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If you subscribe to our magazine and have received the September issue, you already know which bow won our annual bow test. This space, of course, is devoted to the rest of the Class of 2011… And this week our countdown continues with the 7th place bow, the McPherson MR7.

For details of how the test is conducted, see the original post.

This week we’ll continue the countdown with:

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Bow #7: McPherson MR7

Price: $999

Weight: 4 lbs. 14 oz.
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Length**: 33″ axle-to-axle

Speed: 340 fps (IBO) 289 fps (our test: 29-1/4″, 437gr. Carbon Express Aramid arrow. 28.5 draw length, 70lbs) Comments/Notes: The MR7 is McPherson’s update to last year’s Monster, the first two-cam bow introduced by Matt McPherson in a long time. Like its predecessor, the MR7 is a very fast bow, ranking 2nd in our speed test by a mere two feet per second. The MR7 features Mathew’s tough Gridlock ™ riser, as well as a DeadEnd ™ string stop, and Mathews Lost Camo. Brace height is 7″, which should add forgiveness for a bow this fast. Draw weights are available from 50-80 pounds, and draw lengths are available in ½” increments from 26-32″.

Hits: As a rule, makers of speed bows face three inherent challenges; vibration, noise and a difficult draw cycle. The MR7 got high marks from my test team in each of these categories, and we all agreed that the MR7 was a big improvement from its predecessor, the Monster. The MR7 also got positive reviews on its solid back wall, which is a critical feature in a speed bow. Finally, as with any bow that comes out of the Mathews shop, the MR7 sported a very pleasing fit and finish.
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Misses**: The MR7 got knocked down several notches for its grip, which one tester described as “too clunky.” Another tester didn’t like the overall weight of the bow.
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Takeaway**: The MR7 is a great example of a “speed bow” that’s blowing away former prejudices against its kind; if you’re a shooter who loves a very fast arrow but doesn’t want to suffer to achieve it, the MR7 is worth a long hard look. While listed in Mathews lineup of “competition” bows, the MR7 can easily do double-duty; switching from a great tournament bow to a killer hunting tool.