When it comes to tipping the terminal end of an arrow with deadly force, choices run rampant — beginning with basic designs and ending with specific personal preference. Fixed-blade, mechanical and hybrid broadheads — they all have their attributes … and their fans. Fixed broadheads, advocates say, are reliable, durable, extremely sharp, cut on contact and there is no fear of mechanical failure. Those who prefer mechanicals stress the larger cutting diameters and field-point accuracy. The new kid on the block, the hybrid, by definition is the best of both worlds.
Fixed, mechanical and hybrids — the scope of available broadheads is mindboggling. Here are nine top-notch choices to consider as you prepare for this fall’s hunting seasons.
G5 Deadmeat V2
The Deadmeat V2, an updated model of the original, features an expandable three-blade design that flies like a field point and delivers incredible terminal performance. Through an enhanced manufacturing process, G5 has improved the blade’s edge and sharpness, leading to heavier blood trails. The broadhead is constructed utilizing super-tough machined 100% all-steel ferrule and three heavy-duty, ultra-sharp, all-steel blades create a gaping 1.5-inch cutting diameter. It also features G5’s SnapLock retaining collar that creates an audible “snap” when each of the three blades is locked securely in place. The broadhead comes with a BMP (Ballistic Matched Point) practice point.
MSRP: $49.95/three pack
CONTACT: www.g5outdoors.com
Grim Reaper Razorcut SS Whitetail Special
The Razorcut SS Whitetail Special is a three-blade 100-grain mechanical broadhead with .035-inch-thick blades that produce a massive cutting diameter of 2 inches, resulting in huge wound channels. It is specially designed for higher kinetic energy bows and anchoring whitetail-sized big game; it has a one-piece stainless-steel tip that will not deform if it strikes bone. Other Razorcut models include the Standard broadhead with a 1.375-inch cutting diameter in 85-, 100- and 125-grain versions and the 100- or 125-grain Extra, which features a wider 1.75-inch cut. All Razorcut broadhead packages include a practice head.
MSRP: $44.99/ three pack
CONTACT: www.grimreaperbroadheads.com
NAP Endgame
Armed with an over-size bone-breaker tip that produces maximum penetration and a single-piece CNC-machined grade 5 titanium ferrule, the Endgame 100-grain broadhead from New Archery Products produces devasting terminal results on a wide variety of big game animals. Each two-blade fixed Endgame broadhead is individually spin-tested and features .031-inch-thick razor-sharp replaceable stainless-steel blades that produce a cutting diameter of 1.1875 inches. Practice blades are included so hunting blades remain razor sharp.
MSRP: $54.99/three pack
CONTACT: www.newarchery.com
QAD Exodus Broadheads
The compact Exodus broadhead from Quality Archery Designs has the strength to bust through the toughest bones. Utilizing Blade Over Shaft technology, the Exodus cut-on-impact blades sweep back over the arrow shaft, creating a super short, compact head, just like a field point — enhancing accuracy while producing extreme penetration and a large cutting diameter. The blades are built with heavy-duty SST material so users never have to worry about strength. Exodus broadheads come in standard, crossbow and deep six versions — in 85-, 100, and 125-grain weights. They are available in two different blade styles, swept and full.
MSRP: $42.99/three pack
CONTACT: www.qadinc.com
Rage Broadheads Hypodermic Trypan
Rage has enhanced its popular Hypodermic Trypan broadhead to include No Collar (NC) technology — an integrated blade containment system that utilizes cutting-edge finger-like tabs on the blades’ pivot point to anchor the blades in place while in the closed position. This eliminates the need for a shock collar, dental band or O-ring, while still providing a 100 percent reliable blade retention system. With a 2-inch cutting diameter, the Trypan NC cuts a huge entry hole upon impact from its .039-inch-thick, razor-sharp, machine-stamped blades. Once deployed, the head’s Slip Cam design allows the stainless-steel blades to effortlessly slide into position.
MSRP: $44.99/100-grain two pack
CONTACT: www.feradyne.com
Ramcat Diamond Fixed Blade
The 100-grain Ramcat Diamond fixed-blade broadhead is based on Ramcat’s patented Airfoil system found on the ferrule. This concave design reduces wind planing, producing field-point accuracy and deep penetration. The Diamondback is Ramcat’s first entirely fixed-blade broadhead, featuring a blade thickness of .032-inch and 1.0625-inch cut diameter, and Firenock Aero Concentric and Back-Cut technology so it hits like a ram and cuts like a cat. It also comes in a 125-grain version with a 1.5-inch cut diameter.
MSRP: $34.99/ three pack
CONTACT: www.ramcatbroadheads.com
Swhacker Levi Morgan Signature Series #269
Engineered by Swhacker to the demanding specifications of world-renowned archer Levi Morgan, the #269 features a unique arced blade design that reduces blade resistance after entry, retaining greater arrow momentum and delivering increased pass-through performance. According to Swhacker, the broadhead’s reinforced ribbed ferrule delivers up to 20 percent greater strength and rigidity. The stainless-steel blades are .032 inches thick. The #269 also includes Swhacker’s popular Blade-Lock Technology, allowing the expandable blades to be locked in the closed position so hunters can practice with the exact broadhead they will be using in the field. The #269 is 1 inch wide in flight and opens to 2.5 inches on impact.
MSRP: $48.95/three pack
CONTACT: www.swhacker.com
Trophy Taker A-Tac
Trophy Taker’s A-Tac broadhead is built tough — engineered for accuracy and devastating penetration. The broadhead’s single-piece, cut-on-contact ferrule is machined out of a solid brick of stainless steel and features a .625-inch cutting diameter. A single piece, stainless-steel blade slips through the ferrule and locks into place to round out the four-blade design. This .080-inch-thick main blade is twice as thick as most blades on the market and honed to a razor-sharp edge. The cutting diameter of the main blade is 1.125 inches.
MSRP: $39.99/two pack
CONTACT: www.trophytaker.com
Wasp Sharpshooter 200
The Wasp SharpShooter 200 is the newest cut-on-contact, fixed-blade addition to the company’s SharpShooter family of broadheads — a beefy design that provides generous kinetic energy and FOC balance for greater punch and deeper penetration on big game. As the name suggests, the broadhead weighs in at 200 grains and has four replaceable blades with a cutting diameter of 1.125 inches. The Sharpshooter 200 is Wasp’s first entry into the single-bevel broadhead market.
MSRP: $53.99/ three pack
CONTACT: www.wasparchery.com