Crossbow bolts or arrows??

[Timelord]

WHY is it that most modern commercial crossbow manufacturers produce machines that actually fire arrows? Whereas origianlly even high poundage crossbows fired Bolts, which are much shorter and heavier.

I do not have an issue with using arrows, I have just been wondering why for a long time..

I have been thinking 2 reasons
1) It is more coming from the American mass commercial marketing angle where they concentrate on hunting crossbows for shooting game. Arrows would be ideal for that.
2) The modern designs of bow use the scientific theory of greater acceleration of the projectile (pound weight of draw for pound weight of projectile) by using a longer time/distance of acceleration on the string. So as in having a prod that flexes much greater than the original medieval ones - even though the draw weights may be similar. This would lend itself to the use of arrows - but not necessarily so.

Also I wonder if it is something to do with governmental & maybe possible lawsuit pressure if bolts were used because bolts are much more suited to hunting large game, eg. 2 legged variety..

has anyone any knowledge on this?, Ta, TL.

(bolts are much stronger and less likely to be damaged during use. Unfortunately this is of limited practicality - as they are more often "Fire & Forget") lol.