New to fixed blades- overthinking it?

[Whodat7]

This is less of a “which is best” and more of an am I overthinking it post.

I have Magnus stinger buzzcut 125g. Chose them as sort of an old reliable/reasonable cost. Can get them freakishly sharp on a lansky and then a strop. They fly well and impact with field points out to at least 75 yards. I am shooting solid groups 55 or so and in.

This is my first time using fixed blades. Have killed a handful of whitetail with rage 2 blades.

First elk trip planned this fall. Do I need a high end broadhead? I just want it to fly well and be reliable. Have read some about the aluminum ferrule being a problem.

I am considering BHs like the new D6, IW, and also the VPA omega w bleeders.

Thanks for answering.

 

[mulveymo]

Short answer is no. Those magnus stingers have killed plenty of elk. I'd just run those. Get close and pick your shot and you'll kill without issue.

That said, if there was an animal that was going to stress test an arrow setup, it's an elk. If you get the scapula, something will probably break in the arrow.

 

[sndmn11]

Those stingers will work just fine. Especially, if you hone them.

 

[Whodat7]

Thanks for your thoughts. I should add that I am using IW inserts and collars. Basically asking out loud if I should go to a more solid head as well.

 

[TxxAgg]

Less is more. Those are great heads.

 

[rds1865]

Magnus Stingers are great heads. Have used the Stinger on elk successfully myself. They have countless elk to their credit. It’s a popular elk blade for trad archers. Put one where it matters on your elk and you’ll be pleased. If you want to look at other quality & price favorable fixed blades for curiosity or fun, you can add Grim Reaper Micro Hades and QAD Exodus (I prefer swept, full works well also).

Good luck on your hunt.

 

[blackveltbowhunter]

Sounds like the right track IMO. Solid heads, flying good, and you have them sharp. Can't ask for much more.

For what its worth, ( this is not meant to disparage any specific products and is more of a general observation on the archery scene as a whole ). I actually think many of these super high quality heads do more harm than good from an individual users standpoint.

The industry needs super high end products to push the envelope and stimulate innovation elevating the entire field along the way. With some individuals who have knowledge, resources, and specific needs utilizing these prodcts to their full potential.

the downside to all this innovation is that some guys and especially newer, inexperienced, and often gullible archers start to think that they need tool steel and single bevels to pierce vitals or they are somehow being less humane and sacrificing lethality by not shooting broadheads that cost 30 to 50 bucks a pop. Nothing is farther from the truth. Perhaps even worse are the ones who have killed and are over confident in the head, but the rest of the system is destined to fail when tested.

Have confidence in your chosen equipment, not because its " the best", but because you understand the fundamental truth of archery and that EVERYTHING has tradeoffs, and nothing is perfect. All equipment has limitations. You know what yours are and operate within them. That builds confidence.

 

[ZAK13]

No need to overthink this. They will do fine as long as you do your part.

 

[CMF]

. They fly well and impact with field points out to at least 75 yards.

If they do that, you'll be fine. I switched to Magnus killer bees one year cause the were my best grouping head of the ones I tried. Ended up killing a bull with a frontal shot with them.

 

[LostArra]

Two years ago I was fortunate to kill a cow elk and two nice whitetail bucks all with two Buzzcuts and a Killer Bee. All three animals fell within 25 yards. The heads got a little dinged up hitting off side knuckle and another on a rock.
Just to test the Lifetime Guarantee I packaged them up and returned them to Magnus.
5 days later I had three new heads. No questions, no receipts.

 

[Dennis]

With elk penetration, blade sharpness and edge retention are extremely important. How sharp a broadhead in flight matters little if it dulls upon impact with muddy hide, bones etc. before reaching the vitals. Build arrows for penetration with the right broadhead and insert you'll do great.

 

[Beendare]

Good head. You will almost always get a pass through with those.

They are a bigger head so its critical they aren't on an under spined arrow and you spin check them and get them perfectly straight and they will fly good out past 50y.

 

[doc holiday13]

Magnus is great. I personally feel the stingers are a bit on the weak side in terms of blade strength but they fly and cut well when sharp

If I properly recall the magnus hornets are a bit more durable, but both will work well

 

[Hasslehoff]

This is what I carry, but I'm relatively new to archery and haven't harvested a big game animal with my bow yet. Glad to hear they work well for others.

 

[Whodat7]

Put my practice head, a regular stinger through the gap between the insert and the top of the back of a Glendel buck yesterday, and squarely in a 4x4 post in my fence. Pulled it out and it looks fine.

 

[Trumpkin The Dwarf]

@roosiebull lost a great bull to a broken Magnus stinger I believe… I don’t think you need high end broadheads, but the ferrule on 4 blade stingers in particular is kind of weak. The Black Hornet is a much beefier ferrule.

 

[-Specialist-]

You are overthinking it, but for the right reasons. You've checked every box. Your tune obviously solid and in my opinion, that's a non starter. If your arrows not flying straight, KE and momentum are severely compromised and that's really where critical complications arise. Just ensure your shot selection is on point, then shot placement. Know your limits, stay disciplined within those and you're gonna be successful whether or not you kill an elk.

 

[roosiebull]

@roosiebull lost a great bull to a broken Magnus stinger I believe… I don’t think you need high end broadheads, but the ferrule on 4 blade stingers in particular is kind of weak. The Black Hornet is a much beefier ferrule.

And that was NOT knuckle/scapula ridge/leg, just really unlucky situation at a perfect angle to exploit that design weakness

I like Mike, and very much respect how he runs his business, but it’s 2026, nobody needs to make a split aluminum ferrule to build a 2 blade with bleeders, it’s just a very weak design for no reason

All of those heads in my quiver were shot @ 40yds once to verify accuracy, stropped and in the quiver, so I handled them just enough to Know the blades weren’t loose from the factory

I will never shoot them again, that still stings years later, point blank quartered away shot on a stud, and that’s what I ended up with

Prior, I had plenty of good luck with stingers and hornets, but unless he changes his design, I’m out

 

[Trumpkin The Dwarf]

View attachment 1069003


And that was NOT knuckle/scapula ridge/leg, just really unlucky situation at a perfect angle to exploit that design weakness

I like Mike, and very much respect how he runs his business, but it’s 2026, nobody needs to make a split aluminum ferrule to build a 2 blade with bleeders, it’s just a very weak design for no reason

All of those heads in my quiver were shot @ 40yds once to verify accuracy, stropped and in the quiver, so I handled them just enough to Know the blades weren’t loose from the factory

I will never shoot them again, that still stings years later, point blank quartered away shot on a stud, and that’s what I ended up with

Prior, I had plenty of good luck with stingers and hornets, but unless he changes his design, I’m out

And I’ve even had buddies bend one sideways on a whitetail doe. Admittedly he at least hit heavier bone.

 

[crazygrizz]

Watching this thread as a newbie myself. I've got stingers, thunderheads (old foreman recommended but admits he never shot an elk with one), and slick trick magnums. Been leaning toward the magnums but they don't seem to have a lot of talk or mentions, but look like they would leave a nasty hole.