9 Best Broadheads For Elk 2025 – [Fixed & Mechanical]

So, you’re checking in on the best broadheads for elk hunting, eh?

Well, the stats are in, and they’re not good. The chances of getting an elk during the archery season are typically around 12%. When you consider that much of that take is on private land, you realize that your chances at a shot opportunity when hunting elk are pretty low. 

I wrote this article to help you make the most out of those shots should the opportunity arise.

I created this post by compiling a list of the best elk broadheads on the market and included some other helpful advice on picking the right broadheads for elk hunting.

Whether you’re looking for the field point accuracy of a mechanical broadhead or the punishing cut-on-contact power of a fixed blade, you’ll find something that suits your unique style on this list.

I’ve sorted through the vast sea of options and chosen nine arrowheads from the most trusted companies, such as G5, Iron Will Outfitters, Magnus, Rage, and others, so you don’t have to.

We strive to bring you unrivaled gear reviews and tips from real bonified backcountry hunters. Our recommendations reflect our passion, whether skinning knives, shooting sticks, headlamps, arrows, bone saws, or anything else that’ll elevate your hunting game.

Best Fixed Blade Broadheads For Elk

What is the recipe for hunting success? Is it in how far you push yourself? Is it your drive? Yes. And yes. But one critical piece of hunting “greatness” comes from preparation. That means you’re dialed in on everything from your bow to your socks to your broadheads.

When you find a piece of gear that consistently gets the job done for you, continue with what works. In other words, don’t fix it if it’s not broken. Magnus is an industry standard when it comes to consistent quality.

Material: Steel
Grain: 85, 100, 125
Number of Blades: Single Beveled blade with two bleeders
Cutting Diameter: 1-1/8″

Pros: Devastating cut on contact power, accuracy, and penetration.
Potential Drawbacks: After extensive years of field tests, we’re confident that a well-placed shot with this broadhead will almost always be successful.

Crafted with precision and designed for maximum impact, Montecs offer exceptional value for serious hunters.

Expect complete pass-throughs with every shot (obviously with good placement). The robust construction ensures unwavering performance time and again. There’s no need for fussy blade changes—just pure, hard-hitting power. Choose Montecs for reliable performance.

Material: Steel
Grain: 85, 100, 125
Number of Blades: Three
Cutting Diameter: 1-1/8″devastating results in the field.

Pros: Devastating cut on contact power, accuracy, and penetration
Potential Drawbacks: Like any broadhead, shot placement is key. It’s more so with three blades, as there is more surface area to hang up if you hit that pesky shoulder bone.

Now, this may be a lot of conjecture (hunting is all conjecture, lol), but I think Slick Tricks are so great at dropping elk in their tracks for two reasons: their blades and the ferrule. Let me explain.

First, the blades are incredibly sharp. I’ve said it before, and I’ll repeat it: shot placement is everything. Combining an accurate shot with four razors at the end of your arrow creates devastation for any animal.

The broadhead’s design is also critical to Slick Tricks’ success. The blades are slightly pulled back from the tip of the ferrule (much like the Wasp below.) This allows the ferrule to navigate the tough bone and cartilage and hide first, while the thin blades wreak havoc behind it.

Material: Stainless steel
Grain: 100, 125
Number of Blades: Four
Cutting Diameter: 1-1/8″

Pros: Swept-back design allows for maximum maneuverability inside the elk, reliable report
Potential Drawbacks: Edge retention is lacking, and sharpening is out of the question if they get bent.

If you’re going to be fussing with your broadheads all the time, then you’re already at a disadvantage. While Havalon blades cannot be sharpened successfully, Wasp offers extra blades to swap out when needed.

I’ve hesitated to use these on elk because the blades are thin. However, I’m consistently guilty of having “buck fever” and don’t trust that I can accurately hit the sweet spot every time.

If, unlike me, you can hit a gnat’s ass at 50 yards, then why would you not want the sharpest steel on the market?

Material: Stainless steel
Grain: 100, 125
Number of Blades: Three
Cutting Diameter: 1-3/16″

Pros: Devastating cutting ability thanks to Wasp’s surgical sharp blades.
Potential Drawbacks: They‘re not very durable. You must exercise extreme caution when replacing these blades, especially with bloody or wet hands.

Many years back, I switched from rifle to bow and thought I could save a few bucks. Because of the primitive nature of archery, I falsely assumed that it would somehow be more economical than rifle hunting.

….how wrong I was!

We get it; justifying spending over $40 PER broadhead is hard to swallow. But when you consider these arrowheads’ punishing nature and unmatched accuracy, can you put a price on taking an ethical shot?

You’ve already made it this far; you might as well shell out the last few quid in your wallet.

Material: A1 tool steel
Grain: 100, 125, 135, 150, 175, 200, 250
Number of Blades: Three, one single bevel bleeder is an optional add-on but provides better spin.
Cutting Diameter: 1-1/16″

Pros: Reliable report, punishing tool steel
Potential Drawbacks: Cost. Also, the included broadhead case is neat, but perhaps we could shave a few bucks off that M.S.R.P. with a plastic pack?

StrikerX’s four replaceable blades just ripped through hide and muscle like butter. The blood trail was easy to follow, not that I needed it. That elk didn’t go far. I’ve never seen a broadhead cut like that before. The G5 Striker X, it’s the real deal.

My arrowhead ripped through hide and muscle like butter. The blood trail was easy to follow, not that I needed it. My bull didn’t go far. I’ve never seen a broadhead cut like that before. The G5 Striker X, it’s the real deal. If you’re looking for a devastating performance, look no further.

As you can see above on my bull, this broadhead will not disappoint.

Material: Stainless steel
Grain: 100, 125
Number of Blades: 4 Lutz blades
Cutting Diameter: 1-1/4″

Pros: I have a skewed outlook, as I dropped my elk in its tracks in 2024 with this broadhead. However, the entrance wound can’t be denied.
Potential Drawbacks: I usually avoid replaceable blade broadheads; it’s too much fuss. I’m glad I went against the grain this year!

Best Mechanical Broadheads For Elk Hunting

More importantly to Moose, the Megameat has a rear-deploying snaplock collar that keeps his blades at the ready. If you know anything about mechanicals, they’re notorious for not deploying, or deploying prematurely or partly, etc.

Not an issue with the G5 Megameat.

Megameat is a premium broadhead for those prioritizing massive wounds and reliable performance from a mechanical.

Their price reflects that. While some may balk at the cost of G5 blades, those who’ve used them argue that their performance—the clean kills and short recoveries—justifies the investment.

Material: Stainless steel
Grain: 100, 125
Number of Blades: 4 Lutz blades
Cutting Diameter: 1-1/4″

Pros: The cutting capacity and punishing power of this little bugger is unmatching in the expandable broadhead market.
Potential Drawbacks: There’s no denying that the more extensive profile can be more susceptible to wind drift, so precise tuning is crucial for accurate flight.

I’ve used expendables with bands once, and I’ll never use them again. Not that they won’t work under perfect conditions, but I can’t trust those rubber bands will hold up or, perhaps worse, prevent my blade from opening on impact.

I remember this fact when making these expandable recommendations because I know how hard it is to get that shot opportunity. You can’t afford to have that broadhead let you down.

Material: Stainless steel
Grain: 100, 125
Number of Blades: Two
Cutting Diameter: 2″

Pros: By design, it has no choice but to deploy properly upon penetration. Why? Well, I’m no scientist, but I’m sure it has something to do with physics. 2″ Diameter cuts mean you’ve got a great chance of clipping the pumphouse or an artery.
Drawbacks: This is an excellent example of a broadhead that I would use cautiously. I’ve seen more elk survive Rage Broadheads than any other because of a bad shot. As a guide, I’ve gutted multiple elk with hypodermics stuck somewhere on the shoulder or back.

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Protip – Be confident in your shot before going into the field. A well placed shot slightly behind the shoulder with any mechanical on this list is going to mean game over for any any big game animal.

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Here’s a caveat: we haven’t tried these yet, but I’m giving them a try in 2025. I’ve seen them all fall on social media and decided to pull the trigger.

Why switch? Aside from reports of unbelievable wound channels all over the internet, we are particularly impressed with how easy they are to switch to fixed blades.

Thats Right. You can use the same ferrule and swap in fixed Jekyll blades.

Get it…Jekyll and Hyde?

Material: Stainless steel
Grain: 100, 125
Number of Blades: Two
Cutting Diameter: 2″

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Are Fixed Or Mechanical Better For Elk Hunting?

Alright, ladies and gents, let’s argue about arrowheads.

It’s a topic that sparks plenty of debate around the campfire, and for good reason. Choosing the right broadhead can make or break your hunt. I’ve spent my fair share of time in the elk woods and developed strong opinions on fixed versus mechanical broadheads. Let me share my perspective.

For most seasoned elk hunters and me, fixed-blade broadheads are the way to go. Some mechanical guys might be bristling at that, but hear me out. It boils down to one thing: reliability.

Think about it: out in the elk woods, you’re facing tough conditions, thick hide, and the adrenaline of the moment. You need gear you can depend on.

With fixed blades, what you see is what you get. They’re simple and tough and ready to cut the instant they hit. There are no moving parts to fail, no rubber bands to freeze up – just pure, reliable performance.

My Mechanical Story

I learned this lesson the hard way. On one hunt, I remember vividly, I had a beautiful bull in sight, drew back, and… nothing. My mechanical broadhead had malfunctioned. The rubber band that deploys the blades had frozen, leaving one blade sticking out and the others tucked back.

I fumbled with it for a split second, trying to fix it, but the bull was gone by then. I was kicking myself. That missed opportunity burned into my memory.

Now, I’m not saying mechanical broadheads never work. I’ve seen guys take elk with them, and they have some great things things going for them. You get a lot more blade moving through that animal.

They often create a bigger wound channel due to much greater push force. (Translating to better blood trails.)

However, that larger cutting diameter sometimes comes at the cost of penetration which is crucial for a big, brutal animal like an elk. I’ve seen more Rage Hypodermics lodged in a “healthy” bull more than any other.

Some folks also like the “cut-on-contact” aspect of mechanicals. But let’s be honest – a well-sharpened fixed blade is cutting on contact,t too. So, that’s not a massive advantage in my book.

Why I Stick with Fixed Blades for Elk:

• Rock-Solid Reliability: In the heat of the moment, you need gear you can trust. Fixed blades deliver that peace of mind.
• Maximum Penetration: With no energy wasted on deploying blades, fixed blades drive deep. This is essential for ethical kills on big game.

A Word on Mechanicals (and Why I’m Wary):

• Larger Cutting Diameter (Potential Trade-off): While a bigger wound can be beneficial, it can also hinder penetration and add friction.
• Risk of Mechanical Failure: This is my biggest concern. Anything with moving parts has the potential to fail, especially in harsh conditions. I’ve seen it happen.

My Recommendation:

Shot placement, shot placement, shot placement.

If you’re serious about elk hunting with archery equipment, I strongly recommend sticking with whatever broadhead you are most accurate with,, whether fixed or mechanical. You’ll have more confidence in your equipment, which can make all the difference when it counts.

So, that’s my take. I’d love to hear your experiences and thoughts in the comments. Let’s continue the conversation and help each other become better elk hunters!

F.A.Q.’s

How do I choose the right broadhead for elk hunting?
Choose a broadhead based on your bow’s draw weight, arrow setup, and hunting conditions, prioritizing strength and penetration.

What is the most accurate broadhead for long-range elk shots?
Fixed-blade broadheads with aerodynamic designs, like the Iron Will Single Bevel, are often the most accurate for long-range shots.

Can I use the same broadheads for deer and elk hunting?
While some broadheads work for both, it’s best to use heavier, tougher models designed specifically for elk to ensure deep penetration.

Why Trust Us?

In the fall, I can be found in the backcountry of Colorado, guiding hunters on deer, elk, moose, and bear hunts.  By the end of the season, it’s not uncommon for me to have skinned over 20 big game animals.

Combined with our other staff we have decades of combined backcountry elk hunting experience.

Simply put, I, or another staff member, have experience with every broadhead on this list. I understand that field trials and anecdotal evidence isn’t as scientific as say: Outdoor Life’s Top Broadheads of 2024. But, we do know our stuff, and years of successful backcountry hunting doesn’t come by accident.

Which Arrowheads Are You Hunting Elk With In 2025?

It’s never too early to get prepared for the 2025 season. When it comes down to it, being comfortable making an accurate and ethical shot is all about getting dialed in with your gear, from your bow to your sight to your arrows and broadheads.

Will you choose the top-notch Iron Will? Or are you sticking with a tried and true option like the Magnus Stinger?

Or, like us, are you taking the gamble and trying out the new Jekyll and Hyde options?

The choice is yours. If you enjoyed this article, please sign up for our newsletter below!