d80hunter

After 7 years with my first crossbow I'm upgrading to something faster and more compact. I ordered an Excalibur Micro Mag/Axe 340, the name changed recently, along with extra Excalibur 16.5" quills. I received the extra bolts first and weighed them, 250 grains, compared to my old bolts with broadheads, 440 grains.

The crossbow will come with 100 grain field points so I bought some 125 grain points to compare accuracy and chronograph. Haven't received the crossbow yet but honestly is 350 or 375 grains too light. I'm going to shoot whitetail and turkey with it yearly and maybe black bear if I get to traveling.

Wingbone

In my opinion, yes they're too light. My bolts, with broadheads are in the 450 gr. catagory. I'd be uncomfortable with lighter bolts. Speed will get you kenetic energy. But mass will get you momentum. Momentum will be your friend when it comes to penetration.

d80hunter

I received the crossbow and did some shots with 350 and 375 grain bolts, as well as chronograph them. This thing is so much faster than my old crossbow or any vertical compound bow I've shot. I could add 100 grains and still be faster. It makes total sense to go with your recommendation. Thanks.

mrbb

this is like the argument about smaller caliber rifles over magnums
the main key to all things is shot placement
don;t need a heavy bolt or arrow to go thru lungs or a heart on a deer/bear or??

now hit bone and things suddenly change on both arrows/bolts and even bullets!

if your set up is accurate and hits where you want and they fly well, I think 350-375 is plenty for deer
all the crazy today is in SPEED in X bows and making them smaller and smaller, yet faster and flatter shooting!
so to do part of this, bolts are getting lighter>

but shot placement will always be the key in kills or not! IMO!

lemoyne

to each his own ,I use 450 grin arrows in my crossbows because it reduces the stress and I am less liable to have problems, I admit that at 350 or better [my xbow] they will pass through a 300lb plus bear and pass though a buck on a 45 degree angle.

smokepolehall

Just an opinion n nothing more, i prefer 400 gr as min.. Depending on the yardage what speed you need for the game animal being hunted. 500 gr weight is not too much. I have used 600 gr + arrows alot through the years

410001661

I am shooting a Micro 335 with standard Excalibur Quills that come in at 250gr I am using NAP Spitfires @ 125gr for a total bolt weight of 375gr.

Muley Hunter

So, the GRZ2 uses 250gr arrows with 150gr field tips. For 400gr and 305 fps.

The 340Mag uses 350gr total for 340 fps. What is the fps with a 400gr arrow-field tip?

lemoyne

Muley, my 440 went from 442 to 417 when I bought it and they checked it at the archery shop, The 350 grin that came with it checked 442 the hunting arrows I normally use 440 grains clocked at 417 fps.
Lee

Mike Hill

A lot of folks are finding that the faster Excalibur crossbows are having problems with the limbs cracking. The cause of this seems to be people are using arrows or bolts that are too light. I personally recommend 500 gr. or more. Just my 2 cents.