How to Choose Broadheads for Bowhunting
Broadheads are the cutting tips used for hunting. The right choice depends on your bow, the game you hunt and your state's rules. Most important of all, they need to fly accurately from your setup.
Fixed-blade vs. mechanical
Fixed-blade broadheads have blades that are always open. - Durable and reliable, with no moving parts. - Often better penetration, especially with lower draw weights. - Can be harder to tune, because blades can catch air and fly differently from field points.
Mechanical (expandable) broadheads keep their blades folded until impact. - Usually fly very much like field points. - Larger cutting diameters. - Need more energy to open and penetrate, and some states restrict them for certain game.
Hybrid designs combine fixed blades with expandable ones.
Grain weight
Common weights are 100 and 125 grains. Use the weight your arrows and bow are tuned for; changing tip weight changes arrow flight and spine. See how to choose arrows.
Cutting diameter and blade count
Wider cuts and more blades can do more damage but need more energy to penetrate. Lower draw weights often pair best with fixed blades or smaller cutting diameters.
Practice with broadheads
Broadheads do not always hit where field points do. Before the season: 1. Shoot your actual broadheads (or practice heads that match them) into a broadhead target. 2. If they group away from your field points, adjust your bow's tune. See bow tuning basics. 3. Keep blades sharp and replace damaged ones.
Check your state's rules
States may set minimum cutting widths, ban some mechanical broadheads for certain game, or require a minimum draw weight. See bowhunting licenses and hunter education.
An archery pro shop can help you pick and tune broadheads for your bow. See what does an archery pro shop do.