Best Broadhead Targets

Fletchwise guides are independent and hype-free – we are not sponsored by any archery brand.

Broadheads cut, they do not just punch. Shot into a bag target, the blades slice the woven shell and loose fill, ruining it in a few shots. A broadhead target uses dense foam that the blades can slice into cleanly and that closes enough to grip – then releases the head when you pull it straight out. It is the difference between a target that lasts a season and one you destroy in an afternoon.

• Broadhead-rated foam blocks – the most common choice; check the label says broadhead.
• Layered (high-density) blocks – for fast, high-poundage bows and crossbows; stop broadheads without pass-throughs.
• 3D targets with replaceable cores – great for realistic broadhead practice; shoot the replaceable vital zone.
• Bag targets – never. Field points only.

1. Confirm the broadhead rating on the packaging – this is non-negotiable.
2. Match your draw weight so broadheads stop without passing through.
3. Look for easy pull-out – good broadhead foam grips on entry but releases when pulled straight.
4. Consider mechanicals. If you shoot expandables, make sure the target handles deployed blades; some let you shoot mechanicals, others recommend pre-deployed heads.
5. Plan for wear – replaceable cores or multiple faces extend life.

Most broadhead targets carry a top speed rating – commonly 350, 450, or 500 fps – and that number is the real spec, not the word “broadhead” printed next to it. It marks the point above which arrows risk punching through or blowing out the core instead of stopping in it. This is where compound and crossbow shooters diverge: a typical hunting compound sends a broadhead around 280-340 fps, comfortably inside most broadhead-rated targets’ range, while modern crossbows commonly run 350-450+ fps – at or above the ceiling many foam targets are built for. A target that stops a compound broadhead all day can still let a crossbow bolt blow straight through it. If you shoot a crossbow, check the fps number on the label itself before assuming “broadhead rated” is enough – it is not automatically the same claim as “rated for my crossbow’s speed.”

Broadheads age a target faster than field points because they cut the foam instead of just parting it, and three low-cost habits stretch a target’s life. First, a sacrificial front layer: set an old, already-worn foam target (or a cheap foam block) a couple of feet in front of your good one, so broadheads punch through the softened layer and shed most of their energy before reaching the target doing the real stopping – keep enough space between the two that an arrow can’t bridge both on one pass. Second, practice blades: most replaceable-blade broadheads let you swap in old or dulled blades for practice reps, so the sharp set you actually hunt with stays fresh for the shot that counts, and blades that are already cutting less cleanly do a bit less damage to the target on the way in. Third, spread your shots: aim at a new spot on the face each round instead of grouping tight, and if the target has a multi-sided or rotating core, turn it before one zone gets chewed out – concentrated hits are what wear through a core early, not total shot count.