Big mechanical heads will open them up. The three blade ones though have too many opportunities to not do the job. Quartering shots, shoulder blades. Those tend to cause issues with the three blade heads. But hit them in the ribs and there won't be anything left of the lungs and heart.

I loved the rocket sidewinders.

Are they back in production?

Yes sir.. along with several other options!

Yup I love those heads. I miss the 2 inch cut hammerheads man they were the best head ever made in my opinion. Ive made terrible gut shots on deer with those heads and still found em.

You just need enough Kenetic energy to push em though and they are awesome.

I came across this thread awhile back so I tried the rocket sidewinders. First hit was on a doe at about 40 yards, wasn’t a perfect hit but lethal and great blood trail. Second shot was at about 30, again wasn’t a perfect shot but got very little penetration and didn’t seem to have the same punch, any issues with broadheads opening mid flight?

what pound bow are you shooting and what grain arrow?


I've killed a hog at 50 yards and a pronghorn at 84 both were complete pass thru's shooting a 70# bow and 390 grain arrows. Everything I've shot with the sidewinders has been a complete pass thru the animal


I would lean towards either:

A. You are shooting a low poundage bow

B. Super light arrows

C. combination of A & B

D. Your bow isn't tuned and its throwing the shaft either sideways or Up/Down

Thanks for the reply. I’m shooting 55lbs 8.9gpi right now. This is my first bow season so still figuring things out. Appreciate your insight

you didn't mention your draw length but assuming an avg. 28" arrow your probably about 375 grains with the broadhead/knock, etc. That's a tad on the light side, with the poundage being used, imo. at that poundage I would recommend a slip cam design such as the rage or use a fixed blade head.


The design of the rocket and jackhammers are as such you don't have issues opening them in mid flight as they take an impact to open the over the top blades but this does eat up some kinetic energy. If your pulling a 70 lb bow that's moving 270-290 fps with a 390-420 grain arrow or heavier its a non-issue but with lighter weights it can factor in.


I'm not the worlds most experienced archer but I have killed some animals with a bow and all have been with mechanical heads and these are the issues I am seeing at first blush with your set up. Also, take it to a shop and paper tune it and make sure your arrows aren't flying all caddy wompus

Will do, thank you for the feedback