Yesterday when I was shooting broadheads, 160 gr. Zwickeys, I started noticing really bad flight out of every fourth are fifth shot. 3 shots in a row fly perfectly, the next turns sideways coming out of my bow!
I try to single out the arrow that's messing up and find that all my arrows are doing the same thing. Next I tie on a bottom nocking point, and it seems to exaggerate the bad flight. But its still only about every 3 or 4 shots.
What's really bothering me here is a couple of months ago when I got the new Zwickeys in, I went out and shot at 40 yards. I had my cousin stand directly behind me for over 30 shots and neither of us saw anything but great arrow flight.
I don't know what could have changed or what is causing this to happen only a % of the time. I've been shooting all summer long with no problems. I need help.
My setup:
62" Pearson recurve 45 @ 28
30" draw
32" Traditional Only 500 carbon arrows 5" feathers
50 gr brass inserts
160 Zwickey Eskalites
178 fps with field points
Kninja, IF your arrows were flying OK earlier and IF it only happens every 3 or 4 shots, you are having a form change (breakdown) every once in a while. You'll have to video yourself enough to catch the changes associated with the fliers.
That happens to me when my tab gets worn down. Maybe try a new glove/tab........Art
It may be an indication that you are putting top pressure on the arrow at full draw. (unless you shoot 3 under)
Try spreading your fingers so there is an eighth inch gap between fingers and arrow nock.
Touching thumb to little finger while drawing can help as well.
Broadheads will always be more sensitive to form issues than field points.
And for the sake of everyone here, post the results of what finally fixes the problem.
sounds like a pluck or a dragging finger to me..
I do shoot three under. I'll give a brand new glove a try Friday and get one of my friends to video my shooting.
How did you come to your arrow combination? Sounds like it could be a slight arrow tune problem, if you are on the ends of arrow spine either slightly stiff or too weak, it can show up as well, broadheads will show any errors more. A perfectly tuned arrow is much more forgiving of minor shooting form flaws.
I firmly believe the advice thus provided based on the relayed information to be quite excellent.
Also appears to me that the arrow is too far underspinded. May consider grabbing an ICS 340 from a local archery shop and giving her a go.
If possible, also grab a 400 ICS for trial.
One thing you didn't mention was...
Have you shot them with field points and the same thing happen?
The same thing did happen with the field points but only 3 times out of over 300 shots.
As far as my arrow setup, I originally bought the same arrow in a 400 and they were too stiff, knock right every shot. So I went with the 500s.
I've got a pretty light setup now. I'd hate to take any weight away, but that could be the case.
I have to agree with Friend that your arrows appear to be underspined. A couple months ago it was really hot which probably lowered the bow's spine requirement. Things have cooled down some which probably added a little more zip to your bow. Good form every time will let you skate the edge of being on the verge of over/under spined. I like to be closer to the overspined side myself.
Perhaps check your speed with field points again as Terry suggested to see if temperature changes has effected the arrow's speed.
Sounds more like release issue.
Let someone else shoot it and see how they fly.
My experience with poor tuning I would think the erratic flight would be more consistent. Form and release are what changes while shooting.
Have you changed your string recently? Sometimes there are minor tuning issues with new strings.
What Red4arm said
Same thing happens to me, always poor release.
Rod
I using the same string I used last season.
I get that. Every once in a while I get a wild fish tail to the left. The arrow usually correct and I don't miss by too much, but something happens with my release that just doesn't feel right. I notice that my release feels different when the arrows fly great than when they fish tail. So yeah, release.
When I get a "wobble" a subtle spasm in my bow shoulder I usually miss wide to the right or way high, but I can often catch it before I release and correct.
Buying and tuning a new setup is probably out of the question this close to season. If so, try turning your cock feather 180 degrees and then try turning the two blade broadhead 90 degrees. Or both. Then only shoot when you are rested. I'm thinking that cock feather in and a horizontal broadhead orientation may help along with a static release.
OK...if the same thing is happening with field points but less....its not the bheads...the bheads are magnifying another issue....
Borderline Spine....
Brace has slipped below tolerances for bow design/spine...
Nock point may have moved a tad....
Sorry if any of those have been mentioned...no time to read all the replies.
Yeh Terry, after reading all these post I'm sure I've got a real
problem that needs fixing.
I'm gonna leave no stone unturned this weekend when I get a chance to shoot. I'll repost and let you guys know what comes of it all.
Thanks for all the help.
This happens to me If my grip changes. I shoot a longbow, and if I absentmindedly use a more straight wrist grip, the arrow goes wild. If I remember to put the pressure on the heel of my hand, all is well.
I think you said you are shooting a recurve, so you need that pressure on the web between thumb and index finger. Or at least, the same grip every shot.
See if perhaps in regripping the bow you might be changing something.
Jim
Hrm, have you done a spin check on those broadheads?
I got out and shot today, and I think I've got the problem solved. I do however believe that my arrows are border line to weak, which is going to magnify any errors. I don't want to sacrafice any weight, and I've got no room to trim on my arrows with my draw length.
I started by aligning all my broadheads as perfect as I could horizontally. I had been shooting them vertically. I aligned them by picking from the arrows I had and trying them until I found a head that matched up with an arrow the way I wanted. Today I used rubber washers so that I could tune them exactly where I wanted them.
I think the real problem was in my form. I shot with I friend today and paid extra close attention to my achor point and release. Turns out I've had a tendancy to pull back a little just before I release. When I'm solid on my anchor and just "quit holding to string," unstead of thinking about releasing, my arrows flew great.
Next year I hope to go up in bow weight and get away from this spine problem, and hopefully solve my problem of wanting to overdraw my bow as well. A change is just not an option right now.
Thanks for all the advice.
bare shaft at 10 yards with field points. then report back. :)
If borderline weak, then build out your arrow plate a little. That will fix that problem.
I'd say Charlie is onto something.
1) I learned from a bowyer/tuning source that if a bow is cut to center or beyond, as he put it, it will "require a stiffer shaft to tune, but those arrows, coming off a finger released string, aren't sure which way to paradox, shot-to-shot," so shimming out the side plate a bit helps improve flight & tuning.
2) If you're on the edge of weak, shimming out the sideplate will make the arrow 'act' stiffer and may improve your flight considerably with negligible impact on where you're hitting!
Otherwise, you're going to need to have that "excellent" form, release and follow-thru EVERY shot or as you said, that 3rd/4th one will show you're not in the middle of the bell curve of proper tune!
Under field conditions, that "perfect form" seldom happens and wounding can result!
3) shot to shot inconsistencies are best fixed "shooting the bale" at 5 yrds or less, over and over, focusing only on your form throughout the shot. I personally find it boring as sin, but, it sure seems to get me in the "groove" better, faster.
300-400 shots! Wow! I wouldn't be able to move for a week! :)
If you want to "experiment" with side plate shimming, just get some plastic electrician tape and build up layers with a small piece of cereal box cardboard under it and a few layers of tape build up quickly. 1/16" can make a big difference... and when you're done, it peels right off. No harm, no foul. Measure the thickness if it helps and then peel your sideplate up and put a bit of toothpick, or other shimming material that thickness under the sideplate, glue it back and walla, you're done!
Sorry but you are not underspined, I get perfect flight out of .500 spine 30"s and 190 grains up front and I shoot 51#s at my 28.5" draw and my borders are a lot better performers than that Pearson. I believe you are dead on in spine and it is a form issue or just a little finger drag. 340's come on guys he is not shooting a 65# compound. Sorry but I hate to see poor advise given time and time again on carbon selection!! Keep working on your release, every 4 or 5 shots and a bad release is not terrible just don't let it happen when a nice buck is standing in front of ya! :bigsmyl: Shawn
Thanks a lot Shawn. Your thread on carbon arrows is what's kept me from losing my mind with only 7 days til the Mississippi opener.
I'm feeling pretty confident after yesterday. I just need to stay in the right frame of mind while shooting, and I'll be slick.
That is the attitude to have, keep positive I am sure you will do fine!! Keep'em sharp and pick a spot and go kill something bud! Shawn
I have the same thing happen to me from time to time, and have narrowed it down to my release. Once I get good and warmed up, focusing on form and release, problem fixed.
Sounds like string plucking to me.Same thing happened to me a few years ago and I was plucking ever now and then.