Info Request - Matrix Sapphire

[Jersey Devil]

Hello all,
I've been trying to get into the crossbow world for a while now, but haven't had enough time to hunt the past few years to warrant buying one. Finally, this past winter I sold my Oneida Extreme Eagle, and now have forced myself to buy something!

At 5'8" tall and about 155 pounds in weight I'm not a big guy. That said, I've been thinking that perhaps the Matrix Sapphire would be a good entry level crossbow to get me in the game. I've only shot a friend's Equinox, which is what turned me on to Excalibur in the first place, but have never actually owned or hunted with any type of crossbow.

I hunt some pretty tight spots where my average distance to target is about 15 yards. I can stretch it out to maybe 25 yards in some lanes, but after that it gets real twiggy.

Any advice on the Sapphire, or other Excalibur models, is greatly appreciated in advance.

Thank you!

[BrotherRon]

I am 5'4", 155#, 60 years old, and have had back and hernia surgeries. My hunting situations are very similar to yours and I have the Matrix 310 and 330.
I had a Matrix 355 but was unable to cock it because of my back. They all fit me very good. I would recommend either the 310 or 330. The 310 is all you really need as I have harvested 2 deer with it no problem. I think the 330 is one of the best all around crossbows that Excalibur offers and will be using it to hunt with. I can cock the 310 all afternoon target shooting without any problems, but the 330 bothers my back after about 10 shots so will be using that for hunting only.
The Sapphire may be a little short in the stock for you which is why I would suggest the 310 or 330.
Hope this helps.

[VixChix]

At a recent Excalibur women's xbow clinic I was at the Sapphire was the favorite xbow. (other xbow models included Katana, Grizzly, Grz2, older Phoenix and older Vixen). It was the easiest for most to cock and comfortable to balance.

It has the same power/speed as the Grizzly and Grz2 but is an inch shorter. Makes a difference!

[RobD]

My daughter is 5' and she can load up the Sapphire without any problems. She couldn't do the Axiom SMF, the Matrix 330, and definitely not my Matrix 355. She loves the Sapphire. I have a co-worker who was thinking of getting a crossbow, she is 5'2" and she couldn't load up the bows just like my daughter.

[longbow joe]

If you can pull back a griz 2 there a total bargain now .... $500 bucks for a quality bow like that what a bargain. Only a little harder to pull back than the sapphire.come to think of it i think there the same poundage griz is synthetic.

[jefrohio]

Cabela's has a sale on the Grizzly $449

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Excalibu ... lsrc=aw.ds

Also don't overlook the Cub,

[Jersey Devil]

THANK YOU to all whom have responded to me. In the last 24 hours or so, I've learned quite a lot about Excalibur crossbows by simply reading through this forum and by watching A TON of videos on YouTube.

I never even thought that the 330 was an option for me, but now I'm thinking that it maybe so. Thanks BrotherRon!!

Turns out that a friend of mine shoots a Matrix 380 Xtra and another shoots a Grizzly. They both have offered to show me around their crossbows and let me shoot them a few times. Looking forward to that!

Thanks again to you all.

[RobD]

At 5'8", you should be able to handle any of the Matrix crossbows. On the left side of this web page, under the Support, click on "Selecting the Right Crossbow". For somebody 5'8" Plus, they say all the bows should be possible. I have found this chart to be pretty accurate.

So you should be looking for one of the Matrix 350LE/350SE deals. They are your best bang for the buck.

[robertyb]

Best deal on a 350 is probably on eBay. $550 shipped.