last week (Axis N-Fused - I was using Full Metal Jackets). I am using the short Speed Hunter QuikSpins from NAP on these arrows, but the Blazers are also good. I didn't change broadheads, still the Steelhead 125s. The best thing you can do is try to figure out a way to kill that doe. You may also need to move some branches (fake or real) up into the tree to break up your outline so the deer get used to seeing something up there and aren't alarmed when take your place. That is probably the best thing you can do. I have used those mounting brackets used for large conduit that you can buy from an electrical supplier or most harware stores, some good dry wall screws and a battery powered screw driver to lock them in place. Good luck.
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Eric from NY asks:Like you I shoot mechanical heads. I currently use a Fuse quiver w/ the foam in the hood, but this is not ideal for mechanical heads as it is hard to push heads up into quiver without them opening. What do you use or recommend to best deal w/ mechanical heads in a quiver? Love the show!Winke Responds:Eric, I use the Fuse quiver with the double set of grabbers. It has a hollow hood. I think the model is the Ventera. Good luck.
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Terry from NC asks:At the first part of the weedeater video when the arrow was shown, looked like you had 2 rubber bands on the steelhead. Just curious or was i seeing things. Also wondered how the new steelheads performed if thats what you are shooting. Keep up the good work! Best thing going on the web in my opinion!Winke Responds:Terry, I wasn't able to find that segment, but generally I have used just one rubber band on the Steelheads unless I am shooting through a cellophane window (such as covering the opening of ground blind) and then I use two. Also, just a side note, Frank Miniter at American Hunter did some testing and found that using a mechanical broadhead through the "Shoot-Through" screens that most blind makers use will cause very erratic arrow flight and very inconsistent accuracy. Don't do it. I have shot the new Steelheads but not the XL models yet. I am so conservative with broadheads it is almost laughable. If something has worked well for me in the past, I don't change. Maybe I should and maybe I will, but that head has been a solid performer for me for many years.
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Josh from KY asks:Hi Bill, I love the show. I was wondering which brand of broadheads do you shoot?Winke Responds:Josh, I shot Rocket Steelheads this year, but I often try other models.
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JARVIS from KY asks:A friend of mine who shoots a 3 bladed rage shot a buck last saturday and he thought he hit him in the shoulder but the next day his neighbor shot the same deer again as he came bye chaseing a doe.Come to find out my friend had hit the deer in the ribs but the broadhead had went on top of the ribs and stuck in his shoulder on the same side he had shot him on.My question is what would have caused that to happen when rage says thara heads wont deflect on quarting away shots.It happened to me as well on a doe earlyer in the year but she is still alive because we have trail cam pics of her with the arrow still in her 3 days later.Bye the way the buck is a 142 inch 9 point.Winke Responds:Jarvis, That is a bummer. I asked this question of a friend of mine named Bob Mizek at New Archery Products. He said that any broadhead can skip or deflect if the angle is sharp enough, even fixed blade heads. He also said, this problem occurs more often with lightweight arrows than with heavy arrows. I have never had this happen with mechanical or fixed though I have shot a few hundred deer now (lots of does). I shoot heavy arrows, so maybe that is why I have never seen this. Sharply quartering shots do promote the deflection so you may want to avoid these.
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Matt from MO asks:I have been deering hunting for almost 20 years now, but just got into bow hunting 3 years ago. The last two years I have had some big bucks on my hit list which have caused me to pass on some pretty decent sized bucks and does. However, this year my uncle convinced me that i needed to get on the board with my bow. Fortunately, I had an 11 point come walking 15 yards from me and I made a great kill shot. The morning before I also made a great kill on a turkey. My question is this...How do I know if I can reuse the broad head? Is there something I should be looking for in shape of the blades? I shoot 2 blade Rage broadheads. I was very impressed with the hole they left...the buck only made it about 40 yards. Any suggestions though on blood trails?Winke Responds:Matt, Congratulations! I am excited for you. I would definitely remove the blades. Don't be tempted to reuse them unless you have a way to sharpen them back to a razor edge. And then only use them is they are undamaged in every way. If there are any signs of damage, replace them.
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Pete from MI asks:Hey Bill, I like to shoot a three blade mechanical because of the hemorrhaging, and blood loss, but do you think with all these big cut broadheads on the market it causes us bowhunters to not really bare down and make the shots. Thanks alot Pete.Winke Responds:Pete, I don't think that is the case. I don't think most people change their shot selection based on the broadhead they are shooting. A big cutting head is great if you hit soft tissue, but not so great if you hit bone or heavy muscle like the shoulder blade. There are pros and cons to every style. If you tell me where you are going to hit them, I'll tell you which head to use. In the meantime, I'm a big believer in shooting a head that creates a balance between penetration and tissue damage. Each person comes to that decision on their own.
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scott from OH asks:Bill, sorry for my question about the Rage. I asked before I watched the show. After reading your blog I thought the arrow went under spine. Again, sorry for wasting your time. scottWinke Responds:
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patrick from NC asks:I seen rod on the indiana show using rage broadheads and miss 2 turkeys and made a bad shot on a doe but recovered. Question is = has he shot these broadheads at a target, not the practice head to see if they deploy in flight? The reason i ask this is I had friend to go Elk hunting in Colorado and shot a bull and his broadhead flew funny and he missed, so he went back to camp and shot all 6 of his 2 blade rage broadheads at a target and 4 out of the 6 deployed in flight and missed the target. He called me and told me,I had purchased 3 of the 2 blade rage broadheads early that week so when I got home from work that day I shot all 3 of my broadheads and all 3 deployed in flight and missed the target at 30 yards at 20 yard they hit but not where I was aiming, put the pratice head on and center punched what i was aiming at. Need to say they want be on my arrows this hunting season. I am shooting G5 tekan2,they fly perfect and have had no deployment in flight.Anyone on staff shoot G5 tekan?Winke Responds:Patrick, I will definitely pass the word along. I appreciate the heads up. I know some of the pro staff does shoot G5 heads. I am sure a number of the Michigan guys do and I am certain a few others scattered around. We don't have a broadhead sponsor so the guys are welcome to use whatever they want to use. Good luck this fall.
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Tim from NC asks:Bill, I have been enjoying your articles since the early 90's when I started bowhunting deer as a 12-year old. Thanks for the very helpful website, too! I am curious what your thoughts are on broadheads that have a "whistling" noise in flight. Many fixed blade and mechanical heads that I've used make some noise in flight. On long shots (over 40 yards), I have had a couple deer jump the string, and it makes me wonder if a quieter broadhead would help. (BTW, I shoot 283 fps. with a pretty quiet bow) I use the Meat Seeker mechanicals, and l like many aspects of them, but they do whistle noticeably in flight. Have you found the same with the Steelheads? Thanks, and God bless. TimWinke Responds:Tim, Thanks for your many years of support. I really appreciate it. I don't hear a whistling with Steelheads, but every arrow makes some audible noise. I have hid behind the corner of a building and had people shoot arrows past me just to hear the noise they make and some are very loud (some fletching is also very loud). I am not sure how much that affects string jumping. I am guessing the sound of the bow has a much greater influence on whether they jump because that is the sound that occurs first and has the most time to get to the deer. I would say, a very loud arrow might be a liability, but average arrow flight noise is probably not going to have a huge affect string jumping. By the time the arrow gets close enough to hear well, there is no time left to react to it.
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John from MN asks:Bill, I have read your material since I was a novice bowhunter. I can't believe you finally have your own website. I read your last article in bowhunting magazine about marginal hits and maximizing lethal broadhead performance. I have always liked to maximize the shoulder hit since I tend to crowd the shoulder and have used the steelhead for the past eight years with great success (no lost game). I started hunting on a large river that seperates two states and found out that I needed to put animals down immediately to prevent them from swimming the river, preventing recovery. I started using aftershock hypershocks and believe they are the perfect head. They blast through shoulders, slice wide holes. The animals I have shot take four jumps and die in mid-air. I have used both the 125 and 100 grains with unbelievable success. So far three does have made it no more than thirty yards. They are tough too. Sorry about the length, but I think you should give them a try. Thank you.Winke Responds:John, I think you are right. I will definitely give them a try. Thanks for the comments and I am sure that other visitors to the site will appreciate your input. Good luck this season.
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Troy from MO asks:What is your opinion of the Tru Fire "Switch Blade" broad head? Are they a good broad head?Winke Responds:Troy, I have not used those yet, sorry. They look like good heads to me, but I have no personal experience.
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Mike from SC asks:I have my Parker Blackhawk bow set at 60#,29" draw,and 369 grain arrow. I would like to shoot the rage 2 blade with a 2" cut. Is this a good choice and if not what would you recommend ?Winke Responds:Mike, Personally, I probably wouldn't shoot a head with that wide of a cut with a 60 pound bow and 369 grain arrow. But I tend to be conservative. If you hit them in the soft tissue you will be fine, but if you dead center a rib or try to punch down on a close shot hoping to get a pass-through you might be disappointed. It is a good question, but like I said, I tend to conservative so I would be looking at something under 1 1/2 inches. There are a number of good mechanicals in that size range (if you are trying to stick with mechanicals). I have shot a lot of animals with the Rocket Steelhead over the years, among other styles. NAP's mechanicals are good too. Heck, most of them are good. Just use a bit of discretion when you decided about the cutting width/diameter.
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Rob from MN asks:What G5 broadhead do you use and why?Winke Responds:I have shot the Tekan and the Striker. I like mechanical heads so the Tekan was a natural. I also like heads that fly well even if they are fixed-blade heads and I felt like the Striker was a good flying fixed-blade head. Bill
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curtis from OH asks:I have a couple of questions about broadheads. Does the size of the broadhead greatly effect the chances of recovering the animal. I know the rage head has really been popular due to the 2 inch cut. I'm using carbon express three blades at 1 inch or so. Second, the processor I go to told me he hates rage because they mess up so much meat and he hates muzzy because he finds the blades in different places throughout the meat,where they have flown appart. I'm really interested in your view on this. Thanks, love the show.Winke Responds:Curtis, I know the Rage makes big holes and there is something to be said for that when/if you make a marginal soft-tissue hit. A really wide cut can get you in trouble though if you hit heavy tissue or bone because it creates more resistance with the larger cut. It is definitely a trade-off. Each person has to be comfortable with where they are in that tradeoff. If you tend to hit deer a bit back, the Rage (or similar) is a good choice. If you tend to hit them forward, a smaller head would be a good choice. As long as they are sharp, they will all kill cleanly if you put them through the boiler room, so are really trying to figure out the best scenario for you on marginal hits. I'm not trying to dodge your question. There are times when I wish I had had the Rage on my arrows and times when I was glad I didn't. Any soft-tissue hit, I would prefer it. Any hard tissue hit, I want smaller blades. I shoot a wide variety of heads. I try them all.
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Scott from OH asks:Hi Bill. I can't wait for the shows to start rolling. My question is about broadhead design. Between a Muzzy 100 four blade and a Magnus Stinger 100 four blade, which one would work best on a shoulder hit? Thanks for bringing a great resource to deer hunters. ScottWinke Responds:Scott, I appreciate your support. That is a tough question because I have to guess and I don't like doing that. However, I have seen testing where cut-to-the-point heads penetrated better than chisel tip heads. Exactly how that translates to game is still subject to debate. Also, I like that both are very beefy. The Magnus has a thick main blade that shouldn't curl on a bone hit and of course the Muzzy is designed to shatter bone. However, the shoulder blade is not really a bone that you will shatter. It is more like a bone that you punch through. I think the bigger question is how much draw weight are you shooting and how much do your arrows weigh. The energy delivered on impact is very critical. The broadhead is also important, but as long as it hold up, it is probably less critical than arrow energy. I think they will both do fine. If I had to guess (it is only a guess) I would say the Magnus likely penetrates the shoulder blade more easily. Again, very unscientific, based only on tests I have witnessed, not a head-to-head comparison.
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neal from GA asks:Good Afternoon Bill, Been following you for a long time in petersons bowhunting,really enjoy you articles and always like to see what you harvest up there,I just found you site and wondered how to contact you,hope your site continues, my question is about broadheads, I know you have tried them all,and value your opinion. I have shot thunderheads for over 20 years,but in the last 3or4 years I have had trouble with arrow flight in these new bows,so I tried the wasp jackhammer last year and could not believe the arrow flight and blood trails,but the small entry hole bothers me for tracking purposes if no passthru happens,depending on the weather there could be no blood trail,you understand where I am coming from. I am not sure what to go to as far as a mechanical there are so many,the rage bothers me as how easy the blades drop if you are in a hurry for a second shot or to shot a second deer if you bump them pulling them out of the quiver,but anyway I would like your suggestions!!Winke Responds:Neal, I think the entry hole is over-rated. I suppose on marginal hits it is important to get a lot of blood out on the ground for easy tracking, but I have killed hundreds of deer (literally) with minimal entry holes. I just want them dead. My broadhead selection priorities go this way: 1. Accuracy (if you hit them where you aim, then everything else takes care of itself) 2. Penetration (If you don't hit them where you aim, you need them to penetrate as far as possible - especially if you hit shoulder). 3. Durability - I don't want the blades to fall off on impact!!! 4. Cutting width - often cutting width (diameter) runs counter to penetration so I look for a balance. I have never felt that my entry hole was that important. maybe I am missing something. If so, let me know what it is because I want to make the best possible decision for my own hunting.
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Dan from MI asks:I am considering switching from Muzzy heads to two-blade rages this year due the the Rage's accuracy and the blood trails I've heard they create. I've been shooting them all summer and absolutely love the way they shoot, never shot another head like them! I've heard though they may not penetrate well. My question is, is penetration a concern when matching the two blade Rage to my Mathew's DXT at 70#, pushing a 30 inch Carbon Express Rebel Hunter arrow? I'll be hunting whitetails of average size and limit my shots to 35 yards. Looking forward to your response, sorry so long winded. Love your show, good luck this fall! Dan Wagner Grand Rapids, MIWinke Responds:Dan, I appreciate your support. I would not hesitate to shoot the Rage with that setup. The only issue you will have is a shoulder hit, but you are going to have trouble with any broadhead with a shoulder hit. I have never seen entry holes like the ones I have seen with the Rage. If you watch Episode 34 wtih the 100 yard broadhead shoot, we were using Rage heads. Those groups those guys were producing at 100 yards with Rage heads were incredible - four inches at 100 yards, crazy. Good luck this fall too.
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Mike from MO asks:Bill, wanted to say I love the web site and have been a fan of your articles and show appearances for quite some time now. My question is about angled hits with mechanical broadheads. This will be my first year using mechanical heads and I have decided on 100 grain Steelheads. Should I avoid quartering away shots with these heads? What about steep angled shots down from a tree? Thanks again and keep up the good work.Winke Responds:Mike, Thanks for your support. I really appreciate it. I have shot the Steelhead 125 on and off for many years and I can honestly say it has never pole-vaulted for me as some suggest. I wrote a column on the subject for Petersen's Bowhunting a few years back. I'll dig that out and post it in the articles section here sometime soon. Here is an excerpt from that article: "Bob Mizek, Director of Engineering at New Archery Products, is the other person I called for thoughts on the subject. Bob told me that the problem of deflection does exist in certain situations but it is not confined only to mechanical broadheads. It can also occur with fixed-blade heads when the conditions are right. “The only thing we can say conclusively, is that when an arrow is under-spined, the performance on impact can be bad enough that pole-vaulting is something to be concerned about,” he said. “If the animal is turned 30 degrees from broadside, any broadhead will do fine,” Bob added. “But when you get to where the angle is 45 degrees or more, you have the possibility for problems. We get a lot of calls in from customers with broadhead performance problems. Almost all of these come down to tuning and most of the tuning problems come down to the archer shooting an under-spined arrow. When you combine an underspined arrow that is not properly tuned and is yawing back and forth with a 45 degree (or higher), quartering angle shot you can see some very strange stuff take place. It is more likely with a mechanical head but it also occurs with a fixed-blade head."
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Chris from TN asks:Bill,Can't wait for your new season.I have a question about Easton's broadhead adapter ring.Do you use them? Also do you think I need them to shoot the Muzzy MX3? Thanks. Looking forward to the Missouri & Ohio info. statesWinke Responds:Chris, Thanks for your support. Should be an "interesting" fall. I hope we can pull it all off. I have not been using them even though I use the FMJ arrows and the Super Slim before them. Some of the mechanical heads that I shoot have blades that come back and rest on the arrows when fully deployed. They need something more than the wall of the arrow when they hit bone. But on the other hand, I have used some arrows ten times without problems when I make soft tissue hits. It is debatable whether you want the blades to collapse a little bit on bone hits or hold their full cutting diameter. I kind of like the idea that they will collapse slightly to make penetration easier. Like I said, it is debatable. Easton's catalog says: "use the adapter if the broadhead design uses the face of the insert to hold the blades in place or when using a mechanical whose blades normally come back and rest on the insert." I guess to be safe you should stick with those recommendations. You shouldn't need them with the Muzzy heads.
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Paul from TX asks:Bill, what broadhead would you recommend for someone with a 24 inch draw length and pulling around 45 lbs? Thank you, PaulWinke Responds:Paul, You should be fine with most broadheads having a cutting diameter of 1 1/4 inches or less. Even most mechanical heads with small cutting diameters penetrate equivalent to fixed blade heads. If you really want to eliminate all concern, go with a two-blade cut to the tip head such as the Magnus Stinger 85 grain. I think that would be the perfect broadhead for your setup. Good luck.
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Scott from OH asks:Hi Bill. Just wondering what broadhead yourself and Randy Ulmer shot in the 100 yard shoot at the trade show? Thanks, Scott.Winke Responds:Scott, That shoot was hosted by Rage broadheads so they were Rage heads. Take care. Bill
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Jon from PA asks:Dear Bill,could you give me any input on what broadhead I should use with my single cam 57lb martin jaguar with easton T10 maxum duece 2213 arrows?. P.S I have a 26.5 inch draw length,thanks!Winke Responds:Jon, You have a pretty wide open open selection available to you depending on what you plan to hunt. I see you are from PA so I am assuming whitetail deer. Any head with a moderate cutting diameter (1 1/4 inches or less for a fixed blade and up to 2 inches with a mechanical) should work fine for you. There are really no limitations based on your equipment. Good luck.
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chris from TN asks:Bill,Have you ever tried the slick trick magnum 100gr.broadhead?Also do you think a 28" easton full metal jacket that weights roughly 415gr.give or take couple grs.do ok on a shoulder hit deer?One last question.Is their anyway I could send you a aerial photo copy of the 500 acre tract of swamp land that I hunt and get you to mark a few stand locations?I don't know what to look for.Their are also some sloughs on the property.I know your probably to busy to do this but I thought it might not hurt to ask.I'd be willing to pay you for helping me.Thanks again..Winke Responds:Chris, I have not tried the Slick Tricks but know guys who use them. They are accurate and seem to do fine on impact. I would have to know the arrow speed to give any prediction about that arrow on a shoulder hit, but being smaller in diameter and a bit heavier than most all-carbon arrows, it definitely has the best potential of any other arrow from your bow. Chris, I do offer a service where I consult on people's farms using aerial photos and topo maps, but it gets a bit pricey because to do it well, it takes quite a bit of time and study. There is no such thing as a quick and dirty analysis since it takes quite a bit of backgrounding and study to come up with a good strategy. So, I probably better pass on that for now. I appreciate the interest, however. Good luck.
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Mike from NJ asks:Bill, I noticed from watching the show that it looks like you practice with field points instead of broadheads. If the field point ways as much as your broadhead and they both impact at the same spot this should be okay right. I seem to catch some flack from some of my buddies about not shooting field points in the woods so why practice with them? I was shooting the G5 Montec practice broadheads which I think are great but after awhile start to tear up targets just like regular broadheads. If field points don't hit where your broadheads are hitting how do you correct this without changing your sight pins all the time?Winke Responds:Mike, I shoot mechanical heads and have proven to myself over the years that they hit the same place as my field points. If I was shooting fixed-blade heads, I would spend more time practicing with the same heads I was going to hunt with. I will still put my broadheads on for at least one practice session (even with mechanicals) just to make sure everything is still working the way it is supposed to. When shooting fixed blade heads, you really don't have much option other than to have two sights that you put on your bow, one sighted in for field points and one sighted in for broadheads. In only the best situations will the broadheads hit exactly where the field points hit. You can also just realize that your field points hit three inches high at 30 yards and when practicing with them, hold a little low. I don't like that approach, however, as it seems to defeat the purpose of practicing. I would rather just shoot the broadheads or have two different sights. Good luck. Bill
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Jason from TX asks:With regards to broadheads. Can you use a mechanical broadhead when shooting through the shoot-through mesh screens on pop-up blinds. ThanksWinke Responds:Jason, You can, but to be on the safe side we have always used a second rubber band behind the first one, closer to the hinge. That works on heads that open from the front backward - standard mechanical. With heads that open from the back forward, such as Tekans and Rage, you will neeed to test them, but in most cases I would say you would be fine. To be on the safe side, you can test the head you are shooting by taking a cardboard box, cutting the bottom out of it and taping a piece of printer paper across the opening. Set that on a stool about five feet in front of the blind. Shoot through the mesh, then through the paper and then into a target. You should be able to tell by looking at the cut in the paper if the blades were open. If you really want to be sure, you can cut the fletchings off an arrow and do this same test so you don't get a false reading from the fletching cuts. I will have to do this test sometime and post the results. Thanks for your question. Bill
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Eyad from IA asks:First of all I really have enjoyed your articles and videos throughout the years. I started reading at 13 and haven't stopped. Keep up the great articles and shows! My question relates to broadheads. I have had marginal success with the rage but of late have been practicing with the 1" slick trick standard and have EXCELLENT flight. Which do you prefer, fixed with smaller cut or rage with larger, assuming both fly equally well. Thanks for your time! Sincerely, eyadWinke Responds:Thanks for the comments. I appreciate all my supporters a lot. Now to your question. If you tell me where you are going to hit them, I'll tell you which head to use. In other words, the best head depends on the kind of hit you will make. The large cutting width of the Rage is awesome if you know you will have soft tissue hit (lungs, gut, liver). However, it is not so good if you hit them in shoulder. For a shoulder hit, the smaller Slick Trick is better. I personally favor a slightly smaller cutting diameter than some people. I used to shoot the big Vortex and Jack Hammer expandables when they came out but now I have recently been using a 1 1/4 inch expandable head for most of my hunting. That is not to say that I won't experiment with larger heads again sometime. That is the tradeoff. If you hit them in shoulder, a small cutting diameter will produce more penetration. If you hit them in the soft tissue, a larger head will cut more and kill faster. If you are shooting a high poundage bow, you may be able to get away with a large cutting diamter on a shoulder hit. Otherwise, with moderate poundage, I would likely stick with a head that is in the middle. Not huge, but not small. I shoot mechanicals in the 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inch range. They seem to work well for all hits. With fixed blade, if you are shooting something in the 1 1/8 to 1 1/4 inch cut you will have a good compromise between cut and good flight. I hope that helps.
