Narrowing down the variables
I'm hoping someone can help me figure out why my accuracy has remained stagnant (at best) and even deteriorated on some days. I can't seem to narrow my focus between tuning bows to arrows and form. Which thing do I do first?
My draw is 27.5"
I'm shooting a couple board bows, and a couple kit bamboo backed bows I made. They vary in length and weight- 48-58#. There's nothing inherently wrong with any of the bows, except perhaps getting rests, brace heights, and strings dialed in.
I'm shooting 50-55 spined cedars, with 165gn points. I've ended up cutting some 31", some 30" and some 29", trying to get the tuning right. I found a 145 and 125 point for a couple arrows, but I don't see a difference when shooting.
At 15-20 yards, some shots I'm on the money, some I'm wide onto the backstop. About 50/50, and I've been stuck there for about a year. At less than 10 yards, I'm hitting inside a 9 pie plate most of the time. At over 20 I'm of in the sage brush 75%. Occasionally, I'll be totally surprised at a shot that I was sure I'd be looking for the arrow until next spring.
I've messed around with string nock points, arrow test kits, point test kits, and paper tuning. I just can't find a consistent arrow set up for any of the bows, or vice-versa.
I think that it could be, at least partially, a form issue. Additionally, I noticed on Sunday that the string lightly slaps my face on release while shooing the 58# (it has a really thick string). So maybe the form problem is a release issue. I shoot split, deep hook, and anchor with my thumb touching on my jawbone. My accuracy improved temporarily when I stopped putting the string in contact with my cheek, but then actually got worse. I lost my "reference point" where to anchor. If I try to go to pulling the string with less than a deep hook, I pull with my forearm and bicep. I have yet to video my form, but might just to see if something jumps out in comparison to the form clock. I can rig up a camera tonight if that's where I should start.
This accuracy issue is prohibiting me from going from a bow shooter to a bow hunter. My plans for hunting season are toast now, but at the very least I'd like to start looking forward to next year, or maybe small game. I've read dozens or maybe hundreds of tuning and form posts. I've read the Trad. bowhunters handbook twice cover to cover. I'm doing something wrong, but can't seem to make the right adjustment. I was at wits end 3 weeks ago.
Where to start? First, pick one bow and work with it until you can shoot it accurately. Thumb at the mouth is not a consistent anchor. Your fingers may be anywhere from one shot to another. Also likely leads to an inconsistent release. Put your index or middle finger somewhere in the corner of your jaw/lip. Can change that later, but need to start somewhere that's going to be consistent from one shot to the next. BTW, that will lengthen your draw by a couple inches. Draw with your back muscles, and keep your drawing hand tight to your face until you release the arrow, at which point, it should move rearward. If it moves away from your face, you're plucking, and that causes very bad arrow flight and accuracy.
I'm only guessing here and may be way off. Try to find an experienced trad archer in your area who can watch you shoot. He/she will be able to help you identify and work out your problems fairly quickly. Good luck.
You may be right about the anchor. I'll try that. I'll have to try the release to go rearward, becuase I'm sure I'm plucking.
I'd like to shoot all the bows, but maybe I'll settle in one for a while.
Thing is- even when I only had one bow I wasn't consistent.
The real issue is do I first- 1. tune bow to arrows, 2. tune arrows to bow, 3. tune bow, or 4. not care about good tuning and just get the form right and then work on accuracy by tuning?
I asked a local- one that supposedly is experienced, tells about his numerous kills, and even sell his arrows. his answers were- "your arrows are a little weak"(all my arrows paper tune as both stiff and nock high- regardless of nock set, bow weight, or arrow spine), and "your form looks pretty good".
You can't tune without good form.
Work on that with the bow that feels best. Once you establish your form, then you can check the tuning. Changing things around will have you chasing your tail without getting your groundwork done.
Killdeer
Yeah killdeer is right form first. Just chose one bow and stick to it withthat one G.Fred Asbels books yare good as well. and once you have your form go more ahead start at 5yds and work out. Your point weight sounds light for your bow as if you made them they are probably not much shelf on them as a weaker spine or heavier heafs on them would help good luck