Micro 335 vs Matrix 380 which to buy $$

[Razor cut]

One way to solve the problem were you can't make your mind up is the buy both Matrix 380 and. Micro 335! Now you have the problem on which one to take hunting! good luck in your choice.

[robertyb]

....would love to see actual slo-mo footage with the 380 and a deer at 35 yd on alert...that would prove the point....somewhat


Anthony

No video of this but I shot a doe on alert at 20 yards with my old Mathews Outback several years ago and hit her in the right side of her neck even though I was aiming just behind her left shoulder for a double lung shot. She ducked and spun around that fast. I thought I had made the DL shot till I walked up and saw where I had hit her. They are FAST.

[vixenmaster]

I put a video on here yr before that i shot dead-0n into the neck as she was lookin at me. I used what would be a 192.5 pounder Excal Exocet. Doe didn't get a chance to move before that arrow put her on the ground. She did make an awful bawlin sound when hit! I shot a Doe walkin this yr at 47 yds with my 355 Marie Laveau & it didn't drop or was able to get out of the arrows way. She made some fine burger n backstraps

[amythntr]

I put a video on here yr before that i shot dead-0n into the neck as she was lookin at me. I used what would be a 192.5 pounder Excal Exocet. Doe didn't get a chance to move before that arrow put her on the ground. She did make an awful bawlin sound when hit! I shot a Doe walkin this yr at 47 yds with my 355 Marie Laveau & it didn't drop or was able to get out of the arrows way. She made some fine burger n backstraps

....now that's what 'm talkinbout...some mighty fine shootin wid a mighty fine Excalibur!

Anthony

[dutchhunter]

I shot at a big buck this past fall with the ten point at 30 yards aimed behind the shoulder and hit him right in the horn ,thy can move like lightning .would not believe it if you did not see it .,I will have to make a choice soon .Dutch

[Michiganhunter]

Well I had a Exomax for several years. It was fast and very accurate but to wide for my way of hunting so I sold it and did the same thing you are doing going back and forth for months on which crossbow to buy. Only I was between the 405 and the 380. I think there is a issue that we may be missing here and that is trajectory. Target shooting is usually done in an open area with very few obstructions between you and your target. You can shoot any crossbow fairly accurate regardless of the trajectory because there is no chance of hitting tree limbs etc. All this changes when we are out in the woods in real life hunting situations. An arrow traveling at 360 fps shoots flatter and closer to point of aim through out the entire distance traveled than and arrow traveling at say 320 fps. This can be critical in a hunting situation. The reality is that sound travels around 1100 fps so even at 360 fps a deer has close to 1/3 of a second to react. An "alert" deer can duck the arrow no problem even traveling at 360 fps. So do we need speed to hit a deer before it can duck our arrow which can be proven through slow motion to be a futile event under certain circumstances or do we desire speed to flatten out trajectory in real life hunting conditions that may require us to shoot through a small opening or window in the woods.I would choose the speed for the latter because to me a flatter trajectory can make up for errors in distance estimation and for getting that arrow through a tangle of limbs a little easier. Lets face it as others here have said any of these bows will shoot completely through a deer or bear. I feel very confident with my Matix 380 in terms of accuracy and speed to give that flat shooting arrow that can give me an extra margin of safety in terms of range miscalculation. I personally like the looks of the new small bows but to me the 380 has it all. JMO

[Talltines]

Well I had a Exomax for several years. It was fast and very accurate but to wide for my way of hunting so I sold it and did the same thing you are doing going back and forth for months on which crossbow to buy. Only I was between the 405 and the 380. I think there is a issue that we may be missing here and that is trajectory. Target shooting is usually done in an open area with very few obstructions between you and your target. You can shoot any crossbow fairly accurate regardless of the trajectory because there is no chance of hitting tree limbs etc. All this changes when we are out in the woods in real life hunting situations. An arrow traveling at 360 fps shoots flatter and closer to point of aim through out the entire distance traveled than and arrow traveling at say 320 fps. This can be critical in a hunting situation. The reality is that sound travels around 1100 fps so even at 360 fps a deer has close to 1/3 of a second to react. An "alert" deer can duck the arrow no problem even traveling at 360 fps. So do we need speed to hit a deer before it can duck our arrow which can be proven through slow motion to be a futile event under certain circumstances or do we desire speed to flatten out trajectory in real life hunting conditions that may require us to shoot through a small opening or window in the woods.I would choose the speed for the latter because to me a flatter trajectory can make up for errors in distance estimation and for getting that arrow through a tangle of limbs a little easier. Lets face it as others here have said any of these bows will shoot completely through a deer or bear. I feel very confident with my Matix 380 in terms of accuracy and speed to give that flat shooting arrow that can give me an extra margin of safety in terms of range miscalculation. I personally like the looks of the new small bows but to me the 380 has it all. JMO

Perfectly stated on how I feel also. That's why i got the 405. Only taken 2 deer this year with it at 27 and 35 yards. Love this bow and love the speed.

[lagarman]

I have only shot one deer that was on alert with a crossbow and it was only 20 yards away. It did not move as far as I could tell before the arrow arrived and this was with an Excal Vortex.
I would be hesitant to take a much longer shot on any deer that was on alert. Too easy for one to jump the string. Unless you have seen it happen in person it is hard to believe how fast they can move. I always just wait till they settle down or let them walk if they stay on alert at over 20 yards.
I have also not shot the Micro 335 but I would not hesitate to buy one. I know it will kill a deer. Get Black as it shoots a little faster than the camo for some reason.

I have heard the black xbow shoots faster for some reason.......kinda like my orange motorcycle is definitely faster than my buddy's green one. It's weird how that works, but I know it's true!

[lagarman]

Well I had a Exomax for several years. It was fast and very accurate but to wide for my way of hunting so I sold it and did the same thing you are doing going back and forth for months on which crossbow to buy. Only I was between the 405 and the 380. I think there is a issue that we may be missing here and that is trajectory. Target shooting is usually done in an open area with very few obstructions between you and your target. You can shoot any crossbow fairly accurate regardless of the trajectory because there is no chance of hitting tree limbs etc. All this changes when we are out in the woods in real life hunting situations. An arrow traveling at 360 fps shoots flatter and closer to point of aim through out the entire distance traveled than and arrow traveling at say 320 fps. This can be critical in a hunting situation. The reality is that sound travels around 1100 fps so even at 360 fps a deer has close to 1/3 of a second to react. An "alert" deer can duck the arrow no problem even traveling at 360 fps. So do we need speed to hit a deer before it can duck our arrow which can be proven through slow motion to be a futile event under certain circumstances or do we desire speed to flatten out trajectory in real life hunting conditions that may require us to shoot through a small opening or window in the woods.I would choose the speed for the latter because to me a flatter trajectory can make up for errors in distance estimation and for getting that arrow through a tangle of limbs a little easier. Lets face it as others here have said any of these bows will shoot completely through a deer or bear. I feel very confident with my Matix 380 in terms of accuracy and speed to give that flat shooting arrow that can give me an extra margin of safety in terms of range miscalculation. I personally like the looks of the new small bows but to me the 380 has it all. JMO

Michiganhunter, you bring up a really good point that is very critical to hunting success. I'm definitely leaning to the 380....it does seem to "have it all" for my hunting needs. I'm still in my 40's, relatively healthy, and have a short walk out my door to a stand or blind....the 380 is looking like the one for me.

So here is the set-up, I'm considering, based on what I've read so far.
- Matrix 380 Camo (I know it's slower, but I'll live w/ it!)
- Single stage Trigger Tech
- Hawke XB30 scope
- Black Eagle Executioners w/ 2" blazers (right heli) w/ 110gr insert and 125gr 2 blade Rage.
- Flemish String (grey/black) w/ string leaches/ cat whiskers
- Danny Miller Bumpers
- Danny Miller Arrow Puller
- Wrap stirrup w/ camo foam for sound reduction
- 3M poly tape and moleskin on arrow retainer for sound reduction

I think that's the set-up for me. Anything I'm missing?

BTW, who is the best person to buy this package from? I'd like to get it all from one source, if possible.

Thanks again for everyone's feedback. I'm looking forward to sharing future hunting/ shooting stories this season!

[amythntr]

....Welcome Lagarman...sounds like you have all of your bases covered and have a lot of experience bowhunting....the only thing I would add to your 380 would be a stringing aid to adjust the brace height of the string when the need arises.

....as a side note I know that there are some on here that shoot the Rage BH...with that said, it is not the part of the handful of BH's that most people seem to use and love...I might explore others if you find that you are not getting the accuracy out to your hunting ranges...

....as far as where to buy the complete package, there are two that come to mind right away if you are looking for the service and putting your package together to your liking...Danny Miller of Horizontal Archery in Sardis, OH 1.740.483.2312 (who I think you mention in your post) and George of Mainstreet (who is a forum member)...you did not mention if you make your own arrows, if not these guys can help along with Boo and others on this forum....

Hopefully this helped somewhat...I have the 380 Blackout and love it...I think you will love yours also (even though it is slower than the Blackout )...


Again welcome and good luck...

Anthony

PS: I calculated that the arrow which you are concocting will tip the scales at around 430g's....

[mattones]

ThE way I see it

Both can and will take out any big game animal in northern America. It's all on what feels good for you and what you want to spend. The speed on the 335 is fast enough. Look at the older model excels. People have shot deer and moose with a less powered excalibur bow.

[lagarman]

....Welcome Lagarman...sounds like you have all of your bases covered and have a lot of experience bowhunting....the only thing I would add to your 380 would be a stringing aid to adjust the brace height of the string when the need arises.

....as a side note I know that there are some on here that shoot the Rage BH...with that said, it is not the part of the handful of BH's that most people seem to use and love...I might explore others if you find that you are not getting the accuracy out to your hunting ranges...

....as far as where to buy the complete package, there are two that come to mind right away if you are looking for the service and putting your package together to your liking...Danny Miller of Horizontal Archery in Sardis, OH 1.740.483.2312 (who I think you mention in your post) and George of Mainstreet (who is a forum member)...you did not mention if you make your own arrows, if not these guys can help along with Boo and others on this forum....

Hopefully this helped somewhat...I have the 380 Blackout and love it...I think you will love yours also (even though it is slower than the Blackout )...


Again welcome and good luck...

Anthony

PS: I calculated that the arrow which you are concocting will tip the scales at around 430g's....

Anthony,
Thank you for the well wishes and mention of the "stringing aid." The brace height of the Excal xbows at Bass Pro were horrible!! Most of them had the bumpers compressed at least 1/2 way. I didn't bother telling the salesmen, because imo, if they cared, they would have fixed it before hanging it on the rack.

I do have some homework to do on broadheads, as I'm not totally sold on their (Rage) penetration compared to a fixed blade on crossbows.

I appreciate the purchasing referrals and will reach out to them in a couple weeks. Right now I'm too consumed w/ ice fishing. I catch and release 100% of my "open water" fish, but when it comes to ice fishing, I want something tasty on my dinner plate at the end of the day! On Saturday, I caught 34 total (mix of bass, crappie, and gills). Only took me 2.5 hours to clean them. but worth it every time!

Best regards....Matt

[Hunt it]

Consider the G5 Striker they are extremely accurate out of my 380. Solid enough for moose is good enough for me.

[lagarman]

Consider the G5 Striker they are extremely accurate out of my 380. Solid enough for moose is good enough for me.

Hi Hunt It, Thanks for the real life feedback.....btw, gorgeous Moose!! I've always wanted to hunt a mature bull.....amazing animals.

As I look around for broadheads, I do seem to keep coming back to the G5 brand. Last night I was looking at the Montec CS or the Striker Magnum. The Striker reminds me of the ThunderHeads I used to use.....I like the replaceable blade option, as long as they are sturdy and the design is good, which the Striker seems to be.

They are pricey little suckers, so I'd rather not have to "experiment" several types.

Thanks.....you helped reinforce the direction in which I was heading.
Happy hunting this year!

[greentag]

if i were you i would buy it from one of the people that was mentioned earlier than somewhere like a bass pro or big store,these people let there employes who most often know nothing about them assemble them and they dont do a very good job,i saw a 355 at a dunhams store a little while back,the string was burried in the bumpers,there was not one but two screws on the scope mount with the head all bugered up,and they had put the quiver on somehow facing backward,and me or the guy working there could'nt even get it to detach,were it was backward it was pressed so tight to the bow it had wore a place there too,the guy working there said it was (ready to shoot),all the advice you got already was great,anyone you choose will be more than enough for anything it comes accross,and all are awsome shooters.good luck,hope ya can post some picture of fancy new bow one day that list you made was pretty impressive,but the package that comes with them are pretty good itself,you may even be happy with it,and just upgrade as money permits,but if you went that route i would definatly get some black eagles to start with....customizing them yourself as you go can be alot fun itself,and experimenting with different setups.im do for a new one myself just saving up for one,ive shot the same ole one going on ten years,the single best improvement i did was to discover the BEE'S,they have been awsome.