How Lethal Are Homemade Broadheads?

Published on June 23, 2025
Duration: 15:44

This video tests the lethality of various homemade broadheads using ballistic gel and accuracy tests. Materials like deer antler, 3D printed PLA, stone, silver, and lead were evaluated. While some homemade designs like antler and stone showed impressive penetration and accuracy, others like copper and wood performed poorly, and lead failed against steel. The tests highlight the effectiveness of certain natural and DIY materials for survival or primitive archery scenarios.

Quick Summary

Homemade broadheads made from deer antler and stone proved highly lethal, achieving full penetration in 16-inch ballistic gel blocks and maintaining accuracy. A 3D printed PLA broadhead also performed well. However, materials like copper bent easily, and lead failed against steel, highlighting the importance of material selection and testing.

Chapters

  1. 00:35Intro: Testing Homemade Broadheads
  2. 01:24Test Setup & Baseline Shot
  3. 02:42Deer Antler Broadhead Test
  4. 04:093D Printed PLA Broadhead Test
  5. 05:35Stone Broadhead Test
  6. 06:56Silver & Wood Broadheads Test
  7. 09:50Copper & Delrin Broadheads Test
  8. 12:01Lead Broadhead & Steel Plate Test

Frequently Asked Questions

How lethal are homemade broadheads made from natural materials?

Homemade broadheads crafted from materials like deer antler and stone have demonstrated impressive lethality, achieving full penetration in 16-inch ballistic gel blocks and maintaining accuracy at range, proving effective for hunting or survival.

Which homemade broadhead materials performed poorly in the test?

Materials like copper proved unreliable, bending immediately on impact. Wood showed reduced penetration and accuracy. While lead penetrated deeply, it failed catastrophically against hard surfaces like AR500 steel.

What was the test setup for evaluating homemade broadheads?

The test involved shooting various homemade broadheads from a TenPoint Viper S400 crossbow into a 16-inch block of 10% ballistic gel from Clear Ballistics. Accuracy was also tested at 25 yards.

Can 3D printed broadheads be effective for archery?

A 3D printed PLA broadhead showed promising results, penetrating nearly the full length of a 16-inch ballistic gel block and hitting the target accurately, suggesting potential for certain applications.

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