matrix 380 with factory 19" arrows

[sonnyboy]

Just got finished my first go with my matrix 380 in the back yard an it was a blast. I leveled up the limbs with a bubble level to be sure the scope crosshairs were perfectly lined up with a level bow. the 20 yard target was about 4" high 1" right....I clicked an clicked my way down to just about dead center....great!....I moved back to 30yrds, an got 1" high,1" right...hummm...darn right is tuff to move P.O.I that 1"....went to 50 yrds....an shot 4 arrows into a 1" group slightly high 1" an again slight!" right about 1". I gave the scope 1 click(sure don't click like I like to feel it click) to left, an the bow shot 1 1/2" left of center..How can I get a finer adjustment to put the shot into dead center?? Is the scope no capable of this refinement????....What are you guys hunting with as far as a scope.....leupold/excalibur scope/zeiss/Nikon????

[Normous]

Try giving your scope a very light tap or two with a small plastic hammer of sorts to persuade the movement after each adjustment.

[acreek]

My Tact Zone scope is the same way. I wish it offered 1/4 MOA adjustments and wish that were at 40 yards, but it's 1/2 MOA at 20 yards. Frankly, I don't even think it is 1/2 MOA at 20. I can shoot an inch right at 30, click once moving left, then I'll be an inch left, causing a two inch change at 30 essentially.

My solution is to sell the scope to my cousin and buy a Leupold. Whether it's the crossbones, the pig plex, or another one, I'm not sure.

I'm a bit curious about scope mounting though. I've done it dozens of times in rifles and all rifles except my muzzleloader shoot better than 1 MOA at 100 yards. For the crossbow, I leveled a picture frame on the wall, then leveled the bow with a string level. I then leveled the crosshairs by matching them to the level picture frame. However, I wonder if a person is actually better off leveling the string and then adjusting the scope to what appears to be level, regardless of whether or not the crosshairs are actually level. Because in the field you are going to level the crossbow by the feel and appearance of it being level, not by a mechanical aid.

[mmc]

I forgot how much each click moves the crosshair on a Tact Zone, but it isn't that bad.

I hang a plumb bob high up from my chimney, then with the xbow firmly supported on the bench rest, 35 yards back from the plumb bob, I lay a 4 foot level across the rail and lock the xbow down in the bench rest perfectly level.

Then all is needed is to look through the scope and line up the vertical hair with the plumb bob string. While the vertical hair is perfectly aligned with the plumb bob string, alternate (diagonally) snugging each scope ring screw down just a little bit each time.... triple check your work and you are done.

Having a good background for the plumb bob string helps a lot, so that you can see it clearly through your scope. A long, high quality level, discerning eyes and patience will allow you to shoot same-arrow-same-hole out to 60 yards from the bench.

Edit: Forgot to add... I start out by assembling my xbow precisely as a blueprint would have it. That means both limbs are seated in the riser perfectly aligned. Each limb tip (actually measured from the center of the string groove in the tips to centerline of rail) is equal distance from the centerline of the rail. Each limb socket is worked until the limbs are captured firmly (but not pinched) and perfectly located vertically. The string is then put on and the tiller checked. The rail is then leveled and the riser installed so that the string is also level. The initial setup is very important and having the time and tools to square it all up makes a tack driver out of any Excalibur.

[sonnyboy]

I thought so!!!!............the average guy is happy hitting a baseball at 30 yrds....Just like competition compounds!, you really have to work the crossbow over ,to bring it up to its maximum shooting ability. The better scope would be a better choice to adjust P.O.I, an accuracy of the weapon over the included in the package scope......now, about better arrows for accuracy in both target an hunting....hunting is just target shooting with bad intentions.......sonny

[mmc]

I thought so!!!!............the average guy is happy hitting a baseball at 30 yrds....Just like competition compounds!, you really have to work the crossbow over ,to bring it up to its maximum shooting ability.

Nonsense, you really DO NOT have to work an Excalibur crossbow over "to bring it up to its maximum ability". Its ready out of the box to shoot great for those with a bit of common sense. I am a perfectionist, but you can shoot well too, provided you show up with an appropriate attitude.

The better scope would be a better choice to adjust P.O.I, an accuracy of the weapon over the included in the package scope......now, about better arrows for accuracy in both target an hunting....hunting is just target shooting with bad intentions.......sonny

Nonsense again! There is nothing wrong with a Tact Zone scope. They shoot very well in the hands of a shooter with a bit of common sense.

So now you are bashing both Excalibur AND hunting...? It is you producing bad intent.

[sonnyboy]

I love to hunt, love venison, an all wild game. Just trying to work out new issues with a new weapon. Love the crossbow...a lot...crossbow scopes, with multiple range aiming points and half inch adjustment clicks...is tough on the new guy....that's all...please don't take offense with my questions. I have questions an looking for answers to get the most from this new sport.......sonny

[mmc]

I apologize sonnyboy.

The context and tone of your post looked like it could be from one of those paid agent provocateurs that are massing up here. They are preparing to step it up a few clicks an' I be waitin' in the weeds for em'.

You mentioned in one of your previous threads that you used to shoot compounds competitively, so I assume you are not technically challenged. If I were in your spot, rather than continue to waste time troubleshooting issues that have thus far kicked your butt, I would disassemble the xbow and start over with a careful assembly. Doing so allows you to think your way through it and its likely you'll spot something slightly misaligned.

On my 380 the limb sockets had too much camo coating in the sockets and both limbs were greatly affected being both pinched and misaligned, so I fixed that before assembling.

Use either blue Loctite threadlocker or black automotive silicone gasket maker on the threads of each screw during assembly. Using the black silicone gasket stuff your screws are easier to remove next time you work on the xbow.

When its time to install your scope hang a plumb bob (or weight a string) and lay a long, high quality level across the rail as I explained in the procedure above. Don't overtighten the scope rings!

And don't worry about getting your xbow sighted in dead nut at 20 yards before moving on to longer ranges for fine tuning your accuracy.... get it close at 20 yards initially, then move back to 30, 40, 50 and 60 yards and do most of your fine tuning on the scope from the longer ranges. When you are shooting tight from 50 and 60 yds, move back in to check your 20, you'll find as you go that trying to zero from 20 is a waste of time because as you tune from 60, your 20 grouping improves a lot. With time your scope will be dead nut at all ranges.

[sonnyboy]

Yes, what your saying makes sense. I tried to get a dead nutts on center using an extra long level an also use a smaller level on scope top cap to line up limb with scope. This proved almost impossible from a balancing act to achieve absolute perfect alignment. The idea on a plumb bob to get the aiming points in perfect vertical line is "good thinking"!!!!.....hummm . I noticed when cocking back my 380 that a clunk is felt before the Flemish string makes it back to the dry fire stop....????....what is that???... No cracks-fractures-loose anything????. Is it the new Flemish strings an the endloops pulling away from tip groove?? ?? do you use Flemish string or standard Excalibur string?? I have been giving thoughts to a better set of optics, as 1/2" clicks at 20yds= 2" at 60yds. I have my new crossbow shooting roughly a 1" 6 shot group , at about 1" right of absolute dead center.. How to center the group without going past center ,has me scratching my head.Do you use a bubble level permanently mounted to scope??.....sonny

[sonnyboy]

I wanted to say that at 60 yrds, my 5 shot group is about a 1" group cluster of holes , 1" right of perfect 3 oclock x ring. Same hole 60yrds shots...........hummmm, its tight, just not oogh la la. sonny

[paulaboutform]

I wanted to say that at 60 yrds, my 5 shot group is about a 1" group cluster of holes , 1" right of perfect 3 oclock x ring. Same hole 60yrds shots...........hummmm, its tight, just not oogh la la. sonny

Those scopes are a challenge to finess. Try the light tapping method that Normous mentioned....1" groups at 60yards is outstanding.

Paul

[robertyb]

Are you hand cocking with a rope cocker or using a crank to cock with Sonny?
If a crank you are feeling/hearing the string on the cocker as it slips off a lower layer. If the hand cocker I have no idea. My crank used to do that at the same place but finally quit doing it.

[mmc]

Same arrow-same hole accuracy at 60 yards is dead nut outstanding. Where you may find improvement from there (tighter groupings) may be your choice of arrows. Zombies and Tapps are much better than most other shafts because of their increase in stiffness. For extreme long range shooting have your arrows weight and spine matched, use 3" vanes and maintain a sufficient nose-heavy FOC. You can experiment with shaft length to find the optimum for your xbow. Beyond this point your own form and your own shooting habits are your main obstacles to improvement. Gotta spend more time on yourself....

I agree the Tact-Zone can be frustrating to zero up... each click becomes too much right away. You can try loosening the scope from the rail slightly, then tap carefully on one side of the rail clamps as you retighten them. I got my last 1/2" of windage adjustment doing this, but it took me all afternoon to accomplish. You may find a better way and if you do, please share it!