Matrix 380 Grouping Problems

[oldmuleskinner]

I am new to the forum and to crossbow hunting.

After 40 years of hunting with recurves and crossbows, a shoulder surgery made drawing my bow very difficult and painful and as a result the Washington State Wildlife department gave me a waiver to use a crossbow during the archery seasons.

I purchased a Matrix 380 with a Tact-Zone scope. I am shooting 18” Diablo bolts with 150 gr field points. I have to say that I am disappointed with the accuracy. I have several rifles that will consistently shoot inside of 1” at 100 yards, but my new Matrix will barely stay inside a pie plate at 40 yards, shooting from a benchrest. At best, it will shoot about 3 to 4” groups. I don’t think that there is much to be tuned on a recurve crossbow like there is on a conventional compound bow, and I don’t think the poor grouping is due to a lack of ability on my part.

My best guess is that there is a problem with the scope. A one click adjustment will change the point of impact anywhere from 1 to 3 inches at 40 yards. If I move it back one click, it doesn’t necessarily return to the previous POI. I am used to my rifle scopes being very consistent in their adjustments.

The other issue is that when I shot bolts with a broadhead (150 gr Bolt Cutters), the grouping was about 4 inches lower than where the field tips were hitting. I am thinking of trying some of my G5 100 grain broadheads from my old compound days and see where they hit. It would be nice to find a broadhead that would hit at the same POI as my field tips. Any ideas on doing that?

[vixenmaster]

Sounds like you need to ck all screws n make sure they are tight. Ck yer scope see if'en you can make it move up n down or side to side. Trigger assembly screws get loose inside on the rail/mainframe. Stock screws can get loose also the scope mount n rings. If'en all are tight then you neen to take one arrow n put a magic marker dot on one vane. You put that vane as yer cock vane n see where it hits. If'en not to where you aimed put 2 dots on next vane n use it as cock vane. You may have to do each arrow until you get them marked n sorted

[roly]

Did you zero at 20 yds then set your chevrons with the speed ring for 30, 40 , 50 ?

[Eck]

When making adjustments with the Excalibur scopes, I've had best results going one or two clicks beyond what I need, and then turning back a click or two to take up backlash.

IOW, if I need to go 3 clicks right, I'll put 4 clicks right on the scope, then add 1 click left, and shoot.

[paulaboutform]

Welcome to the forum. Be confident that your new bow is capable of much tighter groups than you're mentioning....even at 100yards. For real. As mentioned, do a complete nuts and bolts check. Preferably, remove each fastener that you can see, one at a time, put a tiny amount of blue loktight on the fastener and tighten securely. Make sure to allow the loktight time to set overnight. I went through the same thing and couldn't believe how quickly the fasteners were vibrating loose. After that, when sighting in, rather than counting clicks on the scope (because they're completely unreliable) try having someone help you at the range. You shoot your arrow at twenty yards then hold your bow solidly on the rest while you have someone dial the turrets to your point of impact. This will be much faster and less frustrating for you. You can then move out to 40yards and do the same procedure but you only use your speed dial (NOT THE TURRETS) to bring your 40yard hash mark to your arrow poi.. This should alleviate your problems and if not, I would question the integrity of your scope.

Paul

[oldmuleskinner]

Thanks for the responses. I know that my scope and mounts are not loose and I'll check the trigger and other screws.

The clicks on the scope adjustments don't feel precise. I'll try turning past and then back to see if that helps.