Help with a Matrix 380 for a total newbie

[DuckHuntingUSA]

Hi all. New to this place. Just ordered a Matrix 380. Hunted deer and turkey > 30 years, archery deer and turkey almost 20 years. Never shot a crossbow.
Anyone got any tips or tricks to make a easy entry. Really curious about what to do out of the box. Read that a faster string is available but haven't been able to locate it? Also heard its rated with 18" arrows, but longer arrows may be better for downrange energy and wind?

Any help or advise getting in to this thing would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[Normous]

Welcome, you can read some of the posted material on this forum regarding the M380 for some background information, if you are new you can read and re read to get yourself more comfortable.
The Matrix series does not respond speed wise to string upgrades like the older bows do. Your stock string will give you the fastest speed with a 350 grain arrow. Energy is determined by weight and not length, and the way I see it, wind will affect a faster arrow less than a slower one that spends more time in the air, also, a shorter arrow has less side profile to be affected by the wind than a longer one would.
A 350 grain arrow out of the M380 has 112 FT pounds KE and that is substancial.
Watch the DVD that came with your bow and then select a suitable back stop and start shooting safely.

[taz3]

Your biggest concern with a 380 will probably find the arrows from a past through. You can also learn about the accuracy be reading or robin hooding!

[georgiaboy]

WELCOME!!!!

[Hoagy]

Hey welcome to the forum & congrats on the 380!
Hoagy

[2Bowsman]

Welcome to the forum Bob

[maine hunter]

welcome, your going to love your excal, have fun shooting,and keep us posted.

[excalibrett]

And whatever you do, DO NOT shoot the same spot twice

[mr meat]

Congrats on the 380 and welcome to the addiction!

[DuckHuntingUSA]

Thanks guys. Appreciate the warm welcome and the advice. Out here on the plains of Kansas not many crossbow people around. No archery shops anywhere close. State just passed the law allowing them last week.

Couple more questions.:
Since I have no stores around, and plan on hunting a lot if I’m healthy, what should I have 2 of? What is it vital to have a spare of? I’m thinking string and cocking rope, is there anything else?

Thinking I will shoot the Diablos with boltcutters. Do the 18” Diablos with the luminock weight the same as the Diablos sold without them?

I hunt off of ladder stands, climbing stands, tent and stalking. When do you all cock these? When you get out of the truck, when you get to the stand, when you get up on the stand? And when you're in a stalk, do you have a arrow loaded or do you wait till your getting close to a shooting point to put one on the rail?
And if you’re on the stand and drill one and want another or miss one, can you recock while on the stand? Simple 18’ ladder stand doesn’t have a big platform, is it doable or unsafe?

Thanks again for the help, I’ve got no local resources here. Hoping this works out good. Last 10 years or so been doing deers with Black Powder only. Hoping this will replace the Black Power gun and become the only deer collection tool I need. Thanks.

[Normous]

I always cock my Excalibur when I get to my hunting site, ground blind or trre stand. If I'm using a tree stand that day I cock it on the ground and attach my rope to the thumbhole and pull it up minus arrow and lower it minus arrow.

While on stand I always keep an arrow on deck. Lastly, the only way I would cock it in a tree stand is if I am wearing my safety harness (always do). Always use a harness even on a ladder stand. Cocking the crossbow in a tree stand is doable but I suggest some practice first.