I’ve been satisfied with my crossbows. I have an original R10 Ravin and a TenPoint Nitro 505. No problems with either. Both are super reliable. I follow the instructions and carefully inspect them routinely. I change the strings & cables every year for the 505 and every 2 years for the Ravin. They have performed flawlessly and I’ve taken numerous deer with both of them. No complaints!
Young Sir, I cannot do less than give you a heartfelt "THANK YOU!" for getting this information about bolt weight out there! I shoot a 455-grain bolt/broadhead combination. I know that the bolt will get there when I Squeeze the trigger. I also know that I will have a solid impact with terminal penetration.
Exactly correct - a good policy is to shoot bolts that are minimum 2.5 time the draw weight in grains.. For example 200 lb draw weight = 500 grain bolt (heavier is even better, 3 times the draw weight - 600 grain bolt for 200 lb limbs).. Yes your velocity is going to suffer but you will at the same time pick up more energy.. Another thing to consider is get a bow that has at least a 15 inch power stroke, preferably 17 inches or longer.. The longer the power stroke the lower the limb draw weight needs to be to attain velocity.. I have two crossbows one is 175 lb limbs and 15+ inch power stroke, my other bow is 135 lb limbs and 17+ inch power stroke.. They both shoot the same bolts at the same velocity.. Any velocity over 300 fps is acceptable (you don't need 400+ fps), remember most compound bows shoot hunting arrows between 230-280 fps which is plenty (even if they are 80 lb draw and rated 330+ fps).. Believe me when I say that 200+ limbs with 12 inch power stroke shooting 370-390 grain bolts, with a bow weight of 6-7 lbs is a formula for disaster.. Crossbows are about 40% efficient, meaning that only 40% of the stored energy is transferred to the bolt, the other 60% energy is dumped back into the bow in the form of shock and recoil (this shock is what breaks limbs, risers, cables, strings and cams).. Heavy bows are more capable to absorb energy, are quieter and more accurate, stay away from 5-8 pound bows, get up into the 9-11 pound bows.. If you can't carry 11 lbs then maybe you should stay home on the couch and watch hunting videos.. Heavy bows can also make you steadier when shooting off hand.. Light bows will react to the slightest movement and have you shaking like a leaf in the wind, Heavy bows won't react unless a lot of muscle is put into it.. Everything being equal, for every inch of power stroke you gain or loose 10 fps, This means that a bow with 17 inch power stroke will shoot the same bolt 50 fps faster than a power stroke of 12 inches, for every 10 lbs of draw weight you gain or loose 5 fps (180 lb limbs vs 200 lbs limbs = 10 fps in velocity).. I used to know the formula for calculating Plus or Minus velocity per 10 grain of arrow weight but I can't remember it.. ( I think it is something like 10 grains you gain or loose 5 fps), So, 500 grain bolt vs 390 grain bolt you would loose around 55 fps. This will vary depending on the power stroke, with a longer power stroke you will be more efficient and loose less velocity.. you may approach 50% efficiency vs only 40%.. Meaning you might only loose 45 fps instead of 55 fps..
Great video and I appreciate your research and advice. There was a time when I thought that speed was king, however with a crossbow I have learned that it's not weather or not I will get a pass through shot, it's how far into the ground behind the deer that the bolt will go! Keep up the good work!
Nice job on this video review! I’m surprised you didn’t mention the Phoenix by SIRIUS Archery. With a 90 GR insert and a125 tip they are 500 Grs. In my Wicked Ridge M370 they chronograph at around 350 FPS. Lady year I took 5 deer using Tenpoint carbon and XX75 aluminum bolts. And I’ve used both of their lighted knocks. Complete passé through shots no problem!
Yeah to light is bad but too heavy is just as bad. Heavy arrows put much more strain on the knock to get the bolt moving initially, which breaks knocks and dry fires the bow and breaks strings, cables and limbs. I've had recurve limbs crack and break as well as compound and crossbow limbs. When you think of how a limb has to bend when cocked and fired, the outside of the limb has to move further than the inside of the limb. So there's a constant binding inside the limb itself every time it bends and it's just a matter of time before it breaks. A cars differential works the same way but a limb does not have any way to allow a free movement option for a longer outside travel.
@@dawheele1 I have never seen a nock break with a heavy bolt nor have I ever had an issue. My 535 Grain Gold Tip Nitro Pros also have an aluminum nock and I’m shooting a 200 Pound draw bow. Just my experience not knocking what you said.
If your knocks are breaking then something is not aligned properly. The pressure should be dead center of the arrow (bolt) and knock, it is a straight push.. Maybe your bolts are too thick or too narrow causing a misalignment.. The heavier the bolt the slower things move, more time on the string the more energy that is transferred into the bolt, and less back into the bow.. Could also be that you are using cheap brittle knocks.. I have been shooting bows for 70 years, long bows, recurve bows, compound bows crossbows, Never had a knock, string, cable, limb, riser, cam malfunction, crack or break - not once.. Shot competition for many years, indoor and 3D, had to give it up because of eye sight, could not focus on target and sight at the same time - one or the other was blurry.. (Good enough for hunting but not for competition), now I am too old and too weak to drag a deer much more than 5 feet.. - lol.. So I go get them with a 4-wheeler, winch and a chain saw.. hahaha
Never broke a Limb in 30 yrs this season I’m not a speed freak, the old Hortons, arrows were 2219- 100 or 125 thunder heads, Strings cables, replaced of course, Limbs never, 425-466,arrow weight, never will break a limb, unless it’s a proven Junk Bow Zombies,Bloodsports👍🏻
@@BlacktopTactical my back up bow, is a Horton Havoc 175#(2013) model before they got bought out 308-312fps with those Bone Collector why mart arrows, 100 grn buzz cut, mostly used yrs back, super mag, Hunter Supreme, 228-235 fps 😂 but slow is a very deadly out to 40 yrds, I get the 400fps now industry standard, I’m telling you it’s over kill, 345-375-380 fps,is the sweet spot, less wear n tear on your equipment, accuracy will be outstanding
@@BlacktopTactical 10 point - wicked Ridge was the old Hortons, same bldging even,same place, 55 min drive from me, looking for a 10 point now even,now stock no where it seems
I have seen the opposite of what you are saying people shooting heavy bolts 500+ grains has been blowing up a lot of killer instinct crossbow I have seen this in the ki group on FB and my brother boss 405 cracked the limbs last weekend while cocking it
@@hunteranglin3750 killer instinct doesn’t make a good product in my opinion. I’ve seen the horror stories on Facebook about them blowing up on people. A heavier bolt does help save your bow. It takes a lot of stress off the limbs by slowing things down a bit which also in turn reduces your sound.
I find it hard to understand how a 500 grain bolt would be considered too heavy and blow a bow up (If anything it would be too light - not too heavy) .. If the bow has 200 lb limbs shooting a 500 grain bolt, that is only 2.5 grains per pound of draw weight.. compound bows on the other hand shoot 6 grain per pound of draw weigh (that is competition minimum), many are 7,8,9 grain per pound of draw weight (heck you could shoot a 500 grain arrow out of a 50 lb compound bow all day long and it would never blow up).. If a crossbow were to shoot 6 grain per pound of draw weight, they would have to shoot 1200 grain bolts.. Too many dry fires or close to dry fires bow bows up.. Power Stroke is overlooked by many.. short power strokes are extremely bad, Minimum should be 15 inches and preferably 17+ inches long.. Get a heavy bow (10 lbs), 17+ power stroke, 140 lb draw weight, shoot 500 grain bolts, expect around 350 fps and almost positive it will never blow up.. I have seen some crossbows with 18 inch power strokes (that is even better).. 10,11,12,13,14 inch power strokes are just waiting to blow up.. I believe one of the Scorpyd bows has 18 inch power stroke..
I’ve been satisfied with my crossbows. I have an original R10 Ravin and a TenPoint Nitro 505. No problems with either. Both are super reliable. I follow the instructions and carefully inspect them routinely. I change the strings & cables every year for the 505 and every 2 years for the Ravin.
They have performed flawlessly and I’ve taken numerous deer with both of them. No complaints!
Most thorough video I've seen on this topic yet. Great job and very informative. Thank you
Young Sir, I cannot do less than give you a heartfelt "THANK YOU!" for getting this information about bolt weight out there! I shoot a 455-grain bolt/broadhead combination. I know that the bolt will get there when I Squeeze the trigger. I also know that I will have a solid impact with terminal penetration.
@@gwhackler9236 thank you for the kind words! Glad to help when I can, if you haven’t yet please subscribe!
Exactly correct - a good policy is to shoot bolts that are minimum 2.5 time the draw weight in grains.. For example 200 lb draw weight = 500 grain bolt (heavier is even better, 3 times the draw weight - 600 grain bolt for 200 lb limbs).. Yes your velocity is going to suffer but you will at the same time pick up more energy.. Another thing to consider is get a bow that has at least a 15 inch power stroke, preferably 17 inches or longer.. The longer the power stroke the lower the limb draw weight needs to be to attain velocity.. I have two crossbows one is 175 lb limbs and 15+ inch power stroke, my other bow is 135 lb limbs and 17+ inch power stroke.. They both shoot the same bolts at the same velocity.. Any velocity over 300 fps is acceptable (you don't need 400+ fps), remember most compound bows shoot hunting arrows between 230-280 fps which is plenty (even if they are 80 lb draw and rated 330+ fps).. Believe me when I say that 200+ limbs with 12 inch power stroke shooting 370-390 grain bolts, with a bow weight of 6-7 lbs is a formula for disaster.. Crossbows are about 40% efficient, meaning that only 40% of the stored energy is transferred to the bolt, the other 60% energy is dumped back into the bow in the form of shock and recoil (this shock is what breaks limbs, risers, cables, strings and cams).. Heavy bows are more capable to absorb energy, are quieter and more accurate, stay away from 5-8 pound bows, get up into the 9-11 pound bows.. If you can't carry 11 lbs then maybe you should stay home on the couch and watch hunting videos.. Heavy bows can also make you steadier when shooting off hand.. Light bows will react to the slightest movement and have you shaking like a leaf in the wind, Heavy bows won't react unless a lot of muscle is put into it.. Everything being equal, for every inch of power stroke you gain or loose 10 fps, This means that a bow with 17 inch power stroke will shoot the same bolt 50 fps faster than a power stroke of 12 inches, for every 10 lbs of draw weight you gain or loose 5 fps (180 lb limbs vs 200 lbs limbs = 10 fps in velocity).. I used to know the formula for calculating Plus or Minus velocity per 10 grain of arrow weight but I can't remember it.. ( I think it is something like 10 grains you gain or loose 5 fps), So, 500 grain bolt vs 390 grain bolt you would loose around 55 fps. This will vary depending on the power stroke, with a longer power stroke you will be more efficient and loose less velocity.. you may approach 50% efficiency vs only 40%.. Meaning you might only loose 45 fps instead of 55 fps..
Thanks for the info!
I like these
TenPoint EVO-X Non-Lighted CenterPunch - 20" Carbon Crossbow Arrows, Pack of 6 - with Alpha-Nock HP & HP Aluminum Bushing
Those are definitely a good one! 445 grains advertised weight 👍🏻
Great video and I appreciate your research and advice. There was a time when I thought that speed was king, however with a crossbow I have learned that it's not weather or not I will get a pass through shot, it's how far into the ground behind the deer that the bolt will go! Keep up the good work!
Thank you! Glad you liked the video! If you haven’t please be sure to subscribe I will have lots more coming
I have a Horton bone collector with new strings all way around. I like it.
Oh shit. You used that dirty word. Facts.
@@clarkecronin5506 hahaha
Nice job on this video review! I’m surprised you didn’t mention the Phoenix by SIRIUS Archery. With a 90 GR insert and a125 tip they are 500 Grs. In my Wicked Ridge M370 they chronograph at around 350 FPS. Lady year I took 5 deer using Tenpoint carbon and XX75 aluminum bolts. And I’ve used both of their lighted knocks. Complete passé through shots no problem!
@@boomerrangerron thank you for the tip I will check them out!
Good video, what do you recommend for a Ravin? I have one and love it but don't love the price of their arrows! Thanks👍
Thank you! If you wanna shoot me a message on IG at Blacktop Tactical I can go over some stuff with you
@@BlacktopTactical sounds good, thanks!
@@davidshuberg5427 facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566932100438&mibextid=LQQJ4d
Just opened a fb page as well
Cool
Yeah to light is bad but too heavy is just as bad. Heavy arrows put much more strain on the knock to get the bolt moving initially, which breaks knocks and dry fires the bow and breaks strings, cables and limbs. I've had recurve limbs crack and break as well as compound and crossbow limbs. When you think of how a limb has to bend when cocked and fired, the outside of the limb has to move further than the inside of the limb. So there's a constant binding inside the limb itself every time it bends and it's just a matter of time before it breaks. A cars differential works the same way but a limb does not have any way to allow a free movement option for a longer outside travel.
@@dawheele1 I have never seen a nock break with a heavy bolt nor have I ever had an issue. My 535 Grain Gold Tip Nitro Pros also have an aluminum nock and I’m shooting a 200 Pound draw bow. Just my experience not knocking what you said.
If your knocks are breaking then something is not aligned properly. The pressure should be dead center of the arrow (bolt) and knock, it is a straight push.. Maybe your bolts are too thick or too narrow causing a misalignment.. The heavier the bolt the slower things move, more time on the string the more energy that is transferred into the bolt, and less back into the bow.. Could also be that you are using cheap brittle knocks.. I have been shooting bows for 70 years, long bows, recurve bows, compound bows crossbows, Never had a knock, string, cable, limb, riser, cam malfunction, crack or break - not once.. Shot competition for many years, indoor and 3D, had to give it up because of eye sight, could not focus on target and sight at the same time - one or the other was blurry.. (Good enough for hunting but not for competition), now I am too old and too weak to drag a deer much more than 5 feet.. - lol.. So I go get them with a 4-wheeler, winch and a chain saw.. hahaha
Never broke a Limb in 30 yrs this season
I’m not a speed freak, the old Hortons, arrows were 2219- 100 or 125 thunder heads,
Strings cables, replaced of course, Limbs never, 425-466,arrow weight, never will break a limb, unless it’s a proven Junk Bow
Zombies,Bloodsports👍🏻
I love my Hortons in my opinion they were the best ever made your definitely not wrong about that this new stuff is poor quality
I love my Hortons in my opinion they were the best ever made your definitely not wrong about that this new stuff is poor quality
@@BlacktopTactical my back up bow, is a Horton Havoc 175#(2013) model before they got bought out
308-312fps with those Bone Collector why mart arrows, 100 grn buzz cut, mostly used yrs back, super mag, Hunter Supreme, 228-235 fps
😂 but slow is a very deadly out to 40 yrds, I get the 400fps now industry standard, I’m telling you it’s over kill, 345-375-380 fps,is the sweet spot, less wear n tear on your equipment, accuracy will be outstanding
@@BlacktopTactical 10 point - wicked Ridge was the old Hortons, same bldging even,same place, 55 min drive from me, looking for a 10 point now even,now stock no where it seems
@@michaelJ415 I have a legend team realtree HD 175 if your interested
I have seen the opposite of what you are saying people shooting heavy bolts 500+ grains has been blowing up a lot of killer instinct crossbow I have seen this in the ki group on FB and my brother boss 405 cracked the limbs last weekend while cocking it
@@hunteranglin3750 killer instinct doesn’t make a good product in my opinion. I’ve seen the horror stories on Facebook about them blowing up on people. A heavier bolt does help save your bow. It takes a lot of stress off the limbs by slowing things down a bit which also in turn reduces your sound.
@BlacktopTactical I agree!! I bought 2 for my nephews, they were nothing but trouble. JUNK
@@RidgeRunner-f2u sadly they are and they’re becoming higher priced too! You can buy a decent Tenpoint used for their price!
I find it hard to understand how a 500 grain bolt would be considered too heavy and blow a bow up (If anything it would be too light - not too heavy) .. If the bow has 200 lb limbs shooting a 500 grain bolt, that is only 2.5 grains per pound of draw weight.. compound bows on the other hand shoot 6 grain per pound of draw weigh (that is competition minimum), many are 7,8,9 grain per pound of draw weight (heck you could shoot a 500 grain arrow out of a 50 lb compound bow all day long and it would never blow up).. If a crossbow were to shoot 6 grain per pound of draw weight, they would have to shoot 1200 grain bolts.. Too many dry fires or close to dry fires bow bows up.. Power Stroke is overlooked by many.. short power strokes are extremely bad, Minimum should be 15 inches and preferably 17+ inches long.. Get a heavy bow (10 lbs), 17+ power stroke, 140 lb draw weight, shoot 500 grain bolts, expect around 350 fps and almost positive it will never blow up.. I have seen some crossbows with 18 inch power strokes (that is even better).. 10,11,12,13,14 inch power strokes are just waiting to blow up.. I believe one of the Scorpyd bows has 18 inch power stroke..