I need to get some replacement blades....I have just been using new heads. It seems that at least one blade always bends or breaks off , but the deer sure go down fast.
I have taken 2 does so far, one with a grim reaper and one with a Jak-hammer, both have went down within 50 to 75 yards and in sight. Got to love that!
One thing I have been hearing about expandables that I think should be mentioned here is that some guys are having trouble with blades opening.
This can happen (even though its rare), but I think it can be prevented by just checking your heads before shooting them. What I believe is happening to guys that are having trouble is that:
1. In the case of rubber band held expandable heads (like the jak-hammer), guys are not checking to see if the head opens easily. Every so often a head will come of the factory flawed and for whatever reason it a little catchy.
You can easily check and correct this by simply pulling the rubber band down and seeing if the blades fall open easily. If they don't just pull them down and re-check. I believe this will cure the problem 100% of the time.
Also, if you shoot once they are 10 times more likely to not open the next time you shoot them if you fail change the blades.
Expandable heads are mechanical and need to be checked on! They get slammed alot by guys who swear by cut-on-contact heads, but it has been my experience that deer simply go down much faster and leave greater blood trails when shoot with expandable heads. I have made a number of bad shots with Jak-hammers and have yet to loose a deer. I think the internal damage is just that much greater with these gigantic heads. But just like your compound, these heads are machined and need to be checked on just the same as you check on your compound.
2. With spring loaded heads(ie..grim reaper) just check to make sure your blades are lined up with the groves and open easily!
I guess what I am trying to say here is, if you are shooting expandables, just take 2 seconds when you get to your stand and make sure they are expanding properly. I just might save you from loosing a big buck this year.
This post is not intended to start a fixed Vs. Expandable p!ssing match. If you want that go to bowsite.com! I'm just stating some of my experiences that I think may bare mentioning.
