Any issues with bulldog or micro 355? Which one to buy?

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snugs
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Any issues with bulldog or micro 355? Which one to buy?

Post by snugs »

I know there used to be some limb issues with some crossbows...can't remember which models? Have these issues been resolved?

Have there ever been any issues with the bulldog 400 or micro 355? Are people having problems with these bows such as limb issues or other issues?

I have a grizzly which I love but got a zeiss xb75 and am thinking about upgrading.
I have asked this question in the past before, but I'm going to go ahead and ask it again since these bows have been out for a while now.
Can someone give me a quick list of the positives and negatives of the micro 355 versus the bulldog 400?
I'm feeling like maybe I want some more speed to go with the 75 yard zeiss scope.
Is the bulldog the way to go? Would I be better off sticking with the grizzly?
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Re: Any issues with bulldog or micro 355? Which one to buy?

Post by vixenmaster »

World of diff between the BD n the Micro, the will some whom have had issues n some that don't. I never owned nor shot the BD. I have owned n shot the Micro 355, i no longer own it but i do own a 1st Gen. Micro 335 Nitemare thats best thing since sliced bread
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janesy
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Re: Any issues with bulldog or micro 355? Which one to buy?

Post by janesy »

The Micro 355 uses spacers on the straps to allow the limbs to move a slight bit more. Assuming this allows it to blow off a bit more energy. From what I read, Excalibur is quite confident this will keep the limbs on the 355 in good shape.
I love my Micro 355, but then again, I love my matrix 355, and my Micro 335 too.

Cant go wrong with either. I did some warranty stuff last week. Time from me mailing to having the replacement in my hands was 46 hours.
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Re: Any issues with bulldog or micro 355? Which one to buy?

Post by newbie »

janesy wrote:The Micro 355 uses spacers on the straps to allow the limbs to move a slight bit more.
From what I read, Excalibur is quite confident this will keep the limbs on the 355 in good shape.
where did you read this?
Buy either with confidence. They are both great bows depending what you are after.
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Re: Any issues with bulldog or micro 355? Which one to buy?

Post by SEW »

I have a M380, M405 and a BD400. I'm torn between the BD and the M405. However, the M405 is out of production so it's out of the equation if buying new.
To me , the 400 is Excal's most user friendly hi-performance xbow to date.
However, think of it as a BD385. It is quieter and gentler than M380.
If you have a need for speed, the BD400 is a better choice for you, IMO .
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Re: Any issues with bulldog or micro 355? Which one to buy?

Post by robertyb »

SEW wrote:I have a M380, M405 and a BD400. I'm torn between the BD and the M405. However, the M405 is out of production so it's out of the equation if buying new.
To me , the 400 is Excal's most user friendly hi-performance xbow to date.
However, think of it as a BD385. It is quieter and gentler than M380.
If you have a need for speed, the BD400 is a better choice for you, IMO .

There are several new ones on eBay right now and I have seen a few at dealers online also.
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Re: Any issues with bulldog or micro 355? Which one to buy?

Post by janesy »

newbie wrote:
janesy wrote:The Micro 355 uses spacers on the straps to allow the limbs to move a slight bit more.
From what I read, Excalibur is quite confident this will keep the limbs on the 355 in good shape.
where did you read this?
Buy either with confidence. They are both great bows depending what you are after.
On this site. As well, my 355 has them and the 335 does not, no other bow does either to my knowledge. I also just got some hardware in the mail today. excalibur has now changed the hardware design for the straps. Getting rid of the old 1/8" Allen heads/shouldered bolts.

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Re: Any issues with bulldog or micro 355? Which one to buy?

Post by newbie »

Thanks.
I knew they had changed it i just dont remember reading anything here, nor anywhere about it.
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Re: Any issues with bulldog or micro 355? Which one to buy?

Post by snugs »

So the micro 355 has been changed? But the bulldog hardware is still the same?
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Re: Any issues with bulldog or micro 355? Which one to buy?

Post by janesy »

Yes.

I cannot confirm the bulldog. I don't think it had the spacers to begin with
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Re: Any issues with bulldog or micro 355? Which one to buy?

Post by snugs »

So people are getting about 380 out if the bd and 340 out of the 355 is this correct?
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Re: Any issues with bulldog or micro 355? Which one to buy?

Post by janesy »

Snugs I've been testing a micro 335, micro 355, matrix 355 and a matrix 380( 377fps with Flemish and whiskers) extensively for the past week. Some are fast some are slower than advertised. But the one this that I can say for absolute certain is that they all hit HARD! And that a bow that fits you the best, is the best. My Micro 355 is now just screaming, but the 335 really does feel better. And it's only 1/2" shorter.
So long and short. Go to a shop that will allow you to shoot both of them, and then pick the one that feels best.
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Re: Any issues with bulldog or micro 355? Which one to buy?

Post by RobD »

janesy wrote:Snugs I've been testing a micro 335, micro 355, matrix 355 and a matrix 380( 377fps with Flemish and whiskers) extensively for the past week.
Can't wait to hear your final results. I'm resisting the itch to switch to a Micro from my Matrix. Common sense says stay with the Matrix, but the Micros are just so cute and cuddly. :lol:
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Re: Any issues with bulldog or micro 355? Which one to buy?

Post by acreek »

For reference, I have a 6'1" frame and am in good health, so I can easily shoot compound bows and recurves and cock crossbows with a rope cocker. I was just shooting both bows side by side today and fresh off of that, here is my take.

Holding the bows offhand, the 400 Bulldog feels the best. Weight is nice and balanced and length is perfect for me to shoulder. The Micro 355 feels lighter but it's almost too short for normal offhand shooting because it doesn't fit my shoulder. I think I could adjust my stance to make the Micro fit better, though. I'll work on it.

The bows cock about the same,but the anti-dryfire on the Bulldog was a bit annoying as it made a fairly loud click while you still had a couple of inches to pull. The loud click makes you think it's cocked but since you can still pull you know there is more pulling to do. The Micro is a nice short pull to get it cocked, but it can be stiff if you're not ready for it. If you shoot some lighter models, for example, then come back to the Micro, it feels stiff. If that's all you shoot then it feels like a nice solid pull. It takes about medium effort if you get after it.

Shooting wise, I would much rather shoot the Micro all day. The Bulldog had some lingering vibration after each shot that took away from the experience. The micro feels sweet upon the shot. On a scale of one to ten judging on purely shooting aesthetics alone, the Bulldog was a 6, the Micro was an 8. I was shooting offhand indoors so the echo ruined a bit of the aesthetics. And if you are predominantly a bench shooter, you may not feel the Bulldog's vibration as much.

Even if both bows were the same price, I would choose the Micro 355. It's more fun for me to shoot offhand. I also like loading the shorter bolts. I don't have to hear the annoying double click cocking it. It's easier to find space in the truck to fit it in there. It's a nicer carry. Trigger was nice. The micros are accurate shooters. All around, it's a more pleasant experience.

Good luck.
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Re: Any issues with bulldog or micro 355? Which one to buy?

Post by SEW »

I've shot the Micros and M380 & 405 and BD400 extensively. From 50-60 yds + the longer limb' bows have an advantage. Using DrStirrup's string bumpers removes any lingering vibration : just allow the string to lightly rest against the bumpers as recommended in Gaston's instructions.
Micro and BD choice is like the difference in a carbine and a rifle. Which is better depends on its intended use.
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