[Figure: ResultsTldr]

## Overview

Every broadhead we tested had more drag than the Gold Tip field-point
baseline. Stretch the range far enough and a broadhead will hit lower than
the field point you sighted in with.

If you plan to shoot broadheads at distance, make a sight tape for your
broadheads. ([I can help with that!](/app/register/))

But point of impact is not the same question as grouping. A broadhead can
hit lower and still group tightly. This article asks the grouping question:
how close did fixed-blade and mechanical broadheads group to the
field-point baseline?

We start with category averages: the Gold Tip field-point baseline, all
mechanical broadheads, and all fixed-blade broadheads. Then we show the
per-broadhead group-size and mean-radius plots so the individual heads do
not get hidden inside the averages.

## Test Methods

For full details on the test methods, group capture, and analysis
processes, check out the
[Methods](/research/arrow-study-2026/methods/) page.

## Quick Tips

Hover over the dots in any plot to see the build configuration and results
details.

We lead with group size plots because they are intuitive and relatable, but
statistically speaking, mean radius is the better metric to compare.

Click any dot in the per-broadhead plots to open the annotated group
photos.

## Point Type Averages

On average, the mechanical broadheads grouped close to the field point. The
Gold Tip field-point group size was about 3.77in. The mechanical average was
about 4.83in. Mean radius tells the same story: field point at about
1.32in, mechanicals at about 1.44in.

Fixed blades were a different story. Their average group size was about
10.07in, and their average mean radius was about 2.95in. That number is
pulled upward by a few loose groups, but that is part of the point:
fixed-blade grouping was much more variable in this test.

[Figure: PlotSections]

## Per-Broadhead Group Size

The individual group-size plot shows why averages only get you so far. Some
broadheads were right in the field-point neighborhood, while others opened
up hard.

Grim Reaper Fatal Steel, Evolution Outdoors Jekyl Wyde, Speed Titanium, and
Sevr Hybrid 2.0 were the closest broadhead groups by extreme spread in this
dataset.

[Figure: PlotSections]

## Per-Broadhead Mean Radius

Mean radius is less sensitive to one outlier arrow, so it is the better
plot for comparing broadheads.

Grim Reaper Fatal Steel was actually a little tighter than the Gold Tip
field-point baseline by mean radius in this test. Sevr Hybrid 2.0 was
nearly identical, and several other mechanicals were close.

A few fixed blades also held up better than the average suggests. Evolution
Outdoors Jekyl Wyde and Iron Will Wide were the best fixed blades by mean
radius, though Iron Will Wide had a larger group size.

[Figure: PlotSections]

## Takeaway

Some broadheads did group like field points in this test, especially
mechanicals.

That does not mean they will hit with field points at distance. Every
broadhead we tested had more drag than the Gold Tip field point, so point
of impact will separate as range increases. But for pure group tightness,
several mechanical broadheads and a couple fixed blades were close to the
field-point baseline.

A few caveats:

- Group analysis with this many arrows is noisy. Grain of salt.
- The category averages are simple averages across the heads in this test.
  They are useful for the broad pattern, not as universal claims about all
  mechanical or fixed-blade broadheads.
- This article is only about external accuracy. It does not consider
  terminal performance, blade durability, penetration, wound channel, etc.