Why the shorter bolts?

[learn2flyfish]

One thing I've been noticing is that every new model I've look at takes an 18" or shorter bolt Is this for speed? Or is it because the physical dimensions of the bows have gotten smaller?

Are you not sacrificing projectile weight and therefore less KE for these smaller bolts?

I've got a Vixen and a pile of 20" bolts. Can the 20" bolts be shot in the newer bows?

Thanks,

Paul

[Boo]

Most guys want their arrows to fit into the forward area of their stirrups. One reason is not to have an arrow point or broadhead point at their foot. It may slice their shoe/boot if they stick their foot in when the bow is loaded and worse, if the bow is decocked and the arrow is left in.... well, I'll leave that to your imagination.
Second is that they don't want their arrows stuck into the ground when they put their bow down stirrup first.

[Normous]

You can shoot your 20" arrows in the crossbows recommending 18" or shorter arrows if you don't mind the broadhead sticking out past the stirrup.

As limbs became narrower and string stroke shorter suggested arrows became shorter to fit the shorter mainframe deck and within the stirrup.

I find my Micro and Matrix 16.5" and 18" arrows grouping the same as my 20" arrows that I used to use in the older Exo series.

[NEPAbowhunter]

Bulldog 380 20 inch arrow.

Bulldog 380 18 inch arrow

[Boo]

This one will play Pokeroo with your foot, should you screw up. Before you think to yourself not me, think of what the people thought that did peg their foot into the ground. I think the same goes for dry-firing. It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when. Why temp fate?

[SEW]

BD400 20" ST/ FOC. To me, a 20" arrow is ideal for a BD400. I also use 20" STs with Griz Tricks out of my M405. Only my M380 uses 18" arrows.

BD 400 with 20" ST/Xbow Trick.


I wouldn't want to shoot 18" arrows out of either the BD400 or M405 unless I was using a BH like a FOC. Even then, I prefer a 20" arrow with both of these.