Mission MXB Sniper Review – a Crossbow by Mathews

Model	Draw Weight	Stroke	Velocity	Suggested Arrow Length	Crossbow Length / Weight
Mission MXB Sniper Review Check price on Amazon.com	150 lbs.	14"	310 FPS Crossbow Academy: ballistics, sighting, tuning	22"	32.75" / 6 lbs.

Mission MXB-Sniper Lite Package Contents

The Mission MXB-Sniper Lite comes available in four packages: the Beginner, the Basic, the Hunter and the Pro. All come with a scope, 3 custom weighted bolts, and a quiver. The differences in the packages revolve around the quiver (a Bohning Lynx quiver on the Beginner and a Mission MX3 quiver for the other three package levels) and the quality of the optics supplied. The optics will be discussed in the below Optics section of the review…it suffices to say, like other Mission packages, the better the package, the better the optic!

Kinetic Energy of the MXB-Sniper Lite

The MXB-Sniper Lite offers speeds up to 310 fps. This translates to 85 ft. lbs. of energy using a 400-grain projectile. While not as powerful as many other crossbows, this should be plenty of oomph for most North American game.

Use our arrow ballistics calculator for more valuable information.

Ballistic Data For The Mission MXB Sniper

Your actual results will vary slightly depending on weather, and significantly with arrow weight change. See our Crossbow Ballistics Guides section for a complete understanding of how we conducted our tests and why this data matters.

Design, Safety, Comfort and Accuracy

The MXB-Sniper Lite features a lot of new technologies. The Smart Guide cable slide allows for much greater accuracy as well as a smoother and easier draw. To reduce weight, Mission incorporated new risers, new barrels, new limbs and even a new cam system. This results in a lighter crossbow with a center of mass moved back towards the shooter. This means a much less tiring experience for the shooter. The accuracy is expected to be very good (or ‘nock splitting’ if you read Mission’s claims). This is a result of a lighter overall weight and the center of mass being shifted rear towards the shooter’s shoulder, the machined rail and beveled arrow track, and the Smart Guide cable slide. Check back soon for our real –world shooting analysis.

Hunting with the MXB-Sniper Lite

The MXB-Sniper Lite should be a great companion in the field. Its ultra-light weight makes it a breeze to carry as well as while waiting in the stand. Should that trophy buck come out cautiously, the light weight and the fact that the Sniper Lite has its center of mass moved slightly to the rear, you will be able to patiently hold the Sniper Lite in a shooting position for much longer than comparable bows! The quiver is really something you should consider leaving off the Sniper Lite in hunting situations. It adds a lot of bulk as well as a bit of weight. You might find you like the quiver better in your pack; and since the quiver fully covers the broadheads, there should be no issue in keeping it there.

How Quiet is the Sniper Lite

The MXB-Sniper Lite promises to be a quiet crossbow. The lack of down pressure on the cable and cams as well as the machined rail and beveled arrow track should result in a very quiet shot.

Cocking the MXB-Sniper Lite

The MXB-Sniper Lite should not be difficult to cock given the patent-pending Smart Guide design. This innovative design alleviates down pressure on the cable and cams resulting in enhanced durability and accuracy and also self centers at full draw. With its high let off, the Sniper Lite is easy to cock with a very smooth draw cycle. The RS Tread foothold offers a convenient and comfortable way to cock the Sniper Lite from either a standing or sitting position.

Quality of the Optics

As with other newer models offered by Mission, each of the four packages available (Beginner, Basic, Hunter, Pro) includes a scope. The Beginner model comes with a Hawke 4×32 wire reticle, non-illuminated scope. The Basic includes a Hawke 3×32 MAP wire reticle, non-illuminated scope. The Hunter comes with a variable speed 2 color illuminated scope and match grade rings. Our test model, the Hunter came with a Hawke 1×32 SR, Etched reticle illuminated scope with the Pro coming with a Hawke XB 1.5 – 5 SR, Etched reticle. The scope should be easy to mount as it has been on the MXB-Dagger we recently tested.

See our detailed guide on how to sight-in your crossbow

Which Projectiles to use with the MXB-Sniper Lite

The packages from Mission come standard with 22” arrows for use with the Sniper Lite, but as with the MXB Dagger, given the lack of a stirrup, I would certainly want to take a long look at a 20” arrow. You need to ensure that your arrows utilize an aluminum half-moon nock or risk destroying a plastic nock given the force of the bow.

You can also learn more about crossbow arrows and take a look at our broadhead recommendations

Mission Warranty and Customer Service

Mission offers one of the best warranties in the industry. The original purchaser gets a lifetime warranty on the crossbow (requires an online registration) not including wear parts. As with most companies, chips, dings and other cosmetic wear are not covered.

What Crossbow Case Fits the Mission MXB Sniper Lite?

The Carbon Express Deluxe Case is a suitable soft case choice for the MXB Sniper Lite. For $30 the Allen Company case is an even cheaper soft case choice. The Plano 1133-00 Manta Crossbow Case is a hard case which adjusts to fit at $120.

Overall Last Thoughts

The Sniper Lite promises to be a very accurate and light-weight crossbow. Given the $599 MSRP, it also offers many innovative features while not breaking the bank. The lighter weight and center of mass moved back creates a much easier swing. The two-tone stealth concealment makes for a crossbow that not only performs well, but just plain looks cool. While not the most powerful cross bow out there, we think that Mission has a real winner on their hands with the MXB-Sniper Lite. Take a look at today's amazon.com price on this crossbow and check out our top 10 crossbows rankings for more.