5 Best Crossbow Bolts Reviewed in Detail (Fall 2024) (2024)

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A crossbow bolt is an indispensable accessory when it comes to hunting with a crossbow. That is down to the fact that hunting is a sport that calls for speed, accuracy and silence all at the same time. Obviously, you cannot achieve that without proper equipment, which a crossbow bolt. The quality, size, and weight of the bolt goes a long way to determine whether your hunting exercise will be a success or not. That means you need to be extra keen when shopping for your hunting equipment. Let’s not forget there is a plethora of bolts on the market, which makes choosing the best crossbow bolts quite a challenge.

But don’t fret as we have already done the homework for you. After pulling together a list of 20 crossbow bolts, we narrowed down to the top 5 that met the specifications which many pro hunters are keen on. We compared the different products in terms of length and weight, bolt diameter, construction material, tolerance and warranty information. And if you are still confused between a crossbow bolt and a crossbow arrow, then our buying guide is a must-read.

This post has been prepared with your needs in mind and we only hope you can greatly benefit from our 60 hours of research. Start with the comparison table below and see how our finalists rate against each other before going through the in-depth product reviews and finally our buying guide.

Top 5 Crossbow Bolts Review 2024

Crossbow bolts and arrows – what’s the difference

Most folks confuse crossbow bolts with arrows but that is because of the close physical similarity between these hunting tools. As such, it is important to understand the distinguishing characteristics of each tool so as to avoid the possible blunder of purchasing arrows instead of bolts or the other way round.

A crossbow bolt is simply an arrow with a bullet or square head to shoot from a crossbow. As far as functionality is concerned, it is quite similar to a traditional arrow but different when it comes to weight, trajectory, speed, and result.

A bolt is quite shorter than an arrow as the average length of a crossbow bolt is 20 inches, while crossbow arrows range anywhere from 30 to 34 inches long.

Crossbow loading tips

A properly loaded arrow will depart your crossbow with the right amount of force and trajectory.

Price tag

Obviously, you can’t have premium arrows if you can’t afford them. Look for medium-quality crossbow bolts that won’t break the bank and have at least 6 bolts.

Features to consider while buying the best crossbow bolts

Below are the crucial features that can help you narrow down to your best crossbow bolts.

Bolt weight

This combines the fletched shaft, nock, insert and broadhead or field point. Bolt weight is important because too heavy and your range will be limited, but too light and penetration will be compromised. It is important to establish the balance of the load. Bolt weight is measured in grains and you will have to consult the manufacturer’s recommendations to determine the proper weight and length that’s needed for your crossbow.

Bolt length and diameter

The shortest length of a crossbow bolt is 16 inches and the longest bolts measure 22 inches. 20 inches is average and it is the ideal length for most crossbows. Aim at getting the right bolts with the appropriate length compatibility with your crossbow. If you are not careful enough, you may end up buying crossbow bolts that are shorter or longer than your bow. A bolt which falls below the required length will ruin everything.

If you are looking for a mix of lengths, try something like the Summit Archery Products Victory Crossbow Bolts with 20 and 22 inches bolts.

The bolt diameter is critical as far as penetration goes. Small diameter bolts (about 0.347’’) will cut down on wind drag when the bolt is triggered and provide increased durability, plus a boost in penetration power, unlike traditional conventional bolts.

Know the kinetic energy

This is just as important as speed, but speed is only a primary draw when picking a particular bolt over another. Moreover, speed can only do so much once a bolt is let go, however, drag forces start to slow a bolt from the moment it’s released. It is essential to pick a bolt that has optimum penetration power over one that is only the fastest.

A bow will deliver a similar amount of force to a bolt every time it launches the bolt, meaning a heavier bolt shoots with more power and a lighter bolt shoots faster. With that in mind, crossbow bolts come in three weights:

• Lightweight: 350 – 400 grains
  Standard: 400-435 grains
  Heavy: 435+ grains

  Lightweight bolts create a flatter downrange trajectory and boost overall speed. On the flip side, they produce vibration, noise, and stress. This increases the risk of damaging the crossbow itself. Lightweight bolts are also susceptible to getting deflected away from the target by wind, rain or dust. Therefore, they are suitable for shooting in open areas where the estimating distance from crossbow to target is more difficult.

  
  Standard bolts are typically all-purpose arrows that most almost every hunting situation including any weather condition. They provide a decent balance between speed and kinetic energy. Their higher grains means that more energy is transferred from the bow to the bolt. They benefit from low vibration and noise as well as improved accuracy and penetration power.

  Then there are the heavyweight bolts, which produce and retain a greater amount of kinetic energy than the other counterparts. The end result is deeper penetration. These bolts also have better in-flight stability in bad weather but they are prone to losing trajectory quicker than other versions, so judging distance accurately prior to shooting is critical. A heavy bolt is the best choice when hunting game in thick habitats. The Tenpoint Pro-V22 with its 436-grain weight is a great recommendation for hunting deer and other big game.

  Material

  Crossbow bolts are made of aluminum, carbon, or fiberglass.

  Aluminum arrows are the cheapest of them all. They are extremely robust on impact and not prone to shearing apart or arrow spine penetration. On the flip side, they bend easily and once that happens, they are useless. They are also heavy, thus getting weight forward of center can be a pain.

  Fiberglass arrows bend naturally and have got better shock absorption. They fall in the mid-range of the price scale. They do have a few issues though including the risk of explosion if bent too much and prone to losing hairs that irritate the skin.

  Carbon bolts are the straightest of all arrows and extremely durable when maintained properly. However, these solid benefits come at a hefty price. Carbon bolts are also dangers to use if damaged plus they are sensitive to correct arrow spine.

  Nock and fletching

  The nock is the part that comes into contact with the string of your crossbow. A good knock ensures maximum transfer of energy when the bolt is fired.

  Knocks come in different types:

  Flat knocks have a simple flat disk at the back of the bolt. This allows you to place the bolt anywhere on the string but it also increases the chances of a dry shot.

  Half-moon nocks feature a single groove designed to grip the string of your crossbow. Though it offers minimal positioning freedom compared with a flat nock, the danger of the arrow misfiring or slipping is significantly reduced with the half-moon nock, so long as the bolt is loaded correctly.

  Omni nocks are perhaps the most versatile of nocks as they have multiple grooves that can grip and press against the string, making it nearly impossible to load the arrow incorrectly.

  
  Lighted nocks are the ones that glow when the bolt is fired such as the nock on the Summit Archery Products Victory Crossbow Bolts. These are very handy at night because they enable you to see them after they are fired.

  Fletching refers to the fins around the back of the bolt and which encompasses the nock. Crossbow bolts feature three plastic fletchings and they can vary in length. Longer ones are better suited with longer shafts. The purpose of fletchings is to stabilize the trajectory of the bolt and keep it from swinging while in flight.

  Head

  There are two types of heads; target points and broadheads.

  Target points are suitable for practice. They have no sharp tips and only meant to strike soft targets.

  Broadheads are perfect of hunting game. They are razor-sharp and can penetrate enough through animal flesh. If you can find removable heads the better because you can replace them if they get damaged. Expandable broadheads can shoot with stronger impact and penetration as their arrowheads only open when they are almost hitting the target. However, this kind of heads is a lot more expensive.

  Shaft

  Shafts are usually composed of aluminum or carbon. They are both lightweight materials yet durable, bend-resistant and do not splinter. Aluminum shafts are cheap, quiet and available in a range of spines. On the downside, they do not shoot as flat as other bolts and tend to decrease in strength as weight adds up.

  Carbon shafts shoot flatter and minimize wind drift better. However, they shed velocity much faster once fired and they are quite expensive.

  Spine and straightness

  Spine refers to the measure of toughness that the bolt has when the crossbow’s string is pushing against the nock. Getting the right spine is crucial because when the string fires, it produces vibrations that shake the bolt back and forth. These vibrations attuned to the stress that the arrow will receive. If the spine is incorrect, the bow will be inaccurate and reduce your chances of hitting the target.

  Straightness determines the consistency of the arrow in flight. Make sure that to have more than one straight arrow in your pack. Each box has listed the tolerances of the arrows inside and you want the number to be +/-0.001. Keep in mind that no matter how straight the arrow is, if the spine is incorrect you will have poor accuracy.

  Bolts’ quantity

  Ideally, you want to have enough bolts for practice and making a kill. Go for a pack of 6 to 12 crossbow bolts.

  Warranty

  Many crossbow bolts have no warranty but that’s understandable because these tools become damaged upon penetrating the animal flesh. That means you will be out shopping for another pack sooner or later, but that depends on how often you use them.

  Choose wisely – how to understand which crossbow bolt type is the best for you

  • Pay attention to both the field points and broadheads – they have to be of similar weight.
  • NEVER use arrowheads and arrow shafts that are lighter than what is stated by the manufacturer. It will be as simple as dry-firing your bow, which can lead to malfunction, and even pose a danger your health. Heavier ones are okay, though.
  • The most crossbow comes with practice field points, but you will have to buy their broadheads separately.

  FAQ

  How to determine which bolt will fit my crossbow?

  Every crossbow and bolt has its own specification. All you have to do is check through your owner’s manual for the minimum arrow size and length of bolt that can be shot from your bow.

  Can I shoot the crossbow bolt that’s been used before?

  Well, aluminium bolts are likely to become damaged after penetrating an animal. Carbon bolts, which are commonly used these days, are less likely to become bent but they can crack or shatter. So if your bolt doesn’t suffer damage, then you can always use it again.

  Our Verdict

  There is no denying that crossbow bolts make a whole lot of difference when hunting. However, remember that the best crossbow bolts are ones that are perfectly compatible with your bow. You will waste your money if you can’t match the two.

  From our list, Excalibur Crossbow Quill Micro Bolt is the absolute best. These simple bolts are designed for Excalibur crossbows of the ‘mini’ series. They weigh just 163 grains and are made of high-quality carbon.

  The Summit Archery Products Victory Crossbow Bolts is the runner-up product. This set of 20- and 22-inch crossbow bolts with bright red nocks is reliable equipment at affordable price fit for beginning users. They feature an Extreme Front of Center (EFOC) for spot-on accuracy.

  Then we have the TenPoint Pro Elite. These 20-inch bolts weigh 400 grains and that’s what you want for causing maximum impact and deeper penetration. Whether you will be hunting in clear or bad weather, in open or dense vegetation, these bolts are the go-to product.

  Up to this point, all that’s left is you to decide and buy your favorite crossbow bolts.

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Navigation

• Quick Summary

• Top Picks Analysis

• Things to Consider

• Crossbow bolts and arrows – what’s the difference

• Crossbow loading tips

• Price tag

• Features to consider while buying the best crossbow bolts

  • Bolt weight
  • Bolt length and diameter
  • Know the kinetic energy
  • Material
  • Nock and fletching
  • Head
  • Shaft
  • Spine and straightness
  • Bolts’ quantity
  • Warranty

• Choose wisely – how to understand which crossbow bolt type is the best for you

• FAQ

  • How to determine which bolt will fit my crossbow?
  • Can I shoot the crossbow bolt that’s been used before?