Elk hunting is undoubtedly one of the most thrilling of all bowhunting adventures and requires your gear to be up to the notable task at hand. Elk are large, hearty animals that require a quality broadhead for a clean kill.
If you’re looking for the best broadhead for your next elk hunt, then you’ll want to check out our best overall: The G5 Outdoors Montec Broadhead, as well as some of the other products on this list.
Next Level Penetration
Elk is a large animal with deep body cavities; therefore, a broadhead is only as good as its ability to penetrate all vital organs within the body cavity.
A quality broadhead shot from a bow of sufficient poundage could make it through the vast extent of an elk’s body cavity, leaving the elk with two wounds: an entrance and an exit wound.
At a Glance, The Best Broadheads For Big Game
+ G5 Outdoors Montec. These heads are shaving-sharp and constructed from a one-piece solid design that eliminates the need for replacement blades.
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+ Magnus Stinger Buzzcut 4-Blade. The Magnus Stinger Buzzcut is designed to be simplistic, yet devastating, leading to a deadly broadhead that can be trusted when the fate of a once-in-a-lifetime hunt is on the line.
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+ Wasp Hammer SST. Good heads that fly well and kill even better. Stainless Steel Trocar Tip. 100 grain – 1-3/16″ Cutting Diameter
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+ Wasp Boss SST 4-Blade. Perfect for a high-power bow, these 4-blade arrowheads provides razor-sharp blades that can punch through bone in deer and similar targets
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+ Magnus Snuffer SS. At 125 grain, this is one of the heavier broadheads on the market. Magnus uses a standard three-barb design for this, with the arrow immediately cutting on contact instead of chiseling through first
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+ NAP Hellrazor 60-410. The one-piece design helps support their strength, giving impressive consistency for broadheads in this price range
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+ Slick Trick Magnum. These Slick Trick heads are also known for their high level of accuracy straight out of the package
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+ Innerloc Shape Shifter Broadhead. Innerloc’s shape-shifting broadhead is an excellent mechanical broadhead for an arrow, flying rather dart-like and spreading on impact to cut into deer and other animals you’re hunting
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+ Muzzy Trocar. The Trocar 3-Blade Broadhead carries on the company’s hard-hitting tradition with its hardened trocar tip and solid steel ferrule that will not deform, even when hitting bone. Delivers the kinetic energy where you want it
Contents (Jump to Topic)
Devastating Delivery
Broadheads cause death to game animals through hemorrhaging and blood loss. Therefore, the more sizable the wound channel left by a broadhead, the more efficient it is in serving its purpose.
A devastating wound channel causes an animal to expire within a matter of seconds and within proximity to the point of impact.
If you are searching for an unsurpassed cutting diameter, and you don’t mind using mechanical broadheads, look no further than the Rage 2-blade broadhead with its mechanical blades.
With its expandable blade 2″ cutting diameter, a well-placed shot seldom sees game making it out of a hunter’s eyesight before expiring.
According to John Dudley, who is a successful elk hunter of over 15 years, the big decision is to choose between fixed-blade and mechanical heads. He states that he shot close to two dozen bulls. About half were killed with fixed blades, and the other half with mechanical heads.
Basically, you have to decide: on better penetration or better flight characteristics. Both will eventually allow you to be successful!
Comparison: Broadhead Physical Dimensions
| Manufacturer | Model | # Blades | Type | Cutting Dia. | Blade | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G5 | Montec | 3 | fixed | 1-1/8″ | — | 85-125 |
| Wasp | Hammer SST | 3 | replace | 1-3/16″ | .027″ | 75-125 |
| Wasp | Boss | 4 | replace | 1-1/8” | .027″ | 100 |
| Magnus | Snuffer SS | 3 | fixed | 1-1/8″ | — | 125 |
| NAP | Hellrazor | 3 | fixed | 1-1/8″ | — | 100 |
| Innerloc | Shape Shifter | 3 | mech. | 1 1/4″ | .040″ | 100 |
| Slick Trick | Magnum | 4 | replace | 1-1/8″ | — | 100-125 |
| Muzzy | Trocar | 3 | replace | 1 3/16” | .035″ | 100 |
| Rage | 2-Blade | 2 | mech. | 2″ | .039″ | 100 |
| Magnus | Stinger Buzzcut | 2 (4) | replace | depends | — | 85-125 |
The Top 9 Best Broadheads for Elk
Why would choosing the best broad heads for elk hunting make a difference in your overall hunting success? High accuracy and flight characteristics are important. Good examples are the WASP or Slick Trick Magnum Broadheads.
What Is The Best Broadhead For Elk Hunting
G5 Outdoors Montec
G5 Outdoors Montec – 85-125 grain -1″- 1 1/8″ cutting diameter
The G5 Outdoors Montec Broadhead is built for rugged dependability, even under the most inhospitable of conditions.
This hunting broadhead is constructed from a one-piece (best-fixed blade broadheads) solid design that eliminates the need for replacement blades. Those broadhead blades are shaving-sharp!
After the head has been used, simply inspect it, sharpen it, and place it back in your quiver in anticipation of your next hunt.
Specs:
- Cutting Diameter: 1″- 1 1/8″
- Weight: 100 grain (available from 85 to 125 grain)
Tip:
- Cut-on-Contact
Features & Benefits:
- Solid steel construction for unsurpassed durability
- Fixed Blade Broadhead, made of one piece
- Delivers the kinetic energy where you want it…
- Spin-Tested from the factory for enhanced flight characteristics
- Razor-Sharp blades right out of the package
- Easily sharpened for prolonged use
Additionally, these broadheads come sharpened with surgical precision and spin-tested straight from the factory, leading to improved penetration and lethal performance. Make sure when you are unpacking them, not to cut your fingers …
Magnus Stinger Buzzcut 4-Blade
Magnus Stinger Buzzcut – 85 -125 grain – 1 1/16″ cutting diameter
The Magnus Stinger Buzzcut is designed to be simplistic yet devastating, leading to a deadly broadhead that can be trusted when the fate of a once-in-a-lifetime hunt is on the line.
These heads are constructed from knife-grade stainless steel and are razor-sharp right out of the package for next-level penetration. Additionally, the Magnus Stinger Buzzcut features chiseled serrations for increased tissue damage – making it a feasible hunting broadhead for big game hunting.
It´s a two-blade broadhead with two additional small bleeder blades.
Specs:
- Cutting Diameter: 1 1/16”
- Weight: 85 grain, 100 grain, 125 grain
Tip:
- Cut-on-contact
Features & Benefits:
- Extremely sharp blades come in one piece from the factory for excellent penetration
- Constructed of knife grade stainless steel for durability
- Serrations cause increased tissue damage and lead to shorter blood trails
- Replaceable Blade (the main blade)
This leads to increased blood loss, shorter blood trails, and easier recoveries. Magnus also issues a lifetime warranty with these heads, meaning if one ever becomes damaged, a replacement will be issued. The perfect head for any tough animal.
Wasp Hammer SST
Wasp Hammer SST – 100 grain – 1-3/16″ cutting diameter
This broadhead is ideal if you are looking for a better penetration level while using a medium-power bow (less blades=easier penetration).
Wasp is a great manufacturer, and some shooters will also prefer the slightly larger cutting diameter. However, what we really like here is the flexibility in its weights.
While 100 grain is the most common, Wasp also sells this in 75, 85, 90, and 125-grain variants. After all, you are looking for a heavier arrow to achieve maximum penetration. This means you can get the weight you want without sacrificing quality and have plenty of options to fine-tune your setup.
Specs:
- Cutting Diameter: 1-3/16”
- Weight: 100 grain (available in other weights)
Tip:
- Chisel tip
Features & Benefits:
- Sturdy blades that don’t bend when they impact the ground after hitting a deer
- Available in many different weights
- Strong enough to punch through steel
- Razor-sharp edges help bleed targets quickly.
This set of three arrowheads doesn’t offer the same replacement heads as the Boss SST 4-Blades from Wasp, so it’s not quite as good of a deal. However, if you want a larger cutting diameter, these broadheads are more than worth the price.
Wasp Boss SST 4-Blades
Wasp Boss SST – 100 grain – 1-1/16″ cutting diameter
Wasp is one of the industry’s better brands, and as long as you are shooting a high power bow, their 4-blade arrowheads provide some distinct advantages when hunting elk.
The razor-sharp blades can punch through bone in deer and similar targets, while the spread of the cutting blades helps bleed out your targets much faster.
This set comes with three heads and two sets of replacement blades so you can keep using the same arrowheads. We recommend this head if you’re looking for the best broadhead for elk.
Specs:
- Cutting Diameter: 1-1/8”
- Weight: 100 grain
Tip:
- Chisel tip
Features & Benefits:
- Penetrates deep into targets thanks to its reduced blade surface
- Comes with two sets of replacement blades
- Sharp straight from the factory
- Shoots like field point arrows
This is a moderately expensive head, but it’s hard to match the sheer quality or factory sharpness here. The replacement blades are what really seal this deal, however.
That is why we enthusiastically recommend the Wasp Boss SST 4-Blade if you’re looking for a premium broadhead and use a high power bow setup, you’re good to go!
Magnus Snuffer SS
Magnus Snuffer SS – 125 grain – 1″ cutting diameter
At 125 grain, this is one of the heavier broadheads on the market. Magnus uses a standard three-barb design for this, with the arrow immediately cutting on contact instead of chiseling through first.
This broadhead is quite as good as most of the other options on this list, the heat-tempered stainless steel is durable, and the anti-vibration tips are useful in scenarios where that’s a problem. This head will allow you to take almost any game animal.
Specs:
- Cutting Diameter: 1-1/8″
- Weight: 125 grain
Tip:
- Cut-on-contact
Features & Benefits:
- Fits 5/16 shafts
- Sturdy central pillar for support on penetration
- Easy to sharpen yourself if needed
The main virtue of this broadhead is its simplicity. The overall design gives it excellent strength and durability, while the weight makes it suitable for heavier crossbows and similar equipment.
It’s one of our top choices, and way better than the average broadhead.
NAP Hellrazor 60-410
NAP Hellrazor 60-410 – 100 grain – 1-1/8” cutting diameter
This pack features three broadheads with three blades each, which is functionally standard for the industry. At 1-1/8” for the cutting diameter, they’re a little wider than some other products.
The one-piece design helps support their strength, giving impressive consistency for broadheads in this price range.
Specs:
- Cutting Diameter: 1-1/8”
- Weight: 100 grain
Tip:
- Cut-on-contact
Features & Benefits:
- Photon blade bonding for extra strength
- One-piece design with no weak joints
- Comes with a one-year limited warranty
- Easy to resharpen
These broadheads aren’t always the sharpest right out of the pack, but that’s easy to fix because sharpening them is straightforward. Still, the duller nature means these are not the best broadhead for elk.
Innerloc Shape Shifter Broadhead
Innerloc Shape Shifter – 100 grain – 1- 1/4″ cutting diameter
Innerloc’s shape-shifting broadhead is an excellent mechanical broadhead for an arrow, flying rather dart-like and spreading on impact to cut into deer and other animals you’re hunting.
This pack comes with three broadheads and three ExoCovers, all of which are reusable in case you miss.
Notably, these broadheads are extremely accurate in the hands of trained archers, outperforming many of their competitors.
Specs:
- Cutting Diameter: 1-1/4”
- Weight: 100 grain
Tip:
- Chisel Tip / Cut on Contact
Features & Benefits:
- More accurate than most of its competitors
- Excellent cutting diameter
- Offers the benefits of both narrow and broadheads
- Cuts wide enough to bleed targets out quickly
These are certainly fancier than fixed-shape broadheads, and they usually run more expensive as well. They also rattle around slightly in the plastic cover, but the pinpoint accuracy more than makes up for the few flaws these broadheads have.
Slick Trick Magnum
Slick Trick Magnum – 100 or 125 grain – 1 1/8″ cutting diameter
Slick Trick Magnum Broadheads have been around for an extensive period, and have been used by hunters far and wide to take an array of big game species.
Specs:
- Cutting Diameter: 1 1/8″
- Weight: 100 or 125 Grain
Tip:
- Chisel Tip
Features & Benefits:
- Four Blade
- Alcatraz Bladelock technology for increased rigidity
- Interchangeable replacement blades for ease of maintenance
These heads utilize .035 SS Lutz blades that securely lock into place with the use of the company’s Alcatraz Bladelock System.
This means that you gain the simplified maintenance characteristics of a replacement blade head, with the strength and rigidity of a fixed blade broadhead.
These Slick Trick heads are also known for their high level of accuracy straight out of the package.
Muzzy Trocar 3-Blade – Fixed Broadhead Blades
Muzzy Trocar – 100 grain – 1 3/16″ cutting diameter
Muzzy is a name that needs no introduction, as the company has been producing top-tier broadheads for the bowhunting market since 1984.
The Trocar 3-Blade Broadhead carries on the company’s hard-hitting tradition with its hardened trocar tip and solid steel ferrule that will not deform, even when hitting bone. Delivers the kinetic energy where you want it.
Specs:
- Cutting Diameter: 1 3/16”
- Weight: 100 grain
Tip:
- Chisel Tip
Features & Benefits:
- Hardened trocar tip for enhanced penetration
- Replace Blade Broadhead
- Right-helix blades for maximum arrow stabilization
- Solid steel ferrule that resists deformation
The Muzzy Trocar 3-Blade also features .035” right-helix fixed blades that serve to stabilize arrow flight.
Rage Mechanical Broadhead
Rage Mechanical Broadhead – 100 grain – 2″ cutting diameter
Rage Broadheads have been around for a number of years now, and have received much fanfare for the devastating wound channels that they leave behind. This is made possible by Rage’s 2” cut, mechanical blade broadhead.
read.. Rage Broadheads Hands-On Review
After a well-placed arrow has made contact, blood trails are seldom lengthy, and many hunters watch their game fall in sight.
Specs:
- Cutting Diameter: 2”
- Weight: 100 grain
Tip:
- Cut-on-contact / Chisel Tip Hybrid
Features & Benefits:
- Massive cutting diameter for devastating wound channels/blood trail
- Expandable design allows field-tip like flight characteristics
- Shock Collar Technology
- Replaceable blade for ease of maintenance
Superb arrow flight is yet another characteristic of note when considering the potential purchase of rage broadheads, due to their slip-cam expandable design. Simply the best mechanical broadhead for elk!
The Best Fixed Blade Broadheads For Elk
Here´s our list:
What Makes A Quality Broadhead For Elk?
I recommend choosing a broadhead that not only groups well, but also penetrates well. Even the best broadhead will only do so much damage if you can´t deliver a certain momentum. That´s why I strongly advise heavier arrows, higher draw weight, and solid broadheads.
When deciding which broadheads to pack along for your next hunt, there are many factors to consider. Make sure that you pick a broadhead that matches your setup.
So, if your draw weight is rather low, then your broadheads need to be excellently efficient in penetration. More blades will increase drag and decrease penetration. That’s why a multi-blade broadhead needs a high draw weight and long draw to perform well.
So what should you look for when attempting to find the best broadhead for elk hunting?
A Broadhead As Tough As You Are
A broadhead for elk hunting must possess a high level of structural integrity. A broadhead that distorts or shears blades upon coming into contact with an elk is of little use to a hunter. Instead, a broadhead should withstand impact with bone structure and other less than desirable points of impact and remain intact.
In most cases, those are typically fixed blade broadheads. Mechanical broadheads will “lose” energy due to the opening process when hitting the animal.
read.. minimum draw weights for elk
This is one of the reasons that we cannot speak highly enough of the Muzzy Trocar 3-Blade. This head’s hardened trocar tip and solid steel ferrule are designed to plow through bone without any detrimental effects. It has a replaceable blade design.
All Muzzy’s heads have, throughout the years, been held in high regard for their immense toughness and durability, and the Trocar 3-Blade is no exception. Make sure to give it a closer look.
And The Winner Is
When comparing the broadheads presented on this list, I feel that the G5 Montec, with its fixed blade, is the best elk broadhead, with the Magnus Stinger Buzzcut Broadheads coming in as a close runner up.
G5 Outdoors Montec – 85-125 grain -1″- 1 1/8″ cutting diameter
The G5 Montec is built for unsurpassed and better penetration, made out of one piece and, and is easily maintained with nothing more than simple blade sharpening.
This makes the G5 Montec an extremely versatile option under several circumstances for any individual looking to make the most out of their elk hunt.
That being said, make sure to match your broadhead with your bow set up and the energy you can deliver. A three-blade broadhead will require a more powerful setup.
If your setup is somewhat weaker and you are looking for great penetration and better accuracy, the Magnus Stinger Buzzcut is your broadhead of choice. It´s a two-blade broadhead with two additional small bleeder blades.
Ideally, you want a complete “passthrough” through the vital organs, delivering lethal damage (as it may happen with a broadside shot).
And make sure to read our article about the best elk hunting boots!
Top-Notch Broadheads For Elk
When you are after big game like elk hunters are, you have different options of bladedesign to choose from:
- fixed broadheads
- mechanical broadheads
- replaceable blades
Ideally, the blade design supports a replaceable blade. And if that is not the case, make use of a broadhead sharpener to keep your blades razor-sharp.
Your typical elk broadhead won’t behave like a field point – Make sure to get used to its flight characteristics. Now, let’s hope you successfully harvested your elk, how big should your freezer be?
Different Types of Broadheads
Different Types of Broadheads
Mechanical Broadheads: Bow should have >50 lbs. Due to the extra energy needed to open upon contact, a low poundage bow will not provide sufficient penetration. But as always, shot placement plays a major role!
Removable Blades: Bones, or in case of a shot through other objects, could damage the blades. Just replace the damaged blade.
Fixed Blade: Cut on contact – sufficient with lower draw weights too (trad bowhunters).
What You Should Know About Proper Elk Arrows
You picked a great elk broadhead, now that’s all good – but you definitely should also spend some time choosing the right (elk) arrow. It all boils down to overall weight (and your personal draw weight, draw length).
Arrow Weight
The actual arrow weight is important. And why is it important?
- A Heavy arrow might offer a better penetration, which is crucial if you consider how big elk get.
- Lighter arrows will support better trajectory
Make sure to test beforehand and choose the arrow weight that is the best for your setup.
Please feel free to comment, as we always enjoy hearing from our readers.
FAQ
How heavy should your arrow be for elk?
I would suggest a 450-grain arrow (total arrow/broadhead) for elk, without knowing your specifics. To achieve penetration, I try to keep the front of the arrow (FOC) above 12 to 13 percent.
Can you use mechanical broadheads for elk?
First: Some states won’t allow mechanical broadheads. Second: John Dudley wrote an article for bowhuntingmag.com, where he states that he shot close to two dozen bulls. About half were killed with fixed blades and the other half with mechanical heads. So the answer is yes!
Which iron will a broadhead be for elk?
Steel or titanium ferrules
Are Rage broadheads good for Elk?
Many people would recommend not using an expendable on elk. On the other hand, well-known hunters such as John Dudley are successful with expendables. Shot placement is key! Flight characteristics or penetration, what is it you favor most?
qad exodus, innerloc ss ,wasp boss 4 blade, wasp hammer,magnus snuffer, nap hell razor, ozcut 3, min 650 grain arrow footed for hard bone impacts. shooting 725 grain arrow 250 spine footed 72 lbs high country always a pass through. Never shoot a mechanical for elk , moose or brown bear. This setup peels the blades clean off a rage on a fresh cow shoulder bone, shrapnel for blades. good for deer and small game.