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Fixed or Mechanical for Piggies? #8798535 02/09/23 05:21 PM
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Which do you prefer?

My go-to's for whitetail are fixed blades - usually Magnus Buzzcuts. I've used several different fixed blades for pigs - Magnus, Muzzy 3-blade, G5 Montec, among others. Had a hard time getting the G5's to fly accurately, but that could've been a tuning issue.

I was thinking of trying some mechanicals on pigs. Am I sacrificing penetration for cutting diameter? I'd like to increase recovery rate. I hunt in VERY thick brush, and if they don't bleed out quickly, it's really difficult to find them.

I know either will work, but I'm thinking the larger cutting diameter will give me more 'wiggle-room' on shot placement. Sometimes shots are at awkward angles and/or the pigs will be covered up in tall grass/reeds, and it can be difficult to find the target area.


"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom." - Ecclesiastes 9:10
Re: Fixed or Mechanical for Piggies? [Re: Sauerkraut] #8798641 02/09/23 08:02 PM
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I killed more pigs with Montechs than any other head. Something changed with them and I haven't bought any in several years but I am still working on the 30 of them I bought years ago. One killed a deer then 4 hogs and a rattle snake then one more hog. I decided the very big prickly pear patch could keep that one after it passed through .ribs, chest and exited the shoulder.

Hogs hate to waste $ on broadheads


lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true
Mainstream news might be fun to watch
Re: Fixed or Mechanical for Piggies? [Re: Sauerkraut] #8798676 02/09/23 09:20 PM
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Mechanicals for deer and fixed for hogs. I prefer the NAP Hellrazor. Similar to the G5s.

Re: Fixed or Mechanical for Piggies? [Re: ChrisB] #8798711 02/09/23 10:33 PM
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Originally Posted by ChrisB
Mechanicals for deer and fixed for hogs. I prefer the NAP Hellrazor. Similar to the G5s.


the 125gr G5s I bought the year I bought my crossbow which was the year they made crossbows legal for hunting in Texas without a disability. I had missed 2 archery seasons with frozen shoulder and one still not good enough to draw my bow so I said I am not missing a third season. They shot so well I bought 10 packs and with their reuse still have a few of that stock. These days I would try the hellrazor as well for replacement. Those old G5s were accurate longest shot I tried on a hog was 74 yards IIRC on a 60lb or so pig. That one ran about 40 yards after bring hit. I killed acouple more right at 70 yards with that same head. I had heard there were some issues with the steel used on the G5s and on some customer heads I had to agree on a few I tried to sharpen, just didn't hold the edge like the older ones did.


lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true
Mainstream news might be fun to watch
Re: Fixed or Mechanical for Piggies? [Re: Sauerkraut] #8798738 02/09/23 11:11 PM
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The NAP Hellrazors are also sold under the Basspro brand pretty cheap. They are easy to sharpen and I have had heads kill several hogs each.

Re: Fixed or Mechanical for Piggies? [Re: Sauerkraut] #8798850 02/10/23 01:23 AM
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I run Rage two blade heads and watch em drop.

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Re: Fixed or Mechanical for Piggies? [Re: Sauerkraut] #8798958 02/10/23 04:58 AM
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Fixed for me. I shot a hog with a mechanical at 9 yards and didn't get full penetration. Luckily I nicked the heart. I shot just a little forward and hit his thick shield. I believe a fixed blade would have penetrated at that distance.


No matter how high a duck flies a hammer still breaks a window.
Re: Fixed or Mechanical for Piggies? [Re: Sauerkraut] #8799183 02/10/23 04:11 PM
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Ok thanks for this info. Y'all confirmed my suspicions. I have some Sev2 2.0's on the way and I may try one on a pig. I wanted to try them in the fall for mule deer and elk anyways. It's an expensive broadhead for a pig though. Other than that, I'll probably stick with the Muzzy 3-blades. I've had good results with the those in the past.


"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom." - Ecclesiastes 9:10
Re: Fixed or Mechanical for Piggies? [Re: Sauerkraut] #8799211 02/10/23 04:52 PM
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I have Sevr 1.5s on my set up right now, haven't shot a hog with it yet though. I'm thinking of stepping up my grain weight from 100 to 125, keeping things around 455-460 total. I'm curious how the 2.0s do for you, maybe that'll be my next order.

Re: Fixed or Mechanical for Piggies? [Re: Sauerkraut] #8799224 02/10/23 05:21 PM
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For pigs out of a bow stand, I prefer 158gr XTP at 1400FPS...but, If I am gonna fling an expensive arrow with expensive broadheads, I am going to try to get a quartering away shot, and hit behind the shoulder to easily get under the gristle plate. Always with fixed blades regardless of what I am hunting.

Re: Fixed or Mechanical for Piggies? [Re: unclebubba] #8799231 02/10/23 05:37 PM
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Originally Posted by unclebubba
For pigs out of a bow stand, I prefer 158gr XTP at 1400FPS...but, If I am gonna fling an expensive arrow with expensive broadheads, I am going to try to get a quartering away shot, and hit behind the shoulder to easily get under the gristle plate. Always with fixed blades regardless of what I am hunting.



I am glad they finally changed that, for a long time that wasn't legal. I also much prefer shooting "cheap" ammo when compared to an arrow and broadhead to kill a pig


lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true
Mainstream news might be fun to watch
Re: Fixed or Mechanical for Piggies? [Re: kmon11] #8799257 02/10/23 06:30 PM
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Originally Posted by kmon11
Originally Posted by unclebubba
For pigs out of a bow stand, I prefer 158gr XTP at 1400FPS...but, If I am gonna fling an expensive arrow with expensive broadheads, I am going to try to get a quartering away shot, and hit behind the shoulder to easily get under the gristle plate. Always with fixed blades regardless of what I am hunting.


I am glad they finally changed that, for a long time that wasn't legal. I also much prefer shooting "cheap" ammo when compared to an arrow and broadhead to kill a pig


I'm certainly on board with this sentiment. My property borders government land, and archery is the only legal means for killing pigs. I'm hunting a specific pig out there for the Wise County Hog Contest and I want to give myself the highest chance of success if I see her again.


"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom." - Ecclesiastes 9:10
Re: Fixed or Mechanical for Piggies? [Re: Sauerkraut] #8799356 02/10/23 09:36 PM
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Fixed vs. mechanical depends on KE but if you’re shooting a heavier poundage bow with good arrow speed I’m a mechanical guy all day long. Grim reapers or Wasp Jackhammers is my go-to

Never had a pig go far with them. Get more penetration by going from a 2” cut to a 1 3/4 or 1 1/2” cut.


For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
Re: Fixed or Mechanical for Piggies? [Re: Sauerkraut] #8799993 02/12/23 02:50 AM
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G5 Montec all day

Re: Fixed or Mechanical for Piggies? [Re: Sauerkraut] #8800248 02/12/23 05:12 PM
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If I was looking for a cheap effective broadhead to sling at pigs it would be a standard Muzzy 3 blade. Because you get a 6 pack for under $40 and you can replace all the blades for even a whole lot less.

I have been following this guy on YouTube for awhile. He shoots standard Muzzy heads at pigs.

I have played with them a bit and in a pack of 6 I usually have at least one that will plane off. But you might be able to correct that if you nock tune.

For the price it’s worth a try. But for a competition of any sort I would instead use the best your money can buy.

2 cents worth from a guy that never killed anything but a fish with a bow. So take it for what it’s worth lol. It probably depreciates as soon as i hit post reply lol.


1 Thessalonians 4:11-14
Re: Fixed or Mechanical for Piggies? [Re: Sauerkraut] #8800254 02/12/23 05:17 PM
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GR Hybrids. Best of both worlds.


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Re: Fixed or Mechanical for Piggies? [Re: Sauerkraut] #8800495 02/12/23 11:36 PM
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Forgot to include the link.

https://youtu.be/iUn06b-Q32M


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Re: Fixed or Mechanical for Piggies? [Re: Sauerkraut] #8800651 02/13/23 03:07 AM
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The mechanical vs. fixed blade boils down to two things…cutting diameter vs. penetration.

You put a fixed blade head thru the vitals of any animal it is gonna die, usually in very short order. They CAN offer better penetration than a mechanical but design comes into play here as not all mechanicals are created equal, same with fixed blades.

Penetration is going the be the greatest with a two blade design but the trade off is lack of cutting surface…which equals less internal damage. Three blade and 3 blade designs leave a hole as opposed to a slit and that, in theory, will lead to a better blood trail and more internal damage, but due to increased drag will not penetrate as much as a two blade.

Mechanicals take more energy to deploy the blades but they offer a “slap cut” entrance wound and larger diameter cuts than any fixed blade can offer. You can also get smaller diameter mechanicals if penetration is a concern.

What I like about mechanicals is they offer a margin of error on an iffy shot that a fixed blade does not. They do a lot of damage, but I’ve shot deer with them that didn’t bleed. Not every animal is going to.

For a hog, shoot whatever you want, a slick trick is a good fixed head that is inexpensive. For a mechanical a wasp jackhammer is what I prefer for most game smaller than an elk


For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
Re: Fixed or Mechanical for Piggies? [Re: Sauerkraut] #8837877 04/21/23 05:12 PM
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Re: Fixed or Mechanical for Piggies? [Re: Sauerkraut] #8837878 04/21/23 05:15 PM
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I switched to fixed blade on everything about 4 years ago. I hit a hog at 9 yards, just a little forward. Still nicked the heart and recovered him but only got minimal penetration (just cut the heart and stopped). I decided to go heavy and fixed. So far so good.


No matter how high a duck flies a hammer still breaks a window.
Re: Fixed or Mechanical for Piggies? [Re: Sauerkraut] #8838884 04/23/23 03:30 PM
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Tried mechanicals and didn't get good penetration on pigs and saw wounded animals with an arrow sticking out get away. Switched to the old school cheap broadheads, got pass through hits and no more escaping animals. As a kid I shot bows a bunch, as an adult I only do it every now and then so my experience is pretty limited. I am also not good enough of a shot anymore to confidently take a shot at a pig past 35 or so yards and expect to hit where I want to hit.

Re: Fixed or Mechanical for Piggies? [Re: blkt2] #8838906 04/23/23 03:47 PM
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I have killed about 135 Whitetails many hogs & etc. Recure and compound bows. About 90% were shot with Bear Razorheads. Sharpen and reshoot. Have some that have made10 kills. Will shoot through a pig shoulder blade.

Re: Fixed or Mechanical for Piggies? [Re: blkt2] #8839068 04/23/23 08:36 PM
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Originally Posted by blkt2
Tried mechanicals and didn't get good penetration on pigs and saw wounded animals with an arrow sticking out get away. Switched to the old school cheap broadheads, got pass through hits and no more escaping animals. As a kid I shot bows a bunch, as an adult I only do it every now and then so my experience is pretty limited. I am also not good enough of a shot anymore to confidently take a shot at a pig past 35 or so yards and expect to hit where I want to hit.

Learn to tune. It will help penetration and accuracy.
There are way to many people killing pigs with mechanical heads to spread the untruth that they don't penetrate. I personally have killed hundreds of pigs with bows. A large percentage of them with different brands of mechanical heads. Personally the Rage Hypodermic knock off heads work great even out of my traditional bows. A straight flying arrow always gives the best penetration..


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Re: Fixed or Mechanical for Piggies? [Re: passthru] #8839237 04/24/23 01:27 AM
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Originally Posted by passthru
Originally Posted by blkt2
Tried mechanicals and didn't get good penetration on pigs and saw wounded animals with an arrow sticking out get away. Switched to the old school cheap broadheads, got pass through hits and no more escaping animals. As a kid I shot bows a bunch, as an adult I only do it every now and then so my experience is pretty limited. I am also not good enough of a shot anymore to confidently take a shot at a pig past 35 or so yards and expect to hit where I want to hit.

Learn to tune. It will help penetration and accuracy.
There are way to many people killing pigs with mechanical heads to spread the untruth that they don't penetrate. I personally have killed hundreds of pigs with bows. A large percentage of them with different brands of mechanical heads. Personally the Rage Hypodermic knock off heads work great even out of my traditional bows. A straight flying arrow always gives the best penetration..


In order to sell product a media campaign was created by outfitters and tv producers that made wild hogs out to be these bloodthirsty creatures that are as tough as Cape buffalos and mean as a Grizzly Bear.


I kill most of my pigs by stalking up on them and shooting them below the ear with a .22.

The ones I’ve shot with a bow all fell very quickly to arrows tipped with mechanical heads.

People kill hundreds of elk every year with mechanical heads. A hog isn’t anywhere near as tough as a bull elk I can promise you.


For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
Re: Fixed or Mechanical for Piggies? [Re: Sauerkraut] #8839504 04/24/23 03:18 PM
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Haven’t shot a pig but those slick trick pro series heads fly real good and they are surprisingly durable. I shoot the pro series standard 125 grain and they have taken a beating. The pro series have stainless steel ferrules.

I have curled the tips on a few that passed through the target into rocks and one through the target into heavy steel plate. Honed out the curl in the tip, honed out the edge chatter etc on the blades, still fly as good if not better than a field point. I think it is due to the compact, solid, symmetrical design and smaller 1” diameter.

May be a 1” cut but that’s 4 blades.

Last edited by Bryan C. Heimann; 04/24/23 03:19 PM.

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