10 Best Crossbow Broadheads for Deer Hunting Success
If you are looking to up your deer hunting game this year, you need to start thinking about using the best crossbow broadheads. While there are many different types of broadheads on the market, not all of them will be ideal for deer hunting.
In this blog post, we will discuss the 10 best crossbow broadheads for taking down deer quickly and efficiently. We’ll also provide a few tips on how to choose the right broadhead for your needs. Let’s get started!
Some experienced bowhunters will tell you that crossbow broadheads are nothing more than a marketing scheme and that the only difference is the word “crossbow” written on the packaging. Though this could have been true at one point, it certainly isn’t with how popular crossbow hunting has become. If you hunt using a crossbow, doesn’t it make sense to shoot broadheads made specifically for them?
- Heavier – Most crossbow blades weigh between 100 and 150 grains, while most vertical bows only weigh 85 to 125 grains. Although there is some overlap, the heavier heads give the bolt more weight-forward balance so that the vanes can work their magic. The heavier FOC flies straighter and hits with more momentum than a lighter, perfectly balanced arrow.
- Shorter Fixed Blades – Although they may not be immediately noticeable, fixed-blade crossbow blades are shorter than traditional arrows. The shortened blades allow for a more accurate shot, as there is less resistance from wind and air.
- Stronger Blade Retention – The majority of crossbow hunters opt for mechanical broadheads over fixed blades because crossbow bolts, shot at high speeds, are more affected by the wind. However, one downside to mechanicals is they may prematurely deploy when fired at 400fps.
- Blades Clear the Foot Stirrup – Some mechanical broadheads, designed to be used with vertical bows, can get caught on the stirrup of a crossbow. If this happens, it triggers blade deployment which is not only dangerous but also has the potential to damage either the crossbow or the person shooting it.
10 Best Crossbow Broadheads Reviews
1. Rage Crossbow X
The Crossbow X and the regular Rage 2 blade broadhead are so similar that it’s hard to tell them apart. Even the manufacturer doesn’t give a clear answer as to what distinguishes one from the other. All we know is that there must be some slight difference in how the blades open up, most likely triggered by air resistance upon release.
The Crossbow X broadhead has great design features comparable to other Rage models. The Shock Collar system stabilizes the rear cam deployment, while the .035” solid stainless steel blades open up to a diameter of 2”. If you experience issues with early blade openings on mechanical heads, give the Rage X model a try.
2. Muzzy Trocar Crossbow
The Trocar is a three-cornered, stainless steel tip found on an instrument used in surgical procedures as well as the broadheads. By increasing penetration, it ensures that the surgery or hunt goes smoothly. Made from solid stainless steel, the Trocar can pierce through bone without any deformation.
The Muzzy Trocar’s helix design with a right-hand twist, compact profile, and stabilization offers less resistance to the wind for consistent flight characteristics and accuracy–particularly at higher speeds.
These broadheads come in either 100- or 125-grain weights, with .035″-thick blades and a 1-3/16″ cutting diameter. A neat feature is that the blades are replaceable if they get bent or damaged—just unscrew the old one and screw on a new one!
3. Excalibur Boltcutter
The Crossbow X broadhead has great design features comparable to other Rage models. The Shock Collar system stabilizes the rear cam deployment, while the .035” solid stainless steel blades open up to a diameter of 2”. If you experience issues with early blade openings on mechanical heads, give the Rage X model a try.
The entire broadhead is constructed from high-strength stainless steel to withstand the high kinetic energy impact of crossbows, making it perfect for those who need a durable and reliable product. The Boltcutter is a sweet balance of the strength and durability of fixed blades, with the speed and accuracy of a mechanical, meaning that you won’t have to sacrifice on performance or quality.
4. Grim Reaper Crossbow Broadhead
The Grim Reaper Razorcut SS broadhead for compound bows is nearly identical to the one modified for use with crossbows. The only difference is that the latter can shoot up to 400 fps. It’s not clear why there’s such a lack of information on Grim Reaper’s website. They need to get with the program!
The X-Bow heads come in 100 and 125-grain sizes, with either Razortip or Razorcut SS tips. With a cutting diameter of 1.5”, crossbow hunters are happy with the size of wound channels for humane take-downs.
5. NAP Spitfire Crossbow
NAP’s Spitfire is a remarkable 3-blade mechanical broadhead known for its excellent performance and dependability. The blades are sharpened with NAP’s patented Diamize process, ensuring they’re razor sharp. It also features a hardened steel Trophy Tip to maximize penetration and decrease the likelihood of deflection off the bone. In addition, the micro-grooved ferrule enhances accuracy.
The Spitfire employs a machine-like spring clip to keep the blades from releasing in midair, so even when users rely on high-speed bows, they don’t have to tinker with O-rings. This patented system is quite dependable according to feedback from those who’ve Winged it; hardly any reports exist of blades deploying too soon.
People who have used these broadheads consistently cite their accuracy and excellent performance in customer reviews. The 100-grain and 125-grain versions both have a 1-1/2″ cutting diameter, making them suitable for use with carbon or aluminum bolts. They’re also an excellent choice for deer, elk, or turkey hunting.
6. Cabela’s Lazer Strike II Crossbow
Cabela’s brand mechanical broadhead is quite popular. I am inclined to agree with the saying “you get what you pay for”, but on this occasion, Lazers have both the performance and reliability to quell fears provoked by the low price.
Lazer Strike II crossbow heads are constructed from hardened steel with a trophy tip design, and come complete with replaceable .030” stainless blades. You can identify these particular ones from regular Lazers due to the gold-colored ferrule.
If you don’t like to fiddle with o-rings, the Rage or Reapers may be better suited for you since they use that method to keep the blade in place.
7. Swhacker Two-Blade Crossbow Broadhead
Swhacker has become well-known in the industry for mechanically innovative and high-quality designs. A good example of this reputation is these broadheads, which feature stainless steel blades, an anodized aircraft aluminum ferrule, and a hardened steel penetration point.
The manufacturer’s website claims that their design provides two different cutting edges, a primary and a secondary attack. They say that when the primary cutting blades are retracted, two short-wing blades are deployed. The sewing blades are much smaller than the main blades and designed for the initial assault.
The idea is to cut through dirt, hair, hide, and bones and penetrate the interior with less energy expended than broadheads that open upon impact. In addition, they claim that deploying these small winged blades takes some of the load off of the ferrule connections between blade segments.
The blades on these broadheads are .032 inches thick and can open up to 2-1/4 inches in diameter. The heads themselves weigh 125 grains. They’re a good choice for anyone looking for quality mechanical broadheads.
8. Muzzy Trocar HBX
The Muzzy Trocar HBX is a broadhead with both fixed and expandable blades, designed to be used with a bow. It has a tapered steel ferrule, meaning it’s the same size as the bolt and three-sided stainless steel surgical Trocar tip. The mechanical blades are kept closed using a friction washer.
The broadheads, with the fixed blades and rearward-deploying mechanical blades folded, are only 3/4″ x 1″ in profile– according to the company. They claim this gives field tip accuracy, which from most accounts, holds. At impact though, the mechanical blades expand and create a 1-5/8″ cutting diameter for a large wound channel–here’s the twist.
The expandable blades on the Muzzy Trocar HBX broadheads close up when they meet bone, then re-open after they’ve passed the obstruction. This leaves the fixed blade to do the heavy work. Available in both 100 and 125-grain weights, users report excellent results with these broadheads.
9. G5 Striker Crossbow
The G5 Striker is one of the best fixed-blade broadheads on the market. It’s well known for being durable, accurate, and powerful. The ANIX blade locking system is a patented three-sided steel tip that locks over the lower part of the blades, taking most of the impact instead of letting it damage the three fixed blades.
The blades of the G5 Striker are molded with the company’s Diamond-Cut Sharpness technology to be aerodynamic and honed for flexibility. The whole unit is solid steel and accurate to within ±0.002″. Attractive and available in either 100 or 125 grains, it makes a great choice 1-1/8″ cutting diameter hunter who wants a high-tech option.
10. Rage Hypodermic Crossbow
The Rage Hypodermic mechanical broadheads are popular among hunters for their consistent reliability, accuracy, and game-killing results.
Their design’s simplicity greatly increased their reputation. The company’s Ferrule Alignment Technology (FAT) ensures proper bolt-to-ferrule alignment and also contributes to sleek aerodynamics. The steel ferrule is equipped with a very sharp hybrid tip for deep penetration.
Additionally, the system uses a reliable high-energy shock collar for blade retention. The .035″ stainless blades offer a large 2” cutting diameter to create an enormous wound channel—available in 100 or 125 grains.
Finding The Optimal Crossbow Broadheads For Your Crossbow
The following functions are designed into the best crossbow broadheads:
Penetration
An arrow can lead to death in the following ways:
1. Blood loss
2. Damage to the nervous system
3. Destruction of vital organs
4. Septicemia or asphyxiation
The more deeply a projectile penetrates an animal, the greater the chance that the hunter can achieve their goal of an ethical kill.
Questions to ask yourself:
- How far does your arrow penetrate the animal?
- Does it go all the way through, causing more rapid bleeding and a quicker death?
- What makes the crossbow broadhead so effective at penetrating targets?
Accuracy
It is important to be accurate not only for the sake of hitting our target, but also to ensure an ethical kill.
Questions to ask yourself:
- How accurate are the bolt and broadhead when shot from the crossbow?
- How many potential ways are there for the crossbow to be affected on its way out?
- Does the broadhead’s form (surface area) make it influenced more or less by conditions, such as wind or rain?
- Does a mechanical broadhead affect an arrow’s concentricity more than other types of broadheads when the bolt leaves the crossbow?
- How does this unbalance the spinning of the bolt for a true aim?
Wound Channel
The size of the wound channel made by an arrow through prey is referred to as a wound channel. An arrow can kill in any one of the following ways:
- 1. Blood loss
- 2. Damage to the nervous system
- 3. Destruction of vital organs
- 4. Septicemia or asphyxiation
A large wound channel is more likely to kill an animal ethically, which the crossbow broadhead does help achieve.
Blood Trail
If you have more blood on your prey, it is much simpler to follow the animal after you shoot them. To make this process easier, the best-designed crossbow broadheads not only create a large wound channel but also induce heavy blood loss.
Final Verdict
With such an array of high-caliber broadheads on the market, it’s easy to find the perfect one for your crossbow-hunting needs. The Xcalibur Boltcutter and Rage Crossbow X are great fixed-blade options, while those who prefer mechanicals may want to check out the Carbon Express Mayhem Hunter 150 or 100. And if you’re interested in turkey hunting specifically, be sure to check our guide for the best turkey broadheads.
