Excalibur Matrix SMF Grizzly Crossbow Review

Great choice for deer hunters whether you are advanced or a novice.

The new Matrix SMF Grizzly from Excalibur is a fast shooting powerhouse of a crossbow in an ultralight, compact package that wont break the bank. With a 200-pound draw weight, the Grizzly delivers an arrow at over 300 feet per second and complies with the 200-pound draw weight hunting requirement of some states.

Except for hunting broadheads, the Matrix Grizzly crossbow package comes with everything you need to get into the field. Like all of Excalibur’s crossbows, the list of pros is long and the cons are few as the Grizzly is designed for years of trouble free use and carries Excalibur's lifetime warranty.

Excalibur has placed the same emphasis on design that they do with all their crossbows. Like all of the Excalibur line, the Matrix Grizzly is engineered to be durable and achieve maximum shooting performance while providing years of trouble free use.

The Grizzly crossbow is designed to be compact and lightweight. Weighing only five and one half pounds with a total overall length of just 33 inches, the Grizzly was designed to be used by any hunter and be handy in any hunting situation. The compact design is perfect for use in small popup hunting blinds, hang-on tree stands and won’t get hung up on tree branches and brush.

The Mossy Oak pattern not only helps keep you hidden from the keen eyes of a wise old buck or crafty tom turkey, it gives the bow a sleek and finished look that you will be proud to be seeing carrying. The thumb-hole stock design fits the shoulder well and provides a sure grip that helps to keep the bow steady while shooting offhand.

With over 300 feet per second of arrow speed, created by the 200-pound draw weight limbs, the Matrix SMF Grizzly is capable of taking down any North American game animal up to the size of an elk. The short power stroke makes cocking the bow a breeze, an important benefit if a quick follow up shot is ever needed. While the Grizzly is very capable of making accurate shots at over 100 yards, for hunting purposes your shots should realistically be limited to no more that half that distance.

Depending on the exact setup of bolt length and weight, choice of broad head and bowstring, the Excalibur Matrix Grizzly will achieve between 70-75 foot pounds of energy. For example, the Grizzly will produce 72 foot pounds of kinetic energy with a 350-grain bolt and arrow combo.

This Matrix SMF Grizzly crossbow package is complete with everything you need to get into the field, sans broadheads. An easy to understand instruction manual will get you set up quickly. The short 11.5 inch power stroke is a valuable feature for easy cocking, something even experienced crossbow shooters will appreciate.

The short power stroke is also ideal for shooters that may not have the upper-body strength needed to cock a more powerful crossbow. The Vari-Zone scope, with included mount and 1-inch rings, has the same windage and elevation adjustment turrets as a rifle scope, is easy to sight in and provides for extremely accurate shots. Four 150-grain field points and a rope cocking device are also included in the package.

Here are the crossbow’s main features and benefits:

• Compact design makes it easy to handle for any hunter or hunting situation.

• A narrow 30-inch wide profile with 200-pound limbs won’t get hung up on every branch in the woods.

• A short 11.5 inch power stroke for quick and easy cocking.

• At just 5 1/2 pounds, the Matrix Grizzly won’t weight you down.

• Composite thumb-hole stock makes it easy to hold and shoot.