Ok, so another Broadhead Convo

[Kessler10]

I know we touch on this topic many times but here it is again.

I need to switch broadheads. I have been shooting Montec Striker magnum for whitetail. I killed a buck and a doe with these broadheads this season. the buck i shot had Zero blood trail but died about 300 yards from my stand. I was lucky to find him as we did a grid search and took us 4 hours. makes it tough with no blood. the shot was a touch high but I was amazed we found literally not a drop of blood. Ill be going elk hunting next year for the first time and want to make sure i am shooting the most effective broadhead for elk. Figured if I am goin gto make a switch now is the time so i can have about 10 months of practice with them.

So right now I am looking at slick trick magnums and the magnus stingers. Any thoughts on either of these or other recommendations for elk? It seems that maybe the magnus stingers wouldnt fly like broadheads but wanted some feedback. Everything I have heard on the slick trick magnum are great especially in terms of blood trails and flight.

Of course the easy answer to this broadhead question is put a perfect hit on the elk and it doesn't matter what broadhead. I totally agree. But lets say you dont put a perfect hit, then what broadhead would you go with for elk. Do any of you switch up broadheads depending on what type of game you are hunting (i.e deer versus elk).

Again I know this has been a topic of conversation many times on this forum, but seems to always get good responses when brought up and I could really use some tips to make this final decision.
Thansk!

[Njdiverdan]

You pretty much answered your own question. It's more about shot placement. Just about any fixed blade SHARP broadhead on the market today will kill an elk if the shot is good. Poor shot and I don't think broadhead choice is going to help much. One thing to remember; with elk hunting, you will probably be hunting from the ground. This means the wound channel will be about the same height on both sides which means the body cavity may need to fill with blood before the blood trail gets beyond drops. From a tree stand that lower exit wound makes for a nice drain and really good blood trails.

[elk.addict]

Most people will tell you Strikers are great. I, on the other hand, disagree totally. I've never lost any animals with Strikers, but I had 2 close calls that concerned me. Both times after removing my broadhead from elk, I had missing blades AND the tip had broke through where the leading edge of the blade seats. I can't tell you how many times I've shot at grouse and had my arrow hit a rock or something else hard and have never seen had the blades pop out, let alone on an elk. I've got some good pictures on Archerytalk showing the blade retention problem. But that was a long time ago.

And I agree that a perfect shot will prove to be successful with any broadhead. But I want something to hold up if I accidentally hit the scapula or other tough area. Can't go wrong with Slick tricks or MX4's.....

[slim9300]

I love my ST's! I would recommend standards unless you are making over 90# of KE. My bow setup makes 86# with a 450 grain arrow, and they penetrated pretty well, but the standards seem to always pass through leaving better blood trails. My partner and I have killed 22 elk with ST broadheads over the last 6 seasons. I'm sure you will be happy with them. They fly just like field tips for me.

[Brendan]

I need to switch broadheads. I have been shooting Montec Striker magnum for whitetail. I

Are you using the Montec, or the Striker - Different broadheads? Montec is a one-piece, Striker removable blades. Regardless - I think both of these can do the job if they're sharp. My guess is that bloodtrail was due to other factors if you got a pass-through.

Regardless, I personally would choose VPA over the Montec, and probably Slick Trick or Muzzy over the Striker. I had some issues with the brass rings on the striker in that if you ever use them as a practice head - it deforms the ring and can then cause the broadhead to no longer spin true. Wac 'Em is a similar design to Striker, gave me a great blood trail this year, but that was probably more shot placement. I did lose a blade on the Wac 'Em so probably will not use them again.

[ishy]

My group are all sold on magnus stingers. #1 is how they fly. #2 is penetration, two holes=easier tracking. Other pluses are simple, easy to sharpen, and a no questions asked lifetime guarentee.

[pointysticks]

strange things happen with broadheads.

i put a slicktrick magnum right into a whitetail. watch the arrow go in, and drop out the other side. deer gushed on dose of blood and nothing. no more blood. never found that deer, and i had to tap out. tag filled with invisible deer, and my memories.

blood soaked arrow. crazy. i still love those broadheads, even tho i have to admit, i trend toward the Montecs.

if you love your old broadhead, and they fly, i would stick with them. i bet something strange happened. a fluke.