Excalibur Matrix 380 – A Recurve Crossbow Review
The Excalibur Matrix 380 has been said to be the ultimate combination of power and design. It’s a popular choice for hunters who aren’t afraid to spend top dollar in exchange for quality.
The following is an in-depth look at the features that define it and is meant to give you a more informed perspective on the crossbow.
Excalibur Matrix 380 – Crossbow
Specifications:
- Velocity: 380 fps
- Draw Weight: 260 lbs
- Length: 35.6″
- Crossbow Weight: 5.9 lbs
- Power Stroke: 13.1
A great bow that performs exceptionally well across all categories. If you’re looking for a quality crossbow to last a long time, this is it!
What’s Included In Package
- Excalibur Matrix 380 Crossbow
- Tact-zone scope
- Rope cocking device
- REDS noise suppressors
- Cheekpiece
- Four Diablo arrows
- Stock and prod
- 4-arrow quiver
- Four 150-grain field point
- Assembly tools
- Instruction manual
- Warranty card
- Extreme fps & penetration
- Compact sturdy build
- Lightweight & Quiet (REDS included)t
- Poor illumination on Scope
Excalibur Matrix 380 Detailed Review:
Power
Regarding accuracy and power, few crossbows can compare to the Matrix 380. Its arrows are fired at 380 fps (the inspiration behind its name) to hit its target with 112 FPKE. This is more than sufficient power to take down the most significant games.
Its accuracy is excellent, up to about 70 yards: which is mostly the farthest you can get with crossbows while maintaining 4” groupings. Hunters who have attempted to sight this bow using an ordinary target are often surprised by its power and accuracy. You’ll sometimes find yourself removing arrows from targets non-stop, which can be quite a tiresome process
User Comfort
If you love to hunt from ground blinds, this is the best bow for you as it features complete blackout and a non-reflective black and camouflage finish that makes it almost invisible when you’re outside.
Although recurve crossbows are inherently more difficult to set up because of the complex stringing process, this one comes pre-strung, making the assembly process quite a breeze. Setting up the crossbow is pretty straightforward, but if you are completely new to assembling them, the attached pictorial instruction manual will break it down for you.
In addition to the usual cocking device, arrows and quiver, scope and assembly tools, the package includes a stock and prod, an anti-dry fire scope mount and suppressors. These are highly convenient accessories that make this crossbow more recommendable.
Compared to other crossbows, the Matrix 380 is quite compact and narrow. This is quite different from what we expect from recurve crossbows. It’s one of the few recurve bows we deem convenient enough to take on long hunting expeditions.
The rope cocking aid that comes in the package helps to make for a smooth and effortless draw every time. This would otherwise have been a disaster since the bow has a remarkable draw weight of 260 lbs.
Its trigger pull is relatively easy on the finger and perfectly balanced to maximize the effect. This, combined with the package’s four high-quality 18” Diablo arrows, ensures the bow’s accuracy from a distance as far as 80 yards, which is extremely good.
The balance on this crossbow is another remarkable feature. It’s built using lightweight material, and its total weight is 5.9 lbs, one of the lightest on the market. This low weight is not concentrated toward the front, which is usually a problem with most powerful models.
Instead, the weight is mostly situated close to the shoulder, an ideal support point. This eliminates many common problems seasoned hunters usually experience, such as arm fatigue, handshakes and lowered accuracy.
The limbs are also made of high-quality material and are bound to last almost a lifetime. A cheekpiece is also included in the package, ensuring utmost accuracy and reducing shaky movement.
Noise Suppression
Powerful crossbows usually generate a lot of energy from the strings once a bolt is released. This energy is mostly made evident by vibration and noise, but these dampeners strive to reduce the effect by absorbing the shock waves that result from the shot.
The Excalibur Matrix 380 package comes with REDS noise suppressors to ensure you don’t scare off your game, although this is highly unlikely considering the arrow’s velocity.
REDS stands for Recoil Energy Dissipation System. The pair of suppressors is not fixed onto the device, and it’s usually advisable to adjust their positioning every so often to maximize their period of use.
Quality of Optics
The package comes with a state-of-the-art Tact-Zone scope with multiple reticles illuminated in red and green. The rheostat illumination options are adjustable for impressive speeds ranging from 275 to 410 fps. It comes mostly sighted out of the box and usually requires less than 5 shots to get to zero. Once it’s perfectly sighted, it can hold zero almost indefinitely, however roughly it’s handled.
Unfortunately, the scope is not as perfect as one would expect for foggy weather and the illumination is almost completely blurred out of sight.
Safety
It has an automatic safety feature that engages every time you cock the bow and disengages when you wish to fire. This system is based on the Guardian anti-dry fire facility that comes with every package and makes this powerful device all the more convenient and friendly to its user.
Durability
The device is sturdy, and as a plus, it comes with a 5-year unlimited warranty on manufacturer’s defects. Depending on how you handle the Matrix 380, you might get an extension to a lifetime warranty at the end of the warranty period, so treat it well!
This is quite a remarkable commitment on the manufacturer’s part, as it’s an assurance of quality and makes the relatively big investment worthwhile. It allows you to enjoy peace of mind and make the most of your outdoor experience.
Add-ons
While the default arrows recommended by the manufacturer are usually not the best, it’s a pleasant surprise in this case. Since the Matrix 380 package only comes with four arrows, it might be best to invest in a few more. The Diablo Carbon arrows offered by Excalibur are incredibly well-designed and specific for this bow. We recommend using them over bolts that we would recommend, such as Carbon Express.
Like any other bow, the Matrix 380 must be stored properly to function well for the entire duration of its life. More importantly, how you treat your crossbow will determine whether or not you’ll be offered a lifetime warranty after 5 years. You should invest in a high-quality hard case bag that will protect the bow from all kinds of damage.
The crossbow must also wax its strings to ensure optimal device performance. Get good quality wax and conditioner and use it sparingly by the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid clogging crucial pores.
- DESIGNED FOR MATRIX SERIES CROSSBOWS: Excalibur's Diablo Carbon Arrows are designed specifically for the Excalibur's...
- MAXIMUM RELIABILITY AND PERFORMANCE: The 18" carbon arrows specifically made for superior performance; they feature a...
- SPECIFICATIONS: The Excalibur's Diablo Carbon Arrows have the following specifications: length - 18 inches, 250 grain...
Conclusion
Considering the amount of destructive power packed into this great recurve crossbow, it’s one of the best choices for hunting. However, we would not recommend it for target practice or tournaments.
The Excalibur Matrix 380 has all the features you will need: speed, accuracy, comfort, quietness, safety and a comfortable weight. It is one of the few crossbows in the world to offer the ultimate combination of form, function and convenience in one sleek piece. It matches all of its claims to become one of the top crossbow performers we have rated and provides so much more than is expected of it.