An Archer’s Guide to Crossbow Arrows

Thanks to technical developments, crossbows have become effective hunting weapons after centuries of use. Most crossbow designs today shoot arrows at speeds well over 400 feet per second, pushing the boundaries of speed, accuracy, and consistency. Shooters must carefully consider which arrows to choose, from front to back, to optimize arrow flight, ensure safety, and harness the energy that modern bows produce.

Some refer to the crossbow projectile as an arrow, and others as a bolt. Both definitions are accurate, but you should only use the word “bolt” about a crossbow—not a conventional bow. In technical terms, an arrow always has stabilizing vanes towards the back, whereas a bolt never does. From a linguistic perspective, however, people typically refer to the same thing when they discuss crossbow bolts or arrows.

What to Consider When Choosing Crossbow Arrows?

Bolts for crossbows come in different weights and lengths and are made of various materials, including aluminum and carbon. You must consider these and the construction of the crossbow parts to pick the correct high-performance crossbow arrows for your game.

Weight

There are generally three weights for crossbow bolts:

1. Lightweight: 350–399 grains on average
2. Normal weights: 400 – 459 grains
3. High-weight: over 460 grains

A 100-grain target point or broadhead is considered when calculating arrow weights. When a crossbow arrow is described as having 450 grains, it indicates that 350 grains are included in the arrow shaft, vanes, nock, and insert. It all adds up to 450 grains at a target point of 100 grains.

What Is a Good Weight for a Crossbow Arrow?

Think about what your end goal is before deciding which arrow weight is suitable for you. Your crossbow will shoot each shot with the same amount of force. A lighter arrow will help you hit the target quickly while maintaining the flattest trajectory.

On the other hand, consider using a standard or heavyweight arrow if your objective is to generate more kinetic energy for big game hunting. Moving up to a heavier arrow will still have a nice trajectory with the crossbow’s powers since crossbows are so rapid these days. Because most crossbow hunters are ready to give up some speed in exchange for more kinetic energy, they shoot arrows in the standard-weight range (400–459 grains). A lighter arrow will indeed shoot faster, but even at slower speeds a heavier arrow will always have more penetration force.

Because a heavier arrow has a stronger inclination to stay in flight, it typically shoots tighter groups and keeps more energy over longer distances than a lighter arrow. Longer distances also cause it to lose speed slower than a lighter arrow. Therefore, for crossbow hunting, if you have to choose between shooting a lighter or heavier arrow, the heavier will work best.

Length

A crossbow’s typical arrow length is 16 to 22 inches, with an average of 20 inches. Because shooting an arrow that is too short will place the archer’s hand in the path of the string while putting an arrow on the rail, crossbow manufacturers stipulate a minimum length of arrow for safety. Consult your crossbow’s owner manual or compare the recommended arrow lengths to the ones that came with the weapon if you’re not sure.

Material

Manufacturers of crossbow arrows provide carbon and aluminum arrows in similar weights and lengths. Although less expensive, aluminum shafts are less common than their carbon counterparts. Because carbon arrows can bend and flex, their lifespan is typically greater. When bent or kinked incorrectly, aluminum becomes unusable. Carbon bolts are straight and lack memory. If you avoid shooting anything that will break, carbon is more forgiving and usually lasts longer.

Crossbow shafts are shorter and transfer incredible energy than arrows for vertical bows. As with all forms of archery, crossbow bolts lose energy and speed rapidly over distance. The range can be maximized by shooting the lightest arrows feasible, but you must balance kinetic energy, weight, and range.

Understanding the Different Crossbow Parts

The Shaft

The shaft serves as the main “body” of an arrow, to which all other components of the (described below) are attached. Most modern crossbow arrows, composed of carbon or aluminum, are extremely flexible, lightweight, and do not splinter. Sometimes a mix of these two materials is also employed.

Different shafts have different degrees of stiffness, which is known as the bolt’s “spine.” An arrow is said to have a “spine” if it is more resistant to bending. As mentioned above, the bolt shaft’s weight is stated in “grains.”

The Nock

The nock is affixed to the shaft’s rear and is often composed of aluminum or plastic. Its function is to hold the bolt in position as you position yourself to take the shot. The half-moon and flat nocks are the two main varieties of nocks on crossbow bolts. Before firing the bolt, you must line up the half-moon nock’s groove with your string.

The sort of nocks recommended for use with bolts fired from crossbows varies depending on the manufacturer. When unsure, contact your manufacturer by phone or email to find out what kind of nock you need before making a new purchase.

Fletchings

Fletchings are these tiny “wings” that are located behind the bolt, very near the nock. They have three functions: they help the bolt stay in the right direction, stabilize its trajectory in mid-flight, and protect it from tilting or swaying left or right. The bolt will rotate on its axis due to fletchings, increasing stability.

Nowadays, bolts come with three plastic-made fletchings, sometimes called vanes. Traditional fletchings are created from bird feathers, but crossbow bolts never employ these. Fletchings come in various lengths; there is no “perfect” length. Generally speaking, fletchings get longer the longer the arrow shaft, and vice versa.

Broadheads

You’ll need broadheads fitted into the tip of the bolt shaft for hunting. Broad-heads fall into three main categories:

• Broadheads with fixed blades: as the name implies, these have fixed razor-sharp blades you can’t remove. There is only one component in the entire broad-head.
• Broadheads with detachable blades allow for the replacement of individual blades as needed.
• Expandable-blade broadheads: these particular broadheads have concealed blades that only become visible when the arrow strikes the target, dealing maximum damage.

You can use any type of broadhead you want for hunting, but most hunters prefer those with expandable blades because the bolt will fly almost as fast as if a target practice field-point tip were attached. And, there are no blades to slow down the flight. Models with expandable blades cost slightly more than those without.

To Sum Up

Most manufacturers offer great recommendations to help you choose the correct arrow for crossbow. Spending time on the range testing with various broadheads, materials, and arrow weights will let you determine where you gain and lose advantages in your equipment and help you decide what is ideal. Nothing compares to understanding your crossbow and its parts through field practice. So, go outside and fire.