The Independent Excalibur Crossbow Guide
Excalibur builds recurve crossbows only - no cams, no cables. Here is the current and past lineup explained model by model, plus the bolts, strings and accessories that fit each one. An independent guide - not affiliated with Excalibur Crossbow Inc.
The Excalibur lineup at a glance
Excalibur's model names overlap and get reused across generations, which makes the lineup confusing to shop. Grouped by family, it is more straightforward: five recurve product lines, each aimed at a different budget and use case.
| Family | What it is | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Mag series | Full-size recurve crossbows built around Excalibur's Mag platform | Mag Max, Mag Air, Mag 340 |
| Micro series | Excalibur's compact recurve line, including Takedown (TD) variants that break down for travel | Micro 335, Micro 380, Micro 340 TD |
| Matrix series | Excalibur's value-oriented recurve line | Matrix 380, Matrix Bulldog, Matrix 405 Mega |
| Flagship / high-speed | Excalibur's fastest current recurve packages | Hybrid X, RevX, Assassin |
| Legacy models | No longer sold new by Excalibur, still supported by the aftermarket | Vixen, Ibex, Wolverine |
Every current and past model, with its own review and specs, is on the full model lineup page.
Bolts, Strings & Parts
What each model takes, which parts wear first, and how to tell a worn string from a tuning problem.
Crossbow Models
- Hybrid X
- Shop Crossbows
- Rev X
- Axiom
- Assassin
- Vortex
- Micro Series (Other)
- Mag 340 / G340
- Mag Air
- Exomax
- Used & Older Models
- Grizzly GRZ2
- Twinstrike
- Matrix 405 Mega
- Mag Max
- Phoenix
- Equinox
- Matrix 380
- Exocet
- Legacy & Niche Models
- Micro Mag 340
- Micro Extreme
- Micro 380
- Ibex
- Suppressor Extreme
- Vixen
- Wolverine
- Other Matrix Models
- Micro Axe 340
- Micro 335
- Matrix 355 / 350SE
- Micro 355
- Takedown (TD) Series
- Matrix Bulldog
- Exomag
- Micro 340 TD
- Eclipse XT
- Micro 360 TD
- 308 Short / Banshee
- Matrix 330 / 310
- Micro 315
- Relayer Y25
- Micro Takedown
- Apex
Bolts & Accessories
Reviews & Comparisons
Common Questions
What people ask most often about the Excalibur crossbow lineup.
Does Excalibur only make recurve crossbows?
Yes. Unlike most of the market, Excalibur has stayed with a recurve limb design across its entire lineup rather than switching to compound cams and cables. That means fewer moving parts to wear out or time, at the cost of a slightly longer overall bow than a compound of the same speed.
What does TD mean on an Excalibur model name?
TD stands for Takedown - a stock that separates from the riser so the crossbow packs into a smaller case for travel or storage. The Micro TD, Assassin TD and Takedown series bows all use this system; standard (non-TD) models have a fixed stock.
Can I still buy an older Excalibur model that is not on the current lineup?
The current catalogue changes every year or two, and models like the Vixen, Ibex and several Matrix variants are no longer sold new by Excalibur. They still turn up used and through retailers clearing old stock, and the aftermarket keeps supplying bolts and strings for them long after the model itself is discontinued.
Which Excalibur crossbow should I buy?
It depends mainly on budget and how much speed you actually need for your hunting distance - a compact Micro-series bow and a flagship 400+ FPS model solve different problems. The full breakdown by category and price tier is on the buyer's guide.
Can I dry-fire an Excalibur crossbow?
No. Current Excalibur models use a CeaseFire anti-dry-fire mechanism that stops the bow firing without a bolt properly seated, but that is a safety net, not a reason to test it - a dry-fire can still damage limbs and the rail. Always confirm the bolt is pushed fully back against the string before you shoot.
What bolt length does an Excalibur crossbow use?
It varies by model - Excalibur's own bolts run from around 16.5 to 20 inches depending on the series, and the nock type matters as much as the length. Using the wrong length or nock on a recurve crossbow is a common cause of poor accuracy and, in the worst case, a dry-fire.
How do I find an authorised Excalibur dealer?
Excalibur sells through independent archery and hunting retailers rather than direct online in most regions, so availability depends on your area. Where a dealer network exists it is listed on the manufacturer's own site; if you cannot find one nearby, current models are also sold through major online retailers.
Do I need to register my Excalibur crossbow's warranty?
Excalibur, like most crossbow manufacturers, ties warranty coverage to registration and to keeping the original serial number and proof of purchase. Do this when the bow is new rather than after something fails - a claim without registration is a much harder conversation.
How fast are Excalibur crossbows?
It varies widely by model. Excalibur's current flagship recurve packages are rated at 400+ FPS by the manufacturer's own listings, while older Matrix and Micro-series bows are generally slower. Speed is only part of the picture - accuracy and noise matter just as much for hunting.
Gear Excalibur owners reorder most
Broadheads, a crank cocking aid, and a replacement string - the three things every Excalibur owner eventually needs. Check current pricing on Amazon before you buy - listings and options change often.
Excalibur Boltcutter Broadheads (1 1/16" Cutting Diameter)
Excalibur's own stainless steel mechanical broadhead, sized for the 1 1/16 inch cutting diameter most Excalibur bolts are built around. Sold in 1, 2, 3 or 4-pack options.
Excalibur Charger EXT Crank Cocking Aid
Excalibur's own ambidextrous crank, built for the draw weights a recurve crossbow needs and for cocking the same way every single shot - which matters more for grouping than raw effort does.
Excalibur Matrix Replacement String
Excalibur's own replacement string for the Matrix and Bulldog series, built to restore speed and grip that a stretched factory string has already lost.
About This Guide
Excalibur Crossbow Inc. has built recurve-only crossbows out of Kitchener, Ontario since the early 1980s, and it is one of the only manufacturers left that never switched to a compound design. That single decision - no cams, no cables, no let-off - is the reason Excalibur owners search differently than owners of other brands: fewer moving parts to break, but a narrower and more confusing lineup of Micro, Matrix, Mag and TD variants that overlap in name and get renamed or discontinued from one season to the next.
This site exists to make sense of that lineup: what each current and past model actually is, how it compares to the rest of the range and to compound crossbows from other brands, and which bolts, strings, scopes and cocking aids are actually built for it rather than just compatible with it. Facts here come from Excalibur's own product listings and published specifications - nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
This is an independent guide. It is not run by Excalibur Crossbow Inc. and it is not endorsed by them. Where a page links to Amazon, that link is an affiliate link.