Making Bolts for Modern Crossbows

[Wolfblade]

I am aware its not possible to use wood bolts/arrows in modern compound bows of any kind, but what about in recurve crossbows?

(Doing research on sustainable long term supplemental weapons to firearms, ranged weapons for which you can manufacture your own ammunition without modern infrastructure. So please don't say 'just get aluminum, its cheaper'. Aluminum doesn't grow on trees.)

[Archer46176]

Why could you not make bolts from wood for a modern compound crossbow? I know most people who say they know about this will tell you the compound bows have too fast of an acceleration rate. I would like to have these people come to my archery club shoot one Sunday. There are many guys who I used to shoot with who shot wood arrows from their compounds with no ill effects. If you properly size the shaft, make sure it is of a good hardwood, fletch it so the bolt grain is perpendicular to the string and possibly even add an end of heavy duty plastic, horn, metal or stabilize the wood with an epoxy it should work out for you just fine. Especially in a recurve crossbow you will have no problems. Medieval crossbows were of atleast 200 lbs draw for sporting bows and up to 500lb draw for war bows and used wooden bolts. Many siege crossbows of heavy weight did use a full forged metal bolt but they were of very high draw weight.
If you use Port Orford Cedar, Ash or Hickory you should be just fine. I would suggest reading all you can about making arrows and bolts and NOT scrimp by using hardwood dowels from a lumber/ hardware store. They can rarely tell you what kind of hardwood those dowels are.
IF YOU TRY THIS YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN AND ARE TAKING THE RISK HOWEVER SMALL IT IS ALL ON YOUR OWN. I have made wooden crossbow bolts and have never had a problem. I know of noone who has ever had a problem but that being said I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE IF YOU DON'T DO THE PROPER RESEARCH.

[cauldron]

propper spine weight, and it should be fine.

[Jeriah]

propper spine weight, and it should be fine.

You've been shopping for pants with Kutter, haven't you?

[blades7558]

I second archer, while ive never made bolts for modern crossbows (i don't own one) I can say with confidence that given time i can make a bolt that will shoot out of one! some other woods archer didn't mention are walnut and beech both are very hard woods, ive made (footings) of arrows from these woods when my port orford split from chance encounters from other arrows ;P

I would also reccomend against oak of any type personally. because of the straight and loose grain it can split easily.

[Archer46176]

Good catch Blade I forgot to warn against OAK most oaks are strong but with the grain structure they are fragile at the same time depending on the use. I know they aren't self sustaining but I have been playing around a bit with fiberglass drive way markers and fiberglass electric fence posts. Mostly because I wanted to make a fishing arrown for my Cobra pistol crossbow when I make a stock for it. I fear that my Horton crossbow would be a bit over powered for fishing. You fellas may want to check out The Arbalist Guild. They have A LOT of info on crossbows but most guys are busy so they take a bit to answer so I quit posting over there.

[cauldron]

propper spine weight, and it should be fine.

You've been shopping for pants with Kutter, haven't you?

Argh... No, but thanks for catching that.

"They're your problems, but you're just going to have to see their point there."