Elk Broadhead Suggestions for Low Poundage Archers

[Rich.maes]

Day Six Evo 100 gr. Razor sharp

 

[Bump79]

Not sure if I mentioned it but in the normal price range I'd look at some of these. That's really not that low of energy.

Magnus Black Hornet
Simmons Mako
Kayuga Trizot
RAD Low Profile Solid
NAP End Game/Truglo Big Game
Any sharp solid unvented 3b

 

[puihitangata]

You'd be fine with any moderate sized fixed head.
29" @ 50lb is plenty of energy.
My mother shot a big bodied sika stag with 34lbs, 27" draw. 3 blade grim reaper hades pro.
Full pass through at 26 yards. Elk is a bigger animal but he will have plenty of energy.
I would go with a 3 blade head for a better chance at a good blood trail.
Grim Reaper Micro hades would be a great option.

 

[jonesn3]

I’m happy to report back: father harvested his first archery elk, his first archery critter, this last week on a small 5x6 bull. Shot was approximately 30 yards, broadside, couple inches behind the shoulder blade and slightly high. Broadhead penetrated through the vitals, missed ribs, and barely poked through the opposite side hide. It devastated the near-side lung and lacerated the opposite lung. The elk crashed down just shy of 100 yds and expired in a matter of minutes (probably less). Arrow setup was 411 gr, 3 fletch helical, 100 gr QAD Exodus fixed blade (non-swept), DW 50 lbs, going about 247 fps.

 

[Bump79]

I’m happy to report back: father harvested his first archery elk, his first archery critter, this last week on a small 5x6 bull. Shot was approximately 30 yards, broadside, couple inches behind the shoulder blade and slightly high. Broadhead penetrated through the vitals, missed ribs, and barely poked through the opposite side hide. It devastated the near-side lung and lacerated the opposite lung. The elk crashed down just shy of 100 yds and expired in a matter of minutes (probably less). Arrow setup was 411 gr, 3 fletch helical, 100 gr QAD Exodus fixed blade (non-swept), DW 50 lbs, going about 247 fps.

Sounds like a great shot! Exodus are awesome. I'm honestly surprised it didn't blow clean through since it missed ribs.

 

[jonesn3]

I didn’t personally see the shot, was about 50 yds behind calling, so when he said it didn’t pass through I was a little nervous. So we gave it a good 50 minutes before looking for the blood trail. Seems to have worked out. Would’ve loved to see it pass through

 

[Bump79]

I didn’t personally see the shot, was about 50 yds behind calling, so when he said it didn’t pass through I was a little nervous. So we gave it a good 50 minutes before looking for the blood trail. Seems to have worked out. Would’ve loved to see it pass through

Nice calling! I'm hoping to do the same for my dad next year.

So it hit no ribs or shoulder at all eh? I guess it did the trick. Makes me think that a

Anyone else wish they made a 2 blade exodus for these use cases? Just use the same blades but used that saved weight for a hair pointier tip.

 

[jonesn3]

Nice calling! I'm hoping to do the same for my dad next year.

So it hit no ribs or shoulder at all eh? I guess it did the trick. Makes me think that a

Anyone else wish they made a 2 blade exodus for these use cases? Just use the same blades but used that saved weight for a hair pointier tip.

Yeah, those three blades barely slipped between the ribs and was just a couple inches behind the scap. I was pretty pleased at the blood trail despite no pass through. I’ve seen worse blood trails from 2 blade broadheads on lethal shots. There was a 1/4” diameter hole on the exit side, basically just where the chisel tip poked through the hide. This broadhead hadn’t been sharpened beyond what came in the packaging. Maybe some additional sharpening would’ve helped?

 

[Bump79]

Yeah, those three blades barely slipped between the ribs and was just a couple inches behind the scap. I was pretty pleased at the blood trail despite no pass through. I’ve seen worse blood trails from 2 blade broadheads on lethal shots. There was a 1/4” diameter hole on the exit side, basically just where the chisel tip poked through the hide. This broadhead hadn’t been sharpened beyond what came in the packaging. Maybe some additional sharpening would’ve helped?

Ehhh maybe? The Exodus comes pretty damn sharp out of the box. I'd say it's just on the bigger side for a lower energy setup. Performed really well though! I think 3 blades leave a great blood trail. Small 2 blades w/o bleeders are for really low energy shooters IMHO. I can't wrap my head around the trend of higher energy shooters using them.

 

[CMF]

Anyone else wish they made a 2 blade exodus for these use cases?

yep, I'd try it

 

[shoeshineman]

This season I was fortunate to take a cow with a similar setup.

Setup:
59# at 27.5"
430 grain total arrow weight (13% foc)
QAD Exodus (i sharpened all the blades individually)

Shot:
53 yards broadside

Result:
I caught both lungs high and exited the rear hip area (complete pass through)
Elk dead in <15 minutes 75 yard tracking job.

Tips:
I really focused on getting the blades very sharp
I spent a ton of time getting my arrow flight tuned

 

[jonesn3]

This season I was fortunate to take a cow with a similar setup.

Setup:
59# at 27.5"
430 grain total arrow weight (13% foc)
QAD Exodus (i sharpened all the blades individually)

Shot:
53 yards broadside

Result:
I caught both lungs high and exited the rear hip area (complete pass through)
Elk dead in <15 minutes 75 yard tracking job.

Tips:
I really focused on getting the blades very sharp
I spent a ton of time getting my arrow flight tuned

What was your sharpening process? I’ve been meaning to try out sharpening Exodus blades using the Stay Sharp guide tool.

 

[shoeshineman]

What was your sharpening process? I’ve been meaning to try out sharpening Exodus blades using the Stay Sharp guide tool.

Yes, I used the stay sharp. I used a 500 and then a 2000 stone and followed up with stropping. I also sharpened the ferrule-tip like a 3 blade. I found that the metal used by QAD seems very sensitive to corrosion-dulling, so after I sharpened it I absolutely goober lubed it with chap stick to keep the air off of it. It works!

 

[jonesn3]

Yes, I used the stay sharp. I used a 500 and then a 2000 stone and followed up with stropping. I also sharpened the ferrule-tip like a 3 blade. I found that the metal used by QAD seems very sensitive to corrosion-dulling, so after I sharpened it I absolutely goober lubed it with chap stick to keep the air off of it. It works!

Good suggestion! I did notice the chisel tip of the Exodus seems to rust in the quiver, will have to try the chapstick trick

 

[slowyota]

My son killed a really good bull 2 years ago (350" 5x5) - bow was at 55#'s, draw length 27" and using a Gold Tip Platinum pierce with a QAD Exodus out of Hoyt Ventum Pro.

Shot his bull at 60 yards and punched threw the lower breast plate. Bull went about 100yds before it died.

I was shocked that he got threw that plate at that yardage and the broadhead is as good as new. Big believer in that broadhead after seeing that.

 

[Hnthrdr]

My son killed a really good bull 2 years ago (350" 5x5) - bow was at 55#'s, draw length 27" and using a Gold Tip Platinum pierce with a QAD Exodus out of Hoyt Ventum Pro.

Shot his bull at 60 yards and punched threw the lower breast plate. Bull went about 100yds before it died.

I was shocked that he got threw that plate at that yardage and the broadhead is as good as new. Big believer in that broadhead after seeing that.

You gotta post a pic of a 350 5x5 sounds like an unreal bull!

 

[Robobiss]

29"/50# isn't really much of a handicap. I would go with a 2-blade fixed head of modest cutting diameter. Magnus Stinger would be my pick for "best bang for your buck".

Exactly, 50#@ 29” is probably a lot closer in speed to 70# @ 26.5” or 27” than a lot of guys with a short draw would like to admit, and nobody talks about being handicapped at 70# with a 27” draw. Apples to apples comparison? No, but pretty close.

I wouldn’t hesitate to send a hand sharpened stinger into any elk or moose with that setup. Its just slow and won’t shoot flat compared to the same song and dance at 70 or 75 lbs.

 

[rodney482]

vpa 100 gr vented coc

 

[slowyota]

 

[WCB]

Slick Trick Viper Trick....I'm shooting what I would say is a normal set up 27.5" @ 68lbs 383gr arrow. I've only killed Whitetails with it but unless I hit square into offside shoulder...every shot has burned through even ribs. A couple to the point where I know I saw the arrow go where I aimed but the hit just sounded like shooting through paper. Very different sound than the standard slick trick or really and head I've personally shot.