Fixed Blade Broadhead Review
Ramcat Hydroshock Review
An airfoil-bodied fixed head that flies like a field point and bleeds like a freight train.
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
- Among the best-flying fixed heads
- Airfoil scoop resists wind-planing
- Dramatic, fast blood trails
- Front and rear Back-Cut sharpening
- Inexpensive to buy and replace
Where it falls short
- Mixed durability with reported blade damage
- Huge cut won't fit many quivers
- A pain to practice with safely
- Penetration trails the bone-busters
Flight & accuracy
The Hydroshock's signature is its concave airfoil scoop, and it genuinely works. The aerodynamic body resists the wind-planing that turns most large fixed heads into fliers, and hunters routinely describe it shooting indistinguishably from field points out to surprising distances. For a head with a cutting diameter this large, the flight is borderline shocking.
That airfoil design is the reason the Ramcat punches above its price class. If your gripe with big fixed heads has always been that they catch air and walk away from your field-point group, the Hydroshock is built specifically to solve that problem.
Penetration
Penetration is solid if not class-leading. The chisel tip and one-piece stainless body drive well, and the three .032" blades cut a wide path. It's more than enough head for whitetail and similar game, with reliable pass-throughs on broadside shots.
Where it gives ground is against the dedicated penetration heads. The wide cut and thinner blades mean it isn't the tool you reach for when you expect to bury into heavy shoulder bone on elk. On its intended quarry, though, the penetration is plenty.
Durability & edge retention
Durability is the most mixed part of the Ramcat story. Some hunters run them for seasons without issue, while others report blade damage after hard hits or bone contact. The .032" blades simply aren't as bombproof as a thick one-piece head.
The saving grace is cost. At around $35 for three, replacement blades are cheap, so a damaged blade is an annoyance rather than a wallet event. Just don't expect a single head to survive a decade of abuse the way a premium monolithic head will.
Blood trail
Blood is where the Hydroshock shines brightest. The combination of the wide cut and the rear-facing Back-Cut sharpened edges produces what hunters describe as a literal "blood river," with many recoveries happening inside 40 yards. The rear cutting edges keep working as the head exits, widening the hole on the way out.
If your priority is a short, easy-to-follow track, few fixed heads in this price range deliver heavier blood than the Ramcat. It's a head built to drop animals fast and make the recovery trivial.
Value & who it's for
At roughly $35 for a three-pack, the Hydroshock is one of the best values in fixed heads, especially given the flight and blood it delivers. Cheap replacement blades soften the durability concern considerably.
This is the head for the whitetail hunter who wants maximum blood and field-point flight and is willing to accept that the huge cut won't fit every quiver and is genuinely a pain to practice with safely. If you want flat flight, big holes, and don't plan to test it against elk shoulder, it's an easy recommendation.
Specifications
| Brand | Ramcat |
|---|---|
| Type | Fixed Blade |
| Cutting diameter | 1 3/8"–1 1/2" |
| Blades | 3 fixed, .032" with rear Back-Cut |
| Grain options | 100gr, 125gr |
| Blade / steel | Stainless |
| Ferrule | One-piece stainless |
| Pack | 3-pack |
| Approx. price | ~$35 / 3-pack |
| Best for | Whitetail, Long-range shooters, Big blood trails |
Specs and pricing are approximate and change frequently — confirm with the retailer before buying.
FAQ
Does the Ramcat Hydroshock really fly like a field point?
Yes, the Ramcat Hydroshock's airfoil scoop body is its standout feature. The concave aerodynamic design resists wind-planing, and hunters consistently report it groups with field points even at extended ranges, which is rare for a fixed head with a cut this large.
Is the Ramcat Hydroshock durable enough for big game?
Durability is the Ramcat Hydroshock's most mixed area. It handles whitetail-class game well, but the .032" blades can sustain damage on heavy bone, and reports vary. Replacement blades are cheap, but it isn't the head to choose if you expect repeated hard shoulder hits on elk.
Why won't the Ramcat Hydroshock fit my quiver?
The Ramcat Hydroshock cuts 1 3/8" at 100 grains and up to 1 1/2" at 125 grains, which is wider than many quiver grippers and hoods are designed to accommodate. Hunters often note it's also a pain to practice with safely because of that large exposed cutting diameter.
What blood trail can I expect from the Ramcat Hydroshock?
Excellent. The wide cut plus the rear Back-Cut sharpened edges produce heavy, fast blood that hunters describe as a blood river, with many recoveries inside 40 yards. Blood trail is the Ramcat Hydroshock's strongest attribute.
Sources
Sentiment for this review was aggregated from independent tests, hunting forums and retailer reviews, including:
