Just as the name would suggest, the Excalibur Matrix 405 crossbow was forged by the experts in the industry. I always say that with great power comes a great crossbow, and this is why the Excalibur matrix 405 is not for novice hunters or shooters.
Having heard a lot about the Excalibur matrix mega 405, I decided to do a test run and see for myself if it lived up to its name. Though not forged by a dragon’s breath like the mythical sword, maybe this crossbow might be a one of a kind hunting gear.
The Excalibur crossbow 405 is designed for heavy-hitting hunters with years of experience. This is because this crossbow is the first to incorporate a compact recurve design best suited for professional hunters.
Simply put, this sturdy piece of equipment is mostly meant for hunting and not necessarily for target practice and tournaments.
I must say that hunting with the Excalibur gave me quite the rush. I knew that I would be using quite some energy when cocking the crossbow, so I carried with me extra energy.
The gem of this crossbow has got to be the Twilight DLX scope that accurately ensures that you hit your target. You can watch this video to see just how fast the Excalibur works.
Excalibur Matrix 405 Crossbow Review
Excalibur Matrix 405 Build
As an experienced hunter, I find it very important to consider the build of a crossbow before making a purchase. As much as you would want powerful hunting equipment for big game, easy handling is also essential.
Hunting is a skill that requires patience. You will, therefore, have to carry your crossbow for a long while before even taking aim. The Excalibur Matrix 405 crossbow has a sturdy design specifically for reducing arm fatigue and wobbling.
Excalibur products are known for their durability, and so this crossbow fits the bill. You will have some stability from the sturdy limbs, especially for the draw weight.
You will, however, have to maneuver carefully while in tight spaces as the crossbow is quite sizeable.
Performance
The Excalibur is a serious crossbow compared only to the African double rifle of archery. The lethal nature of such a powerful device as the 405 matrix requires well-experienced hunters. One wrong move and you could endanger the lives of those around you.
The high speed and performance of this 6.2-pound crossbow should only be handled by a professional. Make no mistake; the 290lbs draw weight can be overwhelming even for a crossbow guru like me.
The 405 feet per second speed of the arrow will hit and smash the bones of any target.
The bridge’s rail connects to the stock and bow while also being the main section for the trigger. You want your bridge to be heavy-duty since it is the main connection point of the trigger and release mechanism.
Below are two performance graphs for the Excalibur Matrix 405 Crossbow. The first one shows the reduction in speed of the arrow as it travels away from the shooting point. The second one shows the reduction in the kinetic energy of the arrow as it travels closer to the target.
Excalibur Matrix 405 Features
Recurve Crossbow
The Excalibur Matrix 405 has a recurve design which allows you as the hunter to have an easier time during maintenance. The crossbow allows you to replace the strings regardless of the location.
I found it much easier to replace the strings on my Excalibur 405 without having to seek help from a bow shop.
Traveling far up into the mountains with my Excalibur turned out to be less exhausting due to its lightweight recurve structure. The weight is reduced since there are no wheels or cams attached.
The double matrix power limbs are brought together by a Dyna flight string measuring 35 inches. The limbs are made from a durable composite of unidirectional fiberglass, which makes it stronger than the previous version.
The quad lock riser feature found on the Excalibur comfortably holds each limb at various sections. This feature eliminates any unwanted movement that can affect the performance of the shooter.
Made from a sturdy aluminum alloy and crafted through the use of CNC machinery, the riser is highly durable.
BCY – Dynaflight string
This type of material ensures that the string has a low stretch capability designed to make the hunting experience more effective. Such a string is highly durable, and so you can expect it to last longer. Having a Dynaflight string means that you won’t have to worry about replacing your string any time soon.
Strings such as the Dynaflight are specifically made for heavy-duty crossbows such as the Excalibur. This is why they are durable and effective as far as hunting is concerned.
High draw weight of 290lbs
The high draw weight of the Excalibur matrix crossbow is its largest challenge. Having to use extra strength when pulling 14 inches of the power stroke is no mean feat. I had to use extra strength just to secure the string and be ready for shooting. I found pulling the string with a cocking device way less time-consuming. You will have to save all your energy for hunting.
The Excalibur 405 will require extra stamina even with the already existing rope cocking device. I would highly advise against pulling the rope by hand since a crank cocking device would be of great help.
DLX crossbow scope
You get a DLX crossbow scope with your purchase. The good thing about having a high duty scope is that you can view and mark your game for an accurate shot.
The DLX easily sights targets while almost holding zero regardless of the falls and bumps. The illumination is designed with both red and green reticles. The distance on the reticles ranges from 10 yards up to 50 yards.
You can either choose to work with the green reticles or the red ones. Either way, the illumination is splendid as you will be able to view and zoom in on your prey without much effort.
The lenses have been multi-coated for increased brightness and clarity. You won’t have to worry about fogging, glare or reflection. I definitely loved the light-gathering feature of the objective lens, even in low light areas.
The scope is made from high-grade aluminum material, which is water-resistant and fog proof to endure heavy-duty hunting in the wild.
4 Diablo arrows
The Diablo arrows are made from carbon, which is a highly stable material. You also get field tips of 150 grains. The bolts are designed in such a way that they are light for easy penetration of the air.
This feature works to an advantage of the shooter by ensuring that the arrow hits the target right where it was meant to land.
The 4 Diablo arrows are a great number to start with, though you can always purchase more arrows as long as they are 18 inches and at the minimum 350 grain. These arrows, however, do not use nocks; instead, they have threaded inserts to suit the shape of the arrow puller.
R.E.D.S noise reduction
Hunting for big game requires stealth and total silence. This is what makes the Recoil Energy Dissipation System a must-have feature for a good crossbow. You will be able to take a shot, and the buck won’t even see it coming.
Though recurve crossbows produce less noise compared to the compound ones, any disturbance can cause your prey to scamper for safety.
The residual energy produced during the firing of the arrow is usually converted into sound. A proper noise reduction system will go a long way in ensuring that your prey stays in place.
The two modules located on the two sides of the rail are correctly placed between the bumpers and the string.
The energy required in firing the Excalibur matrix definitely requires additional devices that will lessen the noise. The dampeners are meant for shock absorption as well as vibration for steadier shooting.
Anti-dry fire
The Balestra Excalibur matrix 405 mega comes fitted with an automatically enabled anti-dry fire capability. The anti-dry fire feature is activated each time the device is cocked.
This feature is well fitted into the scope mount and holds the crossbow string when the device is fired without an arrow in place.
The safety mechanism also has a release system for easy uncocking. This means that once you finish shooting, you won’t have to fire the arrow.
Mossy Oak tree camouflage finished
The finishing design of the crossbow is an excellent determiner in how well you blend in the wild. You definitely want to pay attention to the pattern and color of your crossbow.
The Excalibur has a moss finish best suited for hunters who prefer laying low on the ground for a strategic shot.
Blending into one’s surroundings can sometimes be the only thing that stands between you and your prey.
The technology used by the manufacturer to design the mossy oak design is called color fusion. This is a type of dye making process that applies the desired design to an object which in this case is the Excalibur.
A great way to camouflage with the Excalibur is by wearing the same moss camouflage color. This way, your prey will never see you or your arrow coming.
Ergo Grip
The Excalibur was designed for both left-handed and right-handed individuals. The thumbhole stock allows for a more comfortable grip when aiming. The grip feature provides users with a forearm for firm grip, trigger guard for safe shooting, pistol grip, a butt plate, and a rear stock piece.
The material used in making the base is glass filled nylon which allows easy molding of the finger grooves and ribbing.
The fore grip area and the pistol grip are fitted with rubber for increased comfort and hand control.
The top of the forearm is equipped with a small flare for the safety of the shooter. The flare prevents your fingers from moving on top of the flight section. This prevents your fingers from damage caused by the high force during shooting.
The ergo grip feature comes with a cheek piece to help with stability. The cheek piece is adjustable to suit depending on your preference.
You can move the cheek piece to different positions until you are most comfortable.
Lifetime warranty
The Excalibur 405 matrix comes with a limited lifetime warranty, which applies to the lifetime of the person who first bought the crossbow. This is a sure guarantee that your crossbow will last you many years to come.
What will you get from the package?
- Excalibur matrix mega 405 crossbow
- Twilight DLX scope
- 30mm rings
- 4 Diablo bolts
- 1 cheekpiece
- 1 quiver with a bracket
- Rope cocking aid
- 4 field points of 150 grain
- Digital manual
- Warranty
Assembling the Excalibur Matrix 405 Crossbow
The process of putting together the bow is made easier by the available instructional video. Assembling the crossbow is simple and can take an average of about 30 minutes. Putting together my crossbow took about 15 minutes, but that’s because I have been assembling my bows for a while.
What you can hunt with the Excalibur 405 matrix? The Excalibur delivers quick kill shots regardless of the weight and size of the target. You can use it for hunting bears, moose, bison and deer, among others. All you need is proper settings, perfect timing and a target. This video shows how you can put together your Excalibur crossbow right from the box.
Excalibur Matrix 405 Pros and Cons
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Final say
Power and speed are usually what most hunters want to hear when shopping for a crossbow. The Excalibur Matrix 450 is quite an impressive piece of work that has all the powerful features of a must-have a crossbow.
The faster a crossbow performs, the better it is. You want to hit your target them the moment you press the trigger. Any delay can cost you a kill, and so the matrix 405 lives up to its name.
As you can see from our Excalibur Matrix 450 Crossbow review, with a speed of 405 fps, you are sure to hit your mark and go home with your prey. The accuracy of 35 yards will drop down any game regardless of how large it is. The Excalibur Matrix allows the shooter to hit the target without compromise.
The lifetime warranty for the first owner comes with a dedicated customer service staff. I am the kind of person who values quality customer support. So if I am experiencing some sort of difficulty with my equipment, prompt help from the service provider is what I look out for.
A manual should be easier to understand when in video form instead of being in writing. You can watch the video as many times as you want until you get the hang of things.
The manufacturer of the Excalibur 405 matrix has gone to great lengths to ensure that your safety is guaranteed. For those who love hunting in groups, the Excalibur ensures that your buddies are also safe from any mishaps.
If you are a highly experienced archer, then changing your tact with top-notch equipment is the best way to go.