There are so many different broadheads to choose from, it can be quite confusing for the beginner to ensure they use the right one. Once you have chosen your bow and arrows suitable for game hunting, how do you know which is the best mechanical broadhead to use?
Well it depends on many things, such as the type of game you are hunting and the equipment you are using. You should look for excellent accuracy, after all there is not much point shooting at an animal if your arrow ends up in the nearest tree. The majority of mechanical broadheads are accurate, due to the blades being folded in until impact, so you should then also look at the penetration.
Mechanical broadheads should be used with bows with a draw weight of 50lbs or more. If you are young, perhaps female, and shooting less than 50lbs then you should consider fixed blade broadheads instead. The number and size of blades, along with how they deploy, will determine how good the penetration is.
You should also consider the blood trail and wound channel, as the type of blades being used can impact this significantly. To hunt larger game, such as elk, the best expandable broadhead would have three or four blades. This is because at least two of them will cut against the grain of muscle tissue, leading to a greater blood trail.
The majority of mechanical broadheads are available in two styles: front deploying and rear deploying blades. Front deploying blades typically open up once they are inside the animal, ensuring a razor sharp cut through the vitals. Rear deploying blades result in larger entrance and exit wounds, maximizing blood trails.
Once you have decided what is most important for your hunting, you can then go on to choose the best mechanical broadhead for you.
To read more about broadheads:
- Choosing the best fixed blade broadhead
- Broadheads for crossbows
- Broadheads for wild turkey hunting
- Broadheads for deer hunting
5 of the best mechanical and expandable broadheads
Dead Ringer Switch Back Review
[easyazon_image align=”right” height=”500″ identifier=”B01BE8F4NY” locale=”US” src=”https://deadbullseye.com//sites/deadbullseye.com/files/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/51sKbmaddFL.jpg” tag=”deadbullseye-20″ width=”300″]These new broadheads from Dead Ringer were introduced this year and were designed for field point accuracy. They can be used as either a fixed blade or mechanical broadhead, thanks to the interchangeable flex collar, giving the hunter options. This means that they can be used for different types of hunting and so this flexibility makes these broadheads particularly attractive.
The Switch Back broadhead has a one inch cutting diameter that cuts on contact, transforming into an one and a half inch cut when the user switches it to mechanical mode.
As with all broadheads, these are designed to deliver a deadly blow and should be used with care.
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Innerloc Shape Shifter Review
[easyazon_image align=”right” height=”500″ identifier=”B00OU1L8HO” locale=”US” src=”https://deadbullseye.com//sites/deadbullseye.com/files/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/41yLulEiorL.jpg” tag=”deadbullseye-20″ width=”300″]Another new design for 2016, this is guaranteed to fly like a field point. The reason? In flight it is one. It is a mechanical 3 bladed broadhead that has a plastic cover, keeping it streamline like a field point. It shatters upon impact, allowing the razor sharp mechanical blades to deploy and cause maximum devastation.
They leave a massive blood trail, allowing the hunter to track the wounded animal quickly and easily. Not that it is likely to get very far, after being shot with one of these powerful broadheads.
The only negative is that the point can rattle slightly in the plastic cover but this does not impact on performance.
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G5 Outdoors Havoc Review
[easyazon_image align=”right” height=”400″ identifier=”B00K1LJ3V0″ locale=”US” src=”https://deadbullseye.com//sites/deadbullseye.com/files/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/61QqU3WGTwL.jpg” tag=”deadbullseye-20″ width=”300″]This is a two blade expandable broadhead, constructed with 100% steel. It has a cut on contact design and an impressive 2 inch cutting diameter. This makes it ideal for hunting larger game and causes a massive blood trail.
Its Dual Trap blade retention system is revolutionary. Slip blades slide in a channel and the polymer collar hold them in place during flight, while shoulders on the back of the blades initiate blade deployment upon impact. It gives a deep penetration and has field point accuracy.
G5 Outdoors is a very reputable company and one of the industry leaders in broadhead design.
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Grim Reaper Razortip Review
[easyazon_image align=”right” height=”500″ identifier=”B001UK79HG” locale=”US” src=”https://deadbullseye.com//sites/deadbullseye.com/files/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/31rQf6v3lrL.jpg” tag=”deadbullseye-20″ width=”300″]These broadheads combine the thickness of the blade with new aircraft-grade aluminium ferules, making it the toughest, sharpest Grim Reaper to date. They offer a deep penetration, thanks to the patented mini-tip blades, and as their name suggests, cause huge devastation.
These particular broadheads have a large cutting diameter of 1 ¾ inch and leave enormous exit wounds, leading to massive blood trails. They have field point accuracy and the practice heads allow hunters to perfect their shot before aiming for animals. The practice heads also open upon impact, unlike some from other manufacturers.
These work best with high kinetic/high momentum bows and require heavier arrows. There is no need for any rubber bands, which makes them easier to use than some on the market.
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Swhacker Crossbow Review
[easyazon_image align=”right” height=”500″ identifier=”B00K0LJU3C” locale=”US” src=”https://deadbullseye.com//sites/deadbullseye.com/files/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/31VuL9XBWgL-1.jpg” tag=”deadbullseye-20″ width=”300″]The intricate design of these broadheads gives bow hunters two separate cutting edges. The first set, known as wing blades, are used to cut through the hide and first set of ribs. They are also used to open the broadhead and are much smaller than the main blades. They cut through hair, dirt, hide and bones during entry and take less energy to penetrate than an open-on-impact broadhead. The wing blades provide a load bearing surface for the ferrule during impact.
The main blades are unused during the initial penetration, meaning they keep their razor sharpness to cause maximum devastation to the internal organs.
They are designed for use with regular crossbows and some compound bows and practice heads are available. They have field point accuracy and are a very popular choice of mechanical broadhead.
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Finally
If you are still struggling to make your choice, you can either speak to an expert or even use an online tool to help you. Some websites enable you to select certain options, such as the type of game you are hunting and what draw weight you are using, to then select the best expandable broadhead for you. Here’s a video that compares fixed and mechanical broadhead. Check it out!
Mechanical broadheads have come a long way since they were first introduced but they aren’t suitable for everyone, though many hunters are committed to these types of broadheads and would never consider anything else.
Whichever broadhead you choose, you can be sure it will do maximum damage providing you get your shot placement right. Remember, get some practice tips if you can and build up experience. No amount of quality equipment can make up for a poor aim.
