Excalibur Micro 380 – Crossbow Review

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The Excalibur Micro 380 is one of Excalibur’s new 2022 crossbows. It is the newest family member in their Micro series and the first one of the Micro platform that is 380 fps. The Micro 380 also features Excalibur’s new batten technology, the high output batten, allowing this model to handle more speed while remaining as compact as its predecessors. The Micro 380 also has a new trigger system and anti-dry fire called ‘the CeaseFire’.

The Micro 380 is available in a mossy oak breakup country version, this version of the crossbow is equipped with R.E.D.S. suppressors and comes with the Tact 100 scope. When we received the package we found the Micro 380 Crossbow, a Tact zone 100 meter Excalibur scope plus mounting accessories, 4 16.5-inch Quill arrows with 100-grain tips, Rebolt quiver, a manual clamping device, and R.E.D.S. suppressors.

Excalibur also released the all-new Mag Air and the TwinStrike Tac2 this year.

Excalibur Micro 380 Crossbow Specs

Excalibur Micro 380
Excalibur Micro 380 Lightweight Compact Accurate Ambidextrous CeaseFire Safety Hunting Archery Crossbow, Mossy Oak Break-Up Country w/Tact-100 Illum Scope
Speed: 380 fps
Overall Length: 33"
Width (Axle to Axle) cocked/uncocked: 23"/26"
Weight: 6.5 lbs bare/8.2 lbs with accessories
Draw Weight: 136 lbs
$999.99
Excalibur Micro 380
Excalibur Micro 380 Lightweight Compact Accurate Ambidextrous CeaseFire Safety Hunting Archery Crossbow, Mossy Oak Break-Up Country w/Tact-100 Illum Scope
Speed: 380 fps
Overall Length: 33"
Width (Axle to Axle) cocked/uncocked: 23"/26"
Weight: 6.5 lbs bare/8.2 lbs with accessories
Draw Weight: 136 lbs
$999.99

First Impressions

The Excalibur Micro 380 is a recurve crossbow that is defined by performance and maneuverability with the strength of a classic crossbow. The latest addition to the Micro series features high-performance limbs to create an ultra-compact hunting machine that generates speeds up to 380 feet per second with a 150-grain arrow.

Picture of the Excalibur Micro 380

Design

The Micro 380 is not a takedown crossbow like its predecessor, the Micro 340 TD. The Micro 380 doesn’t have the TD feature, the designers probably decided to do this to lower the overall weight of the crossbow. It also has a Featherlite stock. The crossbow weighs 6.5 pounds bare and 8.2 pounds with all accessories attached. It has a full length of 33 inches and its axle to axle width is 26 inches uncocked and 23 inches cocked.

Optics

The new Tact 100 comes with a feature that a lot of today’s crossbow shooters are asking for, a 100-yard multi-reticle aiming system that allows you to make on-the-fly adjustments in yardage without taking your eye off the crosshair.

The scope has multi-coated lenses that offer a crisp, clear viewing. The scope features the Fast Point 100-yard illuminated (red/green). Multi-Reticle is perfect for target shooting or long-range practice so when you shoot at sensible hunting distances, it will give you the confidence to make the shot when it counts.

It has an adjustable speed dial for arrow velocity of 300 fps to 450 fps. The scope is waterproof, shockproof, and fog-proof for all-weather use. The scope is easy to sight in and use.

Cocking

The crossbow is relatively easy to cock with the rope cocker if you’re in good condition. If you have physical limitations, then a Charger Crank is recommended. The crank can be bought on Amazon.

Trigger and Safety

Repeatable Accuracy is everything for confidence and success. There are several factors that go into making an accurate crossbow, at the top of the list is a clean, consistent breaking trigger. The new Factory Installed Pro-Shot ACP (Adjustable Custom Precision) 3lb trigger system provides match-grade performance by improving consistency and accuracy.

It does not come forward into position until the bow is cocked and offers a crisp smooth pull with zero creep. The trigger is adjustable from 1 to 2-stage configurations. Its Frictionless Roller Catch Technology eliminates any grit from the sear and catch. The manual safety is completely silent.

The Micro 380 is the first in the series to feature Ceasefire technology. CeaseFire ensures that the crossbow will not fire unless an arrow is loaded, safety is off, and the trigger is pulled.

Performance

The Micro 380 is marketed with a shooting speed of 380 feet per second and delivers 112 foot-pounds of kinetic energy. With the arrows in the package, we measured 372 fps on our chronograph, and with a 409 gr arrow, it clocked at 352 fps.

The crossbow is also highly accurate. We had tight arrow groupings during our field test with the crossbow. We also tested some broadheads, Boltcutters, and Slick Tricks. The flat-shooting Micro has good broadhead accuracy. All in all, we were impressed by this little powerhouse recurve crossbow.

Arrows and Quiver

This crossbow only utilizes 16.5-inch Quill arrows with Excalibur’s Rhino Nocks. These nocks are specifically designed to work in conjunction with models equipped with CeaseFire Anti-Dryfire Technology but can also be used on all Excalibur crossbows. The Rhino Nock maximizes durability and drastically reduces string wear.

The new Rebolt quiver is lighter in weight and very easy to add or remove. It can hold four arrows. The two arrows in the outside position are very easy to pull and the two inside arrow positions are secured more tightly. It really takes some effort to remove those.

The rhino nocks really “snap” into place. If you have a deer under your stand, that snap could be audible.

Recommended Accessories

Arrows and Broadheads

We recommend sticking with the 16.5-inch Quill arrows.

Excalibur Quill 16.5" Carbon Arrows
EXCALIBUR CROSSBOW Quill 16.5" Carbon Arrows 6 Pack for use on Micro Crossbows for Outdoor Hunting & Target Shooting Practice
6pk
$59.99
Excalibur Quill 16.5" Carbon Arrows
EXCALIBUR CROSSBOW Quill 16.5" Carbon Arrows 6 Pack for use on Micro Crossbows for Outdoor Hunting & Target Shooting Practice
6pk
$59.99

You can pair the Quill arrows with Excalibur Boltcutter broadheads.

Excalibur Bolt Cutters
Excalibur Boltcutter 150 Grain 1 1/16" Cutting Diameter Stainless Steel Hunting Crossbow Broadheads - 6 Pack
$54.01
Excalibur Bolt Cutters
Excalibur Boltcutter 150 Grain 1 1/16" Cutting Diameter Stainless Steel Hunting Crossbow Broadheads - 6 Pack
$54.01

Storage and Transportation

We recommend buying a crossbow case to keep the Micro 380 secure and safe during transport and in storage.

Southland Archery Supply SAS Soft Crossbow Case
Southland Archery Supply SAS Black Deluxe Padded Soft Crossbow Case with Sling
Price not available
Southland Archery Supply SAS Soft Crossbow Case
Southland Archery Supply SAS Black Deluxe Padded Soft Crossbow Case with Sling
Price not available

Final Verdict

Excalibur Micro 380

Scott Christensen

Excalibur Micro 380 Review Box Pic
Speed
Accuracy
Durability
Value

Summary

Excalibur’s Micro 380 combines durability, maneuverability, and excellent recurve performance and offers good value for your money. It is perfect for run and gun, spot, and stock hunters where lightweight and comfort are a must or the treestand and ground blind hunters where space is limited. It is an excellent crossbow for 2022 that we can recommend to both beginners and more seasoned hunters.

3.6

What we like

  • Dead-simple recurve reliability
  • R.E.D.S. Suppressors substantially reduce shock, vibration, and noise
  • Compact, lightweight, and maneuverable
  • Can be cocked with a cocking crank
  • Consistent clean and crisp 3lb trigger pull with no creep and a smooth crisp travel
  • CeaseFire ensures your crossbow will not fire unless an arrow is loaded, safety is off, and the trigger is pulled
  • Quieter compared to previous Micro models
  • Great crossbow for run and gun and spot and stalk

What we don’t like

  • Rhino snap is of poor quality
  • Cocking crank not included

Last year we reviewed the Excalibur Micro Mag 340, Micro 340 TD, and the Twinstrike model.

Photo of author
Scott Christensen is the co-founder and COO of ForgottenHunter.com. He’s a wilderness/urban survival, disaster preparedness, awareness instructor. “Surviving in the wilderness is all about preparation. Follow this blog to learn how to survive in any environment, with any gear.”

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