can you cut off bolts to less than 20"?

[camo jack]

I just wanted to know if anyone cuts thir bolts to less than 20" like maybe 18" it looks like it will work sence I shoot spitfirers with firebolts

[Cossack]

You can, as long as the bolt doesn't weigh less than the recommended weight as a result. The real question is:Why would you want to? Longer arrows tend to be more accurate.

[Normous]

Yes, alot of members shoot 18-20" bolts. Mostly through the Vixens and Pheonixes. No problem to experiment. Those 300-325 gr. bolts zipping out of Vixens at 18" seem to fly well and a nice decent speed. My good friend shoots such a combo and very successfully I might add.

[JRS]

You can, as long as the bolt doesn't weigh less than the recommended weight as a result. The real question is:Why would you want to? Longer arrows tend to be more accurate.

Before carbons became available, I used 2219s cut down to 18" with 3" vanes and expandable broadheads. The short length combined with the thick wall made a very durable combination that was not prone to being easily bent, and accuracy was on par with longer arrows.

[wabi]

I'm presently shooting 18½" 2215 easton aluminums with 2" Blazer vanes & 100 gr points out of my Phoenix. I trimmed the length to achieve a target weight of 180 grains, which seem to be about the minimum weight arrows my Phoenix likes for minimum noise/vibration.
The accuracy is just as good as with 20" arrows from the Phoenix.
One thing to consider is FOC, though. As you shorten the arrow FOC decreases. My setup is borderline for broadheads, but with the G-5 Montecs it still is very accurate. With a different broadhead it might be necessary to go up in point weight to increase FOC? When the weather improves (next summer) I plan to do some accuracy testing with some 125 grain Magnus Snuffers.

[grauhund]

I've experimented with bolt length with my Phoenix. I'm down to a 16.5" aluminum 2018 bolt with 2" Blazer vanes and wraps and overall weight of 367gr/13.8% FOC/100 gr points. Using a 100 gr SlickTrick, I hit a 3" balloon at 75 yards. Not bad for a "short" bolt. Over the winter I intend to reduce the vane weight with 1.5" Blazers and go to 380gr overall weight and thus increase FOC some. This short/slim 2018 bolt has worked for me.

[Normous]

Grauhund (Greyhound??)
You can also as an option reduce the weight of the rear insert by cutting it in half or drlling out the inside (or both) to reduce its weight. This will also increase FOC and arrow speed and lighten you bolt somewhat. again it is just an option, one that I have successfully experimented with before.

[grauhund]

enormous
Thanks for the tip. Haven't tried that yet....I will. I could also lose the wrap, but I use yellow wrap with orange vanes.... easier to track and/or find bolts.

Also, "Greyhound" auf deutsch is "der Windhund" .....but I use the incorrect "Grauhund" because it's close and my kid likes it...

Tschuess (bye),

Grauhund

[Normous]

Keinen problem. Vielen hilfe hier.

[Boo]

Hochdeutsch anyone?

[Normous]

Es tut mir leid, aber nein.

[Boo]

Das ist schade! Es macht mir nichts. Ich sprech auch kein Deutsch. Norm du bist mein Freiund!

[grauhund]

All you deutsch sprechers!

You might enjoy a visit to the arrowinapple.de website. Its German.....they do a lot of crossbow. You can click on ENGLISH for language.Take a look at the multiple reticle, 110 meter xbow scope that they advertise. It's pretty kuehl!

Prost!

Grauhund