Buying Guide / Arrows & Nocks
Ravin Bolts & Arrows:
The Complete Buying Guide
Which tolerance, which grain weight, and which exact bolt fits your specific Ravin model — including the models most buying guides skip entirely.
DISCLOSURE — Dark Justice Survival is a Ravin Crossbows affiliate. Purchases made through links below may earn us a commission at no cost to you.
Ravin crossbows use a proprietary Trac-Trigger Firing System that clasps directly to the string — which means nock fit isn't optional the way it might be on other platforms, and neither is picking the correct arrow for your specific model. This guide covers straightness tolerance (.001" vs .003"), grain weight, and the exact SKU-level compatibility gaps that trip people up — including the R500 and R18, which each need their own dedicated arrows entirely.
.001" vs .003": The Actual Difference
Straightness tolerance is how far the shaft is allowed to deviate from perfectly straight during manufacturing, inclusive of a 100-grain field tip or broadhead. At 20–30 yards the difference is minimal for most shooters. Past 40–50 yards, tighter tolerance starts showing up as tighter groups. Most serious hunters run .001" for the season and .003" for pre-season volume practice — a reasonable middle path if you don't want to buy two full sets of premium arrows.
Grain Weight: Lighter vs. Heavier
Standard Ravin arrows run around 400 grains total (arrow plus field tip), which is what ships with every current crossbow — flatter trajectory, easier holdover at range. Ravin's XK5 line steps up to 500 grains specifically for big game, trading some trajectory flatness for increased kinetic energy and knockdown power. Match your grain weight to your game, not just to what's cheapest in the pack.
Recommended Arrows By Use Case
100% pure carbon construction at Ravin's tightest .001" tolerance. The default hunting pick for most Ravin models. Compatible with all models except R500 Series.
$119.99 / 6-pack Check Price on Ravin →
500-grain arrows delivering increased kinetic energy for extreme knockdown power on big game. Still .001" tolerance. Compatible with all models except R500 Series — not tied to any "XK5 crossbow," since no such model exists.
$129.99 / 6-pack Check Price on Ravin →
Same .001" match-grade shaft as the standard Premium Arrows, with an ultra-bright lighted nock built in — compensated in weight so flight matches non-lighted arrows exactly. Track your shot and find your arrow fast at dawn or dusk.
$119.99 / 6-pack Check Price on Ravin →
Ravin's most popular and best-selling arrow. Standard .003" tolerance at a lower price point — the right call for volume practice and sighting in before you step up to .001" for the season. Compatible with all models except R500 Series.
$84.99 / 6-pack Check Price on Ravin →
Built specifically to withstand the R500's enormous kinetic energy and match its Trac-Trigger nock system. If you own any R500 model, this is not optional — the standard .001/.003 Arrows above explicitly do not work in R500 crossbows.
$119.99 / 6-pack Check Price on Ravin →
The R18's compact frame needs its own shorter arrow — 16" and 350 grains, versus the standard 20" length used on every other Ravin model. This was missing from the original version of this guide; R18 owners buying standard-length arrows by mistake is a real, avoidable problem.
$84.99 / 6-pack Check Price on Ravin →Full Arrow Comparison
| Arrow | Tolerance | Weight | Compatible With | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .003 Arrows | .003" | ~400gr | All EXCEPT R500 Series | $84.99 |
| .001 Premium Arrows | .001" | ~400gr | All EXCEPT R500 Series | $119.99 |
| .003 Match-Grade Lighted | .003" | ~400gr | All EXCEPT R500 Series | $84.99 |
| .001 Premium Match-Grade Lighted | .001" | ~400gr | All EXCEPT R500 Series | $119.99 |
| .001 XK5 Arrows (big game) | .001" | 500gr | All EXCEPT R500 Series | $129.99 |
| .001 XK5 Lighted Arrows | .001" | 500gr | All EXCEPT R500 Series | $129.99 |
| .003 R500 Series Arrows | .003" | — | R500 Series only | $84.99 |
| .001 R500 Series Arrows | .001" | — | R500 Series only | $119.99 |
| .003 R18 Arrows | .003" | 350gr, 16" | R18 only | $84.99 |
Nocks
Nocks follow the same model-specific split as arrows — an R500 nock won't lock into a non-R500 crossbow's Trac-Trigger Firing System, and vice versa.
| Nock | Compatible With | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ravin Nocks (set of 12) | All models EXCEPT R500 Series | $14.99 | View → |
| R500 Series Ravin Nocks (set of 12) | R500 Series only | $14.99 | View → |
| Ravin Lighted Nocks | Universal replacement upgrade | $44.99 | View → |
| Ravin Nock Arrow Puller | Doubles as lighted nock extinguisher | $14.99 | View → |
Storage & Related Accessories
| Accessory | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Ravin Hard Case (fits R9/R15/R10/R10X/R5X/R20/LR/R470/R500 Series) | $369.99 | View → |
| Ravin Premium Arrow Rest | $99.99 | View → |
| Ravin 3-Arrow Quiver/Mounting Bracket | $64.99 | View → |
Regret Traps — Common Mistakes
Using non-Ravin arrows on a Ravin crossbow
The Trac-Trigger Firing System clasps directly to the string center — third-party arrows without the correct nock fit can cause misfires and inconsistent releases. Buy Ravin-spec arrows for Ravin crossbows.
Buying the wrong model-specific arrow
R500 and R18 owners can't use the standard arrows most other Ravin models share — cross-check your exact crossbow model against the compatibility table above before buying.
Mixing arrow weights without re-zeroing
Switching between 400gr standard arrows and 500gr XK5 arrows changes trajectory. If you practice with one weight and hunt with another, re-zero with your actual hunting arrows before the season starts.
Buyer Checklist
- You know your exact Ravin model, not just "I have a Ravin."
- You've confirmed whether your model needs standard, R500-specific, or R18-specific arrows.
- You've picked .001" for hunting or .003" for practice — or both, deliberately.
- You've matched grain weight to your game — standard for most hunting, XK5 (500gr) for big game.
- You've confirmed lighted nocks are legal in your state/season before hunting with them.
- You've planned to re-zero if switching arrow weights between practice and hunting.
Bottom Line
For most Ravin owners, .003 Arrows covers practice and .001 Premium Arrows covers hunting season — both work across every model except the R500. If you own an R500 or R18, skip the standard lineup entirely and go straight to their dedicated arrows; nothing else fits. For big game, step up to XK5 regardless of which platform you're running.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any crossbow arrow in my Ravin?
No. Ravin's Trac-Trigger Firing System requires a Ravin-specific nock configuration. Third-party arrows without the correct nock can cause misfires and inconsistent accuracy.
Is there a "Ravin XK5" crossbow?
No. XK5 refers to Ravin's 500-grain big-game arrow line, not a crossbow model. These arrows are compatible with the same crossbows as Ravin's standard .001/.003 arrows — all models except the R500 Series.
Does straightness tolerance matter at hunting distances?
At 30 yards and under, the difference between .001" and .003" is minimal for most shooters. Past 40-50 yards, the tighter .001" tolerance tightens group size.
What arrows does the R18 use?
The R18 requires its own dedicated .003 R18 Arrows — 16" long and 350 grains, shorter than the standard 20" arrows used on other Ravin models.
Do I need to re-zero if I switch arrow weights?
Yes. Different grain weights produce different velocities and trajectories. Confirm your zero with the exact arrow you'll hunt with before the season starts.