Off-season Considerations For My Micro 335

[LoneWolf45]

Hello Excel community,

I have usually been a guy who likes trying "upgrades" but always seem to fall back to the stock/default configuration for most things, seeing no advantage to said upgrades. Exceptions to this are usually sights. So...

What are the advantages to a Flemish string I see discussed so often on the forums? I'm interested, but I need to know if it truly does improve the crossbow, or if is just one of those "upgrades" that provide no real practical improvement over a stock string.

Next up, arrows... I'm running the stock Excalibur Quill bolts. Just curious, are there options that are truly better?

My Micro 335 is strictly used for hunting. That may be helpful to know for some of your recommendations.

[8ptbuk]

Flemish Strings are Stronger, Quieter, and and in theory, enhance accuracy if built to the proper diameter to sit in the center of the nock . And they look Cool ! Lol

[vixenmaster]

As stated above,plus you can get the colors n strand count you want

[galamb]

On a bow that is "strictly used for hunting" the most important part to "fiddle with" is arrow/broadhead.

If you stick with a broadhead, whether you like fixed or mechanical, from one of the major mfg's, it comes down to preference - one will not kill the game any "deader" than the other.

What you do need to do is find the broadhead/arrow combination that YOU can shoot the best, most accurately, in all weather conditions even on windy days (if you would hunt on days "like that") and if your stock stuff will do that, then there is no need to look further.

Yes, I run a flemish string. It does give you a little more speed, but we are talking the last few fps to meet the factory claims - ok, might be more quiet - but it's a "noisy crossbow" and you aren't going to significantly change that - and yes, they do look super cool when you get some funky colours - but they are just "decoration" on an already decorated cake.

My hunting buddy shoots the stock string, Excal bolts with the Boltcutters that came with his set-up. He shoots "minute of Bambi" - no, he can't split his arrows with the next shot at the target - no he's not getting the max speed out his bow - he didn't add vibration dampers, or S5's - zip nada nothing.

I'm tricked out to the point where I can't even find something to add or change - and I shoot Gold Tip arrows, with heavy front inserts, the newest expandable heads etc etc etc.

He has shot and recovered just as many deer as I have.

My point is - only change what you NEED to unless you WANT to - just because everybody and their brother (on this site) is running custom Flemish strings doesn't mean that the other 95% of crossbow owners, who are not on this site are having "no luck at all" with their OEM strings. Most of us here are here because we are not satisfied with "OEM" and each push the envelope in different directions - we are probably not your "average crossbow shooters" so I wouldn't feel compelled to try and follow this crowd - were addicts

[paulaboutform]

The way I see it, both strings will shoot arrows and kill game. However, the advantage of the Flemish Twist strings is that they reduce perceived noise and vibration making shooting more enjoyable for you.
The arrows are the same idea. The stock arrows will kill dear just as well. However, good quality arrows, such as Black Eagle Zombie Slayers and Executioners actually have tighter tolerances and are more accurate. The difference becoming more evident the further you shoot. Black Eagles ( B.E.'s ) are also less expensive than the stock arrows and can be built with your choice of inserts. 28gr aluminum, 80, 92, or 110 grain brass inserts allow you to cucustomize your setup forum whatever you want to achieve. They also allow you to use basically any weight broadheads you want instead of 150gr broadheads or heavier. So my answer is, although the factory strings and arrows are fine, the quantity Flemish strings and arrows are absolutely better and truly are an upgrade.

Paul

[retrieverman]

For hunting, I like simplicity and am not one for "curb feelers", but on my Micro, I've got one of Boo's Force 10 flemish strings. I had used a factory flemish string on my Exomax and don't believe it gained anything, but on my Micro, the difference was like night and day.

[Mr. RoC]

If you are only using your Micro for hunting the factory is more than enough for your needs. Your only concern would be string stretch but that's not a big deal. Use a stringer, twist the string a bit and recheck your POI and make your scope adjustments if needed.

I keep an extra Excal factory string for my Micro on hand just in case I need to do a quick string change.

Couple advantages I see with a factory string... cheaper, no wait time for a custom build and can be bought from your local Canadian Tire store (depending on your location), BP, Cabela's, or your local archery/outdoor sporting goods store.

[drkeenan]

For hunting, I like simplicity and am not one for "curb feelers", but on my Micro, I've got one of Boo's Force 10 flemish strings. I had used a factory flemish string on my Exomax and don't believe it gained anything, but on my Micro, the difference was like night and day.

I too used a stock string shooting Exomax but switched to a Danny Miller with my Matrix 330. Agreed night and day for vibration. As to arrows, I just switched back to aluminum to save money. They are plenty accurate for my hunting needs and much less expensive!!

[LoneWolf45]

Great replies so far guys! Keep 'em coming! I'm learning a lot here.