Best Arrow Setup for Mathews ARC 30 & ARC 34 (2026)
The perfect arrow for your Mathews ARC 30 & 34
The 2026 Mathews ARC is a 340 fps, 80% let-off compound built for serious western and whitetail hunting. Here's how to spec, build, and tune an arrow that matches it.
Recommended arrow spec for the ARC 30 / 34
For a 70 lb / 29" hunter shooting the ARC 30: target a 300 spine in a 5mm (.204 ID) or 6.5mm (.246 ID) shaft, cut 1.5" shorter than draw length. Pair with a 100–125 gr head for ~13–14% FOC and 80–90 ft-lb KE — comfortable kill margin from whitetail through elk.
For the 34 (longer A2A, slightly more forgiving): same spine target but you can run a heavier head (125–150 gr) for higher momentum and deeper penetration on quartering shots. The longer axle also lets you push to 15% FOC without losing too much velocity.
- Shaft: 5mm (.204) class — Easton Axis 5mm, Black Eagle Spartan, Victory RIP TKO, Altra 204 Wasatch
- Spine: 300 (for 60-75 lb draw), 340 (for 50-60 lb draw)
- Point weight: 100-125 gr for balance, 125-150 gr for penetration
- Vanes: AAE Hybrid 23 or Bohning Blazer for fixed broadheads, Hybrid 16 or 1.85 Shield for mechanicals
- Nock: standard or Firenock lighted for trailing
Firenock Titanium Kit — Mathews 2026 ARC 30 / 34
Replaces every steel and aluminum fastener on your bow with grade-5 titanium. 1–3 oz lighter riser, stealth matte finish, lifetime corrosion resistance. Ships direct from Firenock.
How the ARC's 340 fps IBO affects spine selection
The ARC 30 is a moderate-aggression cam at 340 IBO. Compared to a 357 fps speed bow (PSE Sicario), the ARC stores less energy per stroke, which means you can run a slightly weaker spine at the same draw weight without losing forgiveness. Our builder accounts for this automatically when you set your bow type, draw weight, and IBO speed.
The 80% let-off is also worth noting: lower let-off (75%) stores marginally more energy and demands a stiffer spine; higher let-off (85%) the opposite. ARC's 80% sits in the sweet spot for most hunters.
Tuning notes
Paper tune first. Get a bullet hole through paper at 8 ft before doing anything else. The ARC's parallel limbs are forgiving but a misaligned rest or cam shift will still show. Once paper-tuned, walk-back tune at 20 / 40 yd and confirm your group center holds.
Sight tape calibration. Use our Sight Tape generator with two chronograph readings (launch + 60 yd) for the most accurate downrange pin marks. The 340 IBO + a 450 gr arrow should give you ~280-285 fps measured at the chrono.