Excalibur Matrix 380 Crossbow Review [March 2023]

Excalibur Matrix 380 Crossbow​

  • Amazing speed and accuracy.
  • Easy and quick to assemble.
  • Compact recurve design.
  • Lightweight and Quiet.
  • Comes with 4 high-quality arrows & field tips.
  • Guardian anti-dry-fire system.

Best Recurve Crossbow for money under $750 – Perfect choice for hunters. It ensures better durability, longer limb life, and Recoil Energy Dissipation System.

Matrix 380 assures a perfect combination of sturdy design and a powerful build. This fantastic bow remains the popular choice for hunters searching for a long term quality crossbow. It is a superb option for the hunters from ground blinds. The crossbow is complete blackout with a camouflage finish which makes it perfect weaponry.

The less moveable parts of recurve bows as compared to a compound bows bring better durability. Not only this, It needs less maintenance and provides better accuracy of shots.

The 13.1-inch stroke and ergonomic grip helps to enhance accuracy and power and brings a stable balance. Its REDS reduces noise and vibration. The overall package of the crossbow is worth a purchase with long term durability and accuracy.

It comes with a Tact Zone scope for greater clarity and performance. It is beneficial for sighting in easily and quickly. The Anti-dry system and safety mechanism engage security every time a hunter cock a crossbow and easily releases when you are ready to fire.

The package includes arrow, quiver, rope cocking aid, flat allen screws tool, anti-dry fire safety, stock and prod, warranty card etc. In comparison to other crossbows, it is quiet compact and narrow and better for hunting purposes.

Below are the brief description and specifications of the Excalibur Matrix 380 Crossbow. In this Crossbow review, we covered up features, pros & cons, power, built quality, accuracy, and included accessories.


Excalibur Matrix 380 Review: First Impressions​

Excalibur Matrix 380 review

Excalibur Matrix Specifications
Speed380FPS
Draw Weight260 lbs
Width Axle to Axle (uncocked/cocked)30.62″/25.75″
Kinetic Energy112 ft. lbs.
Weight5.9 lbs
Length18″
Power Stroke13.1″
FinishBlack Carbon

Reasons To Buy

  • Long term durability.
  • Scope of superior quality.
  • The crossbow is really powerful.
  • With four high-grade arrows and field tips.
  • A compact recurve design for tight hunting trips.
  • Design brings better maneuverability.
  • Ensures proper handling and care.

Reasons To Avoid

  • The scope illumination is a bit dark.

Excalibur Matrix 380 Crossbow : Detailed Specifications

Build

The recurve crossbow’s 5.9 lbs mass weight ensures great build quality and compactness. Its durability enough makes the bow an ideal choice for hunters. The overall build is lightweight and comes with easy maintenance.

The 260 pounds draw weight brings accurate shots with proper balance and stability. Its limbs ensure resistance while shooting and riser provide great & smooth performance.

The rear stocks are made of lightweight materials and fit your shoulder with comfort. It gives a massive performance at outdoors, field range and woods.

Ergo-Grip stock style provides secure handling and withstands all the problems associated with outdoor hunting.

Design

Matrix 380 has a blackout design and made it with brief detail. It has a stealth-black appearance that allows you to disappear in blind.

Its real tree design blends easily in your surroundings. The compact recurve crossbow makes it easy to move in confined places. It offers better safety, anti dry fire system, and prevents an arrow from accidental release.

The trigger mechanism is easy to pull and gives accuracy in aiming. It gives consistent breaks every time and consistent accuracy as far as 80 yards. The overall design provides better safety, easy to use, and maximizes performance.

Assembling the Matrix 380

The Assembly Hardware of a recurve crossbow is a bit complicated as compared to the best compound crossbows. In the case of the compound crossbow, it takes more time to string the crossbow. Recurve Weapons comes assembly came already strung. It takes about 15 minutes to assemble a crossbow.

One needs to mount the riser with Allen Cap Screws and Keys. Now mount the foot stirrup with round head bolts. Also, attach the front and rear sights. With the help of hardware, insert the riser into the stock. The next step is to mount your scope, quiver and attach the removable quiver on the bracket, and you are all set to hit the target in the archery range to sight.

Power & Accuracy

Matrix 380 has better accuracy and shoot at an arrow speed of 380 fps. With this arrow speed, it hits the target with 112 FPKE kinetic energy, more than sufficient to take down the big or large game.

It can shot with extreme accuracy up to about 70 yards while maintaining four groupings. The trigger pull of this crossbow is smooth and easy to operate and draws easily.

Performance

The trigger of the Matrix 380 ensures a smooth release at a velocity of 380 feet per second. It delivers extreme performance and stands out in the crowd based on its capabilities. The combination of arrow speed and draw weight are powerful enough to penetrate any target.

Its compact design and sturdy build make the bow easy to handle and imposes massive accuracy. The 112 lb of kinetic energy helps achieve the target and brings down any legal game in North America.

Noise Suppression

The crossbow package comes with REDS noise suppressors. The dampeners try to reduce the shock waves or noise produced by vibrations. Generally, the crossbows produce lots of energy from the strings once a bolt is released. REDS suppresses the noise and maximizes the time of use.


Final Verdict​

Matrix 380 is the better combination of power, compact body, and minimum noise. This Blackout weaponry perfectly blends into the ground blind. It can easily be maintained in the field and fire silent with REDS suppressors. It comes with an unconditional 5-year warranty against manufacturing defects. Excalibur also provides excellent customer services.

Although recurve crossbows are difficult to assemble due to the complex string process. But, Matrix 380 comes with pre-strung. In case you are a beginner, you can assemble with the help of an instruction manual attached to the package.

It has a disadvantage that can be found only in a few products that the limbs may break off at the base after many hours of shooting. But its maintenance and care isn’t an issue.

The overall performance of this lightweight crossbow is impressive, accurate, and offers high quality materials.


Frequently Asked Questions​

1. Can I Use Carbon Arrows With Excalibur Crossbows?

The carbon arrows are designed to deliver optimum accuracy, speed, and high-performance. Diablo carbon arrows are designed especially for Excalibur Matrix series crossbows. These 18″ long arrows feature a heavier front insert that increases front-of-center weight for better accuracy. It features flatback insert and doesn’t require to nock that gives more reliable contact with the string. Carbon arrows cost two times more than aluminum.

2. Can I Use Limb Savers on my Excalibur Crossbow?

The limb savers reduce noise, but they are tough to keep on a crossbow limb. It may reduce the velocity when positioned them on the crossbow.
Thus, it is not appropriate to use limbs on Excalibur.

3. What Crossbow Case Fits the Matrix 380?

The case depends on the type of scope and costs you around $70. You can try the Carbon Express Deluxe Case in case of smaller scope. It is a soft case. The Barnett Case model is a soft case for $50 and provides sufficient space for large accessories. You can also use flat-backed arrows for better performance with Excalibur.

4. How Often Should I Unstring Excalibur?

There is no need to unstring the bow every time. You have to relax the limb system between the seasons when you are not using it.
In case if your bow is exposed to high heat, never the leave the string on, especially in summers.

Aksroop Kaur

About the author

Aksroop Kaur is a senior staff writer for Best Crossbow Guide, where she covers outdoor gears and hunting tools. Aks began her career in blogging as an outdoor writer at the AnG Eesti Technologies. She keeps a beady eye on all the latest comings and goings in the crossbow world. She believes in writing creative articles & blogs on travel, adventure, and health. She has a keen interest in learning new things and sharing her knowledge with others. Exploring various platforms for blog writing is one of her passion. She also loves to design indoor and outdoor spaces. In her free time when she’s not writing, she enjoys watching movies, exploring different places with her friends. Also, she is very into fitness activity. She believes in staying fit is the root of good health.