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How to choose the right crossbow bolts for your crossbow
A crossbow bolt is not a one-size part: it has to match your bow on length, nock type and minimum weight, and the maker's recommendation is the final word.
Four things that must match
A bolt that shoots safely and accurately from your crossbow has to satisfy four separate requirements. It needs the correct overall length, the correct nock that fits your string and rail, at least the minimum grain weight, and it should be what the crossbow maker recommends for that model.
Get any one of those wrong and you are not just losing accuracy. The wrong nock or an underweight bolt can cause a dry-fire that damages the bow and can injure the shooter, and it usually voids the warranty.
Length and nock come first
Most modern crossbows use a 20 inch bolt, though some take 22 inch and compact bows use shorter arrows, such as the 16 inch and 16.5 inch arrows used by some Ravin and TenPoint micro systems. Using a bolt that is too short can let the broadhead or field point sit behind the rail and foul the shot.
The nock is the safety-critical part. Half-moon, flat, capture, TenPoint Omni-Nock and Alpha-Nock, and the Ravin clip-on nock are all different and are not interchangeable. Fitting a flat nock where a half-moon is needed, or the reverse, can let the string skip over the nock and dry-fire the bow.
Weight, spine and straightness
Total arrow weight matters for safety and for penetration. The widely used rule is at least 5 grains of total weight per pound of draw weight, and some makers give a flat minimum such as 400 grains or more. Too light and the bow has nothing to push against, which acts like a dry-fire.
Spine and straightness affect how well the bolt flies. Straightness tolerances such as.003 and.001 inch describe how true the shaft is, with the tighter numbers giving more consistent flight, which is why premium bolts quote them.
Follow the manufacturer's recommendation
Every crossbow maker publishes the bolt spec for each model, covering length, nock, minimum weight and often a named arrow. That published recommendation is the safe starting point because it accounts for the rail, the string and the bow's energy.
Micro-diameter systems are the clearest example. Ravin and TenPoint micro arrows use their own shafts and nocks and are not cross-compatible with standard bolts, so on those bows you follow the maker's arrow list rather than a generic 20 inch bolt.
Find bolts that fit your crossbow
Open the bolt finder toolPick your crossbow and see the bolts and nocks that match.Find TenPoint Pro Elite 400 crossbow bolts on eBayaffiliateRelated
Sources: TenPoint · Ravin · Archery Trade Association