With the rise in popularity of crossbows, it’s no surprise many traditional arrow manufacturers are starting to produce a crossbow bolt product of their own. This is great news for the hunters who prefer to have a more customizable approach to their hunting setups. While many crossbow manufacturers still produce great crossbow bolts, the days of having to rely on whatever bolt came with your crossbow are over. With all the options on the market, it can be a bit overwhelming to figure out exactly what you want or need. Especially when it comes down to one of the main components of your hunting setup. So, let’s cover the basics of selecting the best crossbow bolt for your setup, then dive into the best crossbow bolts on the market.
How to figure out the best crossbow bolt for your needs
I know this may be common sense to many experienced hunters out there as the popularity of crossbow hunting grows, yet new hunters may not know the basics yet. In a recent conversation with a new crossbow hunter, he had no idea you could get bolts other than the ones that came in his crossbow hunting package. After the conversation, he immediately took to the internet to buy something a little more customizable only to call me back with a bunch of questions. So, let’s start with the basics of your bolt.
Best Crossbow Bolt Length and Bolt Weight
The first thing to understand is bolt length. The best way to find out what you need is either measure the bolts that came with your crossbow with your field tip or broadhead off or look at the owner’s manual. You will want to get the exact same length to avoid having any catastrophic issues when you take that first shot. Next is the nock and bolt vanes. These are both items you can purchase and install after you get your bolts but if the option is available when setting up your bolts, I would order them ready to go. When it comes to bolt weight, that all comes down to preference. A lighter bolt is going to travel faster but a heavier bolt will have more kinetic energy on impact. I would match your bolt to your hunting style but keep in mind, if you’re shooting expandable broadheads most crossbow manufacturers prefer you to have a lighter faster shooting bolt. Lastly, the material your bolts is made of aluminum or carbon fiber. We will break down materials in the next paragraph.
Choosing Aluminum or Carbon Bolts
When it comes to choosing the material that the bolts are made of, the simplest answer is to say that it comes down to user preference. But we all know there’s more to it than just that. Both aluminum and carbon materials have their advantages and disadvantages. Some crossbow manufacturers even recommend using one over the other for various reasons. But what makes them so different? The first thing that comes to mind is the strength of the material. Carbon is typically a lot stronger of a material than aluminum, meaning that it will take quite a beating before damaging the bolt. Whereas aluminum bolts that come into contact with an object just right can cause the bolt to bend or get dented. This is important because once a bolt is damaged it can no longer be safely used. The next big thing is how accurate they are out of the box. Aluminum bolts tend to be more accurate out of the box especially when it comes down to fine points in the specifications. There really isn’t much of a difference when it comes to shooting them at a target or animal. Lastly when it comes to durability, carbon arrows tend to hold up a lot longer from repetitive use like target shooting or hunting with the same bolt year after year. So it really does come down to user preference and how much shooting you plan to do. For most hunters taking shots within the typical 30-yard window, either material is a great choice.
Our List: The Best Crossbow Bolts
Now let’s dive into the best crossbow bolts on the market. With several companies producing crossbow bolts we will review into what makes these stand out over all the others. Click the orange to see why it was chosen and to learn more about the product, click the green to shop now.
- Best Aluminum Crossbow Bolt: Easton FMJ
- Best Carbon Crossbow Bolt: XBolt by Victory Archery
- Best High Speed Crossbow Bolt (450 FPS): TenPoint CenterPunch HPX
- Best Crossbow Bolt for 400 FPS: Wicked Ridge Match 400
- Best Budget Crossbow Bolt: Carbon Express Pile Driver
- Best Crossbow Bolt Under $40: Carbon Express Maxima Contour Crossbolt
- Most Accurate Crossbow Bolt: Bloodsport Witness
Best Aluminum Crossbow Bolt: Easton FMJ (Click to Shop)
Easton archery has been around as long as I can remember, and they have been producing aluminum bolts for that long as well. The Easton FMJ is the standard when it comes to aluminum bolts. Easton’s tight tolerances make this one of the most accurate shooting bolts out of the box that I have found. They have great kinetic energy leading to great penetration in hunting scenarios. The aluminum wrap allows them to be pulled out of any target easier than most carbon bolts. They come in several weights and lengths making them fully customizable and Easton’s website is great at helping you select the best bolt for your style of hunting. The only downfall is that they are not as durable as carbon fiber bolts, they do have a carbon core making them more durable than most aluminum bolts, but they are still prone to dings or bending which will affect your bolt flight.
The Best Carbon Crossbow Bolt: XBolt by Victory Archery
Victory Archery has been leading the industry in producing some of the best hunting and target arrows and bolts on the market. It should be no surprise that they have the best carbon bolt out there. The XBolt by Victory archery is designed for hunters by hunters. This bolt has it all: precision straightness, multiple sizes, and subcategories such as color selection, and fully customizable down to the nocks and vanes. They are offered in different quantiles up to a dozen in a pack and are match weighed to +/- .05 grains. This gives you tight consistent groups when shooting. These carbon bolts are perfect for both hunting and target shooting. Between the customization and the accuracy of these bolts, it’s hard to find a better bolt on the market.
The Best High Speed Crossbow Bolt (450 FPS): TenPoint CenterPunch HPX
With modern crossbows such as the TenPoint TRX 515 that is shooting bolts at 515 feet per second, you need bolts that can withstand that much force on impact at those speeds. The perfect bolt for that is the TenPoint CenterPunch HPX. It’s no surprise the company making the fastest crossbow is also responsible of making bolts capable of handling those speeds. These 3 packs of 20-inch carbon bolts comes standard with lighted nocks. They weigh just over 400 pounds and TenPoint claims they are the most accurate bolts they make. These bolts are made for maximum speeds while still providing great knock-down power.
The Best Crossbow Bolt for 400 FPS: Wicked Ridge Match 400
Wicked ridge produces quality crossbows as well as crossbow bolts so it should be no surprise, they make the list. The Wicked Ridge Match 400 is one of the best bolts for the 400 FPS crossbows. This 20-inch carbon bolt features an aluminum insert which is supposed to improve accuracy. They are offered in packs of 6 and come setup to shoot out of TenPoint and Wicked Ridge crossbows. These 400 grain bolts are the perfect mix of speed and weight to get great penetration for hunting or just a fun day at the range.
The Best Budget Crossbow Bolt: Carbon Express Pile Driver
When it comes to getting the best bolt for your money its hard to beat the Carbon Express PileDriver crossbow bolts. These 20-inch 442 grain carbon bolts are designed for knock down power. This heavier weight bolt was made to deliver maximum kinetic energy withThey come fletched with 4 vanes and a half moon nock. This 6 pack of crossbow bolts is the perfect bolt for someone looking for maximum knock down power when hunting larger game animals.
The Best Crossbow Bolt Under $40: Carbon Express Maxima Contour Crossbolt
When it comes to budget-friendly bolts it’s hard to beat the Carbon Express Maxima Contour Crossbolt. This carbon bolt is as strong as they come, and held to the same tight tolerances Carbon Express is known for. These 390 grain 20-inch crossbow bolt comes in under 40 dollars for a pack of 3, which is a steal. These bolts are laser checked for straightness, then sorted for weight before being packed so you have 3 matching bolts. These are perfect for hunting or target shooting.
Most Accurate Crossbow Bolt: Bloodsport Witness
Bloodsport Witness has great accuracy, build quality, durability, and cost and come accompanied with a blood ring with a unique design to help you trail deer after the kill. They are crafted 100% from carbon and are even a great option for higher speed crossbows in the 350-450 range. Most of all, they’re extremely accurate and when testing multiple pairs, had the greatest results. No matter what you’re searching for, you can’t go wrong with these bolts.
FAQ’s
Do I have to shoot the bolts that came with my crossbow?
The bolts that come with your crossbow typically are manufactured by the company that makes the crossbow and they are matched to shoot out of that crossbow. That doesn’t always mean they are the best option for your crossbow. It all depends on what you are using your crossbow for. There are some bolts that are better for target shooting while others are made for hunting. There are several companies making higher end crossbow bolts for every type of crossbow. It is best to reference your owner’s manual to get right length, diameter, and nock style before ordering new bolts. Shooting the wrong bolts can not only damage your crossbow, but it can also void your warranty.
This article describes how to get the most out of your crossbow bolts:
Converting Speed Into Energy: How to Get the Most Out of Your Crossbow
Does bolt size really matter?
Yes, not only does the bolt diameter matter the arrow length matters as well. When it comes to diameter the higher the number the heavier the bolt. You want to find the right mix between weight and speed to have the knock down power without sacrificing to much speed. When it comes to length, typically the longer the bolt the more accurate it will be. There is a lot more to it than that though. Accuracy is also highly dependent on your fletching’s as they make or break the flight pattern of the bolt. You want the bolt to be matched to your crossbow with the right fletching’s and weight.
What’s the best weight for my bolt?
That all comes down to personal preference and what you are wanting to do with your bolts. If you are target shooting your bolt, I would advise to choose a lighter arrow. They tend to be faster and more flat shooting. This will give you more accuracy especially at farther distances. If you are hunting bigger game such as whitetail, I would suggest a heavier bolt. This allows you to more knockdown power and the ability to shoot through the game. This will give you better blood trails which lead to shorter tracks and more successful hunts.
Are lighted nocks needed?
This all comes down to user preference. There are several companies that are making lighted nocks these days and they come in several different colors. I personally use Nockturnal lighted nocks on my bolts. I like the ability to locate my bolt well after dark if needed. One great thing about lighted nocks is that if you don’t get a pass-through shot and your bolts stick in the game, it can help you to locate the game after dark.
In closing, whether you’re target shooting or hunting whitetail there is a crossbow bolt out there specifically designed for what you are looking for. There are a few things to keep in mind when purchasing new bolts though. Always get the length and nock style designed for your bow as well as fletching’s, this prevents any major issues when shooting your bow. Other than that, the sky’s the limit. I found it best to try 3 or 4 different types of bolts out of your bow to find what shoots best. Just like patterning a gun, certain crossbows like certain bolts. If all else fails, you can always shoot the bolts that came with your crossbow.
If you are hunting African Game or looking to build arrows with more kinetic energy output, this article will be helpful:
Ready for Cape Buffalo: How to Build an Arrow for Dangerous Game
Conclusion
In closing, crossbow bolts are an essential part of the crossbow shooting experience. Do factory bolts, or stock bolts work? Ofcourse they do. But these options are sure to enhance your experience whether you’re just shooting for fun or looking to harvest an animal.
This article will be updated as newer products come out and as we can answer more questions or scenarios in which you may be looking to determine which crossbow bolt is best for you.
We write several articles like this one, be sure to check out the following – especially if you’re trying to get the most out of your crossbow:
- Best Crossbow Scopes
- Best Crossbows
- Best Crossbow Rests
- Best Crossbow Broadheads
