Too many of these so called bolts are actually arrows. Too many of these "arrows" for crossbows are actually lightweight target arrows of modern cost efficient manufacture ie. hollow alloy tubes.
Take a look at historical crossbows and the true bolts they shot. These are more substantial, thicker, shorter and have more mass than a modern type target arrow. The mass is necessary to counter the physical twisting forces the bow crossbow prod produces. Historical fletchings were made out of material like leather which could withstand the large G-forces produced and there were only two fletchings parallel to each other so that they did not foul the stock.
A crossbow bolt does not act or fly in any way the same as an arrow for a bow. An arrow flexes in flight from side to side and this is why a bodkin arrow can under the right conditions actually penetrate bullet proof glass. A crossbow bolt is stiff, short and flies true, similar to the trajectory of a firearm. The fletchings do not bend with the shaft to clear the bow stave as it is released.
Most of these "modern" designs of crossbow are shooting arrows more similar to what a bow would shoot. This is ok for American hunters, who can spend half a day or more tracking their wounded prey as it bleeds out. It is pretty much the wrong principles for a self defence scenario or for hunting small game like squirrels & rabbits etc.
If you desire a high power crossbow for serious prep use that will be robust & reliable, then go look at historical & medieval crossbows in a museum & the Bolts they use. They were built like that for a reason and had hundreds of years of development to get to that stage. Re-inventing the wheel is just going round in circles - again & again.. Historical working replicas of these crossbows are available to buy from the right craftsmen. They will be similar in price to a (perceived) good quality mass market one. They will however last a lifetime and do the job intended & then some.. Much fun
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