The 8 Best Crossbow Bolts for Hunting
If you want to hit the bulls-eye, you have to ensure two things. Wondering what they are? You have to be confident enough to shoot, and you certainly need to purchase the best crossbow bolts.
Your crossbow bolt must create a strong blend of strength, speed, and accuracy to hit on the target every time. Your bolt must be zeroed in on the kill zone and impact the target with precision.
In this guide, I will talk about crossbow bolts. I will review some of the best crossbow bolt options. You will also find a useful buying guide after that. Just read on to become an expert in crossbow bolts.
Best Crossbow Bolts: Our Top Picks
Picking the right crossbow bolts is not rocket science. It’s an easy task. Still, lots of newbies often feel confused. Why is that? It’s because of lots of options. A lot of choices are right; on the other hand, it can be damn confusing.
Besides, if you want the perfect crossbow bolt, you have to study a lot, which is time-consuming. I am here to save your time. My team and I analyzed the market and learned about different crossbow bolts. Here I will reveal our discussion and review some of the best crossbow bolts.
1. Carbon Express PileDriver Fletched Carbon Crossbolt
If you need remarkable accuracy, you have to ensure two things. One is your confidence, and another one is perfect crossbow bolts. Carbon Express Carbon Crossbolt will surely save your ass on that. Those bolts are complete in all ways.
These bolts offer massive penetration strength and excellent target penetration in your arsenal. Those will prepare you to encounter most big game animals. Carbon Express PileDriver Crossbolts is considered one of the most substantial bolts produced by this company.
If you require a perfect hit every time, these bolts will let you do that. But for that, you have to have a clear idea about the distance of your target, and you have to have confidence. The built quality of those bolts is fantastic. Try them once; you will fall in love with them.
Product Highlights
- Heavy grain weights
- Provides maximum kinetic energy and knock-down power
- Ensures spine consistency
- Made of composite material
- Fletched with 4″ vanes, 20″ size, 442 grains
2. Barnett Outdoors Carbon Crossbow 20-Inch Arrows with Field Points
The Barnett Outdoors Carbon Crossbow Bolts are made to last with a more enduring wall impermeability. It offers 13.78 grains per inch, which are well-matched with a 100-grain point. You will get excellent precision and penetration.
The built quality of those bolts is outstanding with top-quality materials. But to get proper effectiveness, you have to find Jackal Crossbows that are Barnett compatible.
The pack comes in five. Every piece of bolt is constructed with excellence. But you have to practice more to be able to hit the bulls-eye. The price of the package is not prohibitive. Admittedly, it is worth a try.
Product Highlights
- 1-ounce arrows with durable, lightweight carbon shafts
- Compatible with Ghost 350, Penetrator, Wildcat C-5, Jackal, Whitetail hunter II, Raptor FX3 crossbows, and other models that take a 20 inch Arrow
- 13.78 grains per inch, paired with a 100-grain point
- Ensures optimal accuracy and target perception
- Also includes a 24F range point and moon nocks
3. Black Eagle Executioner Crossbow Fletched Carbon Bolts
The Black Eagle Executioner Crossbow Bolts are considered one of the best carbon crossbow bolts options for the price. Though those are made of carbon, they are pretty lightweight. The spine deviation range is about ± 0.010″ for every set, and they passed lots of tests on their way through the consumers.
The great thing is the interchangeable nocks. You can use moon nocks or universal flat nocks according to your preference. You can switch between the two if you need them, they are not screwed.
The fletching of these bolts comes in its different variations, 18-inch, 20-inch, or 22-inch. Overall, these bolts are exceptionally well in terms of their performance and construction. The price is reasonable, as well.
Product Highlights
- Perfect for hunting
- Ensures superior performance
- Develops kinetic energy and accuracy
- 20-inch and 22-inch fletch comes with 3-inch Bohning X Vanes
- Features half-moon and flat nocks
4. BloodSport 20-Inch Crossbow Bolts
The BloodSport 20-inch Crossbow Bolts are constructed for dependable performance. These bolts feature everything you need to hunt whitetails. They are lightweight and customizable. You can adjust a broadhead to make it more convenient for professional hunting.
These bolts by BloodSport ensure impressive precision and penetration. These can hit the target at a speed of over 400 feet per second. This speed is fantastic to provide a substantial hit in the vitals.
These bolts also feature patent-pending Blood Ring Technology. A smart technology that collects forensic evidence as it moves through. If you have made a killing shot, you will immediately know that, thanks to the advanced technology. Overall, the product is one of the smartest in the market. The price is reasonable too.
Product Highlights
- Patent-pending Blood Ring technology
- Solid construction
- Improves accuracy and consistency
- Lightweight yet effective for hunting
- Can be used for training also
5. ECB DIABLO 18″ ILLUM BOLT
The ECB DIABLO by EXCALIBUR CROSSBOW is another fantastic option for the price. Many experts claimed that these are the best crossbow bolts for hunting. These bolts ensure lighting speed with excellent consistency. When combined with 150-grain broadheads, they can rock and roll.
Those arrows are made of carbon material. So, they retain straightness much better with continuous shooting. With those bolts, your crossbow hunting performance will develop noticeably.
The ECB DIABLO 18-inch set by EXCALIBUR CROSSBOW offers accuracy and consistency. It will help you to get your prize in minimal time. The price of the product is not prohibitive. Give these bolts ago, and I am sure you will never feel disappointed.
Product Highlights
- Solid construction with Carbon material
- Develops speed and consistency
- Ensures precision
- Long-lasting
- Standard weight and length
6. Carbon Express Maxima Carbon Crossbolt
The Carbon Express Maxima Hunter Crossbolt will develop your speed, accuracy, and strength to get a high price. The dual spine weight forward design of those bolts offers better shot recovery and speed retention.
You will be more consistent and accurate; thanks to the precision design that offers tighter tolerance. The bolts come off the rail and run at high speed straight toward the target.
As these bolts are wrapped with Mossy Oak Treestand and run at an excellent speed, the animal will never be able to come again. One perfect shot is fair enough for one ideal prize. Let’s take a look at the highlighted features.
Product Highlights
- Excellent construction
- Offers superior strength and accuracy
- Mossy Oak Treestand Camo
- An ideal choice for professional hunters
- Affordably priced
7. Summit Archery Products 6 Victory Crossbow Bolts
The Summit Archery Products Victory Crossbow Bolts are available in 20-inch and 22-inch lengths. You have to pick the size according to your requirement. If you own a bigger crossbow, no worries, these bolts are ready to hit.
These bolts are made of premium-grade carbon material. The Front-end is made of brass. A combination of these materials made these bolts deadly. You will get spot-on accuracy every single time. Also, as the front of the bolts is more massive, those will penetrate deep into the animal skin to ensure the kill.
Those come with a half-moon nock with a red light at the end. You can locate the arrows even at night. The price of this excellent pack is relatively reasonable.
Product Highlights
- Made of carbon and brass
- Ensures spot-on accuracy
- Heavier
- Penetrate deep into the skin
- Perfect for hunting
- Red light included on the back
8. REEGOX Carbon Crossbow Bolts
The REEGOX Carbon 20-inch Crossbow Bolts are made of complete carbon material. They are adamant. And in many conditions those are reusable. The nock and vanes on the end of those bolts are excellent. Those will surely help for consistent accuracy.
The weight of those bolts is not very light nor very heavy. That means they can shoot farther and penetrate to the animal skin. You will get both speed and power, such an excellent combo for the price.
The REEGOX Carbon Crossbow Bolts are considered the best bolts for the rune crossbow. The price of the set is not that much. The performance will surely please you.
Product Highlights
- Made of carbon material
- Solid and long-lasting
- Ensures consistent performance
- Standard weight
- Reasonably priced
Conclusion
That’s all for the reviews of the best crossbow bolts. I tried to tell you about all the little details about each of the products. So that you can understand which one to purchase and which one to overlook. In the following section, I will talk about the buying guide as promised. Let’s begin
Buying Guide for the Best Crossbow Bolt
A bolt is not an arrow, though people think they are the same thing. But bolts are specially made for crossbows. With other types of bows, you have arrows, but with crossbows, you have bolts.
The performance of the crossbow highly depends on the crossbow bolts. If the bolts you are using are not correct, no matter how well your crossbow is, you will miss the shot! Yes, you have to have the best crossbow working with the best crossbow bolts.
The question is how to decide which one is best for you? Well, I have already reviewed some of the great options above. Now it’s time to tell you how you will decide which one from the above is the perfect match for you. Let’s begin with the buying guide:
Material
While shopping, the material is an essential aspect to consider. It is material that will tell whether the bolt will perform better or not.
Most of the crossbow bolts are made of carbon, aluminum, or a combination of these two. You can pick bolts made of those materials as they are excellent and lightweight. You will get resistance against bending.
Carbon-made shafts are the best option, but those are expensive. So, decide according to your need and preference.
Weight
The weight of the bolt should be considered based on your need and where you are going to use it. For example, if you want to use it for archery targets, light bolts will do fine. On the other hand, if you wish to use bolts for hunting, heavier bolts are required.
The bolt has to penetrate animal flesh with a strong impact. If it is not heavy, it cannot do that indeed. Light bolts can hit farther distances compared to more massive bolts. If you need the best performance from the bolt, follow the weight recommended by the brand of the bow you are using.
Length
The length of the crossbow bolts ranges from 16 inches to 22 inches. Different brands offer different lengths. To pick the right length, you have to follow the instructions given by the brand of your bow. If you want to use bolts in different crossbow models, slightly longer bolts will be an ideal choice.
Spine
Another essential factor to consider is the stiffness of the bolt. It refers to the degree of shaft bending. If the bolt comes with a good spine, it will bend more easily. So, pick stiffer ones. It will make you high on shooting with accuracy and consistency.
Bolt Nocks
The most common type of nocks is flat and moon. Moon nocks are also familiar by the name half-moon nocks. Moon nocks provide more accuracy compared to flat nocks. Pick half-moon nocks that are made of aluminum.
Fletches
Fletches or vanes are another most important consideration. As the accuracy highly depends on these components. During the flight, feathers provide stability. Look for bolts with excellent fletches. This little thing will help you a lot of hunting.
Bolt Heads
There are two different types of bolt heads available for different purposes. Let me explain to them both:
If you want to practice, you can use filed points bolt heads. Those are designed for practicing. They don’t come with sharp tips. You can only hit the target points with the bolt heads with soft targets. You can purchase screwed up or pressed fit to the over the glued ones that are lower quality.
For real hunting, you have to consider broadheads. These are razor-sharp and able to penetrate enough through animal flesh. If you want convenience, it is recommended to use removable broadheads. You can replace the head when it is damaged.
Expandable Broadheads will be an excellent choice if you want to shoot with stronger impact and penetration. But those are expensive.
But the main hack is to purchase one that fits the bolts. Easy way to decide that is to choose broadheads that come with equal or equivalent weight suggested by the manufacturer of your bow.
FAQ
What is the contrast between crossbow arrows and crossbow bolts?
Many think crossbow bolts and arrows are the same things. Well, they are kind of the same thing. Let me put it this way, and crossbow bolts are another kind of arrows that are used only with crossbows. You can call them another type of arrow. When I am talking about pistol crossbows, you can call them bolts or arrows, whatever you like. But remember one thing, bolts are not used with regular bows.
How to determine which bolt will fit my crossbow?
Well, you will find the specification of the owner’s manual. Every crossbow and bolt has its specification. And by reading the manual, you will be able to decide which side is perfect for your crossbow. If you are purchasing online, you can read the specification of the product description segment.
Can I shoot the crossbow bolt that’s been used before?
The answer is yes and no, both. If your bolt isn’t damaged after one use, yes you can reuse it. But aluminum-made bolts usually get damaged after penetrating an animal. If your bolts are aluminum made, I guess you will not be able to reuse them. Carbon-made bolts can be used twice most of the time. But not always.
Final Words
When it comes to the best crossbow bolts, I have mentioned eight options above. Indeed it is impossible to compare them to each other to declare one the ultimate best. Each of those is so good and has its differences. You have to choose one that fits and matches your crossbow. Remember, a bolt designed for game hunting will not have the same quality as the target shooting bolts. You have to be clear about your purchase before making any deal.
All of the above products are accurate and reliable. Some of them are also versatile. Pick one that matches your purpose. I am leaving you right here. If you have any questions, you can ask me in the comment section. We will meet again soon with lots of other hunting essentials. Till then:
Stay Blessed!
