Crossbow bolts or arrows??

[Tartar Horde]

I think it's a problem in terminology folks. Correctly speaking Crossbows use Bolts, even if some people call them arrows, they are still bolts. The old medieval crossbows could have huge draw-weights 200lbs plus, and because they didn't have modern materials like Aluminium and Carbon the bolts had to be sturdy enough to take the power surge of the string. Modern crossbows bolts are simlpy shorter length shafts, the same shafts can be used for bows as well but will be left loger for the Bow as a bow has a longer draw length. Some of the old medieval bolts have large diameters and substantial heads on them, this heavy weight ammunition stored a lot of energy and when shot from a crossbow had excellent penetrative qualities.
The crossbow does have a bad reputation for being a "poachers" weapon but I feel this is purely through the efforts of the government and the media who are in cohort with them. Any weapon system that is widely available without a "licence" that can be used silently, and with a degree of accuracy is bound to draw attention from a government that seeks to completely control every aspect of our lives.