Keith . . .the only thing I might dispute is the flexing of a crossbow arrow. They are short and stout. They do very little flexing. Your analysis is good on that buck you shot, but, in reality, it could have been more than a dozen things.
Mechanicals of 5 years ago are not nearly as good as the ones today. Most of the advancements have been in the ferrule design. A few years ago, the impact of a 417 grain arrow traveling at 277 FPS could easily rip the screws out of the ferrule that hold the blade in place . . .this results in very low penetration because it "pulls/drags" the arrow to one side and displaces a lot of energy. This could have happened to your buck.
The biggest issue with crossbows and tuning is the tiller being out of wack. Not a lot a archer can do if that's the issue other than send the limbs back.
I never had much luck with aligning the vanes . . .the process just drove me nuts.
I'd rather wear out than rust out.
Perception trumps intention.
I know you are right about the BH designs....seems everyone has a new "crossbow" version of something. And I've seen other guys on other forums agreeing with you on the low flex of a bolt. They are certainly stiffer than a verticle bow arrow, but my experience still tells me they flex. Otherwise almost any fletching would do.
Just shot some arrows this morning that I fletched up with Gateway Feathers. Same bolts (Horton Carbon Strike), 125gr FPs. One set had 4" shield cut feathers mounted with a 4 degree offset. The others had 2" "Rayzr feathers (alot like a Blazer) mounted with the AZ EZ Fletch "Bolt" so lots of helical. IMO the 2" feathers worked great. Same POI as my FPs with a 125 gr Muzzy at 30 yards. The 4" ones weren't bad either (within an inch or so), just not as good as the 2". One nice upside is that the feathers weigh about 25grains less than the 4.5" vanes that came on the arrows. That's about 5 fps faster, and it upped the FOC abou 3% to around 20%.
Keith
Stand by the roads and look, and ask for the ancient paths; where the good way is,
and walk in it and find rest for your souls. - Jer 6:16
I found Swhacker 2.25" last year. Shooting a Vortex and a Boo string. Same hole accuracy as a field point. Total weight with feathers 361 gr. and chrono at 323 FPS. Using Arozina Bolt fletching tool. FOC is 21.9%. Feathers were Rayzer. Now let me tell you this combo has made me a happy camper.
I am new to crossbow hunting. I am currently shooting a Parker Buck Buster 175 HP and an Excal Vortex. I have never killed a deer with a crossbow but have killed more than my fair share with my verticals over the years. One thing I learned shooting recurves back in the 70s was while it is fun to chase POI with broadheads and fieldpoints it is actually a lot easier to shoot fieldpoints off season and then swap over and shoot broadheads during hunting season. A LOT CHEAPER also. This held through compounds and now I expect crossbows also. Simply shoot what you like and adjust your sights accordingly.
