Best Broadheads for Elk?

[dustin_hatfield]

What broadheads would you recommend for elk? Have been shooting expandables for whitetail; not sure if I should switch to a fixed-head.

Thanks!

 

[ndfb35]

What are the specifics of your setup?

 

[dustin_hatfield]

27.5 in draw, 65 lbs. Hoyt Rx9.

410 grain arrow - G5 deadmeat is my whitetail setup.

But looking into heavier arrows for elk.

 

[BigAntlerGetter]

The broadhead debate is going to be just like bullet or caliber debate. This guys gonna tell you mechanical, that one is gonna tell you fixed, and there’s always that one guy that’s gonna tell you the Indians killed them with pointy rocks.

So here’s my .02 cents and this is coming from an outfitter that has seen just about every broadhead come through the woods.

The first mistake I see is guys not broadhead tuning, if you want to hunt elk you need to be exact and you need to efficient with your shots. I’ve literally had clients come through and screw on new broadheads that the Cabela’s guy suggested on their way out, cause they were the latest and greatest. Elk aren’t white tails, they’re tough, bigger and thicker skin.

Practice your shots, I tell everyone of my archery clients your max distance grouping 4” shots at home cut that in half and that’s your elk woods max distance. There’s so much more in the elk woods that changes things.

Now the mechanical vs fixed vs hybrid debate. Honestly I don’t trust mechanicals to many failures and possible things going wrong. I highly suggest a cut on contact head. Being able to cut that initial hide is key for penetration, some guys suggest a chisel tip for bone, with modern bones and steel even if you hit the shoulder blade most cut on contact heads are going to go through it within proper shooting distance. A hybrid head gives you benefits of both.

Another thing I suggest is learning the anatomy of an elk, instead of shooting for the “pocket” on an elk I suggest a few inches behind it taking out both lungs lower, this also helps you avoid a hard bone shot if you pull just a little. Taking out both lungs will be smart, full pass through is great for blood trails.

Buy quality broadheads skimping on heads only gives more reason for failure and heartbreak

Broadheads I have seen are effective and/or suggest

Ironwill
Dirt Nap Gear DRT
G5 montecs
Magnus stingers


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[mtnbound]

What broadheads would you recommend for elk? Have been shooting expandables for whitetail; not sure if I should switch to a fixed-head.

Thanks!

I prefer a solid head like an Ironwill to get deep penetration and I can get them to shoot with not much effort.
Mechanicals are easier to tune and win in the accuracy department but I have not made the switch to them yet. If I did then the Sever would probably be my choice.

 

[Ron.C]

I've been shooting muzzy 100's for over 2 decades. Never had a reason to switch. (I shoot 27.5" at 56lbs)

that said, you could line up 10 different quality fixed blade broadheads and each will perform as well as the next if you put them where they need to to be.

 

[butcherboy]

I think you are fine on your arrow weight. Definitely shoot a fixed blade and tune your bow well. I prefer 3 blade broadheads and have shot a bunch of different ones over the years. My current broadhead and my favorite one in the past 35 years is QAD exodus.

 

[Elkhntr08]

Grabbing my popcorn.

 

[Bobcat]

Following

 

[fatlander]

I’ve seen bulls die in very short order from small cut on contact fixed heads and big mechanicals, alike. I’ve also seen bulls not die from small cut on contact fixed heads and big mechanicals, alike.

The only thing that matters is hitting them where you’re supposed to.

All else equal, a mechanical is going to hit behind the pin, or atleast closer to behind the pin, than a fixed head when you’re at your worst. I’d take your set up hunting with a quality small mech like the grim reaper fatal steel 1.25” and not have a bit of reservation about doing so.


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[blackveltbowhunter]

Everyone misses. Every broadhead can fail. Thats why broadheads will forever be a debated topic.

First piece of advice is : Broadhead tune to a good fixed head. Second piece: Understand that every broadhead has limitations. Its on you to know what those are and plan accordingly.

After that choose based on what gives you the confidence that you have minimized those limitations within the best of you and your setups capabilities.

 

[Indian Summer]

The broadhead debate is going to be just like bullet or caliber debate. This guys gonna tell you mechanical, that one is gonna tell you fixed, and there’s always that one guy that’s gonna tell you the Indians killed them with pointy rocks.

So here’s my .02 cents and this is coming from an outfitter that has seen just about every broadhead come through the woods.

The first mistake I see is guys not broadhead tuning, if you want to hunt elk you need to be exact and you need to efficient with your shots. I’ve literally had clients come through and screw on new broadheads that the Cabela’s guy suggested on their way out, cause they were the latest and greatest. Elk aren’t white tails, they’re tough, bigger and thicker skin.

Practice your shots, I tell everyone of my archery clients your max distance grouping 4” shots at home cut that in half and that’s your elk woods max distance. There’s so much more in the elk woods that changes things.

Now the mechanical vs fixed vs hybrid debate. Honestly I don’t trust mechanicals to many failures and possible things going wrong. I highly suggest a cut on contact head. Being able to cut that initial hide is key for penetration, some guys suggest a chisel tip for bone, with modern bones and steel even if you hit the shoulder blade most cut on contact heads are going to go through it within proper shooting distance. A hybrid head gives you benefits of both.

Another thing I suggest is learning the anatomy of an elk, instead of shooting for the “pocket” on an elk I suggest a few inches behind it taking out both lungs lower, this also helps you avoid a hard bone shot if you pull just a little. Taking out both lungs will be smart, full pass through is great for blood trails.

Buy quality broadheads skimping on heads only gives more reason for failure and heartbreak

Broadheads I have seen are effective and/or suggest

Ironwill
Dirt Nap Gear DRT
G5 montecs
Magnus stingers


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

THIS Every word. Saved me a bunch of typing. Also coming from an outfitter whose opinion is based on lots of past experiences.


I love Magnus heads. Stingers, Buzzcuts, or Black Hornets take your pick. They fly sooooo nice. Just like field tips. Which means easy tuning. Maybe a couple small adjustments if any from your point of impact with target tips.

 

[wyelkhunter]

I would not be afraid to use a mechanical with your set up. I probably wouldn't use anything over 1.75" or probably even 1.5" cutting diameter. I have been using SEVR for a while now and would highly recommend them, I like the original 2 blade and the hybrid. I broadhead tune with a fixed head. I have been shooting mechanical heads for a long time and have killed many animals of different size and species with them. I have never had one fail. I don't believe there are failures like everyone says I believe it is operator failure. I feel it is more bad shots than anything or not checking your equipment. I have heard of people shooting with one of the blades open but that isn't a failure that is not checking the head before you shoot. Yes if you hit a spot you shouldn't you will possibly break a blade. I don't' consider that a failure either. I have had fixed heads break a blade also.

Know you and your equipment's capabilities and you will be fine.

 

[Huntnpack 2]

I’d recommend a person choose a head made from high quality materials that provides the highest possible — accuracy, durability, cut on contact, deep penetration, wide wound channel, & good edge retention.

A good resource tool to check out is Lusk test videos.
He has test protocols on broadheads that can help show a person different elements to consider.
Don’t get hung up on how it’s done ie: shooting steel, concrete etc….. focus on what each element of the testing is demonstrating & think about how the results relate to the broadhead performance on game.

Choose wisely. !! Confidence in your equipment & your abilities, & shot placement is key.

Practice with the exact broadheads you are hunting with & adjust your bow tune, sights, arrow impact, etc for them, not your field points.

 

[sf jakey]

I’ve yet to see a better broadhead than a QAD exodus. Different, yes, more expensive, absolutely, worse, lots. They are inexpensive, tough, great blood trails, and easy to tune.

 

[Trial153]

First thing for me is a broadhead has to hit behind my pin.
How i determine that is long and convoluted but needless to say i have cut off as percentage. There are some really good heads out there design wise that i can’t make shoot well enough for me to hunt with if i am stretching distances.



Here are few that DO hit well enough for me to use and are built well enough that i would trust to use them on anything anywhere.

mechanical heads
Thrives
Beast TI
Demon hunters cartels
Original Rocket steelheads
1.5 Hybrid SevR
1.5 SevR
Trifeca Pop Lock 1.5 in
Evolution Hyde

Fixed heads
Slick Trick Mags and Standard
Trifeca Fixed blade( the original version in 100 and 125)
Solids S30V only in 100 grain ( 125s are too big)
Any Standard size IW
Day Six Evo ( the original size)
Evolution Jekyll




There are a lot of other great heads out there that built well but i don’t feel hit a higher enough ratio or me. And conversely there are some heads that do shoot well enough but either the design or construction aren’t something i would rely on.

 

[Sanchez]

Magnus stinger 2 blade 125 gr.

I have harvested a lot of elk with this head with no broadhead failures. Other people I hunt with have switched from there 3 blade replaceable blade type heads to this two blade cut on contact because it seems to produce a higher recovery rate.

 

[Rugester]

Exodus are hard to beat for a replaceable fixed head

Annihilators are some of the best in regards to non replaceable fixed broadheads

 

[Zeeman]

I highly recommend the G5 Montec. I’ve taken four bulls with it at ranges from 27to 43 yards ….at poundages from 57 to 65. Great penetration and accurate in my set ups. I’ve also seen multiple bulls wounded with high-quality mechanicals and feel they are questionable on large bone animals like elk.