First Deer with Matrix 380

[Significent]

Well, I took my first deer with the new Matrix 380 this evening. I had to run to intercept 5 that I saw cross a long driveway. When I got to a spot where I could see one of them, I dropped to the ground and crawled, most of the way on my back and then a little ways on my stomach, across a plateau to the edge overlooking a valley that stretched away a 100 yards below. One of the deer, at 26 yards, must have seen the top of my head when I peeked up and ranged it. I couldn't get a shot because tall grass was in the way. It eventually decided something was up and skittered nervously away past the others. A couple of others were at 40 yards, but they were angled directly at me. The furthest was broadside at exactly 55 yards.

Having been at the range not too long ago, I knew right where 55 yards was on my new Leupold TurkeyPlex reticle. I had set up the scope for 20, 30 and 40 yards and then incrementally moved the target back until the top of the bottom post was dead on. That just happened to be at 55 yards. I didn't actually plan to use it on a deer.

All of the remaining deer were alert now. Since I was in the prone position with both elbows firmly planted, I had a perfectly stable shot at the average-size deer. With a rifle it would have been an easy shot. Knowing how well the 380 shoots, it didn't seem unrealistic. After debating with myself for a second whether or not to take such a long shot, I decided to go for it and squeezed one off to hear the familiar thump of arrow hitting deer. Because light was almost gone, I never saw the bolt so I wasn't sure how good the hit was. I tracked blood to the edge of the field and eventually, flashlight in hand, found the deer piled up about 20 yards inside the treeline. The shwacker crossbow broadhead made a big hole through both lungs.

I'll never top that shot, cause I'll never try to, but the 380 made it possible. I love this bow!

[RonnieM]

That's freakin awesome. Deer steak it is. I cannot wait to try mine out on a animal. Neighbors dog that keeps eating my chickens may have to do

[Fletch2]

Good shootin

[tammie]

stalkin with crossbow ,not easy .good job

[maine hunter]

congrats!!!! sounds like a great hunt!!!

[newbie]

congragts on the deer. made me laugh i did the belly crawl last year!

[mr meat]

Congrats on the deer!

[strum]

Great story!! Congrats . stalking with a cross bow.. now that's tough. good job

[Hester0305]

Congrats on your deer

[vixenmaster]

Congrats to you on a good stalk n hunt. Nice shot

[Waif]

Thump!
Congrats.

[Three Bears]

Good shot and stalk......

[Mr. Cellophane]

Is your Turkey Plex set up , 20yds at top of sight circle, 30yds at the crosshairs,40yds at the the bottom of sight circle and 55yds at the top of the bottom verticle post. I have a Leupold shot gun scope on my exomax with the heavy crosshairs. Your Turkey sounds like a better set up.

An outstanding shot, well done.

[Significent]

Mr. C: My TurkeyPlex is indeed set up as you described. At both 20 and 40 yards, it shoots a half-inch low, but it's dead on at 30 yards and 55 yards. Also, at 5 yards the crosshairs are also dead on.

[luckymike]

congrats on the fine shot and fresh venison.our deer season ended a month and a half ago.