Which Crossbow

[Okiehunter]

I am overwhelmed at all of the options. I deer hunt 50/50 from treestand and ground blind. I like to take my neice and nephew. (11 and 8 years) When my father retired he decided to join in the archery ranks with a cross bow. It is pretty loud, but it is deadly and from a rest seems perfect to get the kids involved before it gets cold.

I was impressed with the quietness of the Suppressor in the video, but haven't found many reviews of them. Dad and I built 2 ground blinds with framed in windows and I have 1 tower that has windows. The shorter length seems like a good option for the kiddos.

Help me out with suggestions and why? I am relatively new to crossbows.

[L. E. Carroll]

If they were my grandkids of the same ages, and smaller stature, I woud look very hard at the new Grizz II @ 305 fps and a 200# draw wt. or the Matrix Cub at 285 fps and a 190# draw weight. ( actually it's only 1/2 of that when a cocking rope with it's pullies is to be used ) ..

This would be especially important to me , as I would not be looking forward to cocking it every time they shoot, and would be looking forward to them getting strong enough to do it on their own ..asap.

Many guys here would have a tough time with a Suppressor while using a cocking rope at 280# draw weight ... Oh yes, you can bring the cub up to 305 with just a fast flite Matrix string.

BTW, you can get 1 or 2 of each of those for less than the suggested price of 1 Suppressor.

but, that's just me and my $.02 for what ever it's worth.

Gene

[Okiehunter]

Thank you for the reply! I guess I should clarify, I would be the one cocking it and I would always be at arms length away. My neice and nephew live a few hours away so they get to go hunting with me a few times out of a 3.5 month long season. I would be the one hunting with the crossbow 90% of the time.

One concern I have is I have read some comments that the suppressor might not be as accurate due to the smaller size. Is this common among all of the smaller crossbows?

[mr meat]

Welcome to the forum and I would agree with Gene on the easier cocking bows!

[flightattendant100]

Thank you for the reply! I guess I should clarify, I would be the one cocking it and I would always be at arms length away. My neice and nephew live a few hours away so they get to go hunting with me a few times out of a 3.5 month long season. I would be the one hunting with the crossbow 90% of the time.

One concern I have is I have read some comments that the suppressor might not be as accurate due to the smaller size. Is this common among all of the smaller crossbows?

All Excalibur bows are super accurate. You will not notice any accuracy loss under field conditions, if at all. I am not really saying go with a Micro,( A Suppressor is a Micro) but if you do you will like it. They are fine bows and do carry in the woods well and shoot from a blind easily. They are also hard to cock.
My son ,Colton has a Micro 335, that he loves, but I am the official cocker! That is not a bad thing as I get to hunt with him, and not one neighborhood cat or dog has come up shot with a crossbow.( Thank you Jesus!)
In reality you can buy any model Excalibur you think might be the best for your needs, you will be happy with it and amazed at its accuracy. Then next year or two buy what you think you need then. Most wind up with a collection sooner or later.
I know that I didn't give much of a guide for "Which One", but they are all good. I have a couple of Matrix's, son has Micro 335, and I have an older wide limbed Vortex. Its a hard call when I go to shoot or hunt. Have fun and welcome to your new addiction.

[Czy_Horse]

I'm getting 1 1/2 in. groups at 40 yds. with my Suppressor shooting from my hunting chair. My arrows are BE Zombies with 150 grain fixed blade broadheads total arrow weight around 440 grains, FOC of 23. I don't have a chronograph but when I had the Tactzone on the bow it was sitting @ 320 with the 440 grain arrows.
From a shooting rest, with field points it's very close to same hole accuracy @ 40 yds.
I use the C2 crank for repetitive target practice with my 380's and Suppressor.

Czy_Horse

[Hester0305]

I bought my grandsons a Matrix 330 it's a little bigger than the Micro
But they cock easy and are very accurate.My wife also has a 330
Which she loves. There's a lot of different models out there but as I get older
I enjoy the less cocking effort the Matrix line has over the Micros

[flightattendant100]

The " Bargain" is the 350se. About 5 1/2 $ tyd. Nice bows

[vixenmaster]

Search around n fine a good pricen on the Matrix 330/350/355. They lose less speed over all usin a heavier arrow

[Boo]

330 would be my choice

[papabear1]

If they were my grandkids of the same ages, and smaller stature, I woud look very hard at the new Grizz II @ 305 fps and a 200# draw wt. or the Matrix Cub at 285 fps and a 190# draw weight. ( actually it's only 1/2 of that when a cocking rope with it's pullies is to be used ) ..

This would be especially important to me , as I would not be looking forward to cocking it every time they shoot, and would be looking forward to them getting strong enough to do it on their own ..asap.

Many guys here would have a tough time with a Suppressor while using a cocking rope at 280# draw weight ... Oh yes, you can bring the cub up to 305 with just a fast flite Matrix string.

BTW, you can get 1 or 2 of each of those for less than the suggested price of 1 Suppressor.

but, that's just me and my $.02 for what ever it's worth.

Gene

Good suggestion Gene,
I would recommend the same advice.

[paulaboutform]

Thank you for the reply! I guess I should clarify, I would be the one cocking it and I would always be at arms length away. My neice and nephew live a few hours away so they get to go hunting with me a few times out of a 3.5 month long season. I would be the one hunting with the crossbow 90% of the time.

One concern I have is I have read some comments that the suppressor might not be as accurate due to the smaller size. Is this common among all of the smaller crossbows?

I'd like to clarify your concern regarding accuracy. I'm one of the guys that said the wider limb models are more accurate than the narrow limb models. Now that's true, but, you're really splitting hairs. With all things being equal, it may mean a Micro will shoot 2" groups at 80yards where a Matrix will shoot 1.5" groups and an Exo series will shoot 1". I'm just using these numbers as an example and not actual data as there are many variables that will result in groups being tighter or wider. Ultimately, as already mentioned, they're all very accurate.

Paul

[bobcattrapper]

Matrix 330

[L. E. Carroll]

Matrix 350 SE or LE if you can still find one available.... Awesome model and IMO the best Bang for your Buck in the whole Excal line-up.

Gene

[wildcatter]

330 was sweet bow, accurate to a fault, and like was said, I lost less speed per grain as I increased weight to what I consider hunting weight arrows over the Micro.

Saying that the 350 is in my opinion a better option for a one and done hunting bow in the light poundage choices. The 330 does feel a little better shooting offhand, but the 350 offers that little bit of extra OOMPH, for bigger than deer game, like pigs and black bear. But setup properly either will take even Elk sized game with well placed shots efficiently!