arrow weight question

[txhunter58]

Just starting out in crossbows. I currently shoot a 425 gr carbon arrow (total wt) with a 125 gr broadhead out of my traditional compound bow. What weight (total weight and broadhead wt.) do you recommended for a crossbow on a whitetail up to 200 lbs?

The shots taken will for sure be less than 30 yards. Thanks

[awshucks]

That's close to average weight for xbows. I'll point out a few diffs between the two arrows for ya.

The shorter xbow arrows can be more subject to bheads wanting to plane or steer the arrow. Small profile bheads like Slicks ect are often a good choice. FOC can be more of a concern w/ bheads, but doesn't seem to affect mechanicals. Some guys are puzzled when their bigger bheads from vert days don't do as well w/ their new xbow, this is a good place to start, lol.

There's a following[among many followings] for GT's w/ brass inserts, 100 gr heads, w/ or w/o Blazers. The old GT's were about 425 like that, new closer to 400 gr total both.

The main things to watch w/ xbow arrows is nock type [moon or flat] and not to go under minimum weight as specified by mfgr. Also, most mfgrs advise a certain combo they have tested or include w/ packages. Have fun!

[xboweagle]

what x-bow are you shooting?

[coyote170]

Originally Posted by xboweagle

what x-bow are you shooting?

He's an Excalibur man!

[txhunter58]

Will be purchasing an Excalibur Phoenix.

I think I will start with a 400 gr arrow and see how that works. (300 gr arrow and 100 gr broadhead). Thanks for the advice.

Next question, sorry for the ignorance. Was at basspro today hoping they would have a phoenix to try, but they only had an Equinox. However, looking at some Excalibur arrows, I guess they come with what you call the "flat" nock? Nothing back that looks like a nock to me. Are they used like that or do you have to add a nock? Other brands had the "half moon" nock. To me that just looked more mechanically sound. Your opinions?

thanks again from an Xbow newby.

[Cossack]

Good choice of bow, durable, lifetime warranty great company support IF necesary.
Excalibur calls for flat nocks for their bows, some others use moon nocks. No point in using moons if you don't have to, save yourself the hassle of indexing the nock with the string.
My Phoenix thrives on 400 gr arrows: GT Lazer II with 110 g brass insert, 2" Blazer vanes and 100 G Slick Trick heads. More than enough weight for complete passthroughs, let not so heavy that it adversly affects trajectory.
Best luck
BTW, take a gander at Hawke scopes for crossbows.