Any regular broadhead can work well with a bow. The Rage Hypodermic Trypan NC Crossbow is an excellent example of this. In short, you can use any Rage crossbow broadhead with your regular bow.
Overall, any broadhead will work.
You only need to identify your needs. You only have to point out the requirements.
Rage brings with it a wide array of quality mechanical broadheads. These mechanical broadheads can fit several needs.
Most of those in archery have plans of getting one for their crossbows. However, the hesitation stems from the thought if Rage works or not.
So, the question is: can you use your Rage broadheads with a crossbow?
The answer is yes.
However, before getting one, you must know that standard mechanical broadheads from Rage and several other manufacturers can open before impact.
It is especially true if you pair the Rage broadhead with a high-speed crossbow.
Typically, high-speed crossbows go to speeds like more than 400 fps. With this type of speed, the blades have the possibility of opening prematurely. The faster it goes, the higher the chances are.
Rage crossbow broadheads avoid the blades from opening because it uses O rings. The brand also uses shock collars and advanced blade retention systems. These are enough to prevent the blades from opening.
If you want to be safe, go with Rage, which includes a “crossbow” in its name.
These broadheads include blades specially designed to keep up with retention systems. Such a design would keep the blades from opening, regardless of speed.
Why are special broadheads required for crossbows?
The purpose of special broadheads for crossbows is to assist in keeping the blades closed until impact. If it opens easily, the effect may not be as ideal as when you use special broadheads.
The mechanical broadheads have one ultimate purpose. It is to keep the blades closed until their impact the target.
As you can see, the blades can open at higher speeds early.
When this happens, the arrow will become less aerodynamic. And with a less aerodynamic arrow, it throws the arrow off its flight trajectory.
When this happens, the arrow will veer off the path it is supposed to take. The trajectory and the trail become unpredictable.
But let us say the arrow continues to fly straight. Let us say the arrow continues to hit its target despite the early opening of the blades.
It will still not have the same penetration power. It will not be able to cause as much vital wound damage to the target.
Blades that open early are concerns that bothered archers for many years.
However, this is not a huge concern when you are using compound bows.
When you use the same broadheads in your crossbows, you will have the blades open before it hits the target.
These days, manufacturers like Rage started to address the issue.
Crossbows are becoming faster as the years go by. And as they became faster, manufacturers like Rage started to address this problem.
Crossbows have brought more kinetic energy than compound bows and recurve in recent years. Some crossbows can even attain a speed of 400 fps or more. Yes, some models can reach that speed.
Rage, together with other manufacturers, now includes stiffer springs. Models these days also come with advanced blade retention systems.
This design will keep the blades closed until they impact the target.
What is the difference between a fixed blade and mechanical broadheads?
Several differences appear between a fixed blade and mechanical broadheads. The most notable differences include accuracy, tracking ability, arrow penetration, durability, and prices.
And so, the debate continues.
There is a continuing argument between archers about which is better. Is it the fixed blade? Or is the mechanical broadhead the better option?
Some would claim that the fixed blade broadhead is the better option. Others also see that the mechanical broadhead is more reliable than the other. As per the latter, mechanical blades allow hunters to recover their prey faster.
Here, we will tackle the differences between the two.
After the discussion, you decide which works for you.
Accuracy
When it comes to accuracy, the mechanical broadheads win hands down.
Manufacturers put a lot of emphasis on creating mechanical broadheads.
The weight of the mechanical broadheads is perfect. Its perfect weight allows the broadhead to maintain a more extended flight. It moves fast across the air. And even at high speeds, it can maintain its trajectory without concern.
Mechanical broadheads rarely miss their prey as long as the aim is perfect.
On the other hand, fixed blade broadheads do not have the same level of accuracy.
Tracking Ability
As you already know, the blades tend to open once the mechanical arrow hits its target.
It would, of course, create a broader wound.
Naturally, a more comprehensive wound can result in the prey bleeding more. It is easier, therefore, for the hunter to keep track of their game and targets.
On the other hand, fixed blade broadheads stay in place upon penetration of the prey. The wound is minor.
There is less bleeding. The tracking becomes a bit more complicated.
Arrow Flight
In this aspect, there will always be a concern with a fixed blade.
The problem with fixed blade broadheads is in its arrow flight.
Sometimes, the fixed blade arrow does not come out of the bow straight. When this happens, the fixed blade gets resistance from the wind.
Because of the resistance, you need to sight in the bow at all times. You have to take this extra precaution every time you shoot a target.
Such extra precaution and such a problem does not exist with mechanical blades.
Arrow Penetration
The fixed blade broadheads have a distinct shape.
Because of the shape, it penetrates deeper. It also offers no resistance.
As such, the blades can cause more damage to the animal or prey.
On the other hand, mechanical blades require a little force to open up. This requirement minimizes the arrow’s momentum.
The momentum also lowers down as the blades open up. The resistance happens as they cut through the flesh of the prey.
Durability
A concern with mechanical broadheads is their durability.
It is less durable.
It can come into contact with the bone when it penetrates its prey. As it comes into contact with the bones, it usually breaks.
This concern is something you do not find in fixed blades.
Price
Regarding prices, mechanical blades are on the higher spectrum of things.
They are more expensive than fixed blade broadheads.
Mechanical blades have special functions. And this is the main reason for the price difference.
Can I use Rage Broadheads with a crossbow initially designed for speed?
You can use Rage broadheads with a crossbow for speed. However, there are risks like that of an early blade deployment. If you can, use Rage broadheads with crossbows designed for them.
Some crossbows in the market are faster than others—such differences in speed results in the risk of early blade deployment.
Now, if you are using a crossbow designed to work with speeds of 400 fps or more, you must stick with Rage broadheads explicitly made for crossbows.
If I may suggest, you can check out the Scorpyd Aculeus. It can deliver good performance for those that run speeds of 460 fps or more. Other brands in the market can provide rates of 400 fps or more.
Secure the blades. Try a popular remedy if you still worry about the blades that open up. Use a rubber band. Or you can utilize a piece of tape. It may not be the best there is, but it works.
How do you choose the best Rage broadhead for crossbows?
When choosing the best broadhead from Rage, consider the grain, technology, and cutting diameter. These considerations can guide you in selecting the best in the market.
Rage is a manufacturer with a long line of broadheads in the market. Its long line of broadheads includes several options made specifically for crossbows.
Hypodermic Crossbow NC is a great example. You can also try out the X Blade Crossbow of the X-TREME NC Crossbow. Finally, the Hypodermic Trypan Crossbow is another decent choice.
When you compare these broadheads, you must look at a few considerations. The manufacturers used cutting diameter, grain, and technology to keep the blades closed.
Of these four options I gave, I prefer the Hypodermic Crossbow NC the most. It does not need an O ring. It also does not require a shock collar or a rubber band.
It also uses the Slip Cam technology that is unique to Rage. This technology makes use of a pivot point on the blades. The system results in the blade to anchor in the closed position.
This technology eliminates the requirement for an alternative method to secure the blades.
If you are the type who prefers a heavier broadhead, you may also want to consider the X Blade Crossbow. It comes in a 100-grain size. The Hypodermic Crossbow NC is also heavy at 125-grain size.
Almost all of the broadheads from Rage come with a cutting diameter of two inches.
The Rage X-TREME NC Crossbow is slightly more giant. It comes with a cutting diameter of 2.3 inches. Because of the slight difference, it results in a broader entry hole. It also results in a more significant blood trail.
How does Rage keep the blades from opening?
Some Rage models come with an O ring. But most Rage models come with a rear-deploying blade designed with a blade retention system. Such a design keeps the blades closed.
Rage designed its mechanical broadbands to perform without its blades opening up early.
The rear-deploying blades come with a blade retention system. Such a design secures the blades and keeps them closed until the perfect time.
Well, other models use an O ring.
The O ring is a small rubber band. It is something that slides over the ferrule.
The blade of the broadhead comes with minor grooves. The grooves secure the rubber ring and work by reducing the chances of the blade opening up prematurely.
Known as arrow point locks or gaskets, the O rings, however, wear fast.
Every after use, you will perhaps try to rotate the ring slightly. This step is to secure the blade to an unused part.
The O ring, however, is not a perfect solution to the premature opening up of blades. Despite the O ring, some hunters still experience early start-up of blades. As such, Rage introduced to the market the shock collars.
Shock collars serve as blade retention accessories.
They are small plastic collars. They come with grooves, slide into the ferrule, and pass through the O ring. It covers the O ring. Its primary purpose is to increase the holding power of the blade retention system.
There are newer Rage broadheads in the market. Most of them already come with shock collars.
Also, Rage introduced legacy collars that you can use with previous models. Rage Legacy Shock Collars pair well even with heavier models like the 100-grain Rage broadheads.
If you want to, you can still use the standard shock collars. The regular shock collars pair well with any Rage broadhead.
However, we recommend using high-energy shock collars if you use a crossbow. They come with more retention power.
It does not matter what kind of shock collar you use.
All you have to do is to replace it after every use.
Shock collars come with breakaway petals. You could consider these to be single-use objects because of this.
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To close the discussion, let me emphasize that when choosing broadheads, they match your preferences. You will be fine if you have the features that matter to you.
Make sure to look for these features when choosing an arrowhead. It serves no purpose to purchase brand-new hardware just to discover that it is deficient. It will not help to learn later that the one you purchased does not meet your expectations.
Getting a broadhead takes a lot of thinking.
You have to put into mind several considerations.
But once you have a perfect broadhead, your performance will be top-notch. It’s as if you finally hit the target.
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