A Mathews ARC 30 review should start with the question bowhunters actually care about: Is this compact speed bow built for hunting, or does it just look good on a spec sheet?
After several long shooting sessions, a full hunting-style setup and a speed test through a Garmin chronograph, the answer came pretty quickly. The Mathews ARC 30 is fast, light and compact, but its biggest win is how smoothly it draws, holds and settles after the shot.
From my early days as a bowhunter, I have always been a Mathews fan. I remember watching the popular Primetime Bucks video series from Hunter Specialties as a teenager and seeing the new Mathews SoloCam bow.
That was monumental. SoloCam technology helped make Mathews famous by offering a smooth, simple answer to the timing headaches of older two-cam bows. More than three decades later, the ARC 30 shows how far the conversation has shifted. With its SWX-2 cam system, this bow is built around modern speed, stability and efficiency, without giving up the smooth feel Mathews shooters expect.
For bowhunters, that balance matters more than a speed rating alone. Fast bows are easy to market, but they still have to draw smoothly, hold steady and stay manageable when a deer is inside bow range. That is where the Mathews ARC 30 makes its case.
First Impressions of the Mathews ARC 30
When I first picked up the Mathews ARC 30, the word that came to mind was tight, in the best way possible. The compact 30-inch axle-to-axle length gives it a maneuverable profile that feels comfortable in hand, whether I’m in a tree stand, ground blind or my favorite setup, a saddle.
At 3.99 pounds bare, it’s noticeably lighter than many flagship bows, but it doesn’t feel light in a cheap or hollow sense. The riser design feels rigid and refined, with the clean, streamlined look Mathews has become known for.
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The grip is slim and natural in the hand, which gives hunters and shooters consistent hand placement shot after shot. That’s something I pay close attention to, especially for deer hunting scenarios where awkward angles and cold-weather gloves can make proper form and feel more challenging.
Despite its compact size, the ARC 30 doesn’t feel twitchy. In fact, the balance is one of the first things I noticed. It sits level and steady, which is impressive for a bow pushing this level of speed.
How the Mathews ARC 30 Draws and Holds
After taking the bow to a local archery pro shop to get my loop and rest tied on, I assembled the rest of the accessories and started getting the ARC 30 dialed in. It didn’t take long to realize this bow is built for serious performance.
The SWX-2 cam system is the main reason this bow delivers a draw cycle that’s smoother than you might expect from a bow rated up to 348 fps. There’s a steady build into the draw, with no harsh dump into the valley. It transitions cleanly into a solid back wall that feels locked in, then settles naturally after the shot.
At full draw, the bow holds exceptionally well for a 30-inch platform. That’s not always the case with shorter axle-to-axle bows, especially speed-focused models. The ARC 30 manages to maintain stability without sacrificing maneuverability, which I especially appreciate as an avid saddle hunter.
The let-off options, 80% or 85%, give shooters flexibility depending on their preference. I leaned toward the 85% setting for hunting, which made holding at full draw during longer practice sessions noticeably more comfortable.
Range Time With the Mathews ARC 30
In recent years, I have incorporated bow shooting into my fitness routine as a way to help with strength training instead of always lifting weights. After shooting the ARC 30 for 20 minutes, I loved how smooth each draw and shot felt. This is a bow I could shoot for a few rounds each morning without feeling worn out.
On the shot, the bow is impressively dead in the hand. There is minimal vibration, very little noise and a clean, balanced release. It has that “thump without shock” feeling experienced bowhunters recognize immediately.
Accuracy was exactly what you’d expect from a flagship bow. From 20 to 50 yards, groups stayed tight and consistent. Even after extended shooting sessions, the forgiveness held strong despite the aggressive 6-inch brace height.
Honestly, this is one of the most fun bows I have shot in a while. Typically, after 30 minutes of shooting, my arms and shoulder blades are telling me, “That’s enough.” I had multiple shooting sessions with this bow that lasted more than an hour before I even realized it.
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Speed Test Results
Even though many bowhunters, including myself, say speed isn’t everything when it comes to deer hunting, there’s still something undeniably intriguing about a fast arrow. Speed is one of the ARC 30’s headline features, so I was eager to see how it performed in a realistic hunting setup.
With the bow set at a 65-pound draw weight and 29-inch draw length, I ran four arrows through a Garmin chronograph.
For the speed test, I used an Easton 5.0 Match Grade 340-spine arrow cut to 28 inches with a 100-grain field point. The finished arrow weighed close to 360 grains. After four arrows, I recorded 289.9 fps twice.
That is with the bow set at 65 pounds, and as a bowhunter, it’s hard not to be impressed with that speed. Those numbers are right where you’d expect them to be for a bow rated at 348 fps IBO. More importantly, the ARC 30 delivers that speed without feeling harsh or difficult to shoot.
That’s where the ARC 30 separates itself. Plenty of bows can hit high speeds on paper, but not all of them are this enjoyable to shoot or this forgiving in the field. This one manages both.
Accessories and Hunting Setup
Like most modern Mathews bows, the ARC 30 is built with integration in mind. The streamlined riser allows for clean accessory mounting, helping reduce bulk and improve overall balance.
I set it up with an HHA NYTRX PRO in a Bridge-Lock mount designed specifically for Mathews bows. The sight has easy adjustments and the kind of quality that pairs well with a premium setup.
The NYTRX PRO and a low-profile rest kept everything tight to the bow for better handling. That should be a major benefit while hunting in tight quarters, especially from a saddle, treestand or ground blind.
It’s a strong fit for mobile bowhunters who want a light, compact setup to pack in and hunt, or for anyone navigating thick timber and other tight spots where a bulky bow can become a hindrance.
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Is the Mathews ARC 30 Worth It?
The Mathews ARC 30 was a joy to review, and the bow is a perfect example of where flagship bow design is heading: efficient, compact and refined.
It’s fast, no question about it. But what stands out more is how controlled that speed feels. The combination of the SWX-2 cam system, updated limb geometry and advanced riser design creates a shooting experience that feels polished from start to finish.
At $1,459, it sits firmly in the premium category. There’s no pretending this is a budget-friendly option. But for bowhunters who want top-tier performance in a compact, highly maneuverable platform, the ARC 30 delivers.
This isn’t just a speed bow. It’s a hunter’s speed bow. It’s built not just to impress on a spec sheet, but to perform when it matters most: at full draw, on a live animal, when everything has to come together.
Mathews ARC 30 Specifications:
- Axle-to-Axle: 30 inches
- Brace Height: 6 inches
- Weight: 3.99 pounds bare
- Cam System: SWX-2 Cam
- Speed: Up to 348 fps
- Draw Length: 25 to 30.5 inches
- Draw Weight: 55, 60, 65, 70, 75 and 80 pounds
- Let-Off: 80% or 85%
- Finish Options: Multiple solid and camo patterns
- MSRP: $1,459