Mechanical broadhead for Xcal

[pposey]

I've always used fixed blade broadheads in my compounds. Since I switched to the x-cal I now realized it has plenty of power to dependably shoot a mechanical. I've killed three deer with the x-cal and a four blade fixed blade with one and 1/8 cutting diameter all three deer were recovered none left a really good blood trail. All were decent hits lungs or liver. The steep terrain I hunt shots tend to be at ground level so no low exit. The power of the xcal simply amazes me I believe I've heard recommendations here for sWacker broadheads before out of an ex-cal, those here that know far more than me what are your recommendations for deer out of an Excal.

[rvaughan]

I've shot 125 grain swackers through a crossbow before with success. The problem with expandables in general is they have weak construction. If a deer dips or turns when you shoot, the expandables can glance, deploy before penetrating the hide or hit bone at the wrong angle and just bend. I don't hunt with a crossbow any more but I've switched to heavy fixed blade broadheads and heavy inserts for my compound bow. A tough, heavy, 250 to 300 spine arrow with a heavy tip will give you pass throughs on bad angles and when the deer dips or turns after hearing a loud string. The same principle as heaver high BC bullets for long range rifle shots.

[sw]

This year completed my 40th season of hunting with a crossbow intermingled with 65 years of vertical bow shooting. Various fixed and expandible BHs.

Thoughts: expandibles generally leave larger blood trails, are quite dependable, generally fly very accurately, etc..

With crossbows, I’ve found that short 4 blade fixed BHs fly much more accurately than longer 3-blade or 2-blade (Thunderheads, Super Razorheads, etc). Solid blade fixed (TOTA) haven’t had the accuracy of vented BHs. TOTA BHs do come vented also. They are terrible at destroying my BH targets, unlike the Slick Trick BHs.

The 150g Excal (only 1” cut) are incredibly accurate as are virtually every Slick Trick product. This year, I lost a large, boar bear and a spectacular 10-pt WT due to non-passthrus and zero blood trail when shot with the normally very adequate TruGlo expandibles. Both hits were close to ideal - no major bones(shoulder, leg, etc) - I saw the hits.

This upcoming year, I’ll likely be using either or both 125g ST/GT (Griz Trick) 1 1/8” and 150g Crossbow Tricks 1 1/18”. The passthru assurance outweighs the generally larger cut/blood trail of the expandibles to me.

Just some thoughts.😊

[bluedog]

FYI - I shoot an Excal Xbow for deer also and I use the old hybrid Gold Tip Gladiator 100 expandable. I don't think I have ever failed to have a pass through on deer. The gladiator is out of production but there may be similar designs available. I still have a good supply of the Gladiators to use. I also, when I get the occasional tag, hunt Elk with my Xbow. For Elk I would not even consider an expandable BH but instead I use 4 bladed Slick Tricks. The Slick Tricks will penetrate! They are deadly accurate! I have had pass throughs on 3 broadside Elk, one was at 70 yards. So, if you want penetration from a Xbow, it is difficult to beat the Slick Trick IMO.

[pposey]

sounds like Im going to stick with the xbow tricks, thanks guys

[alexcray]

Oct 11, 2022 19:30:08 GMT -5 rvaughan said:

I've shot 125 grain swackers through a crossbow before with success. The problem with expandables in general is they have weak construction. If a deer dips or turns when you shoot, the expandables can glance, deploy before penetrating the hide or hit bone at the wrong angle and just bend. I don't hunt with a crossbow any more but I've switched to heavy fixed blade broadheads and heavy inserts for my compound bow. A tough, heavy, 250 to 300 spine arrow with a heavy tip will give you pass throughs on bad angles and when the deer dips or turns after hearing a loud string. The same principle as heaver high BC bullets for long range rifle shots.

As you mentioned, Swackers are a popular choice for Excalibur crossbows due to their reputation for good expansion and cutting diameter. They come in various blade configurations (2-blade, 4-blade).