Bow Hunting · Roundup
The Best Crossbow Bolts for Beginners
Crossbow bolts are the one component where using the wrong spec is not just inaccurate — it can damage the bow and hurt you. Here is how to get it right.
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Quick picks at a glance
Tap a pick to read the full write-up, or the price button to check it on Amazon.
- 1
Heavy, durable, and from a real arrow manufacturer rather than a generic pack. At 420 grains it soaks up more of a crossbow's energy than most stock bolts, which improves penetration and reduces the shock the bow absorbs at the shot.
Best for: The best hunting bolt for a beginner9.1 - 2
A well-made 20-inch bolt with 4-inch vanes for stable flight. Solid, unglamorous, and from a brand that makes nothing but arrows — which is the quality you want behind a broadhead.
Best for: Best for tracking a hit8.8 - 3
Made by a major crossbow manufacturer, with half-moon nocks. If you own a Barnett, buying the bolts the manufacturer specifies removes all compatibility guesswork — which on a crossbow is a safety matter, not a preference.
Best for: Best match for a Barnett crossbow8.6 - 4
A published .001 straightness tolerance and a stated 400-grain weight — both specs most budget packs simply do not print. Knowing what you are buying is worth a lot when consistency is the whole point.
Best for: Best published straightness for the money8.4 - 5
Twelve bolts plus practice broadheads for the price of six premium bolts. Use these for the volume practice a new crossbow hunter needs, and keep a matched set of quality bolts for hunting.
Best for: Best cheap practice bolts8.0
| # | Product | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carbon Express Mayhem Crossbolt 20 inch (6 Pack) Heavy, durable, and from a real arrow manufacturer rather than a generic pack. At 420 grains it soaks up more of a crossbow's energy than most stock bolts, which improves penetration and reduces the shock the bow absorbs at the shot. | The best hunting bolt for a beginner | 9.1 | $50.75View on Amazon#ad |
| 2 | BLOODSPORT Witness 20 inch Carbon Crossbow Bolt (6 Pack) A well-made 20-inch bolt with 4-inch vanes for stable flight. Solid, unglamorous, and from a brand that makes nothing but arrows — which is the quality you want behind a broadhead. | Best for tracking a hit | 8.8 | $42.92View on Amazon#ad |
| 3 | Barnett Headhunter 20 inch Carbon Crossbow Arrows (5 Pack) Made by a major crossbow manufacturer, with half-moon nocks. If you own a Barnett, buying the bolts the manufacturer specifies removes all compatibility guesswork — which on a crossbow is a safety matter, not a preference. | Best match for a Barnett crossbow | 8.6 | $54.99View on Amazon#ad |
| 4 | ASODROCK 20 inch 400 Grain Crossbow Bolts, .001 Straightness A published .001 straightness tolerance and a stated 400-grain weight — both specs most budget packs simply do not print. Knowing what you are buying is worth a lot when consistency is the whole point. | Best published straightness for the money | 8.4 | $38.99View on Amazon#ad |
| 5 | IRQ 12-Piece Carbon Crossbow Bolts with 6 Broadheads Twelve bolts plus practice broadheads for the price of six premium bolts. Use these for the volume practice a new crossbow hunter needs, and keep a matched set of quality bolts for hunting. | Best cheap practice bolts | 8.0 | $32.99View on Amazon#ad |
Before anything else: your crossbow’s manual specifies a minimum bolt length, a minimum total arrow weight and a nock type, and those are not suggestions. Shooting a bolt that is too light is effectively a dry fire, which can destroy the limbs and injure you. Shooting the wrong nock can cause the string to slip past the bolt with the same result. Get those three numbers from your manual, then buy from this page. If you have not chosen a crossbow yet, start with our beginner crossbow roundup.
How we picked these
We compared published length, grain weight, straightness tolerance, vane size and nock type, and we weighted brands that actually publish those numbers — because with crossbow bolts the specification is the product. We also weighted pack size, since new crossbow hunters need volume practice. Our method is on the how we research and pick page.
Nock type is a safety spec
| Nock type | What it is | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Flat | A flat back end with no groove | Used by some crossbows; wrong on others |
| Half-moon | A curved groove that must be indexed to the string | Must be aligned correctly every shot |
| Moon / Omni | Grooved to capture the string more forgivingly | More tolerant of indexing errors |
| Lighted | Any of the above with an LED | Great for tracking, but adds weight — check your minimum |
Half-moon nocks in particular must be rotated so the groove aligns with the string every time you load. Get that wrong and the string can pass over or under the bolt. This is one of the few genuinely dangerous mistakes available to a new crossbow hunter, and it is entirely avoidable by reading the manual and practicing loading before the season.
Bolt weight and why heavier is usually better
A crossbow generates a lot of energy in a very short stroke, and that energy has to go somewhere. A heavier bolt absorbs more of it, which means better penetration on an animal and less shock transmitted back through the limbs and rail. Lighter bolts fly flatter and faster, which sells crossbows, but they leave more energy in the bow. For hunting at the ranges a beginner should be shooting, a heavier bolt is the better choice — provided it meets or exceeds your crossbow’s stated minimum total weight, including the point.
Weight includes the point
What to skip for now
Skip lighted nocks until you have confirmed they do not take your bolt below the minimum weight and are legal in your state. Skip building your own bolts in a first season. Skip any bolt that does not publish its length, weight and nock type — with crossbows, an unlabeled product is not a bargain, it is a risk. Practice loading and unloading with the safety on until it is automatic, shoot your hunting broadheads before the season into a target rated for crossbow speeds, and read bow vs crossbow if you are still deciding which route suits you.
The picks in detail
Carbon Express Mayhem Crossbolt 20 inch (6 Pack)
9.1/10Best for: The best hunting bolt for a beginner
Heavy, durable, and from a real arrow manufacturer rather than a generic pack. At 420 grains it soaks up more of a crossbow's energy than most stock bolts, which improves penetration and reduces the shock the bow absorbs at the shot.
- Length
- 20"
- Nock
- Moon nock
- Weight
- 420 grain
- Pack
- 6, fletched with 3in vanes
- 420 grains improves penetration and bow longevity
- Straightness sorted and published at +/- .004 inch
- Established arrow-maker quality control
- Moon nocks must match your crossbow — check the manual
- Priced above generic packs
BLOODSPORT Witness 20 inch Carbon Crossbow Bolt (6 Pack)
8.8/10Best for: Best for tracking a hit
A well-made 20-inch bolt with 4-inch vanes for stable flight. Solid, unglamorous, and from a brand that makes nothing but arrows — which is the quality you want behind a broadhead.
- Length
- 20"
- Vanes
- 4"
- Material
- Carbon
- Pack
- 6
- Large vanes stabilize a broadhead quickly
- Consistent shaft weights
- Archery-specialist brand
- Priced at the upper end here
- Check nock compatibility before ordering
Barnett Headhunter 20 inch Carbon Crossbow Arrows (5 Pack)
8.6/10Best for: Best match for a Barnett crossbow
Made by a major crossbow manufacturer, with half-moon nocks. If you own a Barnett, buying the bolts the manufacturer specifies removes all compatibility guesswork — which on a crossbow is a safety matter, not a preference.
- Length
- 20"
- Nock
- Half-moon
- Brand
- Barnett
- Pack
- 5
- Manufacturer-matched for Barnett crossbows
- Removes nock compatibility guesswork
- Widely available
- Half-moon nocks are wrong for some other crossbows
- Five per pack, not six
ASODROCK 20 inch 400 Grain Crossbow Bolts, .001 Straightness
8.4/10Best for: Best published straightness for the money
A published .001 straightness tolerance and a stated 400-grain weight — both specs most budget packs simply do not print. Knowing what you are buying is worth a lot when consistency is the whole point.
- Length
- 20"
- Weight
- 400 grain
- Straightness
- .001 published
- Nock
- Moon nock
- Publishes straightness and grain weight
- Consistent enough to hunt with
- Good value for the specification
- Newer brand with less field history
- Verify 400 grain suits your crossbow
IRQ 12-Piece Carbon Crossbow Bolts with 6 Broadheads
8.0/10Best for: Best cheap practice bolts
Twelve bolts plus practice broadheads for the price of six premium bolts. Use these for the volume practice a new crossbow hunter needs, and keep a matched set of quality bolts for hunting.
- Length
- 20"
- Pack
- 12 bolts + 6 broadheads
- Material
- Carbon
- Best for
- Range practice
- Twelve bolts means a real practice session
- Broadheads included for point-of-impact checks
- Cheapest per bolt here
- Consistency is not hunting-grade
- Included broadheads are practice quality
Prices shown are from Amazon as of Sep 5, 2026 and change often — the button always goes to the current listing. Some links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. How this works.
Frequently asked questions
What length crossbow bolts do I need?
Whatever your crossbow's manual specifies - most modern crossbows use 20-inch bolts, but some use 22-inch or other lengths. This is not a preference: a bolt shorter than the manufacturer's minimum can be launched incorrectly and damage the bow or injure you. Check the manual before ordering.
Does crossbow bolt weight matter?
Yes, in both directions. Too light is effectively a dry fire and can destroy the limbs, so never go below the manufacturer's stated minimum total arrow weight - which includes the point. Beyond that minimum, heavier bolts absorb more energy, penetrate better and are gentler on the crossbow.
What is the difference between half-moon and flat crossbow nocks?
A half-moon nock has a curved groove that must be indexed to align with the string each time you load; a flat nock has no groove. Using the wrong type for your crossbow can let the string pass over or under the bolt, which is dangerous. Your manual specifies which one to use.
Can I use regular arrows in a crossbow?
No. Crossbow bolts are shorter, built to different spine and weight specifications, and use nocks designed for a crossbow's string and rail. Vertical bow arrows are not a substitute and using them risks damaging the crossbow and injuring the shooter.
Sources
Keep reading
Not sure where to start?
The beginner gear checklist walks you through exactly what a first-season hunter needs — essentials first, nice-to-haves later, with one safe-default pick per category.