There are times you don’t want to make any noise. The crossbow is nice for (let us say) shooting a buck that’s in your back yard. But the bolts are indeed expensive.
I+’ve never had a close look at that hardware or the costs of it all. I’ll have to stop at Dick’s Sporting Goods and check them out. Won’t be buying one, as I have Class III firearms to to “quiet & fast work”.
I would like to master the slingshot. Quiet. They will never outlaw rocks. And it was good enough for David.