Carbon vs. Aluminum bolts?

VA Bigbore · Post by **VA Bigbore** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 5:11 pm

When I bought my Excalibur crossbow it came with Excalibur bolts. I purchased some Horton bolts last year and have been using them to hunt with this year. I have always used aluminum arrows in the past with my bow for several reasons:
1. I made all my own arrows from raw shafts
2. Aluminum arrows are easier to make (in my opinion, no special cutter)
3. Aluminum is heavier (more kinetic energy)
4. I can find my shafts with a metal detector (I hunt in fields a lot).

I am learning that there is a few differences from crossbows and normal "compound" bows. I am curious on what your thoughts are on the topic of which is better for use in crossbows. Carbon is (was) more expensive than aluminum, but it is more forgiving upon impact and may take abuses that aluminum won't. What are you thoughts on it?

bob1961 · Post by **bob1961** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 5:37 pm

i voted alum "arrows" ....bolts have threads and a hex head on them

.................bob

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vixenmaster · Post by **vixenmaster** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 5:37 pm

i actually use both, and the prices are about the same. i can actually get more weight from a carbon than alum. unless i cut steel or brass rods to slug my arrows with. i find it easier to build carbon arrows vs. alum.

bob1961 · Post by **bob1961** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 5:40 pm

i've been using alum since i started in shooting in 1980....always like there durability, if they got the slightest bend in it ya knew it....carbon you need to check for cracks or spilts each time you pull it out of the target....i've used the same alum arrow on two deer i got this year...................bob

....

crazyfarmer · Post by **crazyfarmer** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 5:47 pm

carbon

I used aluminum for years and just got sick of them bending. Carbon will just simply break if its bad. No guesswork. Carbon shafts are extremely easy to workup. You can by your raw shafts and go form there. You can add weights to change FOC and so forth. You can do ther samejob with either arrow, but I just hate somethings thats gonna bend. Ive been using the same carbons for 4 years now. I just rewrap and fletch them for different colors everyyear.

with aluminum, I was lucky to make it through one hunting season before bending one someway LOL

The only carbon I had break was on a shoulder through shoulder shot and the arrow didnt pass. The buck snapped it when he started running. But anything would snap in that situation LOL

vixenmaster · Post by **vixenmaster** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 5:51 pm

i shot 3 tick toters this year and all 3 of my alum. arrows got bent and ruined. they must have gotten in the way of their front legs.

crazyfarmer · Post by **crazyfarmer** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 5:54 pm

smokepolehall wrote:i shot 3 tick toters this year and all 3 of my alum. arrows got bent and ruined. they must have gotten in the way of their front legs.

they were trying to ditch the weight of that 650grain arrow.. it was weighing them down to much

GaryL · Post by **GaryL** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 6:23 pm

Aluminum like bends better then splinters!!

awshucks · Post by **awshucks** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 7:30 pm

In the past 5 yrs, I've never had a carbon fail in any manner that wasn't abused, like hitting rocks shooting squirrels from a tree stand.

I had one in a target at a 3-D shoot that was locked up so tight I twisted the shaft off. My main experience is w/ GT L II's, about 3-4 doz over the years.

Robin Hoods are a tad rough on them, lol.

opossum · Post by **opossum** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 7:44 pm

I have used aluminum for the 2 season I have hunted with a xbow.I have not bent or broke one yet.I have used the same arrows to harvest several deer and a turkey..I ordered some carbons to try.

VA Bigbore · Post by **VA Bigbore** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 7:44 pm

Interesting results. So far, in the pole twice as many say they are using carbon instead of aluminum. But darn near all the replies are for aluminum. I too prefer aluminum, but have considered changing over just because carbon is the only thing I can find around here. For those of you who are using aluminum bolts, what size are you using (2216, 2219, or other)?

Thanks for the responses.

wabi · Post by **wabi** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 7:46 pm

I shot a deer a couple years ago and recovered 1/2 of a carbon arrow. Don't know when, why, or where it broke for sure, but I went back to aluminum!!!!!!!!!!

saxman · Post by **saxman** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 8:54 pm

Gold Tip Lazer II's Brass fron insert wit 100 grn head,Tracer nock lighted nock on the back (22.6 grn) with 2" Blazers and wraps
The total 436.8

kennisondan · Post by **kennisondan** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 9:29 pm

carbon : straighter, I think, no dings, no bends, and I used a lot of aluminum in the past... tried the carbons and that is what i have for now... I really do not care which one it is in practical sense... they will both shoot just fine for my uses..
decided to try the carbons this season and accumulated a few arrows so far.. may take a while to need some others..
dk

mikej · Post by **mikej** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 10:55 pm

aluminum for me

Excalibur Crossbow Forum

Carbon vs. Aluminum bolts?

What type of crossbow bolts do you use?

Carbon vs. Aluminum bolts?