What Is Insert?

Insert: definition

Also called: bolt insert, point insert, broadhead insert, threaded insert, outsert

An insert is a small threaded fitting glued or pressed into the front of a bolt. It reinforces the shaft end and provides the threads that a field point or broadhead screws into. Most are aluminum, which keeps the weight low and the threads strong.

The thread size is what matters when you shop. Many tips use a common standard thread, and the REEGOX review lists 8-32 UNC for its removable 125-grain target points. If the insert and the tip use different threads, they will not fit and should never be forced.

Inserts also affect weight and balance, because they sit right at the front of the bolt. A heavier insert raises FOC and total weight slightly, so it is worth including in your calculations when you compare bolts.

Insert checks at a glance

Why Insert matters

The insert holds the tip. If it comes loose, the tip can loosen, and a loose tip or insert changes flight and can be unsafe. Bolts in our reviews with aluminum inserts showed no looseness across repeated recoil, but a cracked shaft end or a worn thread is a reason to retire the bolt.

It is also a compatibility gatekeeper. A broadhead that does not suit your insert threads, or one that shifts how the bolt aligns with the shaft, can cause erratic flight. Check the thread type and the maker's compatibility notes before you buy tips.

How to read it on a spec sheet

• Look for the thread size in the listing, such as 8-32 UNC, and match it to the tips you intend to use.
• Check whether the insert is included, glued, or a separate part you must install.
• Note any "outsert" wording. An outsert fits over the shaft end rather than inside it, and it changes the tip it pairs with.
• Read the stated weight as inclusive of the insert, and note the tip it assumes.
• Look for compatibility lines naming broadheads or field points that the maker supports.

Common mistakes

• Forcing a tip into a mismatched thread. This damages the threads and the shaft end.
• Over-tightening a tip. Snug is enough; follow the maker instructions.
• Ignoring a loose insert because the bolt still flies. Retire it.
• Gluing an insert with the wrong adhesive or alignment. Use the maker procedure.
• Mixing insert types in one set and changing balance without noticing.

Check an insert and tip fit

1. Hold the bolt and check the insert for any movement or gaps.
2. Thread in a tip by hand until it seats, without force.
3. Spin the bolt on a flat surface and watch the tip for wobble.
4. Look at the shaft end around the insert for hairline cracks.
5. Repeat for every bolt in the set and retire any that fail.

In my testing

During the R133 recoil testing I checked the aluminum threaded inserts and nock bushings for looseness or cracking after repeated shots, and in my sample none loosened. How I test.

See it in our reviews

• Ravin R133 Lighted Arrows — rated 4.5/5
• Reegox Crossbow Bolts — rated 3.9/5