Crossbow popularity is on the rise! With most US states allowing hunters to use crossbows, many have begun switching to these versatile weapons. When purchasing their first crossbow, most people opt for packages that include everything from the crossbow, scopes to broadheads. Eventually most will need to purchase additional accessories for the crossbow such as arrows which are the most important accessory.
An arrow is a shaft tipped with either a field point or broadhead on one end and a fletching and a nock on the other. Each arrow has a threaded end where you can screw the broadhead or field point in place. The wrong combination of field point or broadhead and bolt will surely result in inaccurate shots.
Types of arrows
Choosing the right crossbow bolts for your crossbow can be a challenging yet exciting task as it can be a bit technical. Finding the right one depends on the draw weight, the power stroke and brand of crossbow you are using. Most crossbow companies include minimum shaft length & weight in the package you have chosen to use with the crossbow. Using an arrow shorter or lighter than recommended by your manufacturer can result in a broken crossbow or worse, a rogue arrow.
Crossbow arrows come in either aluminum, carbon and an aluminum/carbon mix. Aluminum arrows can be a little less durable than carbon arrows as they tend to bend or break over time.
Arrow nocks are also important when choosing arrows. Crossbows are different and need either flat, moon, fill moon or capture nocks. You must keep this in mind when choosing arrows.
Arrow Length and Weight
As mentioned earlier, choosing the right length and weight of arrow is important. Choosing the wrong arrow can be a huge safety issue. Arrows come in different lengths ranging from 16 inches to 22 inches. You will need to refer to your crossbows user manual or the manufacturer.
Arrow Vanes
Vanes or fletching are the wings of your arrow and keep arrows flying straight. Without fletching, an arrow will not fly as far as and can’t deviate from its indented target. It is important that you take utmost care when handling, installing or removing fletching. If these become bent or broken you can bet you will not hit your target no matter how accurate you are.
Assembling Arrows
When assembling an arrow, remember to use the right amount of pressure, especially when inserting broadheads or fletching. Applying too much force when removing or installing the fletching can damage the integrity of the arrow. It is recommended to align the blades of your broadhead to the fletching as much as possible for maximum performance.