Excalibur Diablo 18" bolts ... I'm not that impressed!

[styks]

As it says, I'm not that impressed!
I personally don't think they are that durable tbh and was wondering what you guys think ??

Two things, one I see the odd fracture after a while shooting into a Rinehart Xbow unloader used as a target and my old 3D turkey.
Plus I found the odd bolt would shed it's point and insert when the bolt stops half way through a target. I was surprised to see point less bolts protruding out the back of my turkey! ....... I've refitted all my inserts now.
And lastly, I made an arrow puller only to pull the nock out! ..... It is a sticky target though so I might have been expecting a litle too much there.

Anyhow I've decided to try some heavy more durable shafts. I've ordered some GT laser IV's to try. I use GT laser II's on my TP GT Flex and have been happy with them at 180lbs and 295fps. .....
When made up these IV's are going to weigh quite a bit more but I'm willing to sacrifice some speed for greater durability.

Anyone using these, if so what is the build/components are you using and what's the resulting weight ?? ...... I'm looking for about 16=17% FOC for target use. I've ordered some ally inserts and ally nocks so I hopefully can tune for that FOC.

I can get some Carbon Express bolts here (I've had to import the Laser IV shafts/components.) I can get the CX 22, Maxima Hunter, Mayhem and Pile Driver's ............ Any recomendations / experience with those.

Very limited choice here in the UK ...... Can't get Black Eagle without importing (I know you guys like those). I prefer to buy shafts and components, only choice here for that is GT Laser II's, I kid you not, that is the only choice if you want to build.

[paulaboutform]

In regards to the T-Handle arrow puller, I don't care for them. Since getting the Danny Miller plier pullers that's all I use...actually ordered a second pair that lives with my 3D gear. I don't like having to screw into the back of the shaft and have actually gone to plastic flat nocks. I prefer the flats to any of the other nocks available.

[styks]

In regards to the T-Handle arrow puller, I don't care for them. Since getting the Danny Miller plier pullers that's all I use...actually ordered a second pair that lives with my 3D gear. I don't like having to screw into the back of the shaft and have actually gone to plastic flat nocks. I prefer the flats to any of the other nocks available.

Thank you for your input. Tbh I don't use the T handle puller I made very often, only when buried past the fletching.
Very interested in the Danny Miller plier puller you mention, I'll look into that.

Regarding the plastic nocks, I do use the plastic Omni nock when building bolts for my TP GT Flex. The bolts I had with my M405 came with Ally nocks so I've stuck with them. Also, I've read so much about the plastic flat nocks that's put me off tbh.
Mainly the string slipping under them equalling dry fire. Obviously you wouldn't be using them if you'd suffered that problem?

I'd feel much better about it if I fitted the TP Omni nocks to my M405 bolts and may try that at some point, I do like that design. ...... Can't do it yet as I've orderd 24 GT Laser IV Bare shafts from over there plus components and the ID is .272".
Unless, now you have me thinking, I could turn them down to fit, should be easy enough. The OD would be slightly less than the shaft but not enough to cause a problem I feel.