EASY (and best) 500+ Grain Bolt Build - Sirius Phoenix - High FOC Crossbow Bolt

[@veteranoutdoorsman9978]

I went with aluminum inserts and 300 grain heads. When cut to 20 inches several different bots liked this combo. Gets me around 600 grains total. My xforce pile-driver 390 loves them

[@draggindeeroutdoors]

👌 very nice!

[@LesSimsJr]

Great video. Great “out of the box” option to hit 500 (ish) grains.

[@draggindeeroutdoors]

Thanks, Les!

[@Snailz5]

I would love to see you try out a really heavy bolt. Sirius 11.6 trying out the heavy ranch fairy kit. Weights between about 590-690 grains. That’s a bone smasher where you aim for the shoulder and let it rip. Easy tracking if the animal can barely walk after.

[@boomerrangerron]

I've watched this now for a second time Matt, and I'm leaning towards trying these Phoenix bolts. My new Wicked Ridge M-370 is rated at 370 FPS but the best I've been able to get with 435 grain arrow setups has been 354! And surprisingly less when I shoot a 125 head. So I'm just not sure about the upgrade for this season, but it's on my bucket list for next FALL. Great job on this video.

[@draggindeeroutdoors]

Thanks, Ron! Phoenix arrows (or really anything from Sirius Archery) is top-notch, if you get some you won’t be disappointed 👍

[@chasbrady2544]

I’m curious if the outside diameter of the bolts will limit what I’m able to shoot

[@boomerrangerron]

@@chasbrady2544 I purchased six of them, so I'll measure them to see how they compare with my previous bolts. I'm going to be testing both 125 gr and 150 heads so I'll run them through the chronograph and see what FPS I get. But I'm sure they'll be very effective with deer.

[@chasbrady2544]

Did you order their light option or their heavy option?

[@boomerrangerron]

Heavy option, 90 - 110 And I just weighed the arrows with 125 gr tips 479 and with 150 gr tips 508, both without a lighted nock yet so that number will increase@@chasbrady2544

[@troystone5901]

Sorry if this question has already been answered. what comes first? Knock tuning or point weight tuning? I fully understand the concept of both. I come from a trad background where I tinker with arrow length and front end weight (inserts+point weights) to bare shaft tune to get proper flight. I’m a heavy arrow/high foc proponent. Crossbows are new to me. I appreciate all the info you have provided!

[@draggindeeroutdoors]

I don't know if there is a right or wrong answer to this...but I always nock tune first. Once I get a paper tear I like from one of the 3 nock positions, I then add weight until the tear gets worse. That then gives me the weight or bracket of weights a particular shaft will shoot well out of a particular bow.

[@rustinpeace7466]

Waiting on my phoenix bolts to arrive. I went with 21" and 90 grains up front to hopefully get more broadhead flying well. We'll see how it shoots out of an old Excalibur.

[@draggindeeroutdoors]

Awesome, let me know how they work!

[@kfranklin308]

Have you tried removing the domed aluminum nocks on the swat xp arrows? I’m trying to help my friend put in heavier inserts. I can’t get the nocks out to knock the insert out.

[@draggindeeroutdoors]

Boiling water and a pair of pliers with some tape on the teeth (so you don’t etch the nock). It’s not easy but can be done.

[@kfranklin308]

@@draggindeeroutdoors yeah I got one out for him but it ate the nock up pretty good.

[@troybrake5686]

Hey matt!? Is this setup the 9.6 gpi or 11.6 gpi option? I'm wanting to confirm my order cause im not real sure which one to get! Im going with the 110 insert and going to shoot the 150 robusto's! I don't want a high 500s bolt i would like to be on the big side of the sweet spot and be around 540 ish range! I can go as short as 19.5 on the carbon . Need longer to shoot rage but im not going with those. My bow is a amped 425 and i think the high side will play well with that KE over some lower fps setups!! What you think bro? Thanx for what you do! Love the videos and passion!

[@draggindeeroutdoors]

Hey Troy! Thanks for watching this video and commenting. These are the 9.6 GPI's. I haven't tried the 11.6, the OD one them is too big to fit in my SWAT X1 barrel.

[@troybrake5686]

@draggindeeroutdoors yeah I seen were that is an issue! I commented on another video were you addressed that and I have the pile drivers and when cocked they don't line up perfectly, but do when I check uncocked! Hopefully they ain't that much bigger than my pile drivers! I went with the 11.6 cause the extra mass should make everything quieter and easier on the limbs, plus the extra thump don't hurt when hunting whitetails!

[@draggindeeroutdoors]

@@troybrake5686 good luck, have fun with em!

[@KLOutdoor]

Will 22 inch control a fixed head better then a 20 inch bolt?

[@draggindeeroutdoors]

Excellent question, the short answer is yes. If everything is exactly the same and the only difference is one shaft is 20” and the other is 22”, the 22” should control a broadhead better as it gives the fletchings a longer lever arm to correct the broadhead.

[@KLOutdoor]

@@draggindeeroutdoors ok excellent, my Tenpoint recommends 22 inch arrows, I went with 20 inch 400gr arrows and shooting 125gr ironwills and they are hitting a foot lower then field points, you think the 2 inch will help with that ?

[@boomerrangerron]

You've convinced me Matt! My order is in with Sirius for these bolts! Plan to shoot them this season with 125 grain RAGE, but also have some SEVR 150's on order as well. Might even try and see how it shoots with 175 Tooth of the Arrow! Are you using the Chinese Universal lighted nocks on this setup?

[@draggindeeroutdoors]

Awesome, Ron! Yes I’ve been shooting the Amazon lighted nocks

[@KTMsoldier1988]

Afflictor sells a 180 grain mechanical and some 200 grain fixed you could look into.

[@boomerrangerron]

@@KTMsoldier1988 Thanks KTM for watching and replying! I have some 175 Gr. Tooth of the Arrow hanging on the peg board, but I just haven't gotten around to testing them. I also have some 150 gr. SEVR Robusto especially for crossbows. The RAGE and the SEVR have all worked flawlessly so long as I put in the right spot!

[@KTMsoldier1988]

@@boomerrangerron I shoot 125 grain tooth of the arrows out of my compound bow but my kids shoot 150 grain sevr robustos out of the crossbows. I am a huge fan of the afflictor hybrid mechanicals out of my compound bows.

[@TheCritterWindow]

I just got my new Killer Instinct Vital X 430. My first crossbow. I have shot thunderhead 125 brad heads from my compound bow for years. They also make a 150. I am looking for a bolt/brad head weight around 500 or so. Any suggestions I am new to this game. These arrows don't seem available you show here.

[@draggindeeroutdoors]

If you replace the insert in your Killer Instinct HYPR arrows (which are good arrows by the way) with a 110 grain insert, shoot a 150 grain point, you'll be right around 485. Add a lighted nock and you're at 500. I did this exact build in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/inqriJKcZaqaobMsi=nSFJ9TMUlncMdN6h

[@TheCritterWindow]

@@draggindeeroutdoors Thank you. Finding a cost effective heavy bolt has not been easy.

[@mikeguy9668]

I use the 200 grain cutthroat with the exact same bolt and its a champ

[@draggindeeroutdoors]

Excellent!

[@jackfrost4227]

I know this is a year old video but I just found it and had a few questions. I nock tuned my Black Eagle executioners from Wyvern creations. They are 420ish grains with a 100 grain head. I found three that are really close and one that is a bullet hole. How we, none of them want to group together with a 100 grain swhacker practice head. They are identical to the real heads. They just don’t open on impact. Would the extra weight bring the group closer together???

[@draggindeeroutdoors]

Extra weight may. Doesn’t hurt to try. Swhackers are a long head, CG of that head is further out than CG of a field point, that could also be the problem. Also spin test your broadheads/practice broadhead and make sure they are straight.

[@brandonyoung7760]

I use the stock 20" Barnett Headhunters with 150gr Annihilator XL's. Total weight is 475gr and I love the move away from 100gr broadheads. Not the 500gr+ range but still loving it.

[@draggindeeroutdoors]

Good stuff, Brandon. If it works with your bow stick with it!! 👍

[@tiredpatriot5205]

I am currently building my bolts for my Barnett Whitetail Pro STR and am curious what speed you are getting out of yours with a 500 grain bolt??

[@draggindeeroutdoors]

Getting between 350-355 FPS with a 500 grain arrow out of bows rated @ 405 FPS.

[@tiredpatriot5205]

​@@draggindeeroutdoorsThank you!!

[@SpittinLead]

Would the Sirius .358 OD 11.6 GPI shafts fit down the barrel of the Swat X1?

[@draggindeeroutdoors]

NO!! Gotta shoot the .349 OD

[@kward1911]

Where do you order your 110 gr inserts for crossbow bolts?

[@draggindeeroutdoors]

Hey Kelvin. The Sirius Phoenix come standard with 110 gr. SS inserts. If you want just inserts, Ethics Archery makes SS ones. Or, you can find 110 gr brass inserts on Amazon. I’ve used both, both work great! Hope that helps 👍

[@tillotzd]

Building my bolts over the next month or so. I'm shooting Bear X TrueX bolts with 110 grain brass inserts. Any concern for impact damage (ie splitting the carbon) with these high velocity, high FOC heavy bolts? I saw some companies make sleeves/outserts. Ever considered using those or has it not been an issue for you?

[@draggindeeroutdoors]

I’ve never had issues with impact damage. I would suspect those having impact damage probably damaged the end of their bolt removing the stock insert.

[@andrewofthenorth5500]

Great info! Any chance you've shot, or know those who have shot those exact bolts thru a raven crossbow? I do not know the model and that may matter, but in general. As I am recommending this to a friend just getting into bow hunting. Went thru all the ranch fairy set up stuff to him, and then found you with what Ranch fairy would call the "easy button" and for a beginner who doesn't necessarily want to put in the effort of bareshafting and all that, that's perfect! I hunt with a compound so my knowledge on the crossbow is super limited but I want to help him out! any info would be super helpful and I'd be very grateful.

[@draggindeeroutdoors]

I have not shot this bolt out of a Ravin. Shoot me an email, [e-mail] and we can do some digging to see if these are compatible with your buddy's Ravin.

[@andrewofthenorth5500]

@@draggindeeroutdoors Thanks! Email sent! Subject says bolt compatibility with Ravin

[@davidshuberg5427]

Could you share the outcome of this, as I shoot a Ravin R10 I'm curious. Thanks

[@scottguttenfelder5343]

@draggindeeroutdoors I have a R10 as well and I'm very curious if they will work

[@mr.skeptical3071]

The only problem I see with a hvy front end, is you would have to have a scope that you can adjust EACH crosshair, because the farther out you are the more it'll drop

[@chuckdean260]

Have you ever tried 200 gr fixed on your crossbow?

[@donwilson350]

In my opinion I think the Black Eagle arrows are the best they win more tournaments than any other bolt made

[@draggindeeroutdoors]

I’d take these over Black Eagles, but to each their own 👍

[@mattlafountain3697]

I need advice this will be my 1st year hog hunting with a crossbow. My bolt is 548 gr. 26 foc. Broadheads grizzly samari 200gr overkill. Speed is appropriately 260ish. My last boar weight was 225 on the scales shot with rifle at feeder. The question I have is do I need this heavy bolt/foc to get pass thru on hogs? Will 500gr do the job and give me a little more speed? Does it matter under 30 yards?

[@draggindeeroutdoors]

You should shoot the heaviest setup possible that still shoots perfect through paper / achieves perfect bolt flight.

[@dr.froghopper6711]

I shoot a Wicked Ridge/TenPoint bow that requires a proprietary nock. Can I get these without a nock? I can buy the nocks and inserts from TenPoint and use/build the bolts myself.

[@blythemajors9193]

Hey man.. what’s the difference between having the insert or just having a 200 grain broadhead to get your weight up to 500 grains? Cheers!

[@draggindeeroutdoors]

No difference, you’re achieving the same thing. Only downside to using a 200+ grain broadhead is a more limited broadhead selection.

[@blythemajors9193]

@@draggindeeroutdoors thanks mate. Ive got a Ranch Fairy 200 grain 3 blade from Sirius enroute as we speak! So glad I haven’t fecked that up lol. Wasn’t sure if it was a balance thing of having the weight creep back from the tip. Cheers!

[@rickster6.0]

Okay guys…now what? I’ve got the Sirius Phoenix Bolts with the 110grain inserts with 200grain field points. I’m shooting a Wicked Ridge NXT 400 crossbow so I’m using the proprietary Ten Point Lighted Alpha Knocks. I knock tuned them and I’m absolutely shooting clock hands out to 45yards. Then I screw in the 200grain Cutthroat Broadheads and now I’m 3” left and 6” low with arrow #3… 3” left with arrow #2…and 3” right with arrow #1. How am I ever going to get them shooting straight?

[@draggindeeroutdoors]

This is a bit different setup than what I have experience with. But, there may be a few things that can help. To not make this a giant comment, shoot me an email at [e-mail]. I have a few questions for ya and hopefully a few suggestions that may help!

[@sammysixtoes3724]

I had the same issue shooting 200 grain VPAs in 20 inch Phoenix with 110 gr inserts from my Killer Instinct Speed 425. All six bolts with 200 grain field points were in a small 3 inch group at 20 yards. All on the odd fletch! Who needs to knock tune, right? Stretched the range out to 40 and I was good to go. Broadheads came in and i'm all over the place. I could see my arrows weeble-wobbling to the target in flight. I'm tuning down to 150 grain field points and broadheads and going from there.

[@tyrant357.]

22in?

[@draggindeeroutdoors]

Yes, the weights described in the video are for the 22" Phoenix. You can however get them cut to whatever length you want from Sirius.

[@tyrant357.]

@@draggindeeroutdoors how much is the grain with a 20 inch bolt and 150 broadhead and 110 insert?

[@mikeguy9668]

@@tyrant357. 20 grains less than what he said. They're 9.5 grains per inch

[@draggindeeroutdoors]

Thanks @Mike Guy. @Thai Lor, 512 grains.

[@floridatrucker929]

How about 200 gn points

[@draggindeeroutdoors]

Try it!

[@bradwilliquette1347]

I bought 6 Sirius Phoenix arrows fully assembled for $110 shipped...For 3 of the Ten Point center punch arrows that my crossbow manufacturer recommends are 109.99 at cabelas. The sirius arrows arr far superior and HALF the price

[@draggindeeroutdoors]

Phoenix arrows are 🔥 you’ll love em!

[@GunnyArtG]

I’m running 150gn RMS cutthroats. Is there an insert that doesn’t have a hard step between the broadhead and bolt or do we just have to live with it on our larger diameter crossbow shafts?

[@draggindeeroutdoors]

I don't know of an insert to help what you are describing, there may be one out there though. There are however broadheads with bigger ferrules to better match your bolts OD.

[@DomT0311]

Maybe I should have went with these instead of Black Eagle Executioners, only the 100gr point is shooting well. But 426gr at like 340fps isn't bad.

[@draggindeeroutdoors]

You certainly didn't make a poor choice, Black Eagle makes great stuff too! The Phoenix is my personal favorite though.

[@sammysixtoes3724]

I started out with the Phoenix at 20 inches with 110 inserts and 200 grain field points and VPA single bevel. Fires from a Killer Instinct speed 425, it had me around 320 fps. All six field points landed in a good tight group. Broadheads went wonky with a lot of visible flex to the target. Got 6 more phoenix bolts in today and going to start by papering with 150 grain field tips and going from there. New bolts do not have components installed, so I can tune a bit more if needed. There's a lot more that goes into this than I first thought. By the way, how is everyone getting the target residue off their bolts and arrows without messing up the carbon shafts? I'm about to start using some sort of arrow lube so that should help.

[@FlyinZX10R]

Cheaper than 10 point bolts. Those are outrageously expensive.

[@draggindeeroutdoors]

The Phoenix are worth every penny!

[@bigbear32564]

Why not use the 11.6 gpi at 20” and get about the same weight…just wondering

[@draggindeeroutdoors]

The FOC isn’t as good with more of the weight distributed through the whole shaft. The 11.6 GPI O.D. is also too big for my SWAT X1.

[@bigbear32564]

@@draggindeeroutdoors got ya

[@christopherwatson283]

20"? or 22". I'm shooting 22 inch Piledrivers. They are reasonably Priced. Built Well. Heavier beefy shaft. Long Vanes with good twist for Good Broadhead Control. 479 grains with a 100 grain Broadhead out of the box. Like 50 grains heavier than the manufacturers suggested Headhunter. I'm not into slow Crossbows. If, You want Straight. Go Aluminum. Your Heavy FOC isn't making any notable difference. There's is no notable KE change. You are slowing the bolt down into Slower Compound Speeds which will make ranging harder. Approach a string jump with a fast Bow. Not a slow lobber.

[@draggindeeroutdoors]

If you don’t think adding weight increases KE (and momentum)…take a peak at this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mH-6gGRqgduKq6Msi=nL_CpPxzkA5pdgkq

[@christopherwatson283]

I Shoot Bow Bullets. I don't have Time for Your Slow Nonsense. .@@draggindeeroutdoors