Field Guide / Archery Gear & Setup
Mechanical Broadhead
Also called: expandable broadhead, expandable
A broadhead with folded blades that open on impact, flying like a field point and cutting a wider path when it works.
- Type
- Points & Broadheads
- Common weights
- Often 100 to 125 grains
- Cutting width
- Often about 1.5 to 2 inches or more when open
- Legal note
- Some states restrict or ban expandable heads for some game
- Used for
- Deer & big game, Turkey
Safety: Broadheads are razor sharp. Keep them covered, use a broadhead wrench, never test an edge on your skin, and pull arrows from a target by pushing the shaft, with your hand away from the blades.
What it is good for
- Hunters who want a head that flies like a field point.
- Deer and turkey at moderate range.
- Fast bows where accuracy matters.
Where it falls short
- Moving parts can fail to deploy or open too soon.
- May penetrate less on tough shots.
- Not legal for all game in all states.
Tips
- Shoot your exact head at the distance you plan to hunt.
- Check the rules in your area, since some limit expandable heads.
Works well with
- Fixed-Blade Broadhead: stronger and simpler.
- Field Point: closest in flight to a mechanical.
Field notes
Mechanical heads use blades that fold back until the head hits an animal. Designs differ by maker, so read the instructions for yours.
Related guides
Numbers here are typical, not guarantees. Have a pro shop set up and tune your bow or crossbow, follow the maker's manual, and never dry-fire a bow. Legal equipment, draw weights, crossbow seasons, and broadhead rules differ by state and area; our state resources directory links to each state's official regulations. Not sure what to buy? Try our bow and crossbow wizard.