Whether you’re brand new to the sport of archery or have some experience under your belt, most archers choose an archery discipline to focus on. Bow hunting is one of the most popular choices, which requires the use of broadheads. As an archer you’re likely choosing to hunt with a bow because it’s challenging, requiring a higher degree of skill.

Understanding broadhead options is your next step once you decide to hunt using a bow and arrow. When you have a specific interest in bow hunting, you should learn everything there is to know about broadheads and how they work. This will allow you to find the perfect broadhead choice for any hunting situation.

After reading this guide, you’ll be able to choose the right broadheads for your hunting situation, which is largely based on the type of animals you’ll be hunting.

What Are Broadheads?

Broadheads are a certain type of arrow tip that directly attaches to an arrow’s shaft for hunting. Broadheads have very sharp points and blades that easily cut through an animal’s flesh. Their purpose is to increase cutting efficiency, decrease flight deviation, and improve impact stability. Even though this tip design is small in size, it effortlessly tears through the hardest hides. They’re specifically designed to ethically make a clean kill, a focus for many of today’s hunters.

Design basics include sharp, cutting edges to better penetrate, as well as increase blood loss. Long-cutting noses that incorporate progressively sloping blades are one of the more efficient designs. The best broadheads use super strong materials so you can expect them to last with proper care. Aluminum alloy is lightweight, stainless steel is super strong, and titanium is both lightweight and strong.

This efficient hunting tip design comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, making it necessary for hunters to make the right choice when bow hunting. Expandable broadheads, one piece fixed blades, two blade broadheads, three blade broadheads, and four blade broadheads are all available for purchase.

Types Of Broadheads

There are many different types of broadheads available these days. This means you must understand their differences so you can choose one or more of the best broadheads for your setup. Every year, broadband manufacturers design and release new broadband models, so keep an eye out for the latest advancements.

1. Fixed Blade Broadheads

Fixed blade broadheads come in two, three, and four blade designs. Two blade designs are often constructed from one piece of material, making them very durable. With each additional blade comes an increased chance of generating more cutting power, making more blades often the most ethical choice. A two blade broadhead works best when hunting smaller animals. When hunting large game, three or four blade broadhead are more ideal.

Archers who have a low draw weight tend to have slower shooting speeds. In this case, archers should use a fixed blade broadhead that’s 1 1/4 “ or smaller as this helps to increase penetration.

2. Removable Blade Broadheads

Also known as replaceable fixed blade broadheads, choosing this type means you’ll always have access to sharp broadheads. Removable blades are secured tightly in place using a special collar around the broadhead rod. All you need to do is unlock, replace, and relock to swap out dull blades for sharp blades. Some removable blade designs also allow you to replace the points. This works great because you never have to worry about sharpening your blades, simply install new ones!

3. Mechanical Broadheads

Also known as expandable broadheads, mechanical broadheads are designed in a way that allows the blades to fold up inside of the body. The purpose of this broadhead design is to help reduce drag during arrow flight and help avoid deflection. Once the arrow reaches its target, the cutting blades expand on impact. This increases the cutting diameter, leading to a more ethical kill.

Expandable broadheads come in two styles – front deploying and rear deploying. Front deploying opens up from the front, expanding back. Rear deploying are initially hidden, but pushed open and expand outward from the rear. A major benefit that comes with choosing mechanical broadheads is that they don’t require a lot of tuning to achieve tight groups. While any archer can choose this type of broadhead when hunting, more often than not serious hunters choose this type of broadhead.

When choosing this type of broadhead, aim to shoot using the smallest diameter. Doing so allows you the benefit of using its unique design to your advantage, which in turn gives you maximum penetration. You can choose between chisel point broadheads and cut-on-impact broadheads once you decide that mechanical broadheads are right for you.

4. Chisel Point Broadheads

A chisel point broadhead is specifically designed to cut through an animal’s hide sooner than the blades. The goal of the chisel is to first go through the hide so the flight of the arrow still hits at the right angle. Chisel points are extremely durable and can even go through bone without receiving any damage. The ability of this broadhead to resist deflection when hitting the animal helps to ensure an accurate shot and an ethical kill.

Many archers who hunt moose, whitetail, and/or elk choose this type of broadhead. This broadhead type is more often than not associated with the fixed blade broadhead design.

5. Cut-On-Impact Broadheads

Also known as razor-tipped heads, this broadhead type is a great choice for archers who have a low draw weight and thus a slower shooting speed. A cut-on-impact broadhead offers a very small amount of resistance before cutting. This helps to increase penetration and thus improve the chances of making an ethical kill.

While similar to a chisel point broadhead, this broadhead type slices through an animal’s hide instead of cutting through it. Because slicing requires less energy than cutting, shooters still benefit from the goal of maximum penetration. Cut-on-impact broadheads tend to be a popular choice amongst traditional archers who shoot low poundage recurve or longbows.

Cutting Diameter vs Penetration

The total weight of your arrow and the cutting diameter of your broadhead work together to impact penetration. The larger your cutting diameter, the more momentum needed to overcome the increased friction. The heavier your arrows, the more you can expect full penetration or even a pass-through.

Using a broadhead with a large cutting diameter tends to inhibit lightweight arrows. In order to address any potential issues using a fixed blade broadhead with a small diameter is recommended. The fact that heavy arrows tend to be more forgiving makes them a popular choice. When you choose to use arrows that weigh 500 grains or more you’ll have access to a large selection of broadhead shapes and diameters.

Two, Three, and Four Blade Broadheads

The more blades you decide to use, the greater the cutting power. Since it can be difficult for new bowhunters to decide between a two, three, or four blade broadhead, see below to learn the benefits and drawbacks of each blade choice.

Two Blade Broadheads: Straight-line cut

• Benefits: cutting surface and friction are directly correlated so a broadhead with two blades is the best choice for shooters looking for the most penetration
• Drawbacks: not a great choice when hunting large animals

3 Blade Broadheads. Traditional Y-shaped cut

• Benefits: better and shorter blood trails; superior flight; blades are easy to sharpen or replace; blade rotation creates bigger wound channels
• Drawbacks: doesn’t penetrate as deep as two blade broadheads

4 Blade Broadheads. Cross cut

• Benefits: better blood trails; more cutting surface; much bigger wound channels
• Drawbacks: doesn’t penetrate as deep as a two blade broadhead; difficult to sharpen; less forgiving

Picking The Right Broadhead For You

To ensure you make the best broadheads for your hunting needs you first must take an assessment of your hunting setup. What’s your draw length? Draw weight? Arrow weight? Animal you’re hunting? Remember, the weight of your arrows along with the cutting diameter of your broadhead tips directly influence how far the arrow will actually penetrate. The heavier the arrow and higher the poundage you shoot, the deeper the penetration.

Choosing your broadheads thus depends on things like arrow speed, power, the type of animal you’re hunting, and shooting distance.

Practicing With Broadheads

Every archer should practice using their new broadheads before hunting.

Broadhead Targets

Be sure to only shoot at targets designed for broadband use. They’re usually made out of some type of foam, i.e. self-healing, high-density material. Broadhead targets are specifically made to last as they’re constructed using quality materials. They also help prevent metal fatigue fractures that can ruin your broadheads.

Where To Shoot Broadheads

It’s likely best to shoot broadheads on private property as most archery ranges don’t allow archers to practice shooting with hunting tips. Some target fields allow archers to shoot broadheads but only if they bring their own target bags. You can always check the laws in your city, county, and state to see what’s permitted. That said, never assume you’re allowed to shoot broadheads at your local range until proven otherwise.

Conclusion

The information we’ve covered should allow you to make a choice that’s right for you. Setting yourself up for hunting success starts with choosing the right equipment, which includes broadheads. If you’re ready to take up this challenge to become a bow hunter, just keep learning and practicing with your setup and you’ll be a bow hunter in no time!