vintage 80's crossbow questions

[esoxhunter]

back in the 80's my father purchased a Barnett Wildcat recurve crossbow. He took it out hunting once and it probably has been shot no more than 30 times total. He dug it out of the basement a few years ago and gave it to me. I inspected it and found that the limb had a stress fracture. It went into my basement for 3 more years.
I just found a new 150lb limb for it and have a few questions. I know almost nothing about crossbows, especially old recurves.
What kind of bolts should I try with it ? Carbon ? Aluminum ?
Should I use half-moon or flat nocks ? I have one of the original bolts and its an aluminum with a flat nock.
I know this is not going to be a very fast xbow, so should I be using the lightest broadheads possible ?
Thanks for any and all input.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b393/esoxhunter/wildcat.jpg

[FranciscoJ]

I would say try out a variety. I can't speak from recurve experience though. Get a few carbon and aluminum bolts. Get 85,100,125 field points. Try to find what works best for you and your bow. You could get a different answer from each person. You'll never know what works for you until you try...

[bluefinn]

I have the same one hanging on my wall. Don't use it anymore but the aluminum flat nocks are what came with it originally. I believe the bolts are 16 inch. Last time I shot mine it was dead on. Go kill em.

[dannmann801]

That is a sharp looking bow - I really like the looks of it...like wood better than synthetics.

[PureLuck]

I do believe that it takes 16 inch bolts. I have one as well. I found better success with it when I went with a carbon arrow with a moon nock. Seeing that these bows arent the fastest, the carbon improved the speed of the arrow and the moon nock helped to control the arrow traveling down the rail better. As far as broadheads, I went with the 100 grain thunderheads. The 75 grain heads work well too. All you can really do is go out and have fun with it and see what works best with it.

PL

[va.rn]

Your exactly right about penetration I got a nine pt at 18 yards with a rage 2 blade that didnt go all the way thru last year. It did drop within 65yd with good trail. So you can look at it that maybe the bigger hole and placement is the key. I just bought a used Black Ice from a guy who bought it new had it set up for hunting and picked it up at the shop 2 weeks before season and chrono'd it at 309 fps. At that time he went atv riding had a accident and never shot it and it sat for a year. So i guess ill stick with the rages I picked up a little barnett xbow for my son its a 125 recurve and im thinking of going with the 40k 100 gr rage for him. You could consider those broadheads they are supposedly designed for low kinetic bows.