Broadhead decision time.

[Elkhntr08]

Looking for insight on 3 different heads that I have. Trying to choose a head for Idaho elk this fall.
#1 Sevr 1.75 Hybrid, taken a hog and bear with this head this year.
#2 ViperTrick, have had great results in the past on deer.
#3 VPA Omega with bleeders, took a couple deer last year with them.
All are 125 and yes my bow is properly tuned. They all shoot the same out to 60.
Of these 3, which would be your first choice?

 

[Coveyleader]

I had to look at those omegas, never heard of them. For the price you paid, that’s what if use all else being equal.

I’ve shot +/- 5 elk with those vipertricks, they zip through without even slowing down from a slow bow shooting sub 250fps. Bloodtrsils have all been weak, but not needed.

 

[nphunter]

I’d pick the mechs, they are way more forgiving and make bigger holes. IMO there is no downside to a good mechanical. Even though your bow is tuned well hunting creates poor angles and form which have way more effect on fixed heads.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

I had really poor performance out of the sevr 1.75 hybrid on an elk last year. I’m sure you can do a search and find it, there is a pretty long thread on them. I’m going back to a mix of IW and standard sevr 1.75 this year.

 

[Elkhntr08]

Throw in a 25 yard frontal shot, now does that change anything?

 

[Next Ridge]

vipers

 

[butcherboy]

Vipertricks then the VPA. If I shot VPA then it would be the 3 blade. One not mentioned is the QAD exodus head. Makes a nice triangular hole. I have used the vipertrick and VPA but prefer the QAD.

 

[mavinwa2]

I had really poor performance out of the sevr 1.75 hybrid on an elk last year. I’m sure you can do a search and find it, there is a pretty long thread on them. I’m going back to a mix of IW and standard sevr 1.75 this year.

THIS!
with SEVR 1.75 Hybrid, I had poor penetration last 2025 season. A 42-yard shot, slightly quartered away, arrow fell out as bull ran off. Inspecting the arrow, estimate 3" penetration at best. Arrow clean behind SEVR broadhead, so 3" penetration a big maybe.

A muzzleloader hunter killed it 30 minutes later. Heard the shot as I was tracking a minimal, drop here & there blood trail. Talked to the happy muzzie hunter, he saw my arrow wound too. 3rd rib back of magic pocket, slice in the hide about 1.5". He shot the bull thru the throat/neck-frontal area as it was coming down the trail toward him. Dropped the 5x6 bull in 3 steps.

This is 3rd time, abandoning mechanical broadheads for good. Stick with solid, fixed, broadheads. IWill Solid-S for under 50 yards, these IWill have never failed me. But IWill not so good over 50 yards.
I added 2 SEVR tipped arrows in quiver for follow up or longer distance 50+>yard shots.
Adding a new Annihilator Katana for 2026. The new Katana hits right there with field points. At 60 yards, shot 3 arrows with Katana, one field point in a 4" group. Same at 70 yards too.
3 IWill tipped arrows, 2 Katanas in quiver 2026.

 

[mavinwa2]

I'd go with Viper Trick.

B4 switching to IWill, I killed more elk with Slick Trick in the past than mechs. QAD Exodus BH also would be a great choice.
I see now why the NEW mechs are coming out with a direct cutting tip/blade, followed by wing cut blades. ELK hide is thick, tougher than deer hide. Of those NEW mechs, front deployment blades are probably preferred.

 

[dlee56]

Probably doesn’t matter

 

[ResearchinStuff]

I've seen multiple kills with the exodus and rage trypan. The rages are my first choice.

 

[jgilber5]

4/4 on vipertricks including 2 shots through 1 scapula

 

[NorCalElk]

You might want to take a look at Day Six - Verse designed for big game such as elk.

 

[Dkjoey]

I haven’t hunted elk yet but I would be far to nervous to run an expandable for my hunt.

 

[High Climber]

Viper tricks for me. They fly great and kill elk I’ve had no problems with blood trails. I really wanted to shoot exodus a few years back but they just didn’t fly as good as the vipers for me

 

[Pulleye16]

So, how often do people switch out broadheads (brands)? I’ve been using the same ones for over ten years. (I get you’re switching species…just a general question)

I say, shoot what you've had success with.

 

[Elkhntr08]

Settled on ViperTricks. They fly great, had nothing but good luck with them in the past and I have plenty of them.
Not sure why I switch around, just looking for something a little better, if I didn’t, I’d still be shooting ThunderHeads.