Are you looking for the best broadheads for crossbows in 2022? For this article, we’ve selected the best mechanical, fixed, and hybrid broadheads for crossbow usage.
There are many opinions and ongoing discussions regarding broadheads. Hunters from all over the world participate in this great debate. They like to discuss which type of broadhead is best, whether the cutting diameter of a broadhead is an important factor in how well a broadhead penetrates, what the best brands are, and what the best crossbow broadheads are.
This article contains a beginner’s guide and a faq section, in which I cover the basics and the most relevant questions about broadheads and explain to you how to pick the best broadheads for your crossbow.
Table of Contents
Our Top Picks
Best Mechanical Broadheads For Crossbows
Best broadhead for crossbows over 400 fps – Rage Crossbow X
| Available Weights in Grain | Cutting Diameter | Blade Material | Package Listings |
| 100 grain/125 grain | 2″ | Stainless Steel | 3pk |
The Rage Crossbow X is a two-blade mechanical broadhead that is optimized for high-velocity crossbows. It features a shock collar with a rear slip cam design for consistent blade retention. The blade retention system of this broadhead is perfect. I’ve never had one open prematurely.
The Crossbow X boasts an orange ferrule and two 035-inch thick razor-sharp stainless steel expandable blades with a total 2-inch cutting diameter. Rage boasted that the broadhead flies more like a field point than a broadhead, and I have to give it to them, it really does fly straight and offers great accuracy.
The Crossbow X also has outstanding penetration. They pierce through the toughest hides, densest muscle tissues, and bones leaving a very large wound channel.
Replaceable blades are sold separately and are available on Amazon.
- PRECISION - Rage broadheads are known for their accuracy and their legendary wound channels
- MASSIVE CUTTING SURFACES – Rear-deploying, SlipCam design with huge leading-edge blade and razor sharp .035" thick stainless steel expandable blades. 2" cutting diameter. 125 Grain
- TECHNOLOGY - Improved Shock Collar Technology ensures proper blade retention while bolt is stored and in-flight and allows for broadhead to open upon impact – FERRULE ALIGNMENT TECHNOLOGY - F.A.T. ensures a more aerodynamic bolt flight
- BENEFITS - Flies like a field tip. Specifically designed for use with CrossBows. 3 PACK - Available in 100 or 125 Grain. Replacement Blade R53005 (not included); Made in the USA
- RAGE - Leading the Evolution in Mechanical broadheads
Best flying mechanical crossbow broadhead – Rage Hypodermic Crossbow NC
| Available Weights in Grains | Cutting Diameter | Blade Material | Package Listings |
| 100 grain/125 grain | 2″ | Stainless Steel | 3pk |
The Rage Hypodermic Crossbow NC is a mechanical broadhead from Rage that features cutting-edge finger-like tabs on the blades’ Slip Cam pivot point to keep them in place. The Hypodermic NC has reliable blade retention so there is no need for a shock collar.
The Hypodermic sports a stainless steel ferrule and two .035-inch thick blades with a 2-inch cutting diameter. Upon impact, the blades slide backward, for larger wound channels and a good blood trail to follow.
The new Hypodermic Crossbow NC features the Hypodermic hybrid tip.
Replaceable blades are sold separately and are available on Amazon.
- PRECISION – Rage leads the evolution in Mechanical Broad heads. These broad heads are known for their accuracy and their wound channels are legendary.
- FEATURES - Aerodynamic one-piece steel ferrule, built with bone crushing power and increased penetration, razor sharp .035" stainless steel blades, 2" cutting diameter
- TECHNOLOGY - Hybrid Hypodermic Tip with Machined Stainless Steel Ferrule Technology that promotes aerodynamic flight.
- BANG FOR YOUR BUCK - Your purchase includes 3 - 100 Grain broadheads so you never have to worry if you lose one. Recommended Practice head R39609 (not included)
- MADE IN THE USA - At Rage, we are proud that all of broadheads are made right here in the USA.
Best titanium crossbow broadhead – SEVR Titanium 2.0
| Available Weights in Grains | Cutting Diameter | Blade Material | Package Listings |
| 100 grain/125 grain | 2″ | Stainless Steel | Per 1 |
The SEVR Titanium 2.0 is the improved version of the two-blade rear-deploy mechanical broadhead for crossbows; Titanium 2.1.
This broadhead is assembled with a machined one-piece titanium ferrule, two 420 steel grade .032-inch thick stainless-steel blades, and a precision-ground tip. The improvements include a more swept-back blade angle, re-designed deployment arm geometry, and a 2.0-inch cutting diameter instead of 2.1 inches.
Forward-pivot geometry prevents blade pre-deployment even under violent acceleration making it a reliable broadhead for high-velocity crossbows.
The Ti 2.0 still features SEVR’s patented rear-deploy locking-pivoting blade technology and can be set to practice mode via the addition of a small set screw.
All Ti 2.1 ferrules will accept new Ti 2.0 replacement blades. Available in 100 and 125 grains in standard 8-32 threads. Deep Six thread available in 100 grains.
$13.99 per one | sevrbroadheads.com
Not yet available on Amazon
Best crossbow broadhead for deer hunting – Hypodermic Trypan Crossbow
| Available Weights in Grains | Cutting Diameter | Blade Material | Package Listings |
| 100 grain/150 grain | 2″ | Stainless Steel | 3pk |
Our number two choice is another great crossbow broadhead from Rage. The Rage Hypodermic Trypan crossbow is a two-bladed mechanical designed for high-speed crossbows.
Rage has equipped the broadhead with an improved high-energy shock collar that ensures the blade stays in place during high-speed crossbows.
The Rage Hypodermic Trypan Crossbow sports a titanium ferrule and two .039-inch thick stainless steel blades that slide into a sweptback blade-angle. The Hypodermic Trypan features a 2-inch cutting diameter.
Each package includes an additional 3 high-energy shock collars.
- FEATURES: Aerodynamic one-piece steel ferrule, built with bone crushing power and increased penetration, razor sharp .039" stainless steel blades, 2" cutting diameter, and 150 grain broadhead, 3-pack.
- TECHNOLOGY: Comes with improved Shock Collar Technology which ensures proper blade retention.
- PRECISION: Rage leads the evolution in Mechanical Broadheads. The Hypodermic Broadheads feature the exclusive hybrid tip that provides surgical accuracy. These broadheads are known for their accuracy and their wound channels are legendary.
- BANG FOR YOUR BUCK: Your purchase includes 3 broadheads so you never have to worry if you lose one.
- MADE IN THE USA: At Rage, we are proud that all of broadheads are made right here in the USA.
Best aluminum crossbow broadhead – New Archery Products Killzone
| Available Weights in Grains | Cutting Diameter | Blade Material | Package Listings |
| 100 grain/125 grain | 2″ | Aluminum | 3pk |
The NAP Killzone is a mechanical broadhead with two blades that gives a devastating 2″ cut and is designed to be shot with today’s fastest crossbows. The Killzone is very accurate and the blades are incredibly sharp and sturdy.
The Killzone uses NAP’s unique spring-clip design which ensures your blades won’t open in flight. It is a solid system I’ve never had one open prematurely. There are no o-rings or rubber bands to worry about.
- TOP-QUALITY MECHANICAL BROADHEADS - The Killzone for Crossbow is a 2-blade rear-deploying mechanical broadhead that is designed to be shot from today's fastest and most powerful crossbows; Razor-sharp blades deliver deadly results
- 2-INCH CUTTING DIAMETER - These Killzone Crossbow mechanical broadheads from New Archery Products feature a massive 2-inch cutting diameter that creates devastating entry and exit wounds for quicker recoveries
- SPRING-CLIP DESIGN - These mechanical broadheads utilize NAP's unique spring-clip design that holds your blades closed in your quiver and in flight, every time; There are no o-rings or rubber bands to worry about
- CUT-ON-CONTACT TIP - The Killzone broadheads for Crossbow are constructed from 7075 Aircraft aluminum and feature a Cut-On-Contact razor tip that provides extreme cutting and penetration; Weight: 100 grain; Come in a pack of 3
- NEW ARCHERY PRODUCTS BRAND - At New Archery Products our passion for archery and bowhunting inspires us to continue creating the finest broadheads and archery accessories; NAP products is what you need for efficient hunting
Best three blade crossbow broadhead – G5 Outdoors Megameat
| Available Weights in Grains | Cutting Diameter | Blade Material | Package Listings |
| 100 grain/125 grain | 2″ | Stainless Steel | 3pk |
The G5 Outdoors Megameat is a great three-blade mechanical broadhead for crossbows. The Megameat offers a 2-inch cutting diameter and utilizes an easy-to-use snaplock collar that keeps the blades secure during flight for field-point accuracy. The broadhead also sports a bone-smashing chisel tip.
Replaceble blades are sold seperately and are available on Amazon.
- MASSIVE 2" CUTTING DIAMETER - The G5 Megameat Broadhead features a substantial 2-inch cutting diameter, providing exceptional precision and penetrating power
- MULTIPLE GRAIN OPTIONS - Available in both 100 and 125 grain weights, this mechanical broadhead for bow arrows offers flexibility to meet the specific needs of various hunting scenarios
- THREE ULTRA-SHARP BLADES - The G5 archery arrowhead is equipped with three rearward sliding steel blades, designed to enhance cutting efficiency upon impact; These ultra-sharp blades ensure better penetration and are replaceable
- NO BLADE PRE-DEPLOYMENT - The innovative SnapLock collar system secures the blades in place during flight, preventing premature deployment
- CHISEL TIP & REPLACEABLE COMPONENTS - The chisel tip of the G5 Megameat Broadhead is engineered to bust through bone, increasing the broadhead's destructive capability
Best mechanical broadhead for TenPoint crossbows – TenPoint EVO-X Center Punch
| Available Weights in Grains | Cutting Diameter | Blade Material | Package Listings |
| 100 grain | 1.875″ | Stainless Steel | 3pk |
The TenPoint EVO-X Center Punch is a rear-deploying broadhead from TenPoint that features a collarless design that delivers field point accuracy and a devastating cut.
The TenPoint EVO-X Center Punch sports an aluminum ferrule, ultra-strong precision point, and scalpel-sharp blades that stay closed during flight and open upon impact to create massive wound channels and leave huge blood trails.
No replacement blades are availalable for this broadhead.
- FIELD-POINT ACCURATE - The best 2-blade mechanical broadhead for crossbows, the 100-grain, rear-deploying EVO-X CenterPunch Broadhead features a collarless design that delivers field point accuracy.
- HUGE BLOOD TRAILS - Scalpel-sharp blades create a 1 ⅞” cut for massive wound channels & huge blood trails.
- ULTRA STRONG - Designed for strength, the CenterPunch Broadhead features a 7075 T6 aluminum ferrule, ultra-strong precision point.
- FLOATING-BLADE DESIGN - Tested for performance and accuracy at over 505 FPS, this design ensures blades do not open in-flight. The faster the broadhead is shot, the more the increased inertia forces the blades shut.
- DON’T SETTLE FOR LESS - With TenPoint, you are arming yourself with a complete hunting system, including accessories specifically engineered to help you fill your freezer or put one in the record books!
Best fixed Broadheads For Crossbows
Best fixed broadhead for crossbows – G5 Outdoors Montec
| Available Weights in Grains | Cutting Diameter | Blade Material | Package Listings |
| 100 grain/125 grain | 1″ to 1.125″ | Stainless Steel | 3pk |
The Montec is still one of the best and most reliable broadheads from G5 Outdoors. It’s their sharpest and most accurate broadhead. The three-blade broadhead has a 1 1/8″ cutting diameter and a cut-on-contact tip.
The broadhead is forged using Montec’s successful patented metal injection molding process from a solid piece of 420 high-grade stainless steel, which is stronger than its predecessors and it allows for much sharper edges. The M3 has a no vent design for a quieter arrow flight.
The blades of the broadhead are diamond-sharp and offer excellent penetration, the head pierces through the toughest skins, muscle tissues, and bones giving you more of a chance of shooting that drop-in sight shot.
- PINNACLE OF BROADHEADS - The Montec Broadheads have a tough all-steel construction for durability; The 1-piece MIM (Metal Injection Molding) construction eliminates weak points; Come in a pack of 3
- SPIN-TESTED PERFECTION - Each Broadhead is 100% spin-tested to guarantee balance & accuracy so the broadhead flies precisely; With no components to assemble or replace, the Montec simply screws in
- GRAIN OPTIONS - The Montec Broadheads are available in different grain options: 100 & 125 grains; So hunters can get a lighter broadhead for faster flight or a heavier one for deeper penetration
- SUPERIOR SHARPNESS - Featuring diamond-cut sharpness, the Montec Broadheads offer superior cutting power; The cut-on-contact design initiates immediate penetration; The broadheads can be sharpened
- MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY - Featuring a 1" to 1 1/8" cutting diameter, the original Montec provides a wide wound channel for efficient takedowns; These broadheads are built for the hardcore crossbow hunter
Best fixed broadhead for TenPoint crossbows – TenPoint EVO-X Montec
| Available Weights in Grains | Cutting Diameter | Blade Material | Package Listings |
| 100 grain | 1.125″ | 100% Steel Tough | 3pk |
TenPoint brings a new fixed broadhead to the market that they call “the most accurate fixed-blade broadhead”. This new broadhead is built exclusively for TenPoint by G5-Outdoors.
The fixed EVO-X Montec is designed for high-velocity crossbows. This broadhead features a one-piece MIM Construction for maximum strength and enhanced accuracy.
The fixed EVO-X Montec features a three-blade design with a cut on contact tip. The three diamond-cut sharp blades are made of 100% tough steel and deliver a massive 1 1/8″ cut.
- PIN-POINT ACCURACY - Built exclusively for TenPoint by G5, this 100-grain fixed blade broadhead delivers maximum strength and pin-point accuracy.
- CUT-ON CONTACT DESIGN - The 3-blade, cut-on-contact design delivers a devastating 1 ⅛″ cut.
- STEEL TOUGH - The EVO-X Montec Fixed Blade Broadhead is designed for high-speed crossbows, with diamond cut sharpness and one-piece MIM construction.
- MAXIMUM STRENGTH - Built with a rugged, 100% steel ferrule, ultra-strong precision point, and scalpel sharp, steel blades.
- DON’T SETTLE FOR LESS - With TenPoint, you are arming yourself with a complete hunting system, including accessories specifically engineered to help you fill your freezer or put one in the record books!
Best 150 grain broadhead for crossbows – Ozcut Huricane
| Available Weights in Grains | Cutting Diameter | Blade Material | Package Listings |
| 100 grain/125 grain/150 grain | 1.125” | Stainless Steel | 3pk |
The Hurricane from Ozcut is a three-cut fixed broadhead that features a single bevel and Offset Blade technology which provided its offset blade design. This design improves the broadhead’s accuracy in flight, and it brings in larger wound channels, resulting in larger blood trails. The head also features a tanto tip for bone-crushing penetration.
The Hurricane features no vents for silent flight, offers field point accuracy. They are easy to resharpen and hold an edge great.
- Patented Single-Bevel Offset Blade Technology
- Rotates Through Flesh and Bone
- 100% Premium Stainless Steel
- 2" Total Cutting Surface Diameter
- Engineered Field Point Accuracy
Great fixed broadhead with a trocar tip – Muzzy MX-3 Trocar Crossbow
| Available Weights in Grains | Cutting Diameter | Blade Material | Package Listings |
| 100 grain/125 grain | 1.187″ | Steel | 3pk |
The Trocar Broadheads from Muzzy are still one of the best broadheads in the fixed blade category. They feature a solid 1-piece SS ferrule and a right offset blade design foSteelr exceptional broadhead flight and consistency with the right offset, right helical, or straight fletching resulting in increased accuracy at longer range.
The Trocar tip is known for bone-breaking penetration, and the super short compact design for accurate flight, and excellent entry and exit holes for increased blood loss and greater blood trails.
- Material Type: Aluminum
- Sport Type: Hunting
Best Hybrid Broadheads For Crossbows
Best hybrid broadhead for fast crossbows – NAP – DK4
| Available Weights in Grains | Cutting Diameter | Blade Material | Package Listings |
| 100 grain/125 grain | 1.75″ | Aluminum | 3pk |
This hybrid mechanical 4-blade broadhead from New Archery Products is built with a pivoting main blade and two expandable bleeder blades that inflict massive wound channels and outstanding penetration.
The NAP DK4 also has sublime blade retention due to its Spitfire spring clip technology which holds the expandable blades in during launch. The blades open upon impact. No rubber bands, collars, or 0-rings that you have to replace after shooting.
- DK4 CROSSBOW BROADHEADS - The DK4 represents the next level in broadhead development featuring a pivoting main blade and two mechanical bleeder blades designed for maximum penetration potential
- TRUE PASS-THROUGH POWER - The main blade of the DK4 Crossbow broadheads from New Archery Products hits hard and deflects around very thick bone sections to maintain momentum and deliver true pass-through power
- SPITFIRE SPRING CLIP TECHNOLOGY - Spitfire spring clip technology holds the main blade in during launch and the bleed blades are designed to open on impact no matter what your target
- FIELD-POINT ACCURACY - The DK4 features 2 deploying bleeder blades for a 1 3/8” cutting diameter equating to devastating wound channels that don’t need additional O-rings, collars, or rubber bands
- BONE-CRUSHING TROPHY TIP - Having a bone-crushing trophy tip and diamized blade-sharpening process, the DK4 Crossbow broadhead from New Archery Products flies like a dart and makes a good blood trail ensuring enhanced hunting experience
Best four blade broadhead for crossbows – Muzzy Trocar HBX
| Available Weights in Grains | Cutting Diameter | Blade Material | Package Listings |
| 100 grain/125 grain | 1.625″ | Stainless Steel | 3pk |
The Muzzy Trocar HBX is a hybrid broadhead that combines a bone-crushing Trocar chisel tip and a 1-inch fixed-blade design with a pair of long 1-5/8″ center-pivot blades that deploy on contact.
The Trocar HBX is designed for stable and accurate flight over long ranges, the mechanical blades stay tucked in tight to the broadhead’s solid-steel ferrule in flight while the fixed blades feature a stabilizing offset design.
- 1 Inch Fixed Blade Cutting Diameter
- 1 5/8 Inch Expandable Cutting Diameter
- Offset Fixed Blades To Induce Spin
- Steel Ferrule With Chisel Tip
Honorable Mentions
Best crossbow broadhead for turkey hunting – Spitfire Gobbler Getter
| Available Weights in Grains | Cutting Diameter | Blade Material | Package Listings |
| 100 grain, 125 grain | 1.75″ | Aluminum | 3pk |
The Spitfire Gobbler Getter is one of the best broadheads for turkey hunting. The broadhead has a 1-3/4-inch cutting diameter and a blunted “Turkey Tip” for added knockdown power on birds. The Gobbler Getter integrates Micro Grooved Slimline Ferrule technology to allow air to pass over the ferrule with less resistance.
The broadhead flies straight and the diamize sharpened blades are sharpened through a rigorous process ensuring exceptionally sharp blades to produce the cleanest cuts for maximum hemorrhaging and quicker kills.
- HIGH-PERFORMANCE - The NAP's Spitfire Gobbler Getter 3-blade front-deploying mechanical broadhead for turkey bow hunting delivers reliable accuracy and trauma; This is a good choice for avid archers who are searching for great efficiency
- ULTIMATE EFFICIENCY - The unique point design of the Spitfire Gobbler Getter ensures your arrow will stick in your bird to maximize shock, drop your bird in short order, and minimize pass-thrus, helping you recover your animal quickly
- ULTRA-SHARP - The Spitfire Broadhead performs better than any other mechanical broadhead thanks to our ultra-sharp Diamize blades; The Diamize sharpening process creates the sharpest blades in the industry for massive hemorrhaging and knock-down power
- SPRING CLIP TECHNOLOGY - This NAP broadhead ensures your blades will stay closed in your quiver and in flight without the need for any rubber bands or o-rings; It quickly expands to a 1,5-inch cutting diameter on impact
- FEATURES - The Spitfire Gobbler Getter 3-blade broadhead is crafted of high-quality materials to provide durability and dependable use; The practice blades mean you can save your super-sharp blades for the big day; 100 Grains weight, 3 Pack
Best budget broadheads for crossbows – Sinbadteck Hunting Broadheads
| Available Weights in Grains | Cutting Diameter | Blade Material | Package Listings |
| 100 grain | 1.035 | Steel | 12pk |
These Simbadteck hunting broadheads are three-blade fixed budget broadheads that are forged using anodized aluminum and they feature a Stainless steel tip.
The broadhead’s tightening grips on the bottom of the Broadheads, that allow easy install & removal w/o tools. Now keep in mind these are cheap heads, that won’t perform as well as the more expansive broadheads.
They are absolutely not meant for hunting big game animals but you can do some nice practice shooting with them and hone your skills or hunt smaller game animals with them. The Simbadteck hunting broadheads are the best broadheads if you have a very tight budget to spend or when you weren’t planning to hunt big game animals anyway.
Want to pair your crossbow broadheads with the best crossbow bolts and arrows? In this article, you will find a buyer’s guide in which the Forgotten Hunter team has selected twelve crossbow bolts and arrows, all tested and reviewed.
Crossbow Broadheads Beginner’s Guide
The main difference between “normal broadheads” and crossbow broadheads is the way manufacturers market them. You will often find that a particular “normal” broadhead has a completely similar model that is marketed as a “crossbow broadhead.”
In most cases, the only difference between them is the weight in grains. Crossbow broadheads usually weigh 125-150 grains, this is mainly because most crossbows have a higher velocity. The heavier weight helps the arrow fly straight, which improves accuracy.
Due to the high speeds of modern crossbows, there is a risk that the expandable blades of mechanical broadheads will open prematurely. Manufacturers have solved this problem by using springs that hold the blade in place, with slightly more tension, making it less likely that the blade will open when shot by a high-speed crossbow.
Material
The best broadheads for crossbows are made from durable materials like stainless steel. You also have carbon steel, aluminum, and titanium broadheads.
Carbon steel is softer and rusts easier than stainless steel, but it gets sharper and stays sharper longer. Titanium is much stronger than stainless steel but also way more expensive. Aluminum is cheaper then both but also less durable. Personally, I always tend to mostly go for stainless steel broadheads.
Blade Count
Broadheads can sport two blades, three blades, and even four blades. The more blades a broadhead holds, the more of a cutting surface it provides, creating a larger wound channel upon entry of an animal for more blood loss and a better blood trail to follow as a result.
A larger cut requires more kinetic energy to penetrate effectively. That’s why broadheads with two blades are more suitable for low-poundage bow users and for light-to medium-weight arrows or bolts.
The three-blade and four-blade broadheads are more suited for heavyweight arrows or bolts and when you want to inflict larger wound channels for that increase in blood loss, which is important, especially if you want to hunt bigger game animals.
Tip
There are two main types of broadhead tip design. These main types are broadheads with a chisel tip and broadheads with a cut-on-contact tip. You also have hybrid variants of these main types. Which type you want or need is really up to personal preference but mechanical broadheads typically have cut-on-contact tips, and fixed-blade broadheads typically sport a chisel tip.
A broadhead with a chisel tip punctures directly through an animal’s tough skin. The advantages of a broadhead with a chisel tip are that they instantly penetrate the animal at the desired angle and they tend to do better on bone. They are also often more durable than broadheads with cut-on-contact tips. Cut-on-contact tips cut an animal’s skin instead of puncturing it.
You also have broadheads with Trocar tips, they also puncture instead of cut upon impact, are much stronger than your typical chisel tip, and known to blast through bone easier. Muzzy was one of the first manufacturers that implemented the Trocar tip on their broadheads. The Trocar tip was designed by a doctor to split human bone.
If you sharpen a trocar tip on a flat stone then it essentially becomes a cut-on-contact tip. There are also broadheads with a hybrid tip.
Some broadheads have a blunted tip, they are specifically designed for knocking down birds.
Fixed Blade Broadheads
Fixed blade broadheads have been used throughout the ages and it is one of those technologies that are still very popular today. These broadheads are the best broadheads if you value durability and re-usability. They are forged from a single piece of material, this makes them tough and durable. The best fixed-blade broadheads out there are practically almost indestructible, within reasonable circumstances. They are also easy to sharpen.
Fixed blade heads typically feature two or three blades with a limited cutting diameter of 1/6″, leaving a decent wound channel but nearly not as large a wound channel that a mechanical broadhead would inflict. However, they are the best broadheads for deep penetration, increasing your chances of that drop-in-sight shot.
Fixed blade broadheads are less predictable and less consistent with wind resistance and less accurate for longer distances compared to the more aerodynamically designed mechanical broadheads, this is why a lot of high-velocity crossbow users like to use mechanicals.
If you are a beginner and you have no experience with hunting with broadheads then I always recommend practicing and hunting with the fixed blade broadheads first, then if you have gained some experience, try out a mechanical broadhead.
- More chance of a drop in sight hit
- Easier to maintain and sharpen
- Easy to practice with
- Durable and reliable
- Less accurate than a mechanical on long distances
- Smaller wound channel due to their limited cutting diameter, so less blood loss, and a poorer blood trail
- More susceptible to wind deflection
Mechanical Broadheads
Mechanical blade broadheads were introduced in the late 1980s. They are also called expandable blade broadheads of broadheads with expandable blades if you will. Because these broadheads are designed to extend their blades only upon the impact of the surface tissue of an animal or inside its cavity to inflict organ damage.
The cutting diameter of mechanical broadheads is typically up to 2.4 inches and they inflict larger wound channels than your typical fixed broadhead would, this of course results in more bleeding, leading to better blood trails.
Mechanical heads fly better than most fixed blade broadheads because of their aerodynamic design. In fact, the best mechanical broadheads fly kinda like field tips in their closed position. A downside, many mechanical broadheads out there have, is that some do not open correctly. The answer to this problem was to use shock collars or O’rings and the best mechanical broadheads these days have integrated systems for proper blade retention, which is especially necessary for high-velocity crossbows.
Mechanical broadheads also deflect easier than fixed blade broadheads upon entry into the target or when hitting bone. You’ll have to be more precise with your shots with a mechanical if you want to hit that elk in the vitals. Unless you’re experienced at shooting big game with mechanical heads.
I always recommend beginners to start hunting with the fixed blade broadheads first to hone their skills and try out a mechanical broadhead once you’ve gained more experienced shooting.
- Aerodynamic design can make a good mechanical broadhead fly like a field point
- More accurate on longer distances with faster bows and high-velocity crossbows
- The bigger cutting diameter of a mechanical broadhead leaves larger wound channels, resulting in more blood loss and better blood trails
- Penetration and performance can suffer on deflection
- Requires more kinetic energy for proper penetration
- More difficult to maintain and sharpen compared to fixed heads
- Less durable compared to fixed heads
Hybrid Broadheads
The so-called hybrid broadheads take the best qualities of both the traditional fixed blade broadhead and the modern mechanical blade broadhead. Hybrids always characteristically build with four-blades, they are aerodynamically designed like mechanical broadheads and feature expandable blades for that larger wound channel but they also sport two small fixed cutting edges.
A good hybrid design combines the best of two worlds efficiently, offering deep penetration and inflicting very large wound channels. Hybrids are becoming more and more popular these days.
- Combines the best qualities of fixed blade broadheads and mechanical broadheads
- Not for beginners
Broadheads with Replaceable Blades
Some broadheads come with replaceable blades. The big advantage of these broadheads is of course that you can replace the damaged blades with new ones if you don’t want to sharpen them or if they are irreparable. This makes broadheads with replaceable blades last longer than fixed blade broadheads or mechanical broadheads without replaceable blades.
- Re-usability
- Often more expensive
Game Type
The first thing you need to do is determine what kind of animal you will be hunting. Harvesting game means taking a life and it must be done quickly and as humanely as possible. The shot must be accurate, well placed, and ethically taken. Most broadheads are bought and used for big game hunting, so most are designed for that purpose.
Whether your set-up is capable of penetrating a particularly large game animal with that broadhead is another story, which I will discuss in the penetration section.
Although broadheads today are designed primarily for big game hunting, you can also use broadheads to hunt smaller game, such as a turkey or goose or that pesky squirrel. If you decide to hunt smaller game, you also extend your hunting season until after the rut of the deer season.
What you want is a broadhead that won’t tear up your small game animal too much like most broadheads would, leaving as much usable meat to harvest as possible. I have included a suitable broadhead for hunting smaller animals in the buyer’s guide section of this post.
Penetration
How well a broadhead penetrates is of course the most important factor if you want to achieve a successful, clean and ethical kill. The main factors that determine how well a broadhead penetrates an animal are the total weight of the arrow (including the broadhead), the momentum of an arrow (this depends on the weight of the arrow and the speed of your crossbow), and whether your set-up is properly adjusted for true broadhead flight.
Weight
These days broadhead weights typically range from 75 grains up to 300 grains. but most hunters nowadays don’t use heavier heads than 125-grain. This is due to the fact that arrows have become so lightweight over the years, most of them having shafts made from carbon and aluminum instead of wood.
Here’s an article you can read on crossbow bolts, it includes a buyer’s guide with the 12 best crossbow bolts and arrows to buy in 2022, in the article, I’ll also explain the difference between a crossbow bolt and an arrow.
The best broadheads for crossbow users typically weigh in the range of 125-150 grain heads these days. For compound bow users, I usually recommend 100-gr. broadheads for carbon and lightweight aluminum shafts, and for heavy aluminum shafts, 125-gr. heads.
The easiest way to pick a good broadhead for your arrow is to simply base the weight of the broadhead on the weight of the field point of your arrow.
Cutting Diameter and Friction
There is a lot of discussion going on still whether friction plays a big part in penetration regarding the cutting diameter of an arrowhead/broadhead. In theory, you would think a small cutting diameter head should penetrate deeper than a larger cutting diameter head but this isn’t necessarily always true in practice.
This is because of the fact that there are so many variables that play a role in penetration, as an arrowhead needs to deal with hair, skin, wet muscle tissue, bones, and wet organ tissues. In practice, you will see that the cutting diameter of a broadhead doesn’t play a big role in how well a broadhead penetrates.
Well Tuned Set up
The last thing you can do to optimize broadhead accuracy is making sure your arrows equipped with the broadheads are straight and your bow well-tuned for true broadhead flight. To test whether your arrows are straight, spin them equipped with the broadheads to check if there is a proper head alignment, if there is no wobbling in the shaft or the head you are good.
The second thing to do would be making sure your bow is well-tuned for true broadhead flight. There are a couple of different methods out there to tune a bow like paper tuning and walk-back tuning. If you have straight arrows and a well-tuned bow your broadhead accuracy will improve dramatically.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Broadheads
How do I attach a broadhead to an arrow shaft?
On the non-fletched side of the arrow, you will find a threaded bolt-like insert, you can simply screw the broadhead in the insert. Most broadheads will come with a wrench included in the package for tightening the broadhead to the arrow.
How do I store my broadheads?
You can buy a broadhead case to properly store and carry your broadheads. The Allen Carbon Fiber Look broadhead case can hold a total of six broadheads. It fits most three- and four-blade broadheads. The Allen broadhead case has foam inserts that protect and secure the broadheads.
Another great broadhead case is the Proven Wild broadhead case. This case can hold a total of 12 broadheads of all shapes and sizes. This case is completely waterproof and it includes a free broadhead wrench!
How to sharpen a broadhead?
There are multiple ways to sharpen a broadhead. The best broadhead sharpening methods are either using a sharpening stone or you can use a broadhead sharpener.
What are the best practice targets for shooting with broadheads?
In this article, you will find the best target for broadhead practice shooting in 2022.
Are mechanical Broadheads legal in my state?
Every state has its own regulations regarding the use of hunting broadheads. You can check your state’s regulations here.
Which brands make the best broadheads?
Here are some of the brands that have proven themselves over the years to deliver the best broadheads.
- Rage
- Muzzy
- G5 Outdoors
- New Archery Products
- Swhacker
- Ramcat
- Slick Trick
- Grim Reaper
- Wasp
