Fixed Blade Broadhead Review
Annihilator XL Review
A monolithic steel head built to punch through anything and live to do it again.
How it scored
Scored on our fixed 5-part system — built from the consensus of field reports, video tests and hunter feedback. Each axis is an independent 0–10 score. How we score ↗
What we liked
- Excellent field-point-like accuracy
- Outstanding penetration and deep wound channel
- Near-indestructible one-piece construction
- Rear cavitation scoop keeps the wound open
- Fully resharpenable
Where it falls short
- Sparse blood trails without a bleeder
- Single-cut wound can be hard to track
- Narrower cut than wide-style heads
- Premium price for a single head style
Flight & accuracy
The Annihilator XL is one of those heads that disappears into your field-point group. Because it's machined from a single billet with no blade-to-ferrule joint, there's nothing to flex or knock loose, and that mechanical rigidity translates into remarkably consistent flight even out past 40 yards. Hunters consistently report it tunes easily and holds point of impact with field points once the bow is squared away.
The compact profile and balanced geometry mean it doesn't wind-plane the way larger wide heads can, so it rewards shooters who want to stretch the distance without fighting their broadhead.
Penetration
This is where the Annihilator earns its name. The monolithic steel construction and concentrated cutting geometry drive deep, and the rear cavitation scoop doesn't just slow the head down the way some rear features do; it actually helps hold the wound open as the shaft passes through. Pass-throughs on big-bodied animals are the norm rather than the exception.
The lack of a fragile blade joint means energy isn't lost flexing or deflecting on impact. It buries into bone and keeps driving, which is exactly why penetration-focused hunters gravitate to it for elk and other heavy game.
Durability & edge retention
Durability is arguably the head's headline feature. One hunter reported taking 30-plus animals across his Annihilators with a single head accounting for 10 of them, which is the kind of longevity you simply don't see from welded or replaceable-blade designs. The 4140 alloy at roughly RC52 takes abuse against bone and ground strikes and comes back for more.
Because it's a one-piece head, there are no blades to bend or screws to loosen. When the edge does dull, you resharpen it like a knife and keep hunting, which makes the up-front cost easier to swallow over multiple seasons.
Blood trail
The recurring knock on the Annihilator XL is blood. With no bleeder blade and a single cutting plane, the wound channel is efficient but narrow, and several hunters describe trails that are sparse enough to be genuinely difficult to follow on marginal hits. The cavitation scoop helps keep the wound open, but it doesn't fully compensate for the lack of a second cutting plane.
On a well-placed double-lung shot through both sides, recoveries are short. But hunters who put a premium on heavy, easy-to-follow blood should go in with eyes open, because this is the trade-off you accept for the penetration and toughness.
Value & who it's for
At around $60 for three, the Annihilator XL isn't cheap up front, but a head that survives multiple animals and resharpens indefinitely amortizes well. The value math favors hunters who keep heads in rotation for years rather than replacing blades every season.
This is a head for the hunter who prioritizes penetration and durability above all else, especially on elk and other heavy-boned game. If your shot discipline is good and you'd rather have a head that punches through anything than one that paints the biggest trail, the Annihilator is hard to beat.
Specifications
| Brand | Annihilator |
|---|---|
| Type | Fixed Blade |
| Cutting diameter | 0.91"–1.06" |
| Blades | Monolithic single/double bevel |
| Grain options | 100gr, 125gr, 150gr |
| Blade / steel | 4140 alloy (~RC52) |
| Ferrule | One-piece (no joint) |
| Pack | 3-pack |
| Approx. price | ~$60 / 3-pack |
| Best for | Elk, Heavy bone shots, Penetration-first hunters |
Specs and pricing are approximate and change frequently — confirm with the retailer before buying.
FAQ
Is the Annihilator XL good for elk?
Yes. The Annihilator XL is one of the better choices for elk specifically because of its monolithic construction and deep penetration. It punches through heavy bone and shoulder without the blade damage that plagues lesser heads, and the one-piece design means nothing flexes or breaks on a hard hit.
Why are blood trails worse with the Annihilator XL?
The Annihilator XL uses a single cutting plane with no bleeder blade, so the wound channel is efficient but narrow. On marginal hits the trail can be sparse and hard to follow. Good shot placement through both lungs produces short recoveries, but it won't paint the heavy trail a wide multi-blade head will.
Can you resharpen the Annihilator XL?
Yes, the Annihilator XL is fully resharpenable. Because it's machined from a single piece of 4140 alloy steel, you sharpen it like a knife rather than replacing blades. Hunters have reported putting 10 or more animals on a single head.
Should I run the single or double bevel Annihilator XL?
The double bevel is the simpler choice for most hunters and flies easily out of a tuned bow. The single bevel offers added bone-splitting and rotational wound benefits but takes more attention to tune and sharpen. Both share the same tough one-piece body.
Sources
Sentiment for this review was aggregated from independent tests, hunting forums and retailer reviews, including:
