Bulldog 400 Chronograph Results

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CT.HNTR
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Bulldog 400 Chronograph Results

Post by CT.HNTR »

I chronographed my Bulldog 400 today and was a little disappointed. My Matrix 355 shot a 402 grain Spynal Tapp at 339 FPS which is right where I would expect it to be. Out of the Bulldog the same bolt was at 366 FPS for a delta of 27 FPS. I was expecting the delta to be about 45 FPS so I feel I am about 18 FPS slower than expect. Seems like I am getting the performance of a Matrix 380 but paid for Bulldog performance? I am not really complaining as I like the Bulldog but I was expecting it to shoot a little faster. My brace height is 3/16 off the bumpers.

The balance of the Bulldog is very nice and I really like the fact that my 18 inch long bolt does not sit up in the stirrup so it’s easy to keep on a hanger. The trigger on the other hand is a disappointment. Lots of creep. I have not been able to measure it but it feels like I have at least 1/8 of trigger pull before she fires.
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Re: Bulldog 400 Chronograph Results

Post by mchurch »

You are the second person to have similar results. I also own a bulldog 400 and it seems the performance is on par with a matrix 380. I have a trigger tech trigger in mine and love it that way.. I also like that the 18 inch arrows sit deep in the riser but am concerned that if a mechanical blows open it will damage the riser
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wildcatter
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Re: Bulldog 400 Chronograph Results

Post by wildcatter »

This seems to be the same results everyone is getting with the 400, it seems to be a 380 in bullpup style. I will say that there is nothing wrong the 380 and any difference in it and even the 405 that would turn it's numbers is very negligible. If you get a much better balanced 380, that aint all bad in my opinion!!

But remember, I had 2- trouble free 405's and they are both gone, but still own 2-380's,,,,, 20fps is absolutely meaningless to me!!
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bob watkins
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Re: Bulldog 400 Chronograph Results

Post by bob watkins »

those numbers are not to impressive you have a true 380 which i think is there best bow i wanted a bow that would shoot in the 350's with a 400gr arrow doing all the numbers for me i came up with the 380's i get 358fps jmo just traded my 405 for another 380
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Re: Bulldog 400 Chronograph Results

Post by amythntr »

.....hmmmm?

I would be interested in hearing what Peter's response is to this!

Anthony :)

PS: I be loving the fact that I am sitting on the sideline watching....just me and my 380 and of course holding my "......Bada Bing 8) !" :D
In a tough situation and wonder where God is; ...the Teacher is always quiet during the test.

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Re: Bulldog 400 Chronograph Results

Post by nchunterkw »

Has anyone chrony'd a 400 with a 350gr arrow? I'd like to see that. Maybe the efficiency changed with the new riser design?
Keith
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and walk in it and find rest for your souls. - Jer 6:16

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CT.HNTR
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Re: Bulldog 400 Chronograph Results

Post by CT.HNTR »

I can probably do so but not for a few weeks. I chronographer three different bolt weights Sunday morning with both the Matrix 355 and Bulldog to compare results.

18 Inch Easton FMJ with aluminum front insert and 100 gr tip, 418 grains total
Matrix 355 334 FPS
Bulldog 400 364 FPS
Delta 30 FPS

18 Inch Easton FMJ with 120 gr brass front insert and 100 gr tip, 501 grains total
Matrix 355 310 FPS
Bulldog 400 337 FPS
Delta 27 FPS

18 Inch Spynal Tapp with 110 gr brass front insert and 100 gr tip, 402 grains total
Matrix 355 339 FPS
Bulldog 400 366 FPS
Delta 27 FPS
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Re: Bulldog 400 Chronograph Results

Post by Moon »

Pulled the Flemish string off the Bulldog that shot a 382 grain arrow 361 fps yesterday. I weighed the flemish and factory strings. Not as much difference as I thought. Flemish 110.5 grains - Factory string 98.9 grains - 11.6 grains lighter than the flemish string.

I installed the factory string back with the same clearance off the string stops - 1/2" The first shot through the same chrono that read 361 fps yesterday with the flemish string - 374 fps with the factory string. I then shot a 350 grain arrow that chrono'd 385 fps. Much better but still 15 fps shy of the advertised "up to 400 fps" with a 350 grain arrow.

I don't believe 11.6 grains lighter weight factory string was the only reason for the 13 fps increase in speed. The only other difference was that my flemish string was barely touching the string stops and the factory string was 1/2" off the stops, pre stressing the limbs more with the limbs at rest. Anyway, I'm not surprised that the bow does not shoot as factory advertised although it's not an earth shattering difference.

The Bulldog is shorter than the 405 and about the same length as the 380. The trigger forward design is cool. I think it's a better overall design than either of the other two. I like the new stock. It shoulders perfectly for me and the packaged Tact Zone scope is a darn sight better than lots of package scopes we've seen during the last few years. The all camo feature is also nice. Now, if I could only cock it with a rope cocker:-(
Don't think that's going to happen. I guess at my age in addition to recent happenings I should feel fortunate I can cock my Micro's and 350 fps Matrix type crossbows.......I am

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steven in England
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Re: Bulldog 400 Chronograph Results

Post by steven in England »

My Bulldog is shooting 384fps with a 350 grain, it is actually two fps slower than my M380. It is looking like the Bulldogs possibly are all are slower than advertised at around the 380fps mark. Unless anybody else has a faster bow?
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Re: Bulldog 400 Chronograph Results

Post by Excalibur Marketing Dude »

I would be interested in hearing what Peter's response is to this!
Don't worry, I'm listening! :D When we did our testing on the 400 Bulldog with a 350 grain total arrow weight they were shooting between 395 and 405 which is about as good as it gets. Like all of our models speeds will vary. However, if you think your crossbow is shooting too slow please contact us and we will do what we can to fix the issue.

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Re: Bulldog 400 Chronograph Results

Post by nchunterkw »

Looking at the numbers posted above, this data looks on par with other Matrix chrony data.

Moon's difference from 350gr to 382 gr was 0.34fps/gr (lose 1fps for every 2.94gr)
CTs differences were:
402 to 418gr was .13 fps/gr (lose 1 fps for every 7.6gr) (anomaly?)
418 to 501gr was .33 fps/gr (lose 1 fps for every 3.03gr)
418 to 501gr was .29 fps/gr (lose 1 fps for every 3.44gr)

CTs same differences with the 355 bow came up to, 0.31, 0.29, 0.29 respectively which is nice and consistent and consistent to other Matrix data we have seen.

My take is the 366fps reading is about 3fps low - no big deal. And that the Bulldog exhibits the same efficiency as the other Matrix bows right at losing 1fps for every 3 grains of arrow wt. increase. As Moon has shown, string wt. also plays a role in overall speed, and as we know the limbs vary in strength (varying flexure measurements).

Hope that helps.
Keith
Stand by the roads and look, and ask for the ancient paths; where the good way is,
and walk in it and find rest for your souls. - Jer 6:16

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Re: Bulldog 400 Chronograph Results

Post by amythntr »

....what i don't get in marketing is why can't you guys use what an "average person" uses to come up with your data....why does it "ALWAYS" have to be what the average person does not use or do...and don't say you guys DONT KNOW what the average person does under average circumstances....

....just my take on the whole concept of marketing...people buy based upon marketing and then are disappointed...to me it should be, "under promise and then over deliver"....word of mouth will get the truth out !

Anthony :)

PS: My 380 is looking better everyday!
In a tough situation and wonder where God is; ...the Teacher is always quiet during the test.

Anthony :D

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Re: Bulldog 400 Chronograph Results

Post by 8ptbuk »

My 380 and ALOT others shoot a 395/400 gr. Arrow between 360/363 fps .
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Re: Bulldog 400 Chronograph Results

Post by steven in England »

Anthony,
I totally agree with you on the marketing.
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Re: Bulldog 400 Chronograph Results

Post by mchurch »

I don't have access to a chronograph so I will probably never know. I really like my bulldog 400 and I have owned lots of excaliburs. It's time to put some animals in the dirt. Let's get some pics up
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