PSE Mach 30 FDS vs Hoyt RX10: Bow Wars Carbon Bow Comparison

Watch: PSE Mach 30 FDS vs Hoyt RX10 Bow Wars

PSE Mach 30 FDS vs Hoyt RX10 Specs

The PSE Mach 30 FDS uses PSE's FDS cam system and sits right at 30 inches axle-to-axle with a 5 7/8-inch brace height. It carries an advertised IBO speed of 348 fps and weighs approximately 3.6 pounds.

The Hoyt Carbon RX10 is slightly longer at 30 1/2 inches axle-to-axle with a 6 1/8-inch brace height. It carries an advertised speed of 342 fps and weighs approximately 4.1 pounds.

Why These Carbon Bows Make Sense for Whitetail Hunting

Both bows make a lot of sense as whitetail platforms. The compact axle-to-axle length makes them easier to maneuver in a tree stand, saddle or ground blind, where a longer target-style platform can become cumbersome.

Carbon also keeps overall bow weight down and doesn't feel as cold in the hand during late-season hunts as an aluminum riser can.

Hoyt has also built a reputation around carbon-riser durability. We've seen just how tough these bows can be firsthand. That doesn't mean any bow should intentionally be abused or dry-fired, but durability is one of the reasons carbon platforms like these have become so popular with serious bowhunters.

For most whitetail hunters shooting inside roughly 40 yards, there usually isn't a major advantage to carrying a much longer axle-to-axle bow. A compact platform that fits the shooter well can offer a very good balance of maneuverability, stability and hunting performance.

Tuning the Mach 30 FDS vs Hoyt RX10

PSE EZ.220 Tuning System

The Mach 30 FDS uses PSE's EZ.220 shim system. If we need to move the cam to correct a paper tear, the bow goes into a press briefly and the shims can be repositioned to make a controlled adjustment.

From a bow-tech standpoint, it's a straightforward system and makes correcting horizontal tuning issues relatively quick.

Hoyt XTS Tuning System

Hoyt also gives us the ability to make larger cam-position adjustments when needed, but the XTS system adds another level of micro-adjustment.

For smaller tuning corrections, the system allows us to make extremely small adjustments without immediately moving the arrow rest. That gives a bow tech another way to fine-tune arrow flight while keeping the rest where we want it.

Draw Cycle and Holding Feel

Hoyt RX10

The RX10 has an excellent draw cycle. The weight builds smoothly, rolls over cleanly and settles into a very solid back wall.

What stood out most was the valley. It's forgiving enough that the bow doesn't immediately feel like it wants to take off if you relax slightly at full draw. That's valuable in a hunting situation when you may have to hold while waiting for an animal to give you a shot.

At my 28 1/2-inch draw length, the string angle was also very manageable for a bow in this size category.

PSE Mach 30 FDS

The FDS cam feels slightly stouter than PSE's previous EC2 cam, but it isn't harsh. You're getting a little more performance while still maintaining a smooth, consistent draw cycle.

The back wall is extremely solid, and the updated draw stops on the FDS system make a noticeable difference.

The valley isn't quite as forgiving as the RX10, but it still sits in a very usable place for a hunting bow and doesn't feel overly aggressive at full draw.

Grip Comparison

Both bows have good grips, but they feel noticeably different.

The PSE grip is relatively squared-off. Personally, I like adding a small amount of grip tape. It helps keep my hand from moving when it's wet and makes my grip position extremely repeatable.

Hoyt's grip needs less modification out of the box. The rubberized material gives it a tacky feel and makes it very easy to find the same hand position repeatedly.

Weight Test

With a sight and rest mounted, along with the small stabilizers we had installed, the Hoyt RX10 weighed 5.2 pounds on our scale.

The PSE Mach 30 FDS came in at 4.6 pounds in comparable form.

PSE Mach 30 FDS vs Hoyt RX10 Speed Test

Instead of testing these bows with an ultra-light arrow just to chase a chronograph number, we used a 445-grain arrow that is much closer to the type of hunting arrow we regularly see used for whitetail setups.

Both bows were tested at a 28 1/2-inch draw length.

The difference was only 0.8 fps. At that point, we're splitting hairs. Both bows produced essentially identical real-world hunting-arrow speed in this test.

30-Yard Accuracy Test

We moved to 30 yards for the final shooting comparison. That's a very practical distance for a whitetail bow test, and both bows were shot without full-size stabilizers.

Hoyt RX10 Group

The RX10 was extremely quiet with a soft post-shot feel. There was a little feedback through the riser, which isn't unusual from an extremely light carbon platform, but nothing objectionable.

The bow felt stable without inducing much hand torque. The resulting group was good, although we did have one arrow open the group up.

PSE Mach 30 FDS Group

The Mach 30 FDS produced the tighter group in this particular test. It was repeatable, easy to aim and enjoyable to shoot.

PSE's dynamic brace-height geometry may contribute to some of that holding feel, but the important distinction is that we're reporting what happened in this individual shooting test — not claiming that one bow will automatically make every shooter more accurate.

Mach 30 FDS vs RX10 Comparison Scorecard

Which Should You Choose?

There isn't a runaway winner between the PSE Mach 30 FDS and Hoyt RX10. They're too close in performance for speed or specifications alone to make the decision.

Choose the PSE Mach 30 FDS If...

• You want the lighter overall bow.
• You like an extremely solid back wall.
• You value PSE's EZ.220 cam-shimming system.
• You prefer the holding characteristics we experienced from the Mach 30 platform.

Choose the Hoyt RX10 If...

• You prefer a more forgiving valley.
• You like Hoyt's tacky factory grip.
• You value the XTS micro-tuning system.
• You prefer the feel and draw characteristics of Hoyt's cam system.

Ultimately, this is one of those comparisons where shooting both bows matters more than reading another specification sheet. The best bow is the one that fits you, draws well for you and holds the way you want it to hold.

PSE Mach 30 FDS vs Hoyt RX10 FAQs

Is the PSE Mach 30 FDS faster than the Hoyt RX10?

On paper, the Mach 30 FDS has the higher advertised speed. In our real-world test with a 445-grain arrow at a 28 1/2-inch draw length, however, the difference was only 0.8 fps. The Mach 30 FDS averaged 286.4 fps and the RX10 averaged 285.6 fps.

Which bow is lighter?

The PSE Mach 30 FDS is the lighter bow. Manufacturer specifications put the Mach 30 FDS at approximately 3.6 pounds compared with approximately 4.1 pounds for the RX10. Our configured bows also showed the Mach 30 FDS maintaining the weight advantage.

Which bow is better for whitetail hunting?

Both are excellent whitetail bows. They're compact, light, fast enough for practical hunting-arrow setups and easy to maneuver from stands, saddles and blinds. Shooter fit and preference are more important than the small differences in specifications.

Which bow has the more forgiving valley?

In our testing, the Hoyt RX10 had the more forgiving valley. The Mach 30 FDS still held well, but the RX10 allowed a little more relaxation at full draw before it felt like the cam wanted to take over.

Which bow shot the tighter group?

The PSE Mach 30 FDS produced the tighter 30-yard group during our Bow Wars test. That does not necessarily mean the Mach 30 FDS is universally more accurate — shooter fit, setup and individual shooting characteristics can all affect group size.