9-PT with M380/Xbow Trick

[sw]

Last Wed evening I killed my 1st deer with a fixed broadhead in a long time(>15 years). It was a nice, mature 9-Pt WT that weighed appx 200#. The hit was a little high and had no blood for 70-75 yds; and then, very little for the next 150 yds or so, then a nice trail for the last 100-150 yds. I was underwhelmed with the small cut of the Xbow a Trick (175g 4-blade, 1 1/8"). After >50 consecutive kills with Spitfires and then FOCs(NAP 3" cut, 2-blade expandibles, 170g) , I realized that I was spoiled. Previous kills resulted in virtually immediate recoveries. From DRT to normally less than 50 yds.
I have 2 crossbows:Excalibur M380 and M405. Both with Boo strings/silencers, TT triggers 2.5#, DS, 18" Zombies, AL inserts, Blazers - helical, plastic moon nocks, both 175g Xbow Tricks or FOCs(exclusively now except Tricks for coyotes, HHA Optimizer/Zeiss Duralyt 2-8 lighted. These are serious, long range crossbows. The recurve crossbows are incredibly consistent and unbelievably accurate. Usually, 1 - 1 1/2" 100 yd , 3-shot groups. Actually never > 2" . After 31 years of xbow usage, I'm convinced that there is no xbow that is more consistent than the Excal Matrix series.

[jims]

Excellent shot placement.

[Dave W]

Congrats on a nice one!

[sw]

PS I corrected the above: "normally 1 - 1 1/2" , 3-shot , 100 yd groups".

[deadeer]

Boy you sure can't ask for better shot placement. Sometimes deer are ruthless when it comes to doing what they are supposed to. Slick Tricks are very highly regarded, and some guys can do no wrong in using them. Just one of those things I guess. Use what you have confidence in.

Jay

[Deleted]

Nice work SW! Congrats on a fine deer!

[rambler]

That's a dandy!!

[Deleted]

Nice buck withe Matrix... Makes me wonder about the effectiveness of the Tricks. I shoot a 100gn Slick Trick in my Matrix...Haven't drawn blood with it yet.. We'll see when the day comes.
Zen

[sw]

The Xbow Trick(175g ST) has 1 1/8" , 4-blade ST. It's extremely accurate, extremely strong. It made a perfect 4 blade cut. Can't blame the broadhead. My hit was a bit high. The small bolts holding the trigger mechanism/scope mount had slightly loosened causing the scope to be slightly off(red Locktite is now on those bolt threads). Still, I prefer the larger cut of the Spitfire, Spitfire Max, Schwacker, FOC, etc. Just more forgiveness.

Seriously, thanks for the shot placement compliments; but ideally 2" lower and forward would have been ideal. The a Excaliber Matrix series have problems with small bolts loosening: 1) the 2 that hold the trigger assembly tight. The scope rail is mounted to the trigger assembly. 2) the scope rail to the trigger assembly(4 small bolts), 3 ) stock to the riser(2 bolts), 4) bow to the riser (2 bolts). Even Blue Locktite hasn't been strong enough. I've gone to a Red Locktite.
These bolts must stay tight, the brace height must be consistent, proper arrow selection and then actual 1-2" 100 yd groups are obtainable. 17 1/2" GT L-3s , 110g inserts, AL moon nocks, 4 degree rt offset Blazers , 100g Swackers , M380 highly mod'd is getting 1 - 1 1/2" 100 yd gps(423g arrows). M405(highly mod'd) 18" Zombies, Blazers helical, AL inserts/moon nocks, 170g FOCs (396g arrows) is closer to 1 1/2-2" 100 yd gps. 358'/sec and appx 393'/sec (380/405) .
These high performance, Matrix xbows are to the bow world, especially when they have TT triggers, great aftermarket strings(Vixenmaster/smokepolehall or Boo ) , HHA Optimizer/good scope(Zeiss Duralyt 2-8), extremely good, very stiff arrows and low guidance/profile broadheads, are very akin to some of the highly optimized smokeless MLers that many on this board have. From Sep 27 thru Dec 25 , where I live, I can bow/crossbow hunt , but only have 2 weekends of shotgun/ML/certain pistol hunting . Sundays are very short hunting days for me, so actually 2 - 2 1/2 days vs 3 months of bow/xbow. So, my emphasis is now xbow w/o neglecting the 40/45 PacNors and NEF Slufoot conversion.
Great hunting to you all. If you have xbow questions, comments, please feel free to contact me.
Steve

[Deleted]

Congrats on a nice deer, where is the jerky? ?

[1coyotemaster]

Steve,
I have trailed enough deer to know that what you did there with that tracking job was nothing less than stellar. A high hit deer doesn't leave as much blood as a low exit and I have lost a couple that were hit high and had scant blood trails. Nice deer and good job.

[sw]

Coyotemaster, Panhandle
Thank you for your comments. With now over 60 consecutive expandable kills, and this one Xbow Trick kill compare these pictures of a little too high a hit on the 9-pt and the high, but aiming for the best under the circumstances (the liver). Just look at the very high entrance and width of cut of the FOC! Talk about forgiveness!!!

[Deleted]

Good buck Steve, while Im no X bow man I do know broadheads having taken well in excess of 100 deer by bow and if one has a high energy bow the Schwacker or other expandable is very effective. I killed a doe and a nice 8 pt last Thursday with the 1.750" version that I had to borrow from a friend ( I normally shoot the 2")after the theft of my bow/quiver/arrows in Ohio a few days back. anyway the 8 went 20 yds and the doe went 100 after a less than ideal shot op,(almost straight down @ 6 yds)getting one lung and the liver. blood trails are always stellar and accuracy is great.

If I ever take up the X bow I will be giving you a call, someday I will likely have to being 55 but I will pull the string as long as Im able. Im getting ready to climb a tree this morning with the bow and the little 6.8 AR, its either sex here this week and a nanu better beware if she comes by this morning. its in the teens though so it will be no fun bow hunting unless a deer shows....LOL

[wayles]

Good shot and nice deer. With that kind of shot placement I am amazed that he went that far. I shoot a 1" cut wasp bullet and they seem to never go much farther than 125 yds . Most go less. Great trackin job!