There are countless opinions out there when it comes to which broadheads are best to use. I did some research, asked around, and found out what is most often recommended.
An accurate fixed broadhead depends on the material, number of blades, grain, and cutting diameter. Even so, the tuning of the bow and proper assembly will make any well-made broadhead highly accurate. Three solid models available on Amazon are Muzzy Trocar, the QAD Exodus, and the G5 Outdoors Montec 100 Grain.
These can all be found on Amazon:
Let’s see what makes a good fixed broadhead, why they are so popular compared to mechanical broadheads, and what are the best models right now.
What Makes a Fixed Broadhead Accurate?
Different factors can affect the accuracy of a broadhead, such as the quality, type, and strength of the material and the number of blades, the grains, and the cutting diameter.
Accuracy is essential, especially for hunting, because it ensures that the prey doesn’t suffer and experiences a quick death. All the components of the broadhead play a role in the performance, and you should make sure to examine each option thoroughly before making a decision.
What Is the Best Material for a Fixed Broadhead?
Accuracy depends heavily on concentricity, or how well the broadhead spins around the shaft of the arrow. The material of a broadhead can make a notable difference when it comes to this quality. In this case, steel broadheads are superior to aluminum ones.
Clean penetration depends on how easily the material can shatter once the arrow hits the target. If the arrow breaks on impact, it can cause unnecessary problems. Once more, the answer is steel. Steel broadheads are more durable than aluminum ones, and they’re more reliable for a clean shot.
Related How Far Can a Bow Shoot? | Ranges by Draw Weight (With Chart).
What Is the Ideal Number of Blades for a Fixed Broadhead?
When you choose between types of fixed broadheads, you usually have two options: broadheads with three or four fixed blades. In general, if you’re a hunter, a four-blade broadhead is a better choice because it’s better at splitting the muscle once it hits the animal.
It prevents the wound from closing around the broadhead and slowing down the bleeding, which means that you could get a decent blood trail.
Hunters tend to follow the blood trail after shooting an animal(usually deer). The look of the trail helps them know many things about the deer. That’s why it’s important to make sure that broadheads will do enough damage, and that’s why four blades are better than three.
Using this logic, a three-blade broadhead won’t cause as much damage. On the other hand, it can be sharpened more easily compared to its counterpart. If you’re not using broadheads for hunting, you might prefer the three-blade alternative.
What Grain of Broadhead Should I Use?
Broadheads vary in weight, from the lightest versions at 75 grains to heavier ones at around 150, but the most common choice is 100 grains. Choose the weight depending on what you’re using the broadheads for and, if you’re hunting, what kind of animal you’re after.
Heavy broadheads are used with heavy arrows. They have more energy when they hit an object
and therefore can penetrate more. On the downside, weight can affect speed. If you’re a hunter of larger animals, it is advisable to look for heavier broadheads.
You might have to look harder and maybe pay more for heavier options. Light broadheads are those below 125 grains. They’re more commonly used by hunters because most use low-power bows, making the tool easier to use. You can generally tune bows to handle larger weights, but for animals like deer, it’s not necessary. Light broadheads are thought to be fast and more accurate than heavier ones.
Choosing a Cutting Diameter
The cutting diameter is the size of the wound that the broadhead would inflict when hitting
the target. Larger and smaller cutting diameters have pros and cons for different reasons.
A small cutting diameter means that the initial wound would be smaller. On the other hand, the broadhead would face less resistance, and as a result, it could penetrate deeper. It’s generally more reliable and accurate.
On the other hand, a larger cutting diameter means a bigger wound and as a result, a better
blood trail. However, it also means that the broadhead won’t penetrate much deeper because of resistance.
Are Mechanical or Fixed Broadheads Better for Accuracy?
There’s an ongoing debate among archery enthusiasts: what is the better choice, mechanical or fixed broadheads?
Fixed broadheads are considered to be stronger and more reliable. A fixed broadhead means no moving parts; the blades are firmly attached to the ferrule, and they don’t move at any point during the shooting.
On the other hand, mechanical broadheads have foldable blades that stay folded until the arrow hits the target. Both types are great for hunting and sport, and the choice can often come down to personal preference.
However, some experiments and studies with deer hunters have shown that fixed broadheads
can be more reliable. Mechanical broadheads are more aerodynamic, but fixed broadheads are tougher and more likely to stay intact no matter what they hit.
This quality is crucial, especially for hunting, when dealing with different weather conditions and unexpected circumstances.
What are the Best Fixed Blade Broadheads for Deer?
According to experienced archers and hunters, some of the best models of fixed-blade Broadheads for deer are Muzzy Trocar, QAD Exodus, and G5 Outdoors Montec 100 Grain.
- Muzzy Trocar: This broadhead is designed for excellent accuracy and efficiency. It’s made of steel, has a large cutting diameter, and has very sharp blades. It’s ideal for hunting. A downside is that it might be hard to change the blades, according to testimonies. However, it faired very well in head-to-head tests.
- QAD Exodus: It’s very reliable, with a good balance of power and accuracy. It has a replaceable head and is made of high-quality steel. The blades are easy to sharpen and replace. It’s expensive, but the price is justifiable.
- G5 Outdoors Montec 100 Grain: This broadhead is very powerful and accurate. It has diamond-cut blades that can be re-sharpened. These blades are excellent and ensure humane kills. This broadhead also has the advantage that it works with almost any bow that you might have.
Final Thoughts
Fixed blade broadheads are generally considered more reliable and accurate than mechanical broadheads. Their accuracy depends, however, on factors like the material, weight, and elements of design. Some of the best fixed-blade broadheads, according to hunting experts and enthusiasts, are the Muzzy Trocar, the QAD Exodus, and the G5 Outdoors Montec 100 Grain.
Jim James is a published author and expert on the outdoors and survivalism. Through avid research and hands-on experience, he has gained expertise on a wide variety of topics. His time spent at college taught him to become really good at figuring out answers to common problems. Often through extensive trial and error, Jim has continued to learn and increase his knowledge of a vast array of topics related to firearms, hunting, fishing, medical topics, cooking, games/gaming, and other subjects too numerous to name.
Jim has been teaching people a wide variety of survivalism topics for over five years and has a lifetime of experience fishing, camping, general survivalism, and anything in nature. In fact, while growing up, he often spent more time on the water than on land! He has degrees in History, Anthropology, and Music from the University of Southern Mississippi. He extensively studied Southern History, nutrition, geopolitics, the Cold War, and nuclear policy strategies and safety as well as numerous other topics related to the content on survivalfreedom.com.