Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Bowhunting Bowtech SZ380...

Added a new xbow to the stable:


Decided to upgrade from the supplied scope in the package to the new Hawke MAP 1.5-5x32 scope:


Has a speed selector ring which works great for switching arrows unlike the fixed scopes:


Nice reticle:



It didn't do great with some of the lighter arrow combos I tried, but it really liked the heavier CE CBs with 125 FTs. They weigh 451gns and clock 355, so they should have mad penetration.

40yd group:


Brought it back to 20 to fine tune zero for that arrow, then back to 40 to check the reticle:


I believe it will work. Loving the light weight, compact size, and great trigger. looking fwd to slamming a tom next year and some deer this fall.

Have a good one,

loder

I've been looking at those and that's the one that I liked the most. Let me know how it works out for you.

Very nice! I inherited a crossbow from my father and I'm hoping to put it to use this fall. I think it would be easier to deal with than my bow for sitting in a ground blind with my 5yo. Good luck!

'loder,

I got the SZ380 also. Went with a Vortex Crossfire 3x scope. With the stock carbon bolts, the zero'ed at 20 yards the first two dots map out 40 and 60 yards. I ran out of space in my back yard to go further!

Shooting in my backyard would be a DREAM! Not sure the $#%* HOA would think too highly of it...

I remember you talking about getting one Kimber7man. How are you liking it so far?

I went ahead and ordered the SZ350 as well. This one is much lighter than my Hurricane and I've liked it enough to add the SZ350 as well. I'll post an update when I shoot it as well.

Decided to test 4 different arrows in my new SZ380. I picked a concentric arrow of each and installed a 125g field tip. All shots on a large sheet of paper taped to my Spyderweb at 30yds lazered.

Carbon Express Cross Bolt:
Weight: 451.2g, Avg Velocity 354, 5 shots= .542"

Stryker:
Weight: 421.8, Avg Velocity 365, 5 shots= 1.374"

GT L2 w/ 2" VTs:
Weight: 407.8g, Avg Velocity 372.5, 5 shots= .728"

Carbon Express Maxima KV:
Weight: 428g, Avg Velocity 363, 5 shots= 1.158"

Now to weed through and find the CECBs and GTs that group together and find out how the ST 125 Mags do at 40.

Love the light weight and especially the trigger!

Didn't have much time to hunt with it last year. Now that IN is allowing them during all of archery season this year, I'm looking forward to putting a nice slick trick "X" through a few deer this fall. Got a new 50 acre farm to hunt that has an old apple orchard and several nice spots for a ground blind. My 7 and 9 yr old boys want to hunt with me a lot more this year so ground blinds will rule...

'loder,

What target do you use for broadheads? I've got a bag target for field points but don't think my Block will handle cross bolts.

I have a new Rinehart Rhino Block. From my research and asking many xbow shooters, the Rhineharts are the best broadhead target for an xbow. Haven't even shot the thing, but after talking with guys that run them, it should do the trick.

My block 4x4 barely stopped 405g arrows at 360fps, some made it to the fletching. Had to buy a new broadhead target for the SZ.

The SZ350 came in, but I haven't had a chance to put it together yet. Looking fwd to seeing how it shoots as well.

Have a good one,

loder

You guys are an EXTREMELY bad influence on others. After reading all this I had to cash in my Bass Pro points and take one of the SZ380's home. I love it.

LOL, they are nice rigs IMO. The scope in the package has poor reticle spacing, but it is identical in appearance to my Hawke scopes. If it is a rebadged Hawke, it should be a good scope. Going to go with it on the 350 and prob just zero for 25, so I'll be good with the center up close and out to 30. I'm betting the second circle will not be on til 50 or so. May upgrade to the 1.5-5 at some point.

K7M and OKhntr, Just as an FYI:

If you are having any accuracy issues check the tiller by measuring from the rail edge to the axle pin center. Mine wasn't all that accurate out of the box, so the dealer told me to look at the tiller and sure enough it was 1/16" off. I loosened the long side limb bolt a touch until they were dead even and it shoots great now.

I was using Jigaloo on the deck, but it wasn't cutting it, so I picked up some rail snot to try.

Let us know how the snot works. I'll have to check the tiller on mine as well. Thanks for the heads up.

Thx for the tip. Will check mine as well.

Just looked at one of these Stryker x-bows today. Thinking of taking the plunge. any words of advice?

Haven't checked archery talk or crossbow nation lately to see if the SZ380's are still having limb problems. If not, SZ380. If so, SZ350...

They resolved the limb issues last year. I talked with a Dealer for a while about that very issue before I purchased mine and he said there was no more issues after BT changed limbs.

The 350 is easier to cock and seems less finicky about arrows, but the 380 is faster and I personally don't find it difficult to cock.

BTW the snot works like a champ, much better than Jigaloo.

Duckster,

My only advice would be to buy a better scope than what comes in the package. The supplied scope is fine, but the circles are way off. The speed adjustable scopes work better.