New guy here needing some wisdom..

[M77 ruger]

I am wanting to try my hand at using a crossbow for whitetail deer hunting for the 2016 season and beyond in ga. I have been reading up a lot and reading reviews and it just seems it is making it harder and harder to decide. I have it narrowed down to 4 but I just can't decide. ( matrix 330, ten point Titan ss, wicked ridge G3 invader and 355 matrix which is a little high on my budget) I am looking for something that is going to be reliable and something I am not going to have in the shop all the time being worked on and something not real loud. I want it to be there when that deer of a lifetime decides to step out and make a accurate shot. Last but not least I want something I can shoot often and get comfortable with.I'm trying my best to stay under $750 dollars if possible. Just need some info from you guys who actually have these bows and might can help me decide. Thanks in advance for any advice or info

[TheBig1]

Welcome, you'll find plenty of wisdom here. I'm relatively new to crossbows myself, I just bought my first one last August. But I can tell you for a fact, that you will not go wrong with buying an Excalibur and by joining this forum to gain information.

Why'd I buy an Excalibur? Because I was hard pressed to find one bad review on them. Plus, anything that needs done to this bow, I can do it all by myself. Something wrong with the string? Change it yourself. Anything! Other bows I'd have to take to a shop to get done.

You'll hear plenty of opinions on both the 330 and 355 but I have the Grizzly and couldn't be happier with my purchase for $500. I took the extra money and upgraded like crazy.

Good luck to you,
Chad

[amythntr]

I am wanting to try my hand at using a crossbow for whitetail deer hunting for the 2016 season and beyond in ga. I have been reading up a lot and reading reviews and it just seems it is making it harder and harder to decide. I have it narrowed down to 4 but I just can't decide. ( matrix 330, ten point Titan ss, wicked ridge G3 invader and 355 matrix which is a little high on my budget) I am looking for something that is going to be reliable and something I am not going to have in the shop all the time being worked on and something not real loud. I want it to be there when that deer of a lifetime decides to step out and make a accurate shot. Last but not least I want something I can shoot often and get comfortable with.I'm trying my best to stay under $750 dollars if possible. Just need some info from you guys who actually have these bows and might can help me decide. Thanks in advance for any advice or info

...first of all welcome to the forum....obviously we are going to be partial to the Excalibur line...have you had a chance to shoot all of the bows in question that you have narrowed the choice down to the aforementioned ones...I ask, because I believe there is a significant weight difference between the 10pt and the Excalibur line. With that said I think any Excalibur you select will allow for the the ability to shoot the deer of a lifetime...bear in mind, i have heard many a person with many different implements saying that just when one of a lifetime came out, the gun didn't go off, etc...all mechanical things will break...I think there is definitely less to go wrong with the Excalibur than other CB's...

...btw, there is a beautiful Micro 335 for sale right at your price range in the trading post...it is hardly used and I know the gentleman selling it...a 335 for $750...take a gander.

...btw, you left a lot of information out that goes into the decision making for a CB...the only thing you have told us is your new and $750 is your max.

Anthony

[one shot scott]

I think any of the bows you have listed would treat you well. Sure, Id like to see ya own an Excalibur but that's just because its all I have ever owned and I think the company really stands behind their product. Best advice is is to find a shop that would let you try the ones your interested in

good luck with your decision

[M77 ruger]

Thanks guys for all the info so far. I am leaning more toward the Excalibur which I why I wanted to post on here to get real world advice. I have not shot any of these crossbows but I have held a couple of them. Can someone tell me how wide the 330 and 355 matrix are? I will more than likely be hunting out of a ground blind and or a box stand so width is something of importance to a degree. It just seems Excalibur have a strong following and they are rock solid for all I have read. Please keep all the advice and info coming. The more I know the better

[racking up points]

Thanks guys for all the info so far. I am leaning more toward the Excalibur which I why I wanted to post on here to get real world advice. I have not shot any of these crossbows but I have held a couple of them. Can someone tell me how wide the 330 and 355 matrix are? I will more than likely be hunting out of a ground blind and or a box stand so width is something of importance to a degree. It just seems Excalibur have a strong following and they are rock solid for all I have read. Please keep all the advice and info coming. The more I know the better

Both have the same uncococked width, 31". The 355 is about an inch longer from buttstock to stirrup. I'd go with the 330, you never hear of people having problems with them and if $ is tight, I wouldn't waste it for 25fps.

[M77 ruger]

Thanks guys for all the info so far. I am leaning more toward the Excalibur which I why I wanted to post on here to get real world advice. I have not shot any of these crossbows but I have held a couple of them. Can someone tell me how wide the 330 and 355 matrix are? I will more than likely be hunting out of a ground blind and or a box stand so width is something of importance to a degree. It just seems Excalibur have a strong following and they are rock solid for all I have read. Please keep all the advice and info coming. The more I know the better

Both have the same uncococked width, 31". The 355 is about an inch longer from buttstock to stirrup. I'd go with the 330, you never hear of people having problems with them and if $ is tight, I wouldn't waste it for 25fps.

Yeah I wish money was no question but the wife wants me to keep it within reason just in case it becomes one of these deals where I don't use it like I thought I would. The pkg that comes with the 330 (scope,bolts etc) good enough to get started hunting until I can afford upgrades? I know I will need broad heads and I would also like light nocks if possible. Overall I guess I asking is this a good pkg or should I look for a bare bones pkg

[cedo1974]

Hi

As I'm new to the whole crossbow world, I was in your shoes not long ago. As someone that's been into archery for quite a few years, I've always wanted a crossbow, but never pulled the trigger until recently. Before my research, I wanted the biggest, baddest crossbow that money could buy...but the budget wouldn't allow it.

So I researched and decided what features were most important to me. Simple was better because I knew all about timing issues with compound bows...so a recurve it was going to be. I wanted a great warranty, of course, because things can and will break eventually. I wanted a bow that I could shoot out of the box without having to upgrade right away. It also had to have an anti-dryfire system included...forget to load a bolt once and your limbs are toast.

The Excalibur line fit everything I wanted and more. A bit pricier, so I had to save a bit more money first, but totally worth it. I chose the Micro 335 as my first bow and I love it. Yes, I had a limb splinter and it might have been my own fault, but I had two brand new limbs shipped to me in 6 business days during Christmas with no questions asked. This company stands behind their product!!

By the way, I've "Robin Hooded" bolts at 40 yards on purpose (just so I could say I did it)...so all these claims of being dead-on accurate are very true!!

All that being said, buy the bow that fits your needs....it can be any bow you want, as long as it's an Excalibur (just kidding ) !!

[jparchery]

Welcome to the forum, I own both Excalibur and Ten point crossbows. Both great bows. I would personally recommend you start with the matrix 355. If money is an issue, you should consider getting an older model Exocet or Exomax. Those are the bows that gave Excalibur the name they have today.

[Deerstalker]

I believe that any CB that you buy can shoot an arrow completely through the deer you will be hunting. The Excalibur CBs are very accurate & reliable and at the same time easy to maintain, (string change & cock/un-cock in the field). I would suggest that whatever model you choose that you form the habit of always doing the same thing when shooting. All thumbs/fingers below the top of the rail, line up the target, safety off, same cheek weld to the stock and squeeze the trigger. Good luck & I hope that you get that "deer of a lifetime"!

[richard]

I have both the tenpoint titan and matrix 330. Tenpoint has a one piece stock an main frame witch is made of plastic and it does flex. Matrix is aluminum. If you like expandable broadheads the titan shot them pretty good. It will not shoot fixed blades for good groups. Didnt matter with the 330 it shoots everything with good groups. The 330 is easier on strings an serving but you will need a stringing aid. I dont mean to be bashing the titan but for about the same price the 330 will do ya better. Got mine at wyverne creations for 600. Hope this helps

[vixenmaster]

If'en you plan long practice sessions i would vote the Matrix 330 as a bare model n get the ADF. Find a decent used scope n half dz new very good arrows. A stringing aid n rope cocker. Don't worry none about the shot noise, i ain't never had a tick toter complain from it.

[robertyb]

You can get the same bow as the M-355 basically by buying a Matrix 350 LE from a website I am going to post a link to. The M-350 is actually faster than a M-355 but they had to name it something. It is also a couple of hundred dollars cheaper because you will pay in Canadian dollars. At today's exchange rate it was $501 to your door with free shipping. Best deal in town. I bought one (do a search on here for link) and really like mine. The link shows him sold out but a popup appears for you to leave an e-mail address and he will let you know when they come back in stock. Usually within a week or so.

http://www.alflahertys.com/collections/ ... ope-3500se

[Mb85]

I was in the same boat as you M77, I'm in Missouri and we just approved Xbow for 2016 for all archery methods. I have little Xbow experience so I checked out this forum and now I feel like I have learned a lot! I don't know how dead set you are on a 330 or 355 but I picked up a micro 335 with a tact zone for $680 to my door. I went to pine mountain archery (EBay store) and watched some auctions and won. They also have some 380s for around the same price. Hope this helps.

[L. E. Carroll]

First , let me say welcome to the forum.

Before I could advise at all on which model I would suggest, I would like to know your age, and physical ability?

I know you mentioned using it from both a tree stand and a blind. I have a Micro 335 and a Matrix 355... The Micro would do everything your asking very well size wise but keep in mind it also has a 270# draw weiight which could be tough up in a tree especially if you must do it while sitting down. My Matrix 355 is 5" wider overall but only 240# I find it easier to cock of my two, even while sitting. I would never consider it a bad choice for a tree stand nor a blind.... it's simply a great bow.

Keep in mind when using a cocking rope device both draw weights are cut in half and you only feel half of the listed draw weight.

I'm going to be 65 in two months and a torn out tricep in my bow arm was my reason for switching to crossbows... I did try, and I can pretty easily cock my 355 while sitting as well as the Micro 335 but not everyone can .( the torn tricep is only a problem when pushing or trying to support a vert. bow while drawing with the other arm..... it has nothing to do with how much I can lift or pull). My build is "Stout at 5'7" and 220#. having recently finished 30 years in a Railroad car repair shop, where everyting is heavy and mostly done manually, I consider myself above average , for my age strength wise )

You would have to evaluate your own capabilities.

I started the crossbow journey with a Brand New Matrix 330 and it was a great choice .... plenty fast , light weight, flat shooting, not overly wide, and you never hear of anyone having a problem with their 330 and all at only 220# or an actual 110# draw weight. It was a great bow, but I found I could comfortably go up some in draw weight and traded around until i came up with the 2 I have at present.


The choice is yours to make, but should you choose an Excaliber crossbow with it's quality, performance, accuracy, warranty dept. and customer service you'll never look back.

BTW, with the 2016 models just being released, several very nice bows both Matrix and Micros are showing up in the "Trading Post" at excellent prices, many with tons of expensive up-grades added at almost give away prices... Shop around your $750 can go very far there....and don't worry about warranty If it's an Excalibur, it's covered!

Gene