Matrix 380

[604Stalker]

Could anyone give me some advice on how to dampen the noise on my new xbow. I recently grabbed the 380 matrix xtra on the last day of boxing week and am intristed in learning more about how people modify them for noise. Do you sacrifice speed or accuracy for the quieter shot? Ide love to hear some thoughts and opinions.

[Bonz]

personaly my view. the minor loses in speeds for vibrations or sound dampening are so minimal i dont worry much about it, thir still way faster than any bws from the past, and they took game just fine.

someone else felt the same with the 380, this is his info


Problem mostly solved.

As surmised above, it was the string vibrating.

I put on the new JBK string, and while that helped a little, the vibration noise was still there.

I left the JBK on overnight and this morning it had stretched just enough to be lightly touching the Dr S bumpers.

On the shot, the Dr S bumpers now stopped the string noise/vibration.

Shooting good too!! Pounding a 1/2" dot at 20 yds.


One thing I did notice is that the JBK strings middle serving is about 9 1/2" long meaning that it is the serving that contacts the bumpers, not the string strands themselves.

In comparison, the Matrix string middle serving is 3 3/4" long.

Don't know if that means anything, but it was just something I noticed.

I am also going to try a Force 10 Flemish string for both quiet and speed retention. Be my first flemish and I'm interested to see how it goes as many seem to favor them.

[Bonz]

http://www.excaliburcrossbow.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=63679&start=0

[604Stalker]

Well aside from the white knight hijacking with no info thankyou. Yes it does have REDS Im dying a little on the inside every day I dont shoot it. Im not sure if its going to be noisey parsay Im more just looking for some info on what guys have done to make it just that much quieter

[Bonz]

was something i always thought about with my compound. i felt it was a tad noisy as well, watching a bunch of vid, and reading up on it. i just decided to aim slight low, this isnt like target competition stuff and need to be tight groups to win. the vitals arent all that tiny to put game down ethicly. so for me to aim slightly lower, if their may be a reaction to the sound.

[IronNoggin]

Well aside from the white knight hijacking with no info thankyou. Yes it does have REDS Im dying a little on the inside every day I don't shoot it. I'm not sure if its going to be noisy parsay I'm more just looking for some info on what guys have done to make it just that much quieter

Not touching the white knight thing except to note that 70+ yard shots are considered by most to be beyond safe / ethical shooting distances for game, and are generally never posted about... :wink:

First, noise reduction is much more for the shooter than the game. I've taken a couple dozen critters with my Excalibur's over the years, and have never had one "duck" the shot. These bows are Quick, and usually by the time the noise registers with them, it is far too late.

That said, some take measures to dampen the noise they make down. I've done several:

Go with a heavier Custom String with Cat Whiskers. This will slow your arrow by a few feet per second, but makes a very noticeable difference in sound. There are several Custom String Makers on the Excalibur Forum, the best (and the one I use exclusively) goes by the handle "Boo". Google Boo Custom Strings and you'll find his website. Best in the Business as far as I am concerned, but due to that there is generally a bit of a wait for his services...

Shoot heavier arrows. I run Custom Zombie Killers made by Big John, another Excalibur Forum member, and another pretty much considered the Best. My arrows weigh exactly 400 grains dressed (packing the broadhead). That is heavy enough to dampen down more noise, and keep the vibrations to a minimum. I also run Luminoks (like arrow tracers) in every arrow I shoot. It is Wicked watching them fly, and makes arrow recovery a lot easier. Shoot me a pm if you're interested in John's contact information...

Wrap the arrow retention spring in shrink wrap. I don't use that, rather a special 3M tape on the full underside of the spring, but that stuff is very pricey, and the rubber shrink wrap works just a good. Cuts down on both slap and vibration when shot.

Wrap the stirrup. I use CamoForm due to the fact it is non-sticky and can be quickly removed or replaced. The stock stirrup is a bit like a "tuning fork" and the wrap (some use hockey tape, camo tape, rubber etc) dampens that right off.

I have not gone this far, but some fill the hollow stocks with low pressure spray foam. Apparently that is pretty much the final step to what can be done to quieten them down.

As previously noted, this is all pretty much for the benefit of the shooter. The critters don't seem to mind much at all...

I also run a Matrix 380, have for several years, and honestly believe it is among the very best out there. Feel free to ask if you have any further questions, and I'll do my best to answer...

There is an excellent resource for Excalibur Owners in the form of their own Forum. Lots of great folks, mostly willing to share good advice when asked. And a lot less "drama" than many other sites: http://www.excaliburcrossbow.com/phpBB2/index.php

Cheers & Welcome to your new Obsession! :twisted:
Nog

[604Stalker]

AWSOME! Thanks nog! yeah some lady hit ny truck 5 minutes before that responce. Dont get me wrong I don't plan on taking shots anywhere neer that distance. I do however see ALOT of deer bouncing around before rifle season so the plan is to get some meat in the freezer eairly and then focus on some bigger game. I just really don't play the whole my stick and string is better game. Happiness is a large drain hole, warm rifle and cold beer. That being said Im super excited to practice and have more close encounters as my mulie hunt this year left me wishing that adrenaline rush never ended.

[604Stalker]

Dont know whats going on but lets keep it civil :)

[IronNoggin]

... That being said Im super excited to practice and have more close encounters as my mulie hunt this year left me wishing that adrenaline rush never ended.

LOL! That feeling up close & personal never goes away! In fact the main reason many I know (including myself) stick with it.
Absolutely NOTHING like it!! :grin:


I practice plenty and can hold my own shooting my compound. I shoot with a former Canadian national champ. Your out to lunch thinking you can shoot 70 yards ethically on game. The key word here is ethically. Heck you mentioned 100 yards and ethically previously??

Methinks your initial point was taken DB.
No reason to further hijack an otherwise good thread now is there?? :roll:
Enough I'd say... :wink:

Cheers,
Nog

[Piperdown]

I'm with Nog, i too have the 380, had it for 4 years and love it. I have taken 3 deer and 2 moose, moose shot at 55 and 60 yards, and both moose didn't make it 20 yards after the shot. As for the noise i have yet to have an animal react to it. By the way mine is totally stock out of the box, good luck and have fun :)

[Bonz]

nog has good info on the crossbows/.

[GOLDEN TOP SNIPER]

nog has good info on the crossbows/.

Would you get a 355 or the 380 is now the question ? shooting elk and moose .. if there really going to be that much impact power difference between the two . . Saving weight is big factor I want a new crossbow Bad !.

[IronNoggin]

Would you get a 355 or the 380 is now the question ? shooting elk and moose .. if there really going to be that much impact power difference between the two . . Saving weight is big factor I want a new crossbow Bad !.

Yes, there WILL be a noticeable difference in the kinetic energy delivered on target (impact power if you will) between the two. I have shot both, and the 355 if like shooting say a 270, while the 380 is more like a 7mm mag. There is also a rather noticeable flatter trajectory with the heavier bow that belies the 25 fps difference.

The extra power of the 380 comes at very little cost. It weighs 1/2 pound more than the 255.
And while slightly tougher to cock, I find zero issues doing so at damn near 60 years of age.

If I had to decide all over again, and even with their new bows in the line-up, I would go with the Matrix 380 all over again.
It very much is All That! :wink:

Good luck on your selection.

Cheers,
Nog

[GOLDEN TOP SNIPER]

Yes, there WILL be a noticeable difference in the kinetic energy delivered on target (impact power if you will) between the two. I have shot both, and the 355 if like shooting say a 270, while the 380 is more like a 7mm mag. There is also a rather noticeable flatter trajectory with the heavier bow that belies the 25 fps difference.

The extra power of the 380 comes at very little cost. It weighs 1/2 pound more than the 255.
And while slightly tougher to cock, I find zero issues doing so at damn near 60 years of age.

If I had to decide all over again, and even with their new bows in the line-up, I would go with the Matrix 380 all over again.
It very much is All That! :wink:

Good luck on your selection.

Cheers,
Nog

Ya i will take your advice for sure.. one thing i do want to change out is the scope and then i will need a good sling . was it you that had that sweet custom sling ? my arms are long too . so if there a stock entender that you know of ? .. also i would like to message you for all the string order info . when i do i fact pick this bow up . i should have bought on last year when WWS had them on sale . as soon as i find one on sale im getting it i have waited long enough .

[IronNoggin]

Ya i will take your advice for sure...

I believe you will be rather pleased with that decision. :wink:


was it you that had that sweet custom sling ? my arms are long too . so if there a stock entender that you know of ? .. also i would like to message you for all the string order info . when i do i fact pick this bow up...

Yes, you are likely referring to the custom sling I had made for my 380:

https://i.imgur.com/JEL1wdD.jpg

Excalibur does indeed make a stock x-tender in both camo & black.

Shoot me a pm any time. I will send along the custom string maker's contact info, and likely answer most questions that you may have.

Cheers & Welcome to The Insanity! :grin:
Nog

[GOLDEN TOP SNIPER]

I believe you will be rather pleased with that decision. :wink:



Yes, you are likely referring to the custom sling I had made for my 380:

https://i.imgur.com/JEL1wdD.jpg

Excalibur does indeed make a stock x-tender in both camo & black.

Shoot me a pm any time. I will send along the custom string maker's contact info, and likely answer most questions that you may have.

Cheers & Welcome to The Insanity! :grin:
Nog

Hell ya i love that . so did he have to measure you up for it .or does one size fit all ? . also do you have any info to share on the Nikon bolt xr scope i see from other post you have something different and they dont make it anymore.. that figures !.. lol.

[GOLDEN TOP SNIPER]

Hell ya i love that . so did he have to measure you up for it .or does one size fit all ? . also do you have any info to share on the Nikon bolt xr scope i see from other post you have something different and they dont make it anymore.. that figures !.. lol.
is it adjustable ? doesnt look like it .

[IronNoggin]

Hell ya i love that . so did he have to measure you up for it .or does one size fit all ? .

You have to do the measurements yourself, and then he makes the sling based on that. It is not adjustable.


also do you have any info to share on the Nikon bolt xr scope i see from other post you have something different and they dont make it anymore.. that figures !.. lol.

I went with the Hawke XB 30 Compact.
Reason being I did not want to go with an HHA, and still wanted crosshairs that went to 100 yards.
I do not know why they discontinued this scope, it is Excellent IMO.
Hawke's XB 30 (full size) does offer the same reticle, and most that use it are happy.

No experience with Nikons. But there is a world of good advise available on the Excalibur Forum:

http://www.excaliburcrossbow.com/phpBB2/index.php

Bunch of great Folks there, and a hell of a lot less drama than most other sites I know of. ;)

Cheers,
Nog

[GOLDEN TOP SNIPER]

Ok thank you once Again . Hope your new year goes well .

[walks with deer]

Wow that's a nice gun