Crossbow Bolt Drop Chart
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By James Holbert · Explained Archery
From the standard 20-yard zero, a 400 fps crossbow bolt lands about 7.5 inches low at 40 yards, 15 inches low at 50 and roughly 7 feet low at 100. A slower 300 fps bow drops nearly twice as far. The chart below covers 300 to 450 fps out to 100 yards, with the click math for correcting a miss and the method for building a drop chart for your own crossbow.
Crossbow bolt drop chart
Inches below the point of aim, measured from a 20-yard zero, with a 400-grain bolt and a scope sitting about 3 inches above the rail.
| Distance | 300 fps | 350 fps | 400 fps | 450 fps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 yards | zero | zero | zero | zero |
| 30 yards | 5 in | 3.5 in | 2.5 in | 2 in |
| 40 yards | 14 in | 10 in | 7.5 in | 6 in |
| 50 yards | 27 in | 20 in | 15 in | 12 in |
| 60 yards | 44 in | 33 in | 25 in | 20 in |
| 80 yards | 88 in | 66 in | 50 in | 40 in |
| 100 yards | 150 in | 110 in | 85 in | 68 in |
Approximate. A heavier bolt, a taller scope mount or larger vanes all shift these, which is why the last section explains how to measure your own.
Two things stand out. Drop grows about six to seven times between 40 and 80 yards on every bow, and the gap between a 300 fps and a 450 fps crossbow widens the further you shoot. That extra speed does not make you more accurate; it makes a mistake in judging distance cost less.
How to use the chart with your scope
Most crossbow scopes have several horizontal lines rather than one crosshair. The top line is your 20-yard zero and each line below it is meant for a further distance, usually 30, 40 and 50 yards.
Those lines only land where they claim if the scope is set to the speed your crossbow actually shoots. Speed-dial and speed-ring scopes have a numbered ring for exactly this. Set it to a chronographed figure with the bolt you really hunt with, not the number printed on the box, which assumes the lightest legal bolt and a new string.
| Scope type | What it assumes | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Single crosshair | Nothing. You hold over using a drop chart | Tape a small drop chart to the stock |
| Fixed multi-line reticle | A particular speed, often 300 to 350 fps | Shoot each line and write down what distance it really hits |
| Speed-dial or speed-ring | The speed you set on the ring | Chronograph first, set the ring, then confirm each line on paper |
| Illuminated or scaled reticle | Same as above, lit for low light | Brightness does not change the ballistics; still confirm each line |
Whatever the scope promises, confirm it by shooting. How to sight in a crossbow scope walks through zeroing from the start.
Scope click math for correcting a miss
A minute of angle is about 1 inch at 100 yards, so at crossbow distances each click moves the bolt much less than an inch. That is why a miss at 20 yards takes so many clicks.
| Distance | One 1/4 MOA click moves | Clicks per inch (1/4 MOA) | Clicks per inch (1/2 MOA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 yards | 0.05 in | 20 | 10 |
| 30 yards | 0.08 in | 13 | 6 |
| 40 yards | 0.10 in | 10 | 5 |
| 50 yards | 0.13 in | 8 | 4 |
| 60 yards | 0.16 in | 6 | 3 |
Round to the nearest click and shoot a three-bolt group to confirm. Adjust in the direction you want the group to move: the turrets are marked for it.
Work from a rest when you are adjusting, so the group shows the scope's error rather than yours.
What changes the numbers
| Factor | Effect on drop | Rough size of the change |
|---|---|---|
| Heavier bolt | More drop at every distance | Each 25 grains over 400 costs roughly 7 or 8 fps, which shows up past 40 yards |
| Scope height above the rail | Changes the near trajectory most | A taller mount means a slightly steeper climb to the 20-yard zero |
| Broadheads instead of field points | Usually a different point of impact, not just drop | Fixed blades can move several inches at 40 yards |
| Worn string and serving | Less speed, so more drop | Re-zero after fitting a new string |
| Cold weather | Slightly less speed | Small, but confirm your zero before a late-season hunt |
| Shooting uphill or downhill | Less drop than the flat distance suggests | Aim for the horizontal distance, not the line-of-sight distance |
Bolt weight is the one most people change without re-checking. The crossbow bolt weight chart covers choosing it.
How to build a drop chart for your own crossbow
Half an hour of this is worth more than any published chart, including this one.
Before you shoot at distance
- Know what is behind the target for the full flight: a bolt that misses travels 300 to 500 yards
- Use a target rated for crossbow speeds; a bow-rated block lets a fast bolt through
- Never walk downrange with the crossbow cocked
- Past 30 yards, use a rangefinder rather than judging by eye
- Confirm every reticle line on paper before you hunt with it
Drop is predictable. Misjudged distance is what actually causes misses, and it gets worse the further out you go.
Related crossbow guides
The rest of the crossbow setup chain.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to the bolt drop questions people ask most.
How much does a crossbow bolt drop at 50 yards?
From a 20-yard zero, roughly 15 inches at 400 fps, 20 inches at 350 fps and 27 inches at 300 fps. Confirm your own figure on paper, because bolt weight and scope height shift it.
How much does a crossbow drop at 100 yards?
A long way. About 7 feet at 400 fps and over 12 feet at 300 fps from a 20-yard zero. It is a range-day distance, not a hunting one.
Why do crossbows zero at 20 yards?
It is the industry standard, so multi-line reticles and speed dials are all built around it. Zeroing somewhere else means every other line on the scope is wrong.
Does a heavier bolt drop more?
Yes. A heavier bolt leaves slower, so it falls further over the same distance. It holds its energy and resists wind better, which is why hunters accept the extra drop.
How many clicks is an inch at 20 yards?
About 20 clicks on a 1/4 MOA scope and 10 on a 1/2 MOA scope, because one minute of angle is only about a fifth of an inch at that distance.
Do broadheads change the drop?
They change point of impact more than drop, and fixed blades can move several inches at 40 yards. Sight in with the heads you plan to hunt with.
Is a published drop chart accurate for my crossbow?
Treat it as a starting point. Scope height, bolt weight, vane size and string condition all shift the numbers, so measure your own at 30, 40 and 50 yards.
References
These sources support the trajectory, scope and safety guidance on this page.