I have only 7 years experience hunting with a cross bow. My first was a then top if the line, used Ten Point that I bought from a buddy who "upgraded" to that year's new Ten Point model. It shot great. I had an issue with the safety. Ten Point's service was great and they made the repair quickly at no cost to me. I sold it. I now shoot a Parkler Tornado. It fits me better than the Ten Point did. It too shoots great.

As far as bolts? I use carbon. I have never had any issues with shaft fatigue. As far as broad heads? I hunted with a bow from 1964 to 2006. I always used a fixed blade. I still do. I am not knocking mechanicals. I don't use them because I have not come across any reason to. When I first started using a cross bow, I tried out three borad heads .... all 3 blade, 125 gr. I tried two replaceable blade designs (Muzzy and NAP Thunderhead) and one 1-piece design (Montec G3). I had no issues with point of impact variance. Groups at 30 yards too tight to aim at the same point .... no "Robin Hoods", but several shaved fletchings and nicked shafts (discarded)!

I use the G3 simply because it is a simple and the edges are easily dressed up with a flat file if need be. I have hunted only whitetail deer and feral hogs with my cross bows. All have been clean kills, except of course the misses. Fortunately, so far, none wounded. I have had good blood trails leading to rather easy recoveries and no problems with penetration. I have never taken a shot at a deer or hog that was over about 40 - 45 yards, with the overwheming majority under 30 yards. I can recall only one time the bolt did not pass through a deer. A few of the larger feral hogs, a different story .... most of the time a pass through, but a few times on the bigger ones (250-350 pound range), especially boars when I hit just behind the shoulder, the bolts made it in 10"-12" at a minimum. That "battle plate" can be some kind of tough !! So bottom line ... based upon my experience .... carbon shafts and 3 blade, non-mechanical, 125 gr. broadheads that will cut 1 1/8" to 1 1/2".