Fixed vs Expandable Broadheads

Determining the perfect broadhead for hunting is a very controversial topic that gets discussed in hunting camps all around. The discussion between fixed broadheads and expandable broadheads is very similar to the Chevy/Ford debate as each broadhead has its own advantages and disadvantages. It is a very important decision that needs to be addressed before squeezing the trigger on your release at an animal. As a general rule of thumb, if your draw weight is under 55 pounds, you will want to shoot a fixed blade broadhead. Expandable broadheads take a certain amount of energy to open up and with a lower draw weight the arrow speed won't be as high, resulting in little to no penetration.

Fixed Broadheads

A  fixed broadhead is a design that has been around for thousands of years. As the name sounds, fixed broadheads have blades that are “fixed” into position on the ferrule that never deploy or move. Benefits to this style head are better penetration, generally a stronger/tougher design, and less chance of malfunction. Disadvantages of a fixed broadhead is that they are generally harder to get to fly correctly because the blades act like wings and make the broadhead “plane” in a certain direction. Also, for companies to try and make the broadhead fly better, they lower the cutting diameter to closer to 1” -1 ⅛”, which in-turn loses valuable cutting surface. The Grim Reaper Micro Hades Pro 3 Blade Broadhead - 100 Grain and the G5 Montec M3 100 Grain Broadhead are a couple of great choices for fixed broadheads. 

Expandable Broadheads

Expandable broadheads are a design that have been around a little longer than the last quarter century. Expandable broadheads still have some type of pointed ferrule, but instead of blades that are fixed, the blade system on a expandable allows for the blade to open up to a larger cutting diameter. Over the last 10-15 years, the expandable broadhead has exploded in popularity with an array of different designs ranging from rear deploy heads like the  rage hypodermic and “over the top” expandable broadheads like the grim reaper . Pros tend to lean towards expandable broadheads are better “field tip like” accuracy because the blades are “tucked” into the expandable broadheads ferrule until impact. Another benefit to expandable broadheads is you can get a much larger cutting diameter while still getting terrific accuracy. Disadvantages towards this design are less penetration because the blades take a decent amount of energy to open. Also, because of the moving parts, the head doesn’t offer a full/bullet proof design because the moving blades either deploying back or opening from the front.

At the end of the day, it is really up to each individual archer and their end goals. For any questions, give us a call or stop by any of our 3 Archery Shop Stores!