When purchasing your crossbow, original equipment such as arrows must be supplied. Afterwards, you can acquire additional crossbow arrows according to your needs and preferences.
To properly choose your crossbow arrows, it's important to consider several selection factors: crossbow size, arrow diameter, your usage, reviews, etc. To learn more about the subject, we invite you to see in this article everything there is to know about crossbow arrows.
Crossbow size
Crossbow projectiles can be called crossbow bolts or crossbow arrows. The choice of these projectiles greatly influences the weapon's shooting performance. And it primarily depends on the crossbow's power.
Note that there are two types of arrows or bolts depending on the crossbow's power:
- Between 50 and 80 pounds (lbs): the 50-80 pound arrows will match low-power weapons and are made of plastic or metal
- Between 120 lbs and 180 lbs: the large crossbow arrows will match more powerful weapons such as hunting crossbows. In this case, the recommended arrow length is between 35 cm (14 inches) and 55 cm (22 inches).
Tip: to optimize arrow speed, choose carbon models.
Crossbow arrow diameter
You can find on the market different types of crossbow arrows according to their diameter. These diameters depend on the size and power of the crossbow used. For example, if we take an arrow with a diameter equal to:
- 6 mm. You should have a crossbow length between 90 to 100 cm. This diameter allows you to pierce a target easily. Caution, if there's no balance between the crossbow's power and the arrow, the latter risks bending or vibrating during the shot (trajectory anything but straight).
- 6.5 mm. This is the most versatile diameter as it's lighter than 7 mm arrows and more resistant to twisting than 6 mm arrows. With this diameter, the target will be stunned by a "punch" effect.
- 7 mm. This is the perfect arrow diameter for a crossbow of 100 cm and larger.
Point type
Reliability
The best way to find an answer about an arrow's reliability is first to consider the manufacturer. If they are reliable and seek quality, all their products will be. The other way is to consult reviews and comments from people who have already used it. The higher the number of users and reviews, the more credible you can consider the overall judgment.
Professional or regular use
It depends on how you plan to use it. If you need to use it frequently or require intensive use, then it's better to rely on a professional product as it's specifically designed for heavy use. If, however, you'll use it occasionally, then you can also consider more discreet products that are accessible to everyone.
Types
Evaluate the different types of arrows on the market. The choice of one type over another can depend as much on personal preferences as on your actual needs. In this case, you are the only one who knows your preferences and what will make this type of arrow a particular product for you.
For example, depending on the arrow point, you'll have a choice between:
- Fixed blade points (target points, flat heads, bird points)
- Mechanical broadheads which are known for their power and shooting trajectory
Expectations
It's clear that the best product of the century is of no use to you if most of its features don't meet your expectations. The best way to find the right type of product is to start by knowing your needs or situation.
For this, determine what are the most important characteristics that a crossbow arrow should have. It's always better to spend five minutes evaluating all these selection criteria than to buy the first product you find and discover later that you spent money on something that's useless to you.
Brand
Only trust brands you have confidence in or those with certifications.
Price
To know how much to spend, consider evaluating the average of products with certain characteristics:
- Compatibility with your needs
- Good customer ratings
- Quality brands, etc.
In the market, you can find crossbow arrows with prices ranging from 6 to 60 euros.
Once you have estimated the average price of a product according to your assessment, find the one that deserves your attention and make sure it fits your budget.