When it comes to crossbow hunting, every part of your setup is important. From your best crossbow selection to the crossbow scope, bolts, knocks and even the sling you use, it’s all important. However, nothing is as important as the broadhead you choose. Without a good broadhead, you can make the perfect shot and never recover your game.
I don’t know about you, but the last thing I want to do is wound an animal only because I didn’t do my research on broadheads before the hunt. Believe it or not, there are broadheads designed just for crossbows. Let’s take a look at some of the best broadheads in the crossbow world. But first, let’s also talk about the difference in the broadheads available.
Crossbow Broadheads – Fixed Blade vs. Mechanical
This is one of the most debated topics in archery. Which broadhead is better for hunting big game? To me, it all comes down to personal preference. I have hunted with both styles of broadheads and honestly, I bounce back and forth between the two based on my hunting application.
While each kind has its pros and cons, a well-placed shot with either will take down an animal ethically and quickly. There are a few things to keep in mind when reading over these and selecting the best broadhead for you, though. The first is that with a fixed blade, you’ll have a smaller entry and exit hole than you will with a mechanical. A fixed blade is more capable of a complete pass-through on a deer. Fixed blades are more durable than mechanicals are, but mechanicals tend to have a larger cutting diameter. These are just a few things to take into consideration. I have shot many deer with both broadheads, and I think it all comes down to personal preference. Let’s get into the broadheads.
Read below to see why each broadhead got selected, but for your convenience – here’s a quick list of our favorites:
- Best Overall: Rage Hypodermic (Click to Shop the hybrid tip) or Rage X Blade (Click to Shop the shock collar)
- Best New Broadhead: Tooth of The Arrow S Series
- Easiest to Use: TenPoint EVO-X (Click to Shop)
- Best for High-Speed Crossbows: Slick Trick (Click to Shop)
- Most Lethal: Grim Reaper (Click to Shop)
- Most Accurate: NAP (Click to Shop)
- Most Reliable: Muzzy Trocar (Click to Shop)
- Most Durable (Multiple Hunts): Helix (Click to Shop)
- Best Hybrid & Large Game: SEVR Broadheads
Best Overall: Rage Hypodermic (Click to Shop) or Rage X Blade (Click to Shop)
When it comes to mechanical broadheads, I think Rage has a corner on the market. This brand is known to create massive wound channels and fast recovery times with good shot placement. The brand offers five different broadheads specifically for crossbows.
The main two I want to focus on are the Hypodermic crossbow and the Crossbow X blade. Both broadheads are offered with or without shock collars, which are little collars used to help keep blades in place. They come in two different weights: 100- and 125- grain broadheads, both of which are capable of two-plus-inch cutting holes. They offer both styles of broadheads in three-packs. The brand also offers replacement blades and collars for both broadheads.
Best New Broadhead: Tooth of The Arrow S Series
When it comes to selecting the right broadhead for your crossbow, the Tooth of the Arrow broadheads have garnered a strong reputation among hunters for their precision, durability, and innovative design. Here’s a detailed review of what makes these broadheads stand out.
Tooth of the Arrow broadheads are crafted from a single piece of high-quality stainless steel, ensuring exceptional durability and robustness. The four-blade design is engineered for maximum cutting efficiency, providing a large cutting diameter that delivers devastating wound channels. The one-piece construction also eliminates potential points of failure, making these broadheads reliable even under the toughest hunting conditions.
One of the standout features of Tooth of the Arrow broadheads is their accuracy. The precision machining and aerodynamic design ensure that these broadheads fly true, closely mimicking the flight characteristics of field points. This consistency is crucial for hunters who demand pinpoint accuracy in the field. The sharp, tapered blades penetrate deeply, ensuring quick and humane kills, which is a key consideration for ethical hunting.
The sharpness of the blades is another highlight. Right out of the package, the Tooth of the Arrow broadheads are razor-sharp, capable of slicing through tough hide and bone with ease. The stainless steel used in the construction is not only durable but also retains its sharpness well after repeated use. Additionally, the broadheads are easy to resharpen, extending their lifespan and providing excellent value for money.
These broadheads are designed with the hunter in mind. They are simple to attach to any standard crossbow bolt, and their design ensures they stay securely in place during flight and impact. The compact size makes them easy to carry and store, without compromising on performance.
Pros
- Durable One-Piece Construction: Made from a single piece of stainless steel, these broadheads are built to last.
- Exceptional Accuracy: Flies true, mimicking the flight of field points for consistent accuracy.
- Razor Sharp Blades: Out-of-the-box sharpness and easy to resharpen.
- Large Cutting Diameter: Four-blade design creates significant wound channels for effective hunting.
- Reliable and Consistent: No moving parts ensure reliability and performance in the field.
Cons
- Price: While offering great value, Tooth of the Arrow broadheads are priced higher than some other options on the market.
- Weight Options: Limited to a few weight options, which might not suit all crossbow setups.
Tooth of the Arrow broadheads are an excellent choice for serious hunters who prioritize accuracy, durability, and cutting efficiency. Their one-piece stainless steel construction, sharp blades, and consistent flight characteristics make them a reliable option for a variety of game. Despite being on the higher end of the price spectrum, the performance and longevity they offer justify the investment.
Easiest to Use: TenPoint EVO-X (Click to Shop)
The TenPoint EVO-X crossbow broadhead is a 3-blade 100-grain broadhead that has no parts assembly or extracurriculars, simply screw on and use. Although touted and mostly known as a single use broadhead, this broadhead is an accurate flying, put-down, no hassle broadhead. Another bonus feature is the color has no glare and is easier to hunt with on those bluebird days. Great for any animal, including hogs, the TenPoint EVO-X is a simple to use, efficient, broadhead.
Best for High Speed Crossbows: Slick Trick (Click to Shop)
With crossbows shooting more than 400 feet per second these days, speed is a concern with mechanical broadheads. Slick Trick RaptorTrick X is the solution to this problem. These all-steel broadheads are designed to not deploy in flight, no matter how fast your bow. They are capable of a two-inch cut on contact, and they come in one weight: 100 grains. Slick Trick also offers a four-blade, fixed-blade broadhead. The XBOW crossbow broadhead was designed to quickly stabilize shorter bolts while in flight without sacrificing accuracy. These are offered in three weights: 100-grain, 125- grain and 150-grain. They are also all steel and are capable of a 2¼-inch cutting diameter.
Most Lethal: Grim Reaper (Click to Shop)
These broadheads can be shot through steel drums, plywood and 10-foot brown bears. If that’s not enough to make you at least want to give them a try, I don’t know what will. They offer both fixed blade and mechanical broadheads in 100-,125- and 150-grain formats. These broadheads also can be shot out of the 400-plus feet-per-second bows. The original mechanical broadhead only takes one pound of pressure to open its three blades, cutting a 2¼-inch hole on impact.
Most Accurate: NAP (Click to Shop)
New Archery Products offer 18 different models of broadheads just for crossbows. Since they offer both fixed-blade and mechanical broadheads at good prices, it’s no surprise that they make the list. The NAP Spitfire Double Cross for crossbows is their staple broadhead for crossbows. This is for good reason; these are a four-blade broadhead with the blades open opposite of each other forming a cross. This makes for massive wound channels from the two-inch cutting diameter with the rear bleeder blades. These broadheads come in only 100-grain weight.
Another solid choice from NAP is the new Endgame fixed-blade broadhead. These broadheads offer a 13/16-inch cutting diameter with an oversized bone-breaking tip. These are 100-grain broadheads.
Most Reliable: Muzzy Trocar (Click to Shop)
If you have hunted deer for any amount of time, I’m sure you have heard of Muzzy. This company has been providing quality fixed-blade broadheads for as long as I can remember. The main two broadheads I would look at for crossbows are the Trocar XB and the Muzzy ONE Crossbow broadhead. Both broadheads are offered in 100- and 125-grain weights. The Muzzy ONE Crossbow broadhead is machined from a single piece of stainless steel and has a cutting diameter of 1⅛ inches. The Trocar XB has replaceable blades and a cutting diameter of 13/16 inches.
Most Durable (Multiple Hunts): Helix (Click to Shop)
Helix broadheads are one of the newer broadheads on the block. Don’t let that fool you, though. These fixed-blade broadheads are some of the best on the market. They offer two different models, the FJ2 and the FJ4.
Let’s start with the FJ2. It is a single-bevel stainless steel broadhead designed for maximum penetration. It comes in six different grains and three different cutting diameters. The 100- and 175-grain broadheads have a cutting diameter of 1⅛ inches. For the 125- and 200-grain, the cutting diameter is 13/16 inches. The 150- and 225-grain broadheads have a cutting diameter of 15/16 inches. These are available in singles or in three-packs of broadheads. Building on the FJ2 broadhead, the FJ4 is the same broadhead with two added bleeder blades. This formulation allows for a bigger cutting surface of over two inches on all six different weights. Helix also offers sharpeners to keep broadheads razor-sharp for multiple hunts.
Best Hybrid and Large Game: SEVR Broadheads
When it comes to broadheads, precision and lethality are paramount, and the SEVR™ Titanium(Ti) 1.5” 4-Blade Hybrid delivers on both fronts. As a seasoned hunter, I recently had the opportunity to put this innovative broadhead to the test, and it exceeded my expectations in every way.
The first thing that stands out about the SEVR Ti 1.5 Hybrid is its construction. The broadhead features a one-piece machined titanium ferrule, which provides incredible strength and durability without adding unnecessary weight. The precision-ground tip is another highlight, ensuring that the broadhead penetrates deeply and consistently.
What truly sets the SEVR Ti 1.5 Hybrid apart is its cutting power. The 1.5” locking-pivoting main blade, combined with a .7” wide fixed bleeder blade, offers a total cutting diameter of over 2.2 inches. This is a nearly 50% increase in cutting area compared to a standard 1.5 cutting diameter. In practical terms, this means larger wound channels and more effective blood trails, which are crucial for tracking game.
In the field, the SEVR Ti 1.5 Hybrid proved its worth. The diamond-honed stainless-steel blades are incredibly sharp, ensuring deeper penetration and maximum lethality. The design of the blades are crafted to pivot around bone, helping to create larger wound channels and effective and lethal shots. I found that the broadhead maintained its sharpness even after multiple uses, which is a testament to SEVR’s commitment to quality.
This broadhead is particularly well-suited for hunters pursuing large game or navigating challenging shot scenarios. The rear-deploy mechanical design ensures that the blades deploy only upon impact, reducing the chances of deflection and increasing the likelihood of a clean, ethical kill.
Overall, the SEVR Titanium(Ti) 1.5” 4-Blade Hybrid is a game-changer for serious hunters. Its combination of precision engineering, superior cutting power, and durable construction, and field point accuracy while in flight, makes it a top choice for those who demand the best from their equipment. If you’re looking to elevate, the SEVR Ti 1.5 Hybrid is well worth the investment.
FAQ’s
1. What is a crossbow broadhead?
A crossbow broadhead is a type of arrowhead designed for use with crossbows. Broadheads come in various designs and are typically used for hunting, featuring sharp blades to cause maximum damage to the target.
2. What are the different types of broadheads available?
There are three main types of broadheads: fixed-blade, mechanical (expandable), and hybrid.
- Fixed-blade broadheads have blades that are permanently fixed in place.
- Mechanical broadheads have blades that expand upon impact.
- Hybrid broadheads combine features of both fixed-blade and mechanical broadheads.
3. What should I consider when choosing a broadhead?
When selecting a broadhead, consider the following factors:
- Blade Type: Fixed or mechanical, depending on your preference and hunting needs.
- Weight: Typically, broadheads come in 100 or 125 grains. Choose one that matches your crossbow’s specifications.
- Cutting Diameter: Larger diameters create bigger wound channels but may affect accuracy.
- Construction Material: Stainless steel blades and durable ferrules are preferred for longevity and strength.
4. Are mechanical broadheads as reliable as fixed-blade broadheads?
Mechanical broadheads have improved significantly in terms of reliability. They offer greater cutting diameters and fly more like field points, but they can be less reliable in some hunting situations compared to fixed-blade broadheads, which are simpler and have no moving parts. Read: Mechanical vs. Fixed Broadheads
5. How do I ensure my broadheads fly accurately?
To ensure accuracy:
- Tune your crossbow: Make sure your crossbow is properly tuned and maintained.
- Use a practice broadhead: Some manufacturers offer practice versions of their broadheads.
- Check for consistency: Ensure that each broadhead is identical in weight and balance.
6. Can I reuse broadheads after a hunt?
Broadheads can be reused if they are not damaged. After each hunt, inspect the blades and ferrule for damage. Replace or sharpen blades if necessary, and ensure they are securely attached.
7. What is the ideal broadhead for large game hunting?
For large game hunting, such as deer or elk, broadheads with a larger cutting diameter and higher durability are ideal. Many hunters prefer fixed-blade broadheads for their reliability and deep penetration.
8. Are there specific broadheads recommended for smaller game?
For smaller game, a broadhead with a smaller cutting diameter and a lighter weight may be more suitable. Mechanical broadheads can also be effective for smaller game due to their accuracy and expanded cutting diameter.
9. How does the speed of my crossbow affect broadhead selection?
High-speed crossbows (over 350 fps) can affect broadhead flight stability. Mechanical broadheads often perform better at high speeds due to their aerodynamic design. However, high-quality fixed-blade broadheads designed for high-speed crossbows can also perform well.
10. Do broadheads affect the flight path of the bolt?
Yes, broadheads can affect the flight path due to their design. Fixed-blade broadheads can cause more drag and wind planning, whereas mechanical broadheads typically have a more aerodynamic profile that mimics field points.
11. How do I maintain my broadheads?
To maintain your broadheads:
- Clean after use: Remove any blood, tissue, or dirt.
- Sharpen blades: Use a broadhead sharpener or replace blades if they are dull.
- Store properly: Keep broadheads in a case to protect the blades and tips.
12. Are there any legal restrictions on broadhead types?
Yes, some regions have specific regulations regarding broadhead types and specifications. Always check local hunting regulations to ensure your broadheads are compliant.
In Closing
Whether you’re into fixed blades or mechanical broadheads, there are plenty of quality choices on the market. The main thing to keep in mind when selecting broadheads for your crossbow is that they are in fact made for crossbows.
I know some people believe that you can shoot any broadhead from a crossbow, but that is not the case. Crossbows are capable of shooting speeds in excess of 400 feet per second, so you need a broadhead able to withstand those speeds, especially if they are mechanical broadheads.
The other thing you need to do is select the broadhead that best suits your style of hunting. Some companies will offer single broadheads, which allows you to sample multiple types without a lot of cost. Lastly, once you make your selection, get comfortable with it and practice shooting. After all, shooting broadheads is one of the most important parts of your best crossbow setup.
Read Also:
Considerations when Choosing a Broadhead
