How to Choose Crossbow Broadheads

Why Crossbows Need Crossbow-Rated Broadheads

Many modern crossbows shoot bolts at 400 fps or faster, much faster than most compound bows. At those speeds, broadheads face two specific problems. Mechanical blades can open in flight unless they're held shut securely, and larger fixed blades can catch air and drift off course. Crossbow-specific heads deal with this through stronger blade retention, compact profiles, and tougher ferrules. Some crossbow manufacturers also list approved broadheads in their manuals, so check yours before you buy.

Types of Crossbow Broadheads

  • Mechanical (expandable): These heads have the largest cutting diameters and fly most like field points, which is why they make up most of this collection. Examples include the Rage Hypodermic Crossbow NC, Trypan NC Crossbow, Hypo 2 Crossbow, and Crossbow X NC, plus the G5 MegaMeat Crossbow.
  • Fixed blade: with no moving parts and compact profiles designed for speed, these include the G5 Striker V2 Crossbow and Slick Trick Xbow Trick.
  • Hybrid: The Muzzy Trocar HBX combines fixed main blades with expandable bleeder blades.
  • Crossbow-brand heads: TenPoint's EVO-X CenterPunch and Nemesis are designed by the crossbow maker itself.

How to Choose a Crossbow Broadhead

  • Speed rating: make sure the head is rated for your crossbow's fps.
  • Grain weight: most crossbows and bolts are set up for 100 grain. Match your field points and follow your crossbow manufacturer's total bolt weight guidance.
  • Cutting diameter: a crossbow's high kinetic energy easily drives larger mechanical cuts.
  • Fit and alignment: most bolts use the standard 8-32 thread. Spin-test each head on its bolt to check for wobble.
  • Practice: shoot your broadheads before you hunt to confirm they hit the same spot as your field points.

Crossbow Broadhead FAQ

Crossbow-specific broadheads are designed or designated by the manufacturer for crossbow use. Depending on the model, differences can include blade retention, ferrule construction, deployment characteristics, or recommendations for higher launch speeds.
Some standard broadheads are approved for crossbows, while others have dedicated crossbow versions. Always follow both the broadhead and crossbow manufacturers' compatibility recommendations.
Both are widely used. Fixed blade broadheads offer mechanical simplicity, while expandable designs can provide larger deployed cutting diameters. The better fit depends on the specific crossbow, bolt setup, and hunting application.
100-grain broadheads are common, but many crossbow setups can also use 125-grain or other weights. Use the weight recommended for your crossbow and bolt system and confirm total projectile weight.
Yes. Verify point of impact and bolt flight with the actual hunting broadhead before hunting, even when the broadhead is designed to fly similarly to a field point.
Often they hit close, but not always. Shoot your exact hunting heads, or matching practice heads, to confirm your point of impact before you hunt.
JRA Est 2015

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