Half-moon nock vs The 5-grains-per-pound minimum: specs compared
Updated 05 September 2026.
4
specs differ
Half-moon nock and The 5-grains-per-pound minimum differ on 4 specs: nock, form, fits, compatibility rule.
| Spec | Half-moon nock | The 5-grains-per-pound minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Nock | half-moon (moon) nock | minimum total arrow weight rule |
| Form | shallow concave groove across a flat disc; must be indexed to the string | a weight floor, not a nock: total arrow grains must not drop below the bow's minimum |
| Fits | CenterPoint, most Barnett non-Hyper models, and many entry and mid crossbows | Every crossbow; the shared rule behind each maker's stated minimum |
| Compatibility rule | The groove must be indexed square to the string on every shot. If the odd-coloured (index) vane is not down, the string can sit on the rim of the nock and dry-fire the bow. | The long-standing guidance is at least 5 grains of total arrow weight per pound of draw weight, and never below the maker's stated minimum. A lighter arrow behaves like a dry-fire, dumping energy into the bow instead of the arrow. |
Questions and answers
How do Half-moon nock and The 5-grains-per-pound minimum compare?
Half-moon nock and The 5-grains-per-pound minimum differ on 4 specs: nock, form, fits, compatibility rule.