Broadhead choice is the most argued topic at any archery shop. After three seasons mixing it up between whitetail and elk camps, I have landed on a small rotation that I trust. The right head depends on draw weight, target species, and how confident you are in your shot placement under pressure.
Comparison Table
| Broadhead | Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Iron Will S Series 100gr | Fixed | Premium fixed |
| Rage Hypodermic Trypan | Mechanical | Whitetail |
| QAD Exodus Full Blade | Fixed | All-around fixed |
| Sevr 1.5 Inch Practice Lock | Mechanical | Tunable mechanical |
| Slick Trick Magnum 100gr | Fixed | Compact fixed |
Iron Will S Series 100gr
The Iron Will S100 is the most precise broadhead I have ever shot. A2 tool steel, hand-honed edges, and tolerances that match my field points to within a half-inch at 60 yards. Expensive but resharpenable.
Rage Hypodermic Trypan
For whitetail at moderate ranges, the Rage Hypodermic Trypan still cuts a devastating wound channel. The shock collar system has improved blade deployment reliability over older Rage models.
QAD Exodus Full Blade
The Exodus Full Blade is the head I recommend to friends new to fixed blade. Compact profile, dense steel, and a swept-blade geometry that flies more like a field point than most fixed heads.
Sevr 1.5 Inch Practice Lock
The brilliant part of Sevr is the practice lock screw, you can shoot the actual hunting broadhead at a target before flipping the screw to live mode. The 1.5-inch cut is plenty for whitetail.
Slick Trick Magnum
Slick Trick Magnums are the quiet workhorses of the fixed-blade world. Short ferrule, four cutting blades, and tight grouping out to 40 yards from a tuned bow.
What Matters Most
Sharpness, flight match to your field points, and structural integrity. A dull broadhead at 65 pounds will still kill, but ethical hunting demands shaving-sharp edges. Tune your bow until your broadheads group with your field points at distance. Then practice.
My Setup
70-pound Hoyt, 28-inch draw, 425-grain arrow, 100-grain broadheads. Primary head for the past two seasons has been the Iron Will S100. Backup in the quiver is the QAD Exodus. Both fly identically to my Easton field points at 40 yards.
Common Mistakes
Shooting broadheads straight out of the package without tuning is the universal mistake, every head needs to be paper tuned and shot at distance. Carrying a dull or rusted broadhead from last season is another, replace blades. And switching head weight without retuning will throw groups by feet at long range.
Final Recommendation
If budget is no object, Iron Will S Series. For most hunters, the QAD Exodus delivers 90 percent of the performance at a fraction of the price.
Frequently asked questions
Are mechanical broadheads less reliable than fixed?+
Modern premium mechanicals are very reliable, but they have more failure points. For low-draw-weight setups or quartering shots into bone, fixed blades remain more forgiving.
What grain weight should I shoot?+
Match your field points. Most hunters shoot 100 grain because most setups are tuned for it. Heavier 125 grain heads add penetration on big game but require retuning.