The 10 Best Broadheads for Elk Review & Buying Guide

Elk hunting season is around the corner. Stakes are pretty high, and the chances of making a kill are just 12 percent during the official archery season. However, your options will be even lower without the best broadheads for elk.

We authored this article with the sole purpose of helping you increase your prospects in the coming archery season. Apart from choosing the proper hunting ground, you need the right gear to get the job done. In this case, we are talking about broadhead arrows.

What Are Broadheads?

It would be unwitting to assume that everyone reading this post knows and understands broadheads. However, we can define this gear as a large cutting point assembly attached or screwed onto the end of an arrow shaft for hunting.

These attachments come in three basic types: fixed, removable, and expandable (mechanical) blades. An elk is a substantial-bodied animal with deep cavities, and therefore a good quality broadhead should be sharp and strong enough to penetrate through all the organs to reach body cavities.

A top-quality shot from a bow of adequate poundage is capable of making it to a large extent through the elk’s internal organs. Just like a powerful bullet, a large poundage arrow with a broadhead will leave both an entry and exit wound.

10 Best Broadheads for Elk

We created time to go through hundreds of models of this archery attachment. Our mission was to research the available brands and narrow them down to a few genuinely great models. The mission paid off, and now we can present you with the results.

All the broadheads we have reviewed here are tested and proven. These hunting gear will drop the elk dead and raise your chances of success severalfold. So, stay with us to explain why we think our selections are the best.

1. Rage Crossbow X, 2-Blade Archery Arrow Broadhead

Opening our reviews section is the Rage Crossbow X 2-blade archery arrow broadhead. This fantastic piece of artwork is precise with large cutting surfaces and capable of handling big games, including elks. It also features top-of-the-range technology that dwarfs some of the common brands.

In terms of precision, Rage Crossbow X features a high level of accuracy even at large distances. This increases penetration and leaves behind massive blood trails to follow. In addition, its cutting diameter is 2+ inches, and the blade is ultra-sharp.

The blades measure .035 inches and are made of stainless steel. They are tough enough to penetrate through the skin into the inner organs of the elk’s body. It creates a large entry wound and an even greater exit wound.

The broadhead features Rage’s SlipCam technology and innovative rear-deploying blades that fly similarly to field points. However, they are fully expanded at the moment of impact without appreciable loss of kinetic energy.

SlipCam technology means the broadhead is mechanical and available in two, three, and four-blade designs with cutting diameters of 2.3 inches resulting in colossal entry and exit wounds and unmistakable blood trails. In addition, these range broadheads are compatible with both vertical and crossbows.

Another technology consistent with the performance of Rage Broadhead is what the brand calls Shock Collar Technology. This fail-safe design securely holds the blades in place while not in use and while in flight.

Pros

• Razor-sharp .035-inch thick expandable blades
• Made of stainless steel for strength and durability
• Improved Shock Collar Technology
• Ferrule Alignment technology ensures the proper flight
• Wide cutting diameter leaving unmistakable blood trails

Cons

• It does not come with practice broadheads, although stated
• Great quality but overpriced

2. Muzzy Bowhunting 3 Blade Archery Arrow Broadhead

Muzzy Bowhunting 3 blade Archery Broadhead is one of the most preferred broadheads currently in the market. However, you probably know this archery gear if you are not new to hunting. It is well-engineered and features the latest technology in elk hunting and archery as a whole.

The Muzzy 100 delivers a bone-crushing penetration capable of taking down even the most giant elk in the juggle. Such performance is the hardened steel Trocar tip which provides optimal penetration and improved flight stability.

You will love the blade made of stainless steel impregnated with anodized aluminum ferrule. It means you’ll get a reliable set of reusable broadheads with excellent metal content for toughness and durability. The blade is 100 grains, but 75 and 125 grains are also available.

The stainless steel blades are vented and give you a cut on impact. Furthermore, their hollow design is responsible for the blade’s exceptional penetrating ability. Each of the edges measures .020 inches with a 1-3/16-inch cutting diameter. This leaves a wide entry and exit wound with a difficult-to-miss blood trail for easy traceability.

Muzzy is a United States brand, so you can be sure all their product goes through a rigorous standard check. As a result, this brand stands out as one of the top contenders for manufacturing excellent fixed-blade broadheads.

Pros

• Reliable bone-crushing penetration
• Wide cutting diameter delivers large wounds
• Strong blade made of stainless steel and anodized aluminum
• Hollow ground design offers optimal performance
• Made in the United States

Cons

• Installation is somewhat tricky

3. Swhacker 2 Inch Cut Broadheads

Swhacker SWH00207 Broadheads blade offers you genuinely excellent hunting gear that will guarantee you high levels of success during this archery season. It is well-designed using high-quality materials, including stainless steel and aluminum.

Because of this, the broadhead has an exceptional ability to penetrate through the skin and into the inner cavities of big games, including elks. A flourishing hit leaves behind wide gaping entry and exit wounds and an unmistakable blood trail. Thus you won’t have to worry about looking for your kill all day long.

Swhacker design provides bowhunters with two distinct cutting edges. One set of edges, also called the wing blades, is suitable for cutting effortlessly through the hide and the initial set of ribs. This first set of blades also helps open the attachment and is way smaller than the main blades.

Furthermore, those blades take the most abuse by slashing through the dirt, hair, hide, as well as bones during penetration. The trimmer blades require less kinetic energy to pierce through the first site than the usual “open on impact” broadhead. Finally, these wing blades provide additional surface area for bearing the load associated with the ferrule during impact.

The second set of cutting edges, referred to as the main blades, don’t contact anything during the initial penetration. Thus they still possess clean edges when they gain entry into the elk’s body cavity. In addition, this design allows the second set of blades to remain razor-sharp for the internal organs.

Pros

• A set includes three broadheads
• 100-Grain Expandable two-blade broadhead
• Strong ferrule made of anodized aluminum
• Hardened high-carbon steel point
• Wide cutting edges with excellent bloodtrails

Cons

• Not as sharp as advertised

4. OTW Hunting Broadheads

OTW is one of the most successful brands in producing high-quality archery equipment. OTW Hunting 3-blade broadheads are preferred by archers worldwide because of their strength, sharpness, and ability to create an excellent blood trail after a successful hit.

The 100-grain stainless steel blades deliver a true and accurate fly suitable for hunting and shooting. The razor-sharp blades will conveniently cut through the hide and gain entry into the deeper organs of the game regardless of how large the elk are. Strength and power are further provided by 0.15-inch thread and 0.8mm thickness.

Your package will come as six broadheads, nicely packaged in a portable box if you place an order. Thus you can effortlessly carry the box with you, offering easy handling and protection to the broadheads. It is also significant that the blades can be disassembled for maintenance and sharpening.

We found the OTW Hunting Broadheads fly straight and deliver enormous poundage that easily cuts through the outer layers of the hide. According to some users, the blades fly much like field points, which is great for accuracy and speed. However, some people have reported the edge chipping off on impact, which seems to be an isolated case.

If you shoot three under and use the arrow’s tip to aim, you will become familiar with the sight picture. You will not have to adjust to feel comfortable when you draw on your huge target this coming archery season.

Pros

• An accurate and affordable set of broadheads
• Perfect for shooting and hunting
• Decent thickness for power and strength
• It comes in a portable box
• Backed by a 6-month warranty for quality

Cons

• It may not be so effective with large games
• They do not have the sharpest blades, but are accessible to re-sharpen

5. G5 Outdoors Montec Broadhead

G5 Outdoors Montec Broadhead is what you need to increase your chances of success this coming archery season. If you love hunting documentaries and movies, you might have seen the Montec on the action because that is where I saw it first.

It is so easy to use. All you need is to screw it onto your arrow shaft, aim at your target, fire it, kill your elk, inspect it and re-sharpen blades. You can then return it to your quiver and be ready for another shooting episode. It is as easy as ABC.

G5 Outdoors Montec broadhead features a single-piece design built from stainless steel. You have to keep in mind that the blades come pre-sharpened. So, you have no option but to handle them with much respect, or you could sustain a painful cut. It would be a good idea to use hunting gloves for protection.

The strength of the stainless steel, the razor-like sharpness, and the wide 1-inch – 1 1/8-inch cutting edge. This means they will give you the halting elk power you crave when it matters. The edges will create large wounds and leave behind an unmistakable blood trail.

A unique quality worth mentioning is that the broadhead is factory-tested for flight characteristics such as spin to give you a more hassle-free shooting experience. In addition, these broadheads are available from 85 to 125 grain. This means you will find a suitable blade for various prey of different sizes, not just elk.

Pros

• Rigid stainless steel construction for durable shooting
• It comes pre-sharpened and can be re-sharpened
• Factory-tested for a spin to give you smoother and more accurate
• Versatility due to a wide range of grains

Cons

• Pre-sharpened blades are risky
• Only 3-pack, which does not give value for money

6. Ramcat Pivoting Broadheads

Ramcat Pivoting Broadheads offers you an excellent option when it comes to the best blade broadheads for hunting elk. The name comes from the word pivot, which means the broadhead pivots to keep the arrow driving on impact, even when it comes into contact with bone.

According to some elk hunters, the 100-grain blades offer the deepest penetration and fly like a field point. In addition, the unit boasts of what Ramcat calls Airfoil Aerodynamics. This design technology consists of deep lobes on the tip that create airfoils to eliminate wind planning for field point accuracy.

Furthermore, the arrows feature concave scoop technology, which is ideal for compound bows, and makes for optimal accuracy, removing wind influence and a quiet flight. The rear-sharpened, 0.032-inch stainless steel blades fly silently. In the event of no pass-through, the edges continue to optimize devastation on both the rear and front blades.

Another unique technology of Ramcat Pivoting Broadheads is the Blade over Shaft Technology. In this case, the blades are cantilevered over the arrow’s shaft and then offset on the broadhead’s body. This creates a powerful vortex cut and exceptional aerodynamics.

Generally, these screw-in arrow tips are effortless to use and come with a two-O-ring insert system. An order comes as a pack of 3, which according to many, does not provide value for money. However, the blades are re-sharpened so they are reusable.

Pros

• Innovative pivoting broadheads
• Airfoil aerodynamics for accuracy and point-like flight
• Back-cut technology offers silent and accurate flight
• Screws easily on arrow tips

Cons

• Three per pack does not offer value for money
• Some crossbow users say blades may be too fast

7. NAP Spitfire Crossbow Mechanical Broadhead

New Archery Products (NAP) offers you one of the best mechanical broadheads that will help you take down deer, elk, and other prey of appreciable sizes. Called Spitfire, these blades feature excellent accuracy and silent flight.

These expandable broadheads are approved for use with all crossbows and are usable with aluminum and carbon bolts. In addition, the blades have a Diamize sharpening process that provides for razor-level sharpness to improve their quality.

Spitfire uses what NAP terms a patented Spring Clip retention system, which keeps the blades closed as they fly. Upon impact, the blades deploy, creating a large entry wound. The 100-grain stainless steel construction and cutting diameter of 1-3/4 inches means the edges will effortlessly penetrate bone and inner tissues to cause maximum damage.

Additionally, the blades are flight-tested for exceptional accuracy, and the design itself is optimized for maximum penetration. With such performance, you can be confident Spitfire will leave a large exit wound with an unmistakable blood trail. You won’t have to track your kill all day long.

Each pack includes four Spitfire Mechanical Broadheads making for a rewarding hunting experience. Although the blades come pre-sharpened, you have the chance to re-sharpen them after use. This means the four will give you value for your money in the long run.

Pros

• High-quality mechanical broadheads
• Suitable for use with all crossbows
• It can be used with carbon and aluminum bolts
• Flight-tested for maximum accuracy and point-like flight
• Large cutting diameter for optimal penetration

Cons

Some users have complained of inconsistent blade deployment

8. Slick Trick Broadhead 1 1/8

Slick Trick Broadhead offers you the chance for a great elk hunting blade without having to break the bank. While other brands in the market maximize the cut diameter, the Slick Trick focuses on a different aspect.

Here you choose from two options, which are priced differently. The first option is the standard Viper Trick which comes in four black coated steel ferrules. The second option is the Pro SS Vipertrick which consists of three packs of stainless steel ferrules. The latter is a little more expensive but better quality.

It features a ‘cut on contact’ design, presenting a relaxed blade angle penetration. The cut diameter of the primary blade measures 1 1/16 inches, capable of deeply penetrating the fur, the hide, and the bones into the deeper cavities of the prey. The bleeder edges measure 7/8 inches.

Slick Trick boasts decent flight speed and pinpoint accuracy allowing you to make kills without much struggle. The construction material is also robust. Once the user attested that when he shot his first elk, the arrow went through so fast that it knocked a branch off a dead tree on the opposite side.

While the performance is dependable, the design could be better if the bleeder blade was a little narrower and more relaxed. However, the diameter of 7/8 inches creates a wide enough wound for excellent penetration.

Pros

• An incredible level of accuracy
• Impressive prey penetration
• The blades have a remarkable tolerance
• Easy to sharpen out of the box and re-sharpen after use
• Strong and stout broadheads

Cons

• Some people have issues with the small cutting diameter

9. Drone Broadhead by Wasp Archery

If you have been struggling to make kills each hunting season, then it’s time to try Drone Broadhead by Wasp Archery. Every broadhead from Wasp features a stainless steel tip pressed on with tremendous pounds of force. This limits movement and offers the most accurate flight you could hope for.

The aerodynamic design of the Drone contributes to the associated performance. It features three heads with blades aligned perfectly with the edges of the trocar tips. Such design potentiates cut-on-contact delivery without necessarily using an actual cut-on-design.

You can choose between 100 grains and 125 grains. Although the edges differ in grain size, both are heated to the perfect temperature to allow the slightest bit of flexibility. Because of this, the broadheads have zero chance of snapping on contact.

Both are undoubtedly heavy hitters and have been proven capable of driving through wood and concrete and big game bones. The solid single-piece steel ferrule ensures a clean pass-through as well as the destruction of what comes its way.

These features make Drone Broadhead a prime choice for hunting small, medium-sized, and even large prey, including hogs, bears, and elks. The sturdy build of the Drone is forgiving. If the shot is slightly off, the head will penetrate through even the stoutest elk and hog shoulder. The entry wound is clean, and the exit is lethal.

Pros

• Pressed Stainless steel tip
• Aerodynamic design for excellent flight and accuracy
• Zero chances of snapping during flight
• Clean entry wound and lethal exit
• Durable construction

Cons

• The thickness of the blades advertised does not match that of the delivered

10. Stinger Buzzcut 4 Blade Arrow Broadhead

Buying the Stinger Buzzcut arrow broadhead catapults your elk bow hunting to new levels. This is a four-blade improvement of the original Stinger. It features a patent-pending serrated cut-on-contact principle edge that offers razor-sharp cutting surfaces rather than standard blades.

The above design provides better penetration, a vast amount of tissue damage, and more prominent blood trails. This results in a more rapid and humane kill. Stinger Buzzcut is spin-tested at the factory to ensure perfect alignment.

Furthermore, the blades are built from high-quality materials you can expect from reputable companies like Magnus. It will interest you to learn that the tip is made of diamond with a cutting diameter of 1-1/4 inches. As you can imagine, diamond for arrow tip is top of the range and a far cry from the usual stainless steel and aluminum.

Many users agree that the Stinger Buzzcut Arrow Blade delivers a complete pass-through, and the kill goes not more than 60 to 70 yards before it drops dead. Besides, you will enjoy the tracking because the broadhead leaves straightforward and easy-to-appreciate blood trails. On average, you will see a decent blood trail after 20 yards.

Some people are asking about the difference between the original Stinger and Buzzcut. There is not much difference, only that the latter features more serrations, translating into better field performance.

Pros

• The serrated main blade has more cutting surfaces
• Spin-tested for accuracy and confidence
• Super-strong cut-on-contact diamond tip
• Four-bladed design for optimal penetration
• Large 1-1/4″ cutting diameter

Cons

• Unmatched weight range

11. Maifield Broadheads Fixed Blade

Mayfield has been in business for just a decade. Still, it has managed to topple even older brands because of the quality of its products, including high-quality hunting arrows. Their fixed blade broadheads are top-quality raw materials and feature top-of-the-range artistry.

The Maifield 100-grain Archery Broadheads feature single-piece construction for utmost strength and accuracy. It features 1-inch cutting diameter blades which come in a pack of three. Each broadhead has two fixed four-direction cutting blades. The edges are 100 grains, but you can change the weight to 125 grains by adding a 25-grain collar.

The arrow tip also features an aerodynamic design that enhances flight stability and thus effectively minimizes flight resistance. It is practical and economical, and titanium plated. The bending strength and holding force coefficient are incredibly improved. This means the edges are virtually corrosion-free.

Maifield fixed blade broadheads are 100 percent stainless steel with a thickness of 0.047 inches + 0.039 inches. Coupled with a 1″ +1/2″ cutting diameter, the blades will inflict savage cuts that penetrate the hide, the bones, and the inner cavities.

Your prayer won’t stand a chance. Besides, you will not struggle to follow the blood trail because the broadheads leave an unmistakable blood trail. Moreover, the blades are solid, and capable of cutting through even the most rigid bones of an elk’s body.

Pros

• Two-in-one design of 100-grain and 125-grain
• Super-tough and durable construction
• Versatile for use by all types of bows
• Razor-sharp tips with a wide cutting diameter
• Incredibly accurate broadhead

Cons

• Cumbersome to sharpen when it blunts

12. Quality Archery Designs QAD Exodus Broadhead

Quality Archery designs provide you with an excellent alternative if you are looking for the best broadheads for hunting elk to buy. This blade is called Exodus and is sharp, strong, fast, and features decent accuracy. In addition, it has many other features that make it the league of the most sought-after broadheads.

The Exodus features stainless steel construction with a compact, heavy-duty head. This promises consistently accurate shots as well as premium penetration. In addition, the blades are touted as super sharp and robust, measuring 0.040 inches in thickness.

The design of the head features a steep cutting angle which enhances penetration and pass-through. Furthermore, the tip is shorter than other models to deliver a shot that you can like to a field point. Thus the tight machining tolerances and the more straightforward design ensure accurate spin.

You will also love the rock-buster hardened SST tip for additional strength and stoutness. The fixed blades come pre-sharpened. It is usual for the blades to blunt after use. This shouldn’t worry you because you can re-sharpen them. Even better is the fact that the fixed blades are replaceable.

Exodus features a cutting diameter of 1.25 inches with a blade length of 77 inches (ferrule not included) and a weight of 125 grains. This delivers a clean entry wound and devastating exit that will take down even the most giant elk in the woods.

Pros

• Solid and robust stainless steel construction
• Offers consistently accurate shots
• Super sharp blades that are replaceable
• Hardened tips for excellent strength
• Wide cutting diameter

Cons

• Tuning is necessary, which many people find cumbersome

13. Grim Reaper Broadhead Razorctip

Does the mere mention of the name send chills down your spine? Well, the Grim Reaper broadhead is a genuinely lethal hunting weapon that will increase your chances of taking down large prey in the caliber of a hog, deer, and even elk.

The broadhead features a bullet razor tip and a single cut-on-contact tip perfectly mounted on a bullet point. Its narrow and elongated profile gives it incredible aero-dynamism with pinpoint accuracy only comparable to a field point. Hunters around the globe prefer Grim Reaper because of its high level of accuracy and performance.

Grim Reaper features a 40-degree swept-back blade angle which adds to the speed and the power of penetration. It also ensures the arrow flies smoothly and silently, reducing the chances of spooking your target. As a result, your prey won’t see the danger coming, and by the time they realize it will be too late.

This patented design uses very little energy to open the blades. The result is that much more energy is saved for optimal penetration. According to the manufacturer and even some hunters who have had the chance to use Grim Reaper Razorctip, these are some of the fastest opening blades in the market.

An order comes as a pack of three super-sharp broadheads, each weighing 100 grains, but there are other weight options. The cut diameter is 1-3/8 inches, producing a clean entry wound and a large exit with an unmistakable blood trail.

Pros

• Bone-splitting bullet razor-sharp tip
• Patented design reduces kinetic energy expenditure
• Fast-opening blades with decent accuracy
• Wide cutting diameter for maximum penetration
• Provides value for money

Cons

• Good performance level but wanting artistry
• The broadheads are not reusable

14. Wasp Archery Products Wasp Havalon HV

I guess you already know the power of Havalon and the lethality of Havalon knives. Now imagine transferring to and combining the outstanding quality of such knives with Wasp’s Archery products technology. The outcome of that is only describable as devastating.

Havalon HV’s blades are perfectly aligned with the edges of the stainless steel trocar tip to give you a smooth entrance. The exceptional alignment also maintains speed through the animal’s tissues or any other target.

Wasp Archery built the heads in such a way that even if the point of impact is not what you intended, the tip is still going to fly through and damage whatever it hits. From our experience, the sharp edges of Havalon HV will slice through a bone much like a hot knife through a block of butter.

The tips of these broadheads are pressed on using hundreds using tens, if not thousands, of pounds. It would be nearly impossible to flatten or curl the point even after passing through the target. Instead, the blades create a clean entry wound and a gaping exit. The blood trail begins after just a few yards and continues. It wouldn’t be long before you locate your kill.

The pre-sharpened blades can hold up to the rigors of bowhunting. Comes in a pack of three with two sets of additional blades. Should you miss your target and hit a rock, wood, wall, or another inappropriate target, then you have an alternative. In most cases, however, you will be able to harvest the animal, clean your Havalon HV, and make it ready for another hunt.

Pros

• Deep, piercing penetration
• Ultra-sharp blades and point
• Hard-pressed tips for strength and tolerance
• Perfectly aligned edges for smooth flight
• Wasp’s stainless steel trocar tips

Cons

• A pack of three does not give value for money

15. Muzzy Trocar 100 Grain 3-Blade Broadhead

Made in the United States by a domestic company, the Muzzy MX-3 Trocar 100-grain 3-blade broadhead is what you need to increase your chances of success this archery season. The blades are sharp, well-crafted, and perfect for various archery applications.

The .035-inch aerodynamic blades and the right-helix design enhance arrow stabilization, providing pinpoint accuracy even at long ranges. The trocar tip offers super tissue penetration, and the rugged stainless steel ferrule will not deform or deflect on impact with bone. The blades feature a 1-3/16″ cutting diameter.

Although the blades feature an ultra-short profile, they deliver broader cuts with thicker edges. Overall, the design of MX-3 is compact to boost accuracy and consistency. They also fly smoothly and silently, similar to the field points.

The larger cutting diameter creates a pretty large but clean entry and fatal exit wound. This results in more profuse blood trails. It won’t be long before you pick the blood trail, and the hit animal will not go beyond 70 yards before dropping dead.

Missing your target won’t mean loss of the broadhead because the tip can withstand impact with hard materials such as wood and even walls. The blades come pre-sharpened, but you have the opportunity to make them even sharper. In addition, MX-3 is compatible with most bows in the market today.

Pros

• Three-blade broadhead with an ultra-short profile
• Thick blades with a wide cutting diameter
• Creates clean entry and large exit wounds
• High accuracy and consistency levels
• 3- pack assembly for ease of use and convenience

Cons

• Reusing the MX-3 broadheads is possible but cumbersome
• The blades tend to nick easily after a single use

Buying Guide for the Best Broadhead for Hunting Elk

Elks and indeed other large animals are not easy to take down. Without the right hunting gear, it is impossible to be successful in your bid to make kills. Besides, it would be inhumane to hit your prey with a non-lethal force that would put it through protracted suffering before it succumbs.

Because of this, you must choose carefully among the many brands and models currently in the market. We are optimistic that the broadheads in the review are the best. However, you might have a different opinion.

In this section, we aim to discuss the most important factors worth considering to come to the right choice of the best broadhead for hunting elk. If you take these factors into account, you won’t go wrong in finding what will work for you.

Structural Integrity

A broadhead can only do its work appropriately if it possesses a high level of structural integrity. Blades that distort, curl or bend on contacting the target are of little help to a hunter. The toughness of the tip depends on the material used in its construction.

The most used material is stainless steel, which must be hard-pressed with enormous force to be truly tough and tolerant to impact. Some brands use a combination of steel and aluminum for even better strength. Today, a few top-of-the-range models manufacture broadheads using diamond or even platinum for the tips.

The Type of Broadhead

You have the chance to choose among two main types of broadheads. These include fixed blades and mechanical (expandable) broadheads.

Fixed Blade Broadheads:

The rugged nature of the fixed blade models and the non-mechanical approach make them the industry’s ideal choices. They were the prime choice of broadheads for hunting elk traditionally.

However, they are today relegated to the back for a few reasons. The most significant of those reasons is difficulty in tuning. Furthermore, fixed blades come very sharp outbox but become harmless after a single use.

Mechanical Broadheads:

Also called expandable broadheads, mechanical are becoming famous of late. These models are designed to deploy on impact, creating devastating entry and exit wounds. Their field point profiles make tuning them effortlessly.

Furthermore, they fly accurately even over long ranges due to their wingless designs. As a result, they do not trap wind like the fixed blade models. In addition, mechanical blade cutting diameters exceed those of fixed blade models.

Even better is the fact that the blades of expandable broadheads are replaceable. Some brands even allow you to remove the edges for re-sharpening. But, generally, they leave remarkable blood trails and inflict quickly lethal damage.

The advantages notwithstanding, these broadheads have a few cons too. Topping the list is their mechanical nature, meaning they possess moving parts. In addition, proper deployment and containment often present severe problems with specific brands.

Broadhead Shooting Accuracy

Bows, arrows, and attached tips are not designed to transfer kinetic energy. The killing prospects depend on you hitting the right part of the elk. Accuracy or pinpoint precision is necessary.

To achieve decent levels of accuracy, an arrow must be well-tuned. Mechanical broadheads are more straightforward to tune than fixed blade models. Precision is enhanced with minimal surface area, tight tolerances, and easy on-arrow sharpening.

Note that most broadheads are decently accurate under perfect environmental conditions. However, most go off in crosswinds and other extreme weather conditions. Only genuinely exceptional brands can remain accurate in those difficult conditions.

It may be difficult to tell about the precision of a broadhead just by looking at it. Besides, it would not be brilliant to trust the manufacturer or seller’s claims. So the only foolproof way to know the accuracy levels is to test the broadhead.

Level of Penetration

A complete pass-through is what defines the best broadhead. With this, the elk will die quicker with little pain, and in a humane way. Furthermore, it leaves behind an excellent blood trail for easy tracking. If you can recover your arrow, that’s a perfect clue of a complete pass-through.

Relaxed blade angles, smaller cutting diameters, fewer blades, and smoother transition result in broads with exceptional penetration. Four general blade layouts influence the penetration of fixed blade broadheads: 2-blade, two blades/two bleeders, 3-blade, and 4-blade. The more the blades, the slimmer the head has to penetrate the elk’s body with all other factors held constant.

Energy Value of your Arrow

The design of a broadhead that will ensure maximum penetration varies significantly with your bow’s IBO, a complex measurement method for the energy content of a bow. It also depends on your bow’s draw length and your optimal draw weight.

There are predetermined or preset recommendations to guide you. Generally, however, lower-powered archers (less than 55 pounds and/or under 27 inches draw) should look keen on finding broadheads with minimal resistance.

Weight (Measured In Grains)

You are limited to choosing a single weight for all your broadheads. Otherwise, your bow tune will suffer from negative consequences on the accuracy of your shot. The most typical weights available are 100 and 125 grains. Identical field trips are cheaper, straightforward to tune, and easier to find replacements.

Generally, 125gr provides you with a better arrow weight, front-of-center (FOC), and they tend to be slightly stronger than 100gr. However, some 125gr arrows have more surface area and, therefore, worse accuracy.

FAQs

What is the best type of broadhead?

There are three types of broadheads, fixed blade, removable broadhead, and expandable (mechanical). Each class has pros and cons, but archers around the world nowadays prefer the mechanical ones.

Are broadheads legal in elk hunting?

Yes, it is legal to hunt elk using broadheads in most states in the USA. However, it is essential to check with your state before purchasing to avoid running into legal trouble.

What broadhead weight is ideal for elk hunting?

According to hunting experts, 125gr broadheads are the most suitable for taking down large prey like elks, bears, and hogs. However, many other factors come together to play a role in determining the overall performance.

How many blades are suitable for elk hunting?

Broadheads can come in four different blade layouts. There are 2-blade, 2-blade + 2 bleeder blades, three blades, and four blades. A lesser number of edges is associated with better penetration, faster kill time, more excellent blood trail, and better tracking.

Final Verdict

Hunting elk is enjoyable, intriguing, and rewarding. However, killing one is not as easy as said. You need the best broadhead for elk hunting if you want to succeed. You can choose from the models we have reviewed because we have complete confidence in our choices. They are some of the most accurate, brutal, sharpest, and topmost quality broadheads currently in the market. If you fail to get what suits your needs, you can use our in-depth buying guide.