What Length Bolts for Matrix?

[Big Woods]

I'm shooting a Matrix 355. I have been told the 20 inch bolts are more stable. I have also been told that is BS and the 18 inchers are no less stable than the 20's and are less likely to bump something as they dont stick out past the stirrup like the 20's do. Any feedback here?

Thanks!!

[Farmer]

Would like to hear more on this as well .

[Boo]

There's no shortage of stupidity.
Check out what a good shooter can do with 18" shafts
http://www.excaliburcrossbow.com/phpBB2 ... 46#p513046

[Normous]

18" arrows will suit you just fine out of a 355 or 380, no need to change the arrow length looking for better stability because you will not find it.

[Big Woods]

So if the 18's shoot just as well as the 20's, is there any advantage to the 20's?

Thanks

[vixenmaster]

Advantage of 20" arrows is they fit the Exo models better. Matrix shoots fine wid 16" 17" & 18" Matrix dependin on yer model. I have shot 16" arrows that do baseball sized groups at 65 yds all day long.

[Big Woods]

I already have 20's. Should I cut them down to 18?

[Boo]

So if the 18's shoot just as well as the 20's, is there any advantage to the 20's?

Thanks

I think you should look at the length another way. Ask yourself what weight arrow you want. I think finished weight is more important than length. Another question to ask is how comfortable are you with a broadhead sticking past your stirrup.

[Big Woods]

Good questions Boo. This is all new to me. I typically like heavier arrows but that is with vertical recurve bows where penetration is the focus. Based on the power of my Matrix, I'm thinking penetration will be the least of my concerns. I will hunt almost exclusively from a chair on the ground or treestand so I'm not overly concerned about the broadhead sticking out, but it isn't ideal either. I'm shooting thunderhead 125's and they are flying really well. Is there any reason to believe the thunderheads won't fly well from this setup with the 18's?

Thanks for all the feedback gents. I shot a crossbow for the first time about 3 weeks ago after hunting exclusvely with vertical bows for 32 years.

[Boo]

Some, not all people can get their Thunderheads to fly well out of their crossbows. Normally, you do not want a longish broadhead and O rings between the broadhead and the front insert can (not always) cause havoc. If you have them, try them, but check them for run out after being installed so you don't waste your time.
It's pretty much a major consensus that somewhere between 370 and just over 400 gr is a nice weight for a Matrix. That gives you the advantage of speed and good arrow weight.
BTW, one of my pop up blinds sports about 3 slices from broadheads. No big deal but it did make me realize that I wasn't careful enough to handle broadheads sticking out past the stirrup. Been there, done that and all in one day!

[Big Woods]

Thank You Sir! Yes I was told the thunderheads may or may not fly well. I'm shooting about 1 inch groups at 40 yards (off of a rest) so I'm a little reluctant to change anything but I'm considering cutting my bolts down to 18. What do you mean by check the broadheads for "run out"?

[Boo]

What do you mean by check the broadheads for "run out"?

Checking to see if the shaft and the broadhead have the same axis. Are they in line with each other. If you roll the shaft along 2 bearing points does the tip of the broadhead wobble.
If you bring the tip to a piece of cardboard/box you'll see if the tip moves around.


If the broadhead is not dead straight it will guide the arrow. If it's straight the fletchings will do their job.

[Big Woods]

What do you mean by check the broadheads for "run out"?

Checking to see if the shaft and the broadhead have the same axis. Are they in line with each other. If you roll the shaft along 2 bearing points does the tip of the broadhead wobble.
If you bring the tip to a piece of cardboard/box you'll see if the tip moves around.


If the broadhead is not dead straight it will guide the arrow. If it's straight the fletchings will do their job.

Gotcha. I spin check all of them and did have to really crank some down to flatten the rubber o ring so they would spin true.

[nchunterkw]

The physics of an arrow state that shorter arrows are harder to stabilize, but as has been said, many on here are shooting short arrows with fixed blades all day long. Personally, I'd keep them at 20", but mostly because I have....as Boo would say....." a whack" of 20" arrows already made up, and I like that length out of my Vortex. Remember...nothing really changes from a vert bow to a crossbow. Penetration is still key. Arrow weights and speeds are pretty comparable between the two, but the crossbow arrows are certainly stiffer.

[DES]

I started out using 20" out of my Matrix 330 but switched to 18" with no loss in accuracy. I prefer the broadhead does not stick out past the stirrup.