Choosing the Best Bolts for Your Crossbow
1. TenPoint EVO-X CenterPunch 16
It used to be that the extreme speed crossbows required longer bolts. That isn’t the case anymore with the ultra-compact reverse-draw bows we have now. They need a shorter bolt, like a 16-inch versus a 22-inch. Luckily the brands that make these bows have worked hard to bring out bolts that matches the quality and performance of the top-end, compact bows. One of the best around is the CenterPunch 16 from TenPoint. These carbon fiber weaved bolts have 84-grain brass inserts and lighted nocks for premium shot tracking.
- Fletch: Q2i Fusion Vane
- Length: 16-inches
- Weight: 400 gr.
- Straightness: +/- .001 inch
2. Victory VooDoo
A premium micro-diameter bolt that gives amazing penetration, durability and rigidity due to the density of the carbon used. These are among the best bolts we’ve ever tried, simply because they fly so well. This was the first micro-diameter bolt available.
3. Killer Instinct HYPR Lite Crossbolts
Killer Instinct has really impressed with the speed and quality of their crossbows that don’t cost as much as some others. It’m not much of a surprise that they did the same thing with their bolts. These quality bolts come per six and have quality construction.
- Straightness Tolerance: +/-.003″
- Weight tolerance: +/- 1 grain
- 370 grains (with 100-grain tip)
- Inside diameter: .300″
- 6 pack.
4. Easton Full Metal Jacket Bolts - Toughest Bolt
The FMJ bolts represent the best of both worlds, with an aluminum outer side and a carbon inner core. This gives the bolt the strength and straightness of an aluminum arrow, with the durability and resistance to bending yo’d find in a carbon bolt. We’ve tested these and have found them to be extremely durable and accurate.
5. Lumenock Lumen Arrow Crossbow Bolt
Illuminated nocks let you track your arrow all the way to its target. Lumenok lighted nocks not only make it easy to track flight, they make it easy to find your bolt after the shot. An all-in-one package with lighted nocks loaded into quality carbon bolts saves time, money and frustration.
These bolts have a 100% carbon shaft with 4″ Blazer vanes. They’ve been hand squared to improve accuracy
Each bolt weighs 341 grains (without tip) and you get your choice of flat- or moon-style Lumenok lighted nock.
They come with Easton Deep Six steel G HIT inserts, too for a rock-solid connection with your broadhead.
6. Easton XX75 Aluminum Bolts
These 20-inch bolts have Easton XX75 aluminum construction with a 436-grain weight and a ± .003″ straightness tolerance. They come with 3-7/8″ AAE EP-40 Elite Plastifletch vanes and a Wicked Ridge Alpha nock as well as a 13-grain CPC carbon insert.
7. Gold Tip Ballistic Crossbow Bolt
-The Gold Tip Ballistic bolt is built to a medium weight compared to other bolts, giving you another option for crossbow shooters who are looking for optimal performance. Featuring Gold Tip’s 100% carbon technology for unmatched durability and straightness retention. Available in 20- and 22-inch lengths.
Straightness: +/- .005
Weight: 8.5 GPI
Style: BA
8. Bohning Heat Vanes
A low profile hunting vane that is constructed of a stiffer material. Great for any broadhead. They have a 2.5″ length, 0.41″ height and weigh 6 grains.
9. Carbon Express PileDriver
The idea behind the Piledriver is mass. These are heavier bolts designed for penetration and impact. Fletched with 4-inch vanes, and a 2-inch size, they have a weight of 442 grains with a 0.348-inch Diameter They come 6 per pack, plus 6 universal flat nocks.
What materials should bolts be made from?
The shaft of a hunting crossbow bolt should be made of aluminum, carbon fiber, or a combination of the two. Out of these, aluminum is by far the cheapest, and it’s also fairly durable upon impact. However, it can also bend easily, and once a bolt (or an arrow) is bent, it has no value left to you. Easton has been producing their XX75 bolts for about as long as there have been commercial crossbows. These bolts have set the standard for aluminum arrows.
Carbon fiber is the overall best choice for crossbow bolts but it is also the more expensive. It is incredibly durable and flies very well. Penetration is also much better with carbon fiber. We are partial to Carbon Express Maxima bolts, but there are many options. Gold Tip has been making carbon arrows and bolts for a long time and has a strong following.
There are some companies like Easton, that produce a bolt that is a combination of carbon and aluminum. These bolts have the qualities of both materials and can make a huge improvement in your speed, durability and accuracy. We’ve tested Easton’s Full Metal Jacket bolts and have come away extremely impressed.
Other materials you may come across are fiberglass and in some rare circumstances, wood. These two types of bolts are not safe for modern crossbows. You may find some slower, not-for-hunting crossbows that use fiberglass, but please do no use them in a modern crossbow.
How important is weight in selecting a bolt?
The next most important quality to look in crossbow bolts for after materials used for the bolts’ is the weight.The weight is important because when the bolt is too light, it will not penetrate or inflict as much damage upon impact. But on the other hand, if it’s too heavy your range will also be significantly limited. What you need to do is look for a bolt that offers the right balance.
One of the newest trends is a micro-diameter bolt, made from dense carbon fiber. The standard out on the market is the Victory VooDoo with an aluminum sleeve over a section of the shaft to allow it to work with almost any crossbow. These bolts fly extremely well, and have better penetration than many other bolts.
The best way to find a crossbow bolt with the right weight will again be to refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations or requirements, which should be found in your owner’s manual.
Are bolt fletchings the same as arrows?
In general, most crossbow bolts have fletchings, or vanes similar to arrows. Fletching/vanes refer to the wings or feathers that are found at the back of the bolt. The purpose for fletchings is to stabilize the bolt’s trajectory when it is fired. Vanes for bolts tend to be longer and not as tall, like Bohning Archery’s 3.5 inch bolt vane. The best crossbow bolts will have three fletchings that are built out of a plastic material. As far as length is concerned, the longer your shaft, the longer the fletchings will need to be.
Are all nocks the same?
The nock is the point where the string makes contact with the bolt. Unlike a vertical bow and arrow, the not for a bolt generally does not attach the string to the shaft. However, most every nock engages the safety mechanism of the crossbow, meaning the bow will not fire until the nock is properly seated.
There are two primary kinds of nocks to choose from: a flat nock and a half moon nock. The difference between the two is that the half noon nock requires you to align it with the string of the crossbow before you can fire. There is a third type, the Omni Nock, which was developed by TenPoint for some of their crossbow models. Different manufacturers will have different recommendations as to which you should use for their crossbows.
Just as with vertical bows, there are several lighted nock options for crossbows. You can buy lighted nocks separately, or buy pre-assembled lighted bolts ready to go. Lighted nocks make it easier to track the bolt’s flight in low light conditions, They can also help is tracking the bolt after the shot.
Which broadheads should I use?
If you are going to be using your crossbow for hunting, you will most likely want the bolts to be an expandable blade broadhead. We’d suggest the Swhacker two-blade crossbow broadhead. We’ve used these for a long time and have harvested a lot of deer with them. They are reliable and make tracking and finding your animal after the shot very easy. An expandable blade broadhead will cause the maximum amount of damage once it reaches the animal in order to lend itself to the cleanest possible kill.
Other options include the fixed-blade broadhead, like the G5 Striker V2, and removable blade broadheads like a Muzzy 225 (the names are pretty self-explanatory as to what they are), but the expandable blade broadheads will have the greatest velocity and the greatest accuracy.
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