Picked up my new 380 yesterday

[F250-2]

After months of research and advice seeking, I bought the Matrix 380 yesterday - my first crossbow and never owned any type of archery equipment previously. The owner of the bow shop helped me sight it in at his indoor range. Same hole accuracy at 20 yds. He replaced the 150 gr. target points with 100 gr. points. For broadheads - 100 gr. Grim Reapers (3 blade 1 3/8"). The trigger is certainly not a Browning X-bolt and will take some getting used to. What do you guys use to lube the rails ? Some guys say they just use Vasiline. I'll be using this for hunting only.

[8ptbuk]

Hoped he checked your brace height , congrads on the new bow !

[Kegbelly]

Congrats on the new 380, it's a great shooter!
I'm skeptical on the vaseline idea, I sure wouldn't want something greasy like that on mine. Sounds like a magnet for dust and dirt that might even accelerate rail and serving wear.
I have used spray silcone lubricant on mine a time or two just to see if it made a difference in speed, it didn't. I'm sure someone will recommend a commercial rail lube, but I haven't tried any. Best of luck with the new 380!

[xcaliber]

Good luck, and congrats! I don't use rail lube, just wipe off the build up if you get any. Some use it, I use a light waxing on my center serving. As mentioned, keep that string off the bumpers. My setting is 3/16" to 1/4" gap.

[Deaf jeff]

I use jigaloo spray on the rail of my 355. it sure seems to make it more slick, that's just my observation and in any event it surely cannot hurt. it dries very fast and will not attract dirt. i spray it on a rag then wipe the rail

[mr meat]

Congrats on the 380!

[Normous]

Don't put any crap on your mainframe because it could cause premature serving separation and leaves a mess to clean.
A small bit of non scent string wax worked into the string as needed is required on occasion only.

[vixenmaster]

Congrats to you on yer Matric

[paulaboutform]

Don't put any crap on your mainframe because it could cause premature serving separation and leaves a mess to clean.
A small bit of non scent string wax worked into the string as needed is required on occasion only.

X2...and as said before, make sure your string is 1/4" off the bumpers (3/4" from the seem at the front of the rail) and I highly recommend removing your scope mounting screws carefully, one at a time, and applying some blue loktight (medium strength). Congrats on your new bow, it's a tack driver.

[ds762]

Don't put any crap on your mainframe because it could cause premature serving separation and leaves a mess to clean.
A small bit of non scent string wax worked into the string as needed is required on occasion only.

X2...and as said before, make sure your string is 1/4" off the bumpers (3/4" from the seem at the front of the rail) and I highly recommend removing your scope mounting screws carefully, one at a time, and applying some blue loktight (medium strength). Congrats on your new bow, it's a tack driver.

What he said!

The M380 is an awesome bow!!

[F250-2]

Thanks so much to each of you who responded. The string on the crossbow is pressed firmly into the black rubber bumpers/shocks. Apparently that is a bad thing. How do I adjust things to correct the situation ?

[Normous]

The string resting on the REDS is not good and may cause stress on your limb tips. If you don't have one already you need a Stringing Aid to facilitate string removal and twist it to the proper brace height and your 380 will be GTG. Neglect of brace height may cause the bumpers to wear prematurely, POI shift and limb tip stress. Also, rotate the bumper in one direction about 1/8" inch every 5-10 shots, this only takes seconds to do and will add bumper life.
Monitor your brace height and adjust as needed. This only takes a few minutes.
Danny Miller has a sufficient inventory, good prices and fast shipping. You may call him for a good stringing aid if you require one.
740 483-2312

[Deaf jeff]

Thanks so much to each of you who responded. The string on the crossbow is pressed firmly into the black rubber bumpers/shocks. Apparently that is a bad thing. How do I adjust things to correct the situation ?

you must unstring bow,take loop off one limb and twist string counterclockwise to shorten string, this will move the string away from the rubber stops. after you twist the string, restring bow to check clearance from stops, if the string is still to close to the rubber stops do the process over until you get desired clearance.
I am no expert but I believe I am steering you straight, more knowledgeable members are sure to chime in

[8ptbuk]

The string resting on the REDS is not good and may cause stress on your limb tips. If you don't have one already you need a Stringing Aid to facilitate string removal and twist it to the proper brace height and your 380 will be GTG. Neglect of brace height may cause the bumpers to wear prematurely, POI shift and limb tip stress. Also, rotate the bumper in one direction about 1/8" inch every 5-10 shots, this only takes seconds to do and will add bumper life.
Monitor your brace height and adjust as needed. This only takes a few minutes.
Danny Miller has a sufficient inventory, good prices and fast shipping. You may call him for a good stringing aid if you require one.
740 483-2312

X2 on this . I would put about 4 to 6 cc twist in it . I think Danny charges 20 bucks for his stringing aids and they are built like a tank .

[F250-2]

Once again I want to thank each of you for your help. I'll get a stringing aid ordered ASAP and not shoot the bow again until I make the corrections. You guys are a wealth of knowledge and experience !! Nice of you all to help out the dumb new guy !