Xpedition Archery MX-16: A Purpose Built Bow for the Western Hunter

By Adam Parr –

When I first put my hands on the 2020 flagship MX-16 from Xpedition Archery, I instantly knew this was a bow built with the western hunter in mind. The 2019 Mako-X from the year prior was an impressive compound bow to say the least but the MX-16 is in a totally different league of its own. While traversing rugged terrain, I expect the confidence in knowing that my equipment will meet the demands of whatever the mountains may throw my way, along with the speed and accuracy to effectively take down big game. From its forged, caged riser design that can withstand the apocalypse to its butter smooth draw cycle, this bow has it all. 

Specifications

Speed – 350fps

Weight – 4.2lbs 

Axle to Axle Length – 32.75”

Brace Height – 6”

Draw Weight – 40, 50, 60, 65, 70lbs

Draw Length – 26” – 31”

Draw Length Adjustment – .5” increments, no press required.

Let Off – 80%

Riser Color Options – Realtree Timber, Realtree Edge, Realtree Excape, Molten Black, Tactical Sand, OPS Green

String Color Options – Black (Custom Colors Available: ODGreen, Kiwi, Fluorescent Green, Natural, Medium Brown, Fluorescent Purple, Fluorescent Pink, Fluorescent Orange, Electric Red, Red)

Limb Finishes – Realtree Edge, Realtree Excape, Molten Black

MSRP – $1,099

Durability 

If I had to rank various features of a bow from desirable to not as important, when it comes to breeding confidence in my equipment, I’ll put durability as number one every single time. Once I leave camp behind I want to know that my hunting rig will still be in one piece if it takes a tumble down the mountain or it falls out of the back of my truck while driving down the highway. 

Every well built house starts with a solid foundation and the same thing holds true with building a bow, as the riser is essentially the base to which everything else is tied to. What makes this bow extremely durable is its caged riser design from a forged aluminum process, providing unmatched stability and increased rigidity. Past flagship models of Xpedition bows utilized an extrusion process so a forged riser is a huge step up for 2020. 

Other features you will notice about this bow are its new and improved limb pockets and limb coating. This years design connects the front pocket to the rear pivots to lock the limbs in place without having to worry about twist, warp, or movement from years of mountain abuse. To top it off, the all-new coating process improves the material quality and limb consistency to add further durability.

If you need more proof that the MX-16 is an absolute tank, listen to Episode 58 of the Transition Wild Podcast where Curt Headington of Xpedition Archery talks about his bow getting run over by a UTV while packing out an entire elk!

Performance

I know the word “performance” is pretty generic terminology when it comes to describing a bow but simply put, a western hunting bow needs to be a top notch performer when it comes to both speed and accuracy. The animals are bigger and the shots (depending on terrain) can be farther so a compound suited for western country needs to deliver blazing speeds while maintaining forgiveness and accuracy. Delivering an IBO of 350 fps and a super smooth Hybrid Dual Stop (HDS) cam system, the MX-16 is the perfect blend of power and shootability. 

With a deeply rooted aerospace background, Xpedition knows what it takes to produce consistent quality by maintaining the tightest build tolerances. This attention to detail and years of manufacturing experience paired with a 6-inch brace height and a 32.75” axle to axle riser length make this a very forgiving and easy to shoot bow. The MX-16 is also equipped with BCY 454 string material from Gas Bow Strings, which is like having a custom designed string on a production bow, delivering longevity and consistent shot repeatability. An added plus to the forged, caged riser is more vibration absorption, making this a whisper quiet setup when a longer shot is necessary. 

What I Love About This Bow So Far

I used to prefer more of a “spongy” back wall but I’ve really been digging the built in limb stops for a rock solid hold at full draw. I’ve noticed that this has helped me with accuracy by providing a more comfortable, steady hold for a prolonged period while shooting. In the past I’ve also been more of a compact, short ATA guy but I’m loving the 32.75” axle to axle length on this bow. Every arrow sent down range is met with more forgiveness and stabilization which has helped my shot accuracy as well. 

I’ve been target practicing with the MX-16 since December and I can honestly say that I am thoroughly impressed with it so far, but I can’t wait to put it to use on some critters in 2020. Colorado’s turkey season opened up a few weeks ago and I’m hoping to do a Texas hog hunt this Summer before chasing velvet mule deer at 12,000 feet later this fall. If all goes to plan, the MX-16 should have a fair amount of blood to its name by the end of the year!

For further reading material, check out Field & Stream’s 2020 Flagship Bow Test where the MX-16 recently received high accolades and beat out many other bows from well-known brands. Xpedition’s are sold at various archery retailers nationwide so I encourage you to go shoot one for yourself… I promise you won’t be disappointed. For more information on Xpedition Archery or to find a retailer near you, please visit www.xpeditionarchery.com.