In a recent Bow Report (Sept/Oct 2025 Archery Business), which featured the Martin FireCat M-3, I noted that Kevin Strother is designing for Martin Archery. Obsession Bows is also under the Martin Outdoors umbrella, and Strother is designing its bows as well. In case you don’t know, Strother is one of the most acclaimed bow-engineering experts and is responsible for some of the compound bow space’s most technologically advanced concepts. He’s left his mark on several top bow brands.

Strother isn’t new to Obsession. He previously designed for Obsession Bows from about 2011 to 2019, unveiling several models that won top honors from some of the most trusted equipment experts in hunting media and consumers alike. I recall testing some of them; indeed, they were fantastic bows.

Arcus Hunting acquired Obsession in 2015 but sold it in 2020. The company’s fate hung in the balance for a few years. Little was known, and some wondered exactly what was happening with the once-thriving and award-winning brand. Well, the purchaser, Martin Outdoors, was growing and working through some challenges, but you can’t keep a good brand down. 

Contracting with Strother was a huge turning point for the brand. In 2024, the Obsession crew launched three incredible bow models under Strother’s vision. Building on that success, Obsession has a handful of 2025 models. One of them is the Ultra Mag 360, which I recently ran through its paces. Here’s my two cents.

Sidebar: Test Bow Specs

• Axle-to-Axle Length: 33.125 inches
• Brace Height: 6 inches
• Draw Length: 28 inches
• Draw Weight: 72 pounds
• Let-off: Tested at 80%
• Bow-only Weight: 3.54 pounds 
• Accessorized Total Weight: 4.6 pounds (including sight and rest)
• Velocity: 279 fps (with 468-grain Easton 6.5mm Acu-Carbon 340 arrow); 282 fps (with 456-grain CX Maxima Triad 350 arrow); 286 fps (with 441-grain Victory VAP SS 350 arrow); 304 fps (with 388-grain CX Predator 350 arrow)
• Kinetic Energy: 80.91 foot-pounds (Easton); 80.54 foot-pounds (CX Triad); 80.12 foot-pounds (Victory); 79.64 foot-pounds (CX Predator)
• Test Bow Finish: Moss Green
• MSRP: $1,499
• Contact: www.obsessionbows.com 

Speed Never Felt So Good

There was a time when virtually all bow manufacturers were racing to build the fastest bow. Eventually, most manufacturers landed on 340 fps or thereabouts, which is the approximate ceiling for velocity without inhibiting accuracy and forgiveness. Some manufacturers pushed the envelope by reducing brace heights to less than 6 inches to milk out a little more velocity, but such bows aren’t as enjoyable or forgiving to shoot.  

Velocity is a funny thing. Some people are all about it, and some people couldn’t care less. I’ve been bowhunting for 23 years and shooting archery for about 30 years. In that time, I’ve been repeatedly reminded that shot placement is the key to a clean, humane bowhunting kill or placing in a tournament. In other words, when velocity comes at the compromise of accuracy, consistency and forgiveness, it’s no bueno.

That being said, the Ultra Mag 360 is rated up to 362 fps. That’s ripping. The notable feature is it has a 6-inch brace height, which is essentially the standard across flagship bows, including several that are rated at approximately 340 fps. The secret sauce is in the Flite Cam System. Despite its smooth draw cycle, it absolutely blazes and is the product of years of research and innovation, enhancing power transfer and reducing cam lean. The cam also has adjustable draw-length mods — 26.5-31 inches — with number notations to track adjustments, and the let-off is adjustable, too. And let’s not forget a positive back wall.  

Of course, your speed-loving customers will be drawn to the 362 fps rating, so be sure to educate them on the real numbers they can expect given an average draw length and average hunting arrow weight. For example, I shot four different hunting-weight arrows through it with the draw length set to 28 inches and the draw weight at 72 pounds. My lightest arrow, which is 388 grains, hit 304 fps. Given my specs, that’s fast. And again, Obsession did it without sacrificing accuracy and forgiveness.

Will it hit 362 fps when set to the Archery Trade Association standard specifications of 30 inches and shooting a 350-grain arrow at 70 pounds? That’s tough to say, and I’m ultimately uninterested in shooting an arrow lighter than the lightest one in my test bunch. One bow reviewer I respect saw velocities of about 330 fps with those specs, falling shy of the listed rating.

Feathery Light, Optimally Balanced, Rock Steady

One of the Ultra Mag 360’s most impressive attributes is its mass weight relative to its 33.125-inch axle-to-axle length. Drum roll, please. It weighs merely 3.54 pounds. The magnesium riser is to thank, although 3.54 pounds is even lighter than other magnesium bows of similar length.

Light mass weight is one thing, but the Ultra Mag 360 takes it all the way with optimal balance. The riser engineering delivers a racy appearance and an impeccable feel. It felt so good after I installed a rest and sight that I didn’t even thread a stabilizer into it. While shooting it at multiple distances out to 50 yards, I was blown away by how rock-steady my pin held on the target without a stabilizer. Aiming felt nearly effortless, and I’m not the steadiest of shooters, plus I’ve been dealing with some shoulder pain in my bow arm, which has inhibited me from keeping the shoulder nice and strong.

When forgiveness and stability intersect, accuracy is practically automatic, so long as the archer executes the shot well. I found the Ultra Mag 360, despite its higher velocity than most flagship bows, to be as accurate as anything I’ve shot. I really enjoyed my range time with this bow. Getting over the peak is slightly less smooth than some of the bows I’ve shot, but it’s highly manageable and a cycle that’s easy to acclimate to. I won’t dock any points, because my test bow also peaked at 72 pounds. It also lets down nicely.

The Extras    

The Flite Cam System is rigged with Advanced Tuning, which can be tackled with a hex wrench, with no bow press required. It’s a simple system that the end-user can understand and use to effectively balance the cams on the axles and achieve a perfect tune. It also makes your life as a bow technician simpler. No time in the bow press means you can get the job done and your happy customer out the door with speed and precision. 

The Ultra Mag 360 comes standard with an ABB bowstring-and-cable set. I have lots of experience with ABB, all of which has been positive. I’ve experienced zero issues with tuning, creep, serving separations or improper peep rotation. This set solves all of those headaches, and that is a huge selling point to your customers as you’re telling them about the bow. And while we’re talking about high-quality components, the Ultra Mag 360 has some titanium hardware, too. 

For an arrow rest, you can use the standard mount, or you can opt for an IMS-compatible rest. There is also an option to bolt on a Picatinny rail for direct-to-riser sight mounting with compatible sights. The riser also has some triangular holes engineered in for quiver attachment. 

The grip is slim and comfortable. It’s the width of the riser, so you’re essentially gripping the riser, but what appears to be a 3-D-printed module bolts onto the riser to provide a barrier between the magnesium and the shooter’s hand in cold weather.

Final Thoughts

A few more notations before I wrap up this report. If there is anything I could dock a few points for, it’s the bow noise at the shot. It’s noticeably louder than some of the other bows I’ve recently tested. Granted, this one does not come with dampeners for the bowstring or limbs. I didn’t have any on hand to install, but from my experience with doing this stuff for so long, I’d say that would effectively tame the noise to make it a stealthy rig. And interestingly, there is very minimal hand shock, even without a stabilizer and dampeners.

Some customers like customization, and I know of no bow that is available in more finishes than an Obsession; I’m talking about more than 50 of them. String colors are also customizable, and the cams are available in black, red or orange. The only downside to these options is deciding which ones to pick for your stock bows could be daunting. My suggestion is to stick with the most popular camos and solids, and let your customers special-order the other finishes so you aren’t stuck with a bunch of bows in KUIU or Predator if most of your customers are the Realtree and Mossy Oak types, for example. 

Perhaps best of all, this unbelievable performance and quality come at an MSRP well below most bows with magnesium risers. If everything I’ve said and the $1,499 retail price doesn’t interest you, then I haven’t done my job as an equipment evaluator and writer. This is one fantastic bowhunting machine that does not disappoint.

Additional Notes: The Obsession Ultra Mag 360 was set up using a Last Chance Archery EZ Green Bow Press and EZ Green Bow Vise, and the draw weight was calculated using Last Chance Archery’s Digital Bow Scale. A Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph measured the arrow velocities. Other products used were Easton’s Nock and D-Loop Pliers and Pro Hex Fold-Up Allen Set. Arrows were weighed on Last Chance Archery’s Pro Grain Scale.

In-the-field images by Becca and Darron McDougal