Arrow swap question on my 380

[JB2010]

Last year was my first year to have my new matrix 380. When I ordered it I bought 20" arrows and was told they wouldn't hang over the foot stirrup with a broad head....not the case.. Anyway, I have been shooting the 20" firebolts with a 110gr brass insert and 100gr broadheads. I am thinking of going to the 18" zombie slayers with 80gr inserts they come with and plan to continue using 100gr broadheads. I know I'll have to sight it all in again but does anyone shoot a similar setup from the 380? Groups good? It'll be a lighter setup than what I have and will have 3" vanes. I've never used the blazer vanes on my crossbow before.

[JB2010]

Also I plan to use a lumenok. Would it be better to pull out the 80gr inserts and use 110gr? Would that be hard to do? Would I be better off to go with 125gr broadheads and leave the 80gr insert intact? Or would I be fine doing what I originally posted with the 80gr insert it comes with and using 100gr broadheads?
I've been shooting around a 475gr setup. This will be about 100gr lighter at around 370 or so. Many of you use arrows that light?

[hankenhunter]

400 grains + or - seems to be the sweet spot for Excals. You should be fine.
Hank

[paulaboutform]

If you're using fixed blade broadheads I think your accuracy will suffer. I shoot an M380 as well and used 92gr brass inserts, 100gr points, plastic nocks (8 grains) and 2" blazers...with Zombies. This works great but the accuracy with Luminoks (28 grains), was not as good. My total weight was 387 grains. I suggest using 110 grain brass inserts. That'll allow you to shoot Luminoks and either 100gr or 125gr broadheads with great results. I don't know which fletching you're using but if you're only wanting 3" vanes for some reason I would recommend the flex fletch sk300 vanes. You'll do better with a slightly heavier arrow with proper foc than a lighter arrow with reduced accuracy.

Paul

[Hunt it]

X3 on the 110 gr brass inserts, you want good foc. I have 2 X 380 both shoot 18" zombies 110gr inserts, 2" blazers and 100gr broadheads. 3" groups at 100 yards.

[JB2010]

I use mechanical broadheads and mine will have 3" vanes instead of 2 according to the order description. I did order the 110gr inserts also. Are the .001 any better than the .003? I only hunt with mine so I'm not a big target shooter. The longest I have ever practiced is 60 yards. I can change to the .001 if it's worthwhile but I've read mixed opinions.
Also, will the factory inserts be hard to remove? Tips?

[Boo]

80 gr inserts + 2" Blazers + Lumenoks + 125 gr mechanicals for hunting will do well. It might not get you 1" at 60 yards butyou don't need that for whitetail.

[JB2010]

Thx for the replies. Are the .001 much better than the .003? And how hard are the factory installed 80gr inserts to get out?

[Hunt it]

.001 are way to go if you shoot beyond 30 yards. To remove factory inserts, remove nock put insert end in jar of acetone for 5 minutes remove and drop drill bit inside nock end and flick arrow towards floor hard. Be careful as the drill bit slams home both insert and bit will fly out. Sometimes it takes 3-4 good flicks. I use 8" piece of brass rod, others use rifle cleaning rod.

[robertyb]

Also I plan to use a lumenok. Would it be better to pull out the 80gr inserts and use 110gr? Would that be hard to do? Would I be better off to go with 125gr broadheads and leave the 80gr insert intact? Or would I be fine doing what I originally posted with the 80gr insert it comes with and using 100gr broadheads?
I've been shooting around a 475gr setup. This will be about 100gr lighter at around 370 or so. Many of you use arrows that light?

I am shooting factory 18" Zombies in .001 with 2" blazers and the 80 grain inserts with Luminoks and 100 grain heads. Total weight is 405 grains per my scales. I have only shot them to 50 yards but they shoot as well as any arrows I have ever shot including the custom built double wall Spynal Tapps I have from South Shore Archery.
Almost forgot.. out of my Matrix 350 LE and my Matrix 330 also.

[wildcatter]

Go for it, if yer not happy with the extra shock noise and harsher shot, you can go to 125 or 150 grain heads. Personally in my 380's I like 18" Zombies or Spynal Tapps, 110 grain inserts I can use 100 grain or 125 grain fixed Slick Tricks or VPA 3 blades, and Blazer vanes, followed up with D2 Firenock lighted nocks and containments for my hunting rigs.

I end up with 425 grains to 455 grains and never look back! I don't like under about 425 grains in either of my 380's, and they definitely like the stiffer spined Zombies and Spynal Tapps.

[JB2010]

Thx. I plan to put the 110gr inserts in. I'll be using 100gr grim reapers

[JB2010]

Well, the insert advice didn't work. I tried a few different methothds and used the drill bit and the shaft split. I did find out the inserts were 92 grain instead of 80. The guys advertisement on eBay was way off. Looks like I will just go to a 125grain broadhead and be done with it. If I go with with the 110 inserts later I'll just buy bare shafts.

[sproulman]

Well, the insert advice didn't work. I tried a few different methothds and used the drill bit and the shaft split. I did find out the inserts were 92 grain instead of 80. The guys advertisement on eBay was way off. Looks like I will just go to a 125grain broadhead and be done with it. If I go with with the 110 inserts later I'll just buy bare shafts.

I used the drill bit without acetone and no splits on 31 arrows ..it knocks the insert right out without heat....did you put drill bit in with smooth side first and just smaller than inside dia of arrow?

Drill bit idea is just great to remove inserts......

[Boo]

Personally, I wouldn't try to pull the inserts out of an arrow for fear of compromising the integrity of the shaft. In my life, if there's an opportunity for something to go wrong, it will go wrong. I can just imagine the arrow crumpling at the insert, on impact of a deer. But that's just me
Having said that, try putting the shaft in the freezer for a few hours, it might make the glue more brittle.