Bolt Failure

[kenv50]

I am new to crossbows and I purchased an Equinox a few weeks ago. Also I purchased 6 Firebolts with Lumenoks that were made by Lumenok. I fired 6 times at a target to verify the zero point and chronograph the speed with the X-Act broadheads. Everything worked as advertized.

Hunting season is open in Georgia and I shot a small buck at 35 yards from a treestand on the third day of crossbow season. When I went to look for the buck I loaded a new bolt in the Equinox. There was a rattle in the bolt and I assumed that it was a loose broadhead. I twisted the broadhead and went looking for the deer. He ran about 50 yards and I found hime without a problem. But when I unloaded the crossbow I noticed that the Firebolt had delaminated and cracked between 6 and 9 inches from the insert. The carbon has separated and cracked exposing a white inner material.

The bolt was always in the quiver, it was never smashed against anything or dropped. In fact I am not sure if it was ever fired. I sent a email to Lumenok last Monday and have heard nothing.

Is this typical of the Firebolts or is it an unique occurance?

Ken V

[Horizontal Hunter]

I have never heard of that happening so it must be a rare occurrence. Things could have gotten pretty exciting had you sent that arrow down range.

Bob

[j.krug]

I've never heard of that happening before either. Any chance you can post a pic or two so we can see it?

[Farmer]

Never heard of this happening and have flung alot of carbon arrows .

[wabi]

Never used firebolts, but I did have a couple goldtips break when they shouldn't.
In one case I had 6 in a hip quiver, walked in to my stand, and when I took the quiver off my belt I found the fletched end of one was gone.
I hadn't fell, bumped against anything solid, or done anything else to damage it.
The other one broke on impact with a foam target.

Is it possible another arrow hit this one when you were shooting the target?
If not, it may have just been a bad one.

[Cossack]

It's important to check all arrows prior to inserting into bow. EACH TIME. I experienced a total bow disassemble when a cracked plastic nock-apparently hit by another arrow when shooting for groups-failed. Also had an newly purchased arrow with it's moon nock oriented incorrectly to engage string. That would have resulted in a partial dryfire...at least.