Matrix 405 or Bulldog

[Shadytree]

You fervent belief in a brand is clouding your ability to reason.

REALLY? Keith is one of our more knowledgeable members who have contributed immensely to this forum.
Can you elaborate your statement.

So, veering off topic a bit from the OP. I have been asked to justify my statement. I am hoping that what we are having is a civilized interaction. I have been using this message board for a while, but typically don't comment on threads unless I feel I have something additional to contribute. Which is seldom, as this board as an excellent group on knowledgable individuals. As a manufacturer, I feel I have a unique perspective in regards to the 405. I would appreciate not being given a hard time for my perspective as I am not doing that to others. I responded initially with the OP's best interest in mind and was not intending to degrade Excal in any way. I think they have an excellent product and I think their limbs are the best in the business.That being said, the 405 pushed the envelope too far and Excal had to make product changes. I will use the 350LE to illustrate my point. With the production of the 350LE Excal took a two fold loss. First they took a more expensive bow and sold it at a significant discount to distributors. But before they did so, they incurred additional machining cost to reduce the power stroke of the bows. Which in turn created a product that competed in a performance category that they had already filled (the 355).That would be the equivalent of Chevrolet introducing a new model Corvette. Then in order to liquidate existing inventory of current models bringing all current models back to the factory, removing the V8, installing a four banger and selling them off at Fiesta prices. No one would do that unless...

[StormDragon]

Here's my thoughts between the two:

Ive handled and shot the 405 awhile back. Heavy, unbalanced, wide and a bit of a bear to cock. Nice bow but not for me.

I've handled but not shot the bulldog. Better balanced, still "heavy and wide" but also felt better shouldering it due to the new stock. If it less wide in the limb department I would maybe consider it.

[robertyb]

I do believe that Burrard is Joe again.

1st post says owns no bow and 2nd says he owns a Micro 335. Now he is an expert. Sounds like Joe to me.

[newbie]

Here's my thoughts between the two:

Ive handled and shot the 405 awhile back. Heavy, unbalanced, wide and a bit of a bear to cock. Nice bow but not for me.

I've handled but not shot the bulldog. Better balanced, still "heavy and wide" but also felt better shouldering it due to the new stock. If it less wide in the limb department I would maybe consider it.

I agree. The bulldog is a much better product then the 405 in the hands no matter why people feel Excalibur changed the design
Products change all the time to better them, rework costs are just part of being a productive successful company.

[wildcatter]

I do believe that Burrard is Joe again.

1st post says owns no bow and 2nd says he owns a Micro 335. Now he is an expert. Sounds like Joe to me.

If not it's obvious there some screws loose, along with a couple missing,,,,,,,,

[Hillcountry]

I do believe that Burrard is Joe again.

1st post says owns no bow and 2nd says he owns a Micro 335. Now he is an expert. Sounds like Joe to me.

If not it's obvious there some screws loose, along with a couple missing,,,,,,,,

Give us a break steve1940
what a time waster you are...

[Golfaddict1964]

let me start off by saying Excalibur customer service is unbeatable. They are simply the best.
I bought the mega 405, the day it came out, registered it online and after a couple of weeks got an email from Excalibur that there was a recall on the trigger assembly, apparently the crossbow would shoot by itself if the safely was removed (after some use). I sent it back to Excalibur through the store I bought it from and got it back with a new (green) trigger assembly. Sighted the crossbow in sept and took it deer hunting in Nov. I was hunting at an outfitter here in Ontario, day 3, I noticed that one of the limbs had started to splinter, by the 3 or 4 time cocking it , it splintered considerably. I cld not hunt with the crossbow and had to borrow a crossbow from the outfitter, a kids crossbow.. Needless to say, I was extremely disappointed. I called Excalibur and told them what had happened, they were willing to send me the limbs nxt day delivery but I was hunting on an island .. It was jst too complicated to get the limbs. I shipped the crossbow back to them when I got back frm the hunt through the store again, the limbs were replaced and i had the crossbow back in a week. I sighted it in and hunted with it this past November, I noticed cracks on the side of one limb again but it did not splinter, i was scared to cock the crossbow since it wld make a weird noise. After the hunt, i called Excalibur again and told them wht had happened. They asked me to ship the crossbow back, which i did last week. I just got confirmation from them that they shipped me the new bulldog 400.
They did have an issue with the mega 405, cause of the limbs being overheated by another company that they had used to put the camo on and their returns went from 2 to 3 percent to 12 to 14 percent cause of mega 405. I am not saying they are all defective but I guess I got a defective one. Again, their customer service is second to none
Bravo Excalibur

[Opey]

Well I bought the Matrix Mega 405. I wanted to hold out and wait for the bulldog but it was on close out for $899 with the package including the twilight scope. Plus since it's only March now and with there customers service I'm thinking that if there are any issues it will be worked out by opening day.

[Opey]

Well I have put around 50 bolts through her and love it! At 40 yards I can consistently shoot three inch groups free handed. Now the sad news. I shot a few bolts today but was interrupted when I realized I had to be into work by three. So I hung her up and ran out the door. When I returned home and went to place her in the case I found a toothpick size piece of limb seperating from the limb. I made a RMA right away and will go from there. I am by no means panicking or mad. I'm going to be patient and get it worked out with Excalibur.

[robertyb]

Sounds like you got one of the bows out there with the old limbs on it. If it is just a limb splinter it is safe to shoot if you want to shoot it. The new limbs should be fine when you get them in.

[SEW]

I have both the M405 and the BD400. I like the extra 20'/sec of the M405 but like the more gentle nature of the BD400. The BD400 is more refined and even with the stock trigger, string, etc, is marginally more accurate at 80 yds than the M380 or M405. However, all 3 are Appx 1" 3-shot groups @ 60-80 yds. The balance of the BD is better. I ethically hunt at fairly long ranges (and that's not an oxymoron), always from rests, and will likely use the M405 a little more this year. However, on my 3 day bear hunt, in the middle of nowhere and a very long walk in, I'll have the BD400. Overall, I think the BD400 is a better bow. What you gain overall, more than offsets the 5-6% loss of velocity.

[paulaboutform]

It sucks when that happens, but stuff happens. Sorry to hear it. If it makes you feel any better, I have a custom build that it basically a 405 on steroids. I bought spare limbs assuming at some point there would be a failure. Well, close to a year ago I had a splinter on the top outside edge of my left limb. It was about the size of three toothpicks and approximately 2.5" long. I broke it off and sanded it smooth and it worked perfectly. I still have it on the bow today and it still drives tacks. I think you've got a good attitude about the whole thing. Feel confident that you got a great deal on a phenomenal bow. Good luck on the upcoming season.

Paul

[Opey]

Good to know Sew, thanks! But I have a xbow shoot on the 24th and My first time in a deer stand in 9 years will be October 1st, Michigander opener for bow season, so it is getting shipped out today!

[amythntr]

Mega 405 on for $899 ? Must be USD and if not I want one!

Between the two though, I would prefer the Bulldog. Little shorter and a little less draw weight, virtually same speed.

Also, a better balanced bow.

.... And may I ask how my Italiapanese brother cocks said balanced beast! Me thinks I will need a step ladder, a winch and possibly a weighted pulley system!

Anthony