380 Disappointed Tact Zone Setting

[gtj]

Hey Folks,

I recently purchased my Matrix 380 and have gone through 3 sighting in sessions with it.

I don't wish to "cry wolf", but I am disappointed in the 344 fps Tact Zone scope speed dial setting I require to get an accurate 40 or 50 yard grouping. From reading the forum, the setting I see most guys using is from 363 to 373 fps for the M380. The additional thing that concerns me is that the POI's get lower over the shooting session with 12-20 shots.

Is the 344 fps setting still within the realms of being normal or do you feel I received a suboptimal xbow?

Appreciate your thoughts and input.
gtj



Sighting-In Info:
- off bench with Xbow in rest, no appreciable wind
- M380. Tact-Zone scope, Diablo 18" with 150gr. FP
- leveled scope with rail and limbs and then @ 50 yards on plumb line
- installed and using level on xbow
- crosshairs zero at 20 yards with fps dial @ 380
- at 40 yards need to dial fps speed dial down to 344 fps
- obtaining good groupings (<1" diameter @ 40 yards)

[xcaliber]

The ring is not calibrated, use a chronograph for accurate results. I'm thinking your total weight is near 400 grains, so divide 50/3, subtract the difference.

[Boo]

That setting is a big ball park setting because of all the variables. FOC, styles of vanes, broadhead type, broadhead length, string variety, braceheight etc, etc, etc will change POI.
What you should do is zero at 20 yards, then shoot 40 yards holding your crosshairs at your 20 yard zero aim point (you'll need one target above the other because of arrow drop). Your arrow will impact considerably lower. While holding your crosshairs on that 20 yard aiming point, turn the speed dial until your second mark down on the scope intersects with the POI of your 40 yard shot. Fine tune by using your second line down on the target and turning your speed dial.
I no way can you use the speed dial as an accurate reference.

[Boo]

The ring is not calibrated, use a chronograph for accurate results. I'm thinking your total weight is near 400 grains, so divide 50/3, subtract the difference.

No offence Dan, but you might want to re-read this. I can't make sense of what you're saying.

[Boo]

If you want to see what your max speed is, wait until your factory string has settled in and shoot a 350 gr arrow. Then shoot over a chronograph. The speed dial is not meant to tell you what arrow speeds you have. You may have to remove your REDS and lower your braceheight to obtain your highest speeds.
Industry standards for compound bows utilize no peep, no loop, no center serving, no nothing. I never chronograph my bows. I have other more important things to do.

[xcaliber]

50/3= 16.6666, so add 17 to your 344,= 361 FPS, I'm saying that the ring reflecting 344 FPS on the scope is not a calibrated device, but merely used for a guideline. What Don has described as an easy way to set the scope works very well. Sorry for the confusion! I'm not sure of the minimum and maximum deflection range, but have heard that 94# to 104# limbs have been taken off various Matrix models, what that means in real speed is significant from what I have read from posts by a few speed junkies, maybe Boo can elaborate more on actual figures. I have owned four Excals., and only one did not deliver the advertised speed, it was about 8 FPS lower, but very accurate, so it made no real difference to me.

Good luck, hope it works out for you.

[gtj]

OK, may I put another angle on this.

20 yard zero
@40 yards arrow drop is 10.5"
@50 yards arrow drop is 20.5"
- the specs and method same as previously included below

From Excaliburs ballistic chart my bow is shooting at approximately 350 fps.

My concern is that I may have a suboptimal performing M380 xbow/limbs when comparing some others stats from search on this forum.
If this is normal, then all is good, but I would contact Excalibur or the dealer if these are below normal performance specs for this bow.
Just don't want to be purchasing a M380 with less than normal performance.
Hope you understand.

Thanks,
gtj

Hey Folks,

I recently purchased my Matrix 380 and have gone through 3 sighting in sessions with it.

I don't wish to "cry wolf", but I am disappointed in the 344 fps Tact Zone scope speed dial setting I require to get an accurate 40 or 50 yard grouping. From reading the forum, the setting I see most guys using is from 363 to 373 fps for the M380. The additional thing that concerns me is that the POI's get lower over the shooting session with 12-20 shots.

Is the 344 fps setting still within the realms of being normal or do you feel I received a suboptimal xbow?

Appreciate your thoughts and input.
gtj



Sighting-In Info:
- off bench with Xbow in rest, no appreciable wind
- M380. Tact-Zone scope, Diablo 18" with 150gr. FP
- arrow weight 401 gr.
- leveled scope with rail and limbs and then @ 50 yards on plumb line
- installed and using level on xbow
- crosshairs zero at 20 yards with fps dial @ 380
- at 40 yards need to dial fps speed dial down to 344 fps
- obtaining good groupings (<1" diameter @ 40 yards)

[ehntr]

You need to visit a shop or a friend or a person who is a friend in waiting and use their chronograph. You are putting way too much worry or concern into this. The speed dial on your TactZone is not meant to be an indicator of your arrow speed. You need to get a 350 gr arrow and somebody with a chronograph and all your worries will disappear. Really and truly trying to steer you off the track you're now on and onto a different path

[vixenmaster]

At what yardage is yer 380 shootin 350 fps ? As has been said the scope speed ring isn't exact. As to wether yer 380 shoots 380 or abit less is hard to tell unless yer shootin thru a chrony. Plus yer arrows have to be 350gr total weight to get that area

[awshucks]

. Really and truly trying to steer you off the track you're now on and onto a different path

X2 On the Exo series bows, there were 9 numbers on the back of the limbs that covered 2 lbs of difference in limbs.

They number them to match limbs, if you need to warranty one limb. They send you two [matched].

Relax.......

[racking up points]

I wouldn't worry over a few FPS either, and as described, your speed estimations are flawed. You say the bow is shooting 1" groups at 40y and I've never heard anyone call that suboptimal. Some shoot better than 380, some less, it's an average and not something to obsess over. With a 350gr arrow, I'm sure you're in the ballpark. Just enjoy that new bow and get some arrows bloody.

[Boo]

Two things that stand out. One is that you are shooting a 400 gr arrow as opposed to a 350 gr arrow and 2, you are not using a chronograph to get your speeds.

[awshucks]

you are not using a chronograph to get your speeds.

Using a speed ring as a chrony is a common error on here, lol. There's ton's of post on it every year, so don't feel like the Lone Ranger.....

[otisbrazwell]

for what its worth my 380 shot the same speed with a ((400 grain)) arrow same arrow hit like a ton of bricks..switched to the 350 grain diablo and speed picked back up to near 380..speed ring was not on the money..take a 350 grain arrow and a 400 grain arrow and shoot them at 40 yards the 400 will hit way low..if you like fast and flat shoot the 350 it will pass through and kill deer

[gtj]

Hey Otisbrazwell,

Thanks a bunch. This is the kind of info I was hoping to receive from another 380 user. (Same Tact Zone speed dial setting and same arrow drop measurements as I am getting.) Makes me more confident in my new xbow.

Take Care,
gtj

for what its worth my 380 shot the same speed with a ((400 grain)) arrow same arrow hit like a ton of bricks..switched to the 350 grain diablo and speed picked back up to near 380..speed ring was not on the money..take a 350 grain arrow and a 400 grain arrow and shoot them at 40 yards the 400 will hit way low..if you like fast and flat shoot the 350 it will pass through and kill deer