Fact checked by Steven Lines, lifelong Hunter and Outdoorsman
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Recurve bows are back in popularity, and for good reason. The simplicity of these traditional archery tools is a big draw to the sport. Also, they’re incredibly fun to shoot! However, like other types of bowhunting equipment on the market today, broadheads must be chosen with care.
So, what are the best broadheads for recurve bows?
Some of the best fixed-broadheads include the Carbon Express Nativ Broadhead, the Grizzly Single Bevel, the Magnus Stinger, and the Muzzy Bowhunting Phantoms. If you want to use a mechanical broadhead, you might want to consider the Ramcat Hydroshock or the Rage Bowhunting Extreme. The type of broadhead you’ll need will often depend on the circumstances in which you will be using it.
You can choose from many different kinds of broadheads, depending on how you use them. Often, when looking for a recurve bowhead, you want to try to get a traditional model. This will let you get more power, so the arrow travels faster. Also, these broadheads tend to be more durable.
Within the traditional bowhead, there is a lot of variety. As we’ll see, you can get some that have two blades. In other cases, you might want to find some that have four blades. The number of blades that you will need depends on the size of the game that you want to hunt.
If you want to hunt for larger animals, you might want to use three or four blades. This will ensure that you are left with a substantial blood trail if you need to take more than one shot at the target. However, if you’re planning on hunting for smaller game, you might only need two blades, so you have a better chance of hitting a vital area.
But, with so many different options, you’ll be able to find the perfect one for your recurve bow. Let’s look at some of the best broadheads for you to consider.
In this post, we'll cover:
Express Nativ Broadhead
This type of broadhead was designed for hunters. Made from metal and featuring a flat edge, this model is intended to be highly durable. While inexperienced archers can use these, you’ll often need a strong draw strength to get the most out of this broadhead.
There are a few things that help set this broadhead apart. However, one of the biggest is the tip of the broadhead is very flat. This presents a few benefits. First, it reduces the influence that wind can have on your shot. Because of this, you’ll be able to enjoy more accuracy when firing your recurve bow.
The smaller tip can also help reduce wind resistance. This will give your broadhead more speed, making sure that it will reach the target. This, combined with the sharp edges, ensure that you’ll be able to do damage to the animal, killing it quickly if you hit it in the vitals.
However, the smaller broadhead also has a distinct disadvantage. You’ll need to make sure that you line up your shot correctly, hitting a vital area. Because of this, it’s recommended that you have a bit of experience when using this type of broadhead.
- Solid 2-blade style
- Versatile - use with low to high poundage bows
- Aircraft-grade aluminum ferrule for superior lightweight strength
Last update on 2024-05-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Grizzly Single Bevel
Single bevel broadheads can deliver excellent penetration. Because of the way that it was designed, you might even be able to get through the bone. This makes it a good option when you’re hunting.
When hunting elk, whitetail deer, or turkey hunting, not everyone has the skill needed to get perfect shot placement. In this case, you’ll need to make sure that you can do damage wherever you hit the prey. This will give you the best chance of making a kill. In this area, the Grizzly Single Bevel excels.
Though this design has been around for a long time, it still remains effective in 2021. In this case, the broadhead has been designed to reduce air resistance. This ensures that it will be able to travel quickly.
Also, it will rotate in the same direction that the arrow is spinning. This will increase the momentum, so you’ll be able to do a lot of damage when the arrow hits the target. In some cases, this has been known to shatter bone, causing a critical injury. You can increase the chances that you’ll be able to do damage if you keep your broadhead sharp.
There are a few ways that you’ll be able to attach the broadhead to your arrows. First, you can glue them to the tip of the arrow. Alternatively, you might be able to get a model that screws into the arrow. This makes it easy for you to remove and replace them.
Magnus Stinger
The Magnus Stinger will offer a very sharp broadhead, which makes it a practical choice for hunting, so you’ll have the best chance of penetrating the animal’s flesh.
The Magnus Stinger offers a few distinct advantages for you to explore. First, it’s very sharp. This means you’ll be able to get through the thick hide- or protected areas of the animal. Also, it ensures that you’ll be able to achieve a higher speed for your arrow.
Like many other traditional broadheads, the Magnus Stinger is designed to be tough and tends to be very difficult to break. However, if something does happen, you’ll be able to get access to a lifetime warranty. This can give you peace of mind, as you’ll be entitled to have your arrow repaired or replaced.
Muzzy Bowhunting Phantoms
This broadhead features four blades, each set at slightly different heights. Because of this, you’ll be able to make sure that you penetrate the target deeply, leaving a blood trail.
There are a few benefits that you can gain by purchasing this type of broadhead. First, these are ideal for hunting, allowing you to do a lot of damage to your prey. Because they feature multiple blades, the extra weight will cause the arrow to penetrate more deeply. This makes this type of broadhead a great choice when hunting any size of prey.
In some cases, this can result in killing a smaller animal, like a rabbit, quickly. For larger animals, the broadhead can pierce the side of the prey. If you hit it with enough force, you might be able to send a broadhead like this through the game, leaving an exit wound.
This will severely weaken the animal and create a strong blood trail. You can then follow this trail to make the kill.
However, there are some potential downsides to using this type of broadhead. Because it features more blades, it will be more likely to catch the wind. This can mean that it’s more likely to be blown out of position. It will also be heavier. This means that you’ll need to use a powerful recurve bow to give yourself enough force to penetrate the target.
Howard Hill 2-Blade Glue-on
This is one of the oldest broadhead designs on the market, remaining an effective hunting choice in 2021. Because it features concave blades, it will stick to the target. Because of how long the blade is, you’ll be able to do a lot of damage if you hit a critical area.
This is one of the oldest designs on the market, with a long history of being used for hunting, though it’s been updated slightly for 2021. For example, it has been made with sturdy aluminum. Because of this, these blades will be durable, lasting for many years.
Another benefit is that you’ll be able to make sure that the design makes it easier for you to penetrate through the animal’s flesh. This gives hunters a good chance of being able to make a kill shot if they can hit a vital area.
In order to use this broadhead, you’ll need to glue it to the top of your arrows. In most cases, a strong superglue will be able to deliver enough sticking power. It also makes it easy to replace the broadhead without needing to discard the rest of the arrow.
Wensel Woodsman 3 Blade
If you’re hunting bigger game, you might need to get a broadhead that contains three blades. This will ensure that you’re able to pierce through the thick flesh of the animal. It will also ensure that you’re leaving a blood trail.
One of the biggest challenges of hunting for a larger game is getting through the thicker hides and fur surrounding their bodies. For this reason, this broadhead has a sharp point. This ensures that you’ll do damage when you hit the target.
Another challenge with hunting larger game is that you’ll need often need to take multiple shots before you can fell the animal. Because of this, the Wensel Woodsman 3 Blade has sharp edges to ensure that you are left with a strong blood trail. By following this, you’ll be able to track the animal and deliver a kill shot.
Another significant benefit is how strong this model is. Because it’s made from carbon fiber, it will be able to last for a long time. This can help ensure that you will be able to use this broadhead for many years to come.
Finally, there are a few options to explore when you want to attach the broadhead to your shaft. First, you might want to use glue to attach it to the wood. If you’re going to make a firmer attachment, you can screw it into a wooden shaft.
- 3:1 cutting ratio
- Teflon coating
- Cut on contact tip
Last update on 2024-05-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Muzzy Bowhunting Trocar Tip Broadhead
Featuring three blades, this will ensure that you receive a good blood trail, so you can later track down the animals. It also has a solid point that will ensure that you can pierce through the bone of the animal, doing a lot of damage. Also, after each hunt, you’ll have the option of replacing the blades.
This broadhead offers a very sharp head. This will give you the best choice of piercing through the animal’s flesh, sticking in the body. This part of the broadhead is designed to be very strong. This ensures that it won’t bend or break, even if it makes contact with bone. This will ensure that you hit the animal in the place that you intended, rather than having the arrow bounce off.
There are a few other features that make this model quite innovative. For example, you’ll be able to remove and replace the blades after each hunt. This will ensure that they are always sharp. This often tends to be one of the most convenient ways of hunting, as you don’t need to clean the blades and re-sharpen them.
However, this also comes with a potential drawback. The included practice broadhead might not be as effective as you want it to be. You might need to practice with the right one, which can risk blunting the blade.
- Designed for Max Speed, Max Strength, and Max Cut
- Chisel Tip for bone crushing penetration
- Three Blade Broadhead features max cutting diameter, 75, 100 or 125 Grain
Last update on 2024-05-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Ramcat Hydroshock Pivoting Broadhead
This mechanical broadhead is designed to be highly aerodynamic, reducing the impact that the wind will have on the flight of the arrow. It also features three blades, so you’ll be able to leave a strong blood trail.
One of the biggest reasons you choose a mechanical broadhead is that you want to do more damage to the target. There are a few ways that the Ramcat can do this. First, it has technology that helps you maintain a straight shot, even if there is some wind resistance. This ensures that you hit the area you were targeting.
Another benefit is the arrow will pivot in the prey. This might be able to cut through bone. As it does this, it creates a strong blood trail that you can use to track the prey.
To make sure that you get the most benefit out of this type of broadhead, you’ll need to make sure that you have a heavier bow. This will ensure that you have the force required to lodge the arrow in the side of the animal.
Last update on 2024-05-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Rage Bowhunting Extreme
This mechanical broadhead is designed with rear blades, which are designed to deploy when making contact with the animal. Because of this, this model is prevalent amongst hunters, as they can deliver a kill shot.
One of the biggest reasons to choose this broadhead is because of the amount of damage it can do, especially when hunting larger animals. When you make contact, the rear blades will deploy inside the animal. This creates a deep channel. In many cases, it will do enough damage to kill or seriously wound the animal. If you need to track it, this broadhead will create an extensive blood trail.
The tip of the arrow will penetrate through the thickest part of the animal, like the hide. However, to get the best effects, you’ll need to be using a more powerful bow. This will ensure that you will get enough force for the broadhead to penetrate the hide and the blades to deploy correctly.
- Sport Type: Hunting
- Slip Cam rear blade deployment
- Sweeping blade angle maintains kinetic energy longer
Last update on 2024-05-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Swhacker Broadhead
If you’re hunting smaller game, and want to make sure that you deliver a kill shot, you can use the Swhacker broadhead. This is small and thin, ensuring that it hits the target. Once it makes contact, the blades will open.
One of the reasons to choose this type of broadhead is to make sure that you make an accurate shot. In this case, the slim profile ensures that it encounters minimal wind resistance. This ensures that you can land the arrow in a vital area.
Once you hit, the mechanical blades will deploy. These cut the game both on the hide and internally. For smaller animals, this will be enough to deliver a quick death. However, when hunting larger game, it will give you a blood trail that you can follow.
- PROUDLY Made in the USA
- UNIQUE DESIGN: Two sets of blades = greater momentum and pass through. Set 1 takes the punishment of impact, cutting through hide and bone, pulling the broadhead open. Set 2 remains closed until entrance, keeping the blades razor sharp for maximum damage.
- FIELD POINT Accuracy
Last update on 2024-05-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
FAQs
How much does a recurve broadhead cost?
The prices of broadheads can vary, depending on the type of quality that you want to achieve. In some cases, they might be able to start at around $11.
However, for a more expensive broadhead, you could expect to pay about $100 per pack.
What’s the difference between a fixed and mechanical broadhead?
The mechanical broadhead will often open up once it makes contact with the target. This ensures more damage.
On the other hand, a fixed broadhead only has one position and will often be more reliable and offer better penetration. The right one for you will depend on the type of situation you plan to use them in.
What are cut-on-contact broadheads?
Cut-on-contacts are among the most original and creative broadhead designs. Most often, two blades are fixed to align into a single, razor-sharp point. There is no heavy chisel-point like on a standard fixed blade head.
Do broadheads shoot the same as field points?
Broadheads are aerodynamically designed so that the blades behave like tiny wings. The broadhead will steer away from a straight path if you deviate in your shooting, and more air means the arrow can steer even farther off course.
Can you shoot broadheads into a bag target?
It is crucial to shoot only foam targets with broadheads and use field points for other target types. Broadheads are designed to cause damage because they are used for hunting wild game. So practicing archery with broadheads on bag targets can get very expensive with buying replacements and repairs. It makes sense to practice mainly with field points and occasionally use broadheads to check how you need to adjust your aim.
Final Thoughts
There are many different types of broadheads available on the market. These can include a mix of fixed and mechanical broadheads. The best option for you will often depend on how you plan to use it and the type of game you want to hunt.
Steven Lines is a hunter and outdoorsman from Safford, Arizona, USA. Since he was a child, he has been hunting and fishing and has over 20 years of outdoor experience. Steven works as a hunting guide in Arizona during his spare time and runs a Youtube channel dedicated to sharing his outdoor adventures with others.
