Broadhead Accuracy And Tuning

Weight Of The Broadhead

The weight of the broadhead can also affect accuracy, especially if you practise with field points. The weight of the head should be similar to your field points. So if you use 125 grain field points, don’t expect your broadhead accuracy to group similar to an arrow with an 180 grain broadhead. There will obviously be a difference, especially at longer distances. This weight difference will not just always show as a linear accuracy drop, but the broadheads can also group to the left or right of the field points.

The weight of the broadhead will also affect arrow spine stiffness and therefore accuracy.

If you have a light arrow that is properly spined for your bow and arrow length, but you put a heavy broadhead on it, this will change the arrows stiffness. As when the bow string is released, the nock end of the arrow is pushed forward, the heavy broadhead tip at the front of the arrow lags behind. The arrow shaft bends while the heavier front end tip of the arrow tries to catch up.

Also, don't forget to match the weight of the archery broadheads to your practise points. While also matching your arrows to your bow, however, make sure you include the correct weight of the broadhead for best results.


Broadhead Alignment

If your broadheads are flying erratically or plaining badly, especially one or two, make sure the broadheads are aligned properly on the insert and arrow shaft. There are several ways to align them. One simple test is to just spin the arrow shaft horizontally on your thumb nail and there should be no wobble at the tip.

Another way is to roll un-fletched arrows on a flat surface. (These methods also check you arrow shaft straightness as well.) Some archers hold the arrow vertically and place the broadhead tip on hard surface and spin the shaft, while checking for a wobble.

Fletching Guidance

Another factor to look at if your broadhead accuracy plains or flies erratically, is to make sure you have plenty of vane or fletch guidance.

With the use of archery release aids, better arrow rests, the longer five inch fletch is being replaced by four inch and three inch smaller vanes. When everything about the shot and bow works perfectly, this is adequate, however, for bad shots (and we all do them) and big broadheads, the longer fletch is more stable.

The amount of spin on the arrow also helps broadhead accuracy. While some archers don’t like too much helical spin on their hunting arrows, as they believe they lose some speed, but it is better to give up some feet per second and hit the target accurately, than miss it with a faster arrow.

In other words, it is better to get 307 fps and hit the target, then get 311 fps and miss the target!


Broadhead Brand And Style

If you are thinking of changing brands or designs of broadheads, here are some more considerations when it comes to accuracy and penetration.

The different styles and brands of broadheads have different characteristics and thus will have different flight patterns.

Even if the broadhead weighs the same, changing from one brand to another and not sighting the bow in is a mistake. One brand broadhead might have a long point, but narrow cutting width, while another broadhead can have a short cutting edge, but wide cutting width.

This different surface area and shape will cause different broadhead accuracy, even in the same weight.

Vented blades, bleeder blades and mechanical broadheads, also affect the broadhead accuracy, so it pays to sight in and re-tune your bow if necessary, if you switch designs or brands.