Bows not shooting where you look?

July 05, 2011, 01:49:00 PM

They all shoot where you're looking-- you may not be looking where you think you are.

PaddyMac · July 05, 2011, 01:59:00 PM

I don't have more than one bow but if I did, and I intend to, I'd go to a lot of trouble to make sure they shoot where I was looking.

You can test a side plate build out quickly and easily. I just did one by masking taping a hunk of velcro rug onto existing calf hair plate on the riser, leaving it rug an inch above the shelf. It changed everything dramatically and pulled me back from overspined arrows into tune. It's a 15 minute experiment. I've monkeyed with the brace height but my bow shoots best at the recommended 8-1/4" but it starts acting up if it get a 1/4" off, so I measure it all the time.

July 05, 2011, 07:23:00 PM

I have found that my Alaskan graphites shoot to the right of where I am looking compared to my other arrows with my favorite longbow, but after a few shots I realize that I am not looking at where the bow is shooting and then they all shoot the same.

59Alaskan · July 05, 2011, 08:51:00 PM

Assuming you are right handed, once you know you have tuned arrows then I would build out the strike plate, and/or use harder strike plate material to get

I believe you will be much more accurate if you tune the bow to you.

As you can see here though, there are many ways to skin a cat.

Swamp Yankee · July 06, 2011, 08:05:00 AM

Wow, I'm sure glad all you who believe it's the (well tuned) bows fault for not shooting where you look don't drive rental cars in my neighborhood!

Overspined · July 06, 2011, 08:28:00 AM

Canting the bow differently shouldn't really impact the arrows grouping unless your eye isn't consistently aligned with the arrow nock. I shoot both handed and have to close my dominant eye for the off hand, or get it right over the nock to move the arrow placement appropriately. This is probably not a good way to correct arrow impact IMO, form should be consistent if possible.

Friend · July 06, 2011, 02:34:00 PM

I don't plan to own or buy a bow that does not hit where I look. I have adjusted the side plate but that is far as it goes. If you have a bow design that definately works great for you and another that doesn't, then strongly consider looking at another bow. The market has plenty of great options and being comfortable is what makes a perfect shot execution more likely and thus fully capture the tradtional experience and euphoria.

Possibly one of the most enjoyable bows I have ever shot would group extremeley tight but ~4 inches left. Four inches left was the best I could muster after a couple of hundred shots and and multiple attempts to weaken the spine. Possibly, I didn't experiment enough so I plan to give the bow another go in the future.

Best of luck!!

PaddyMac · July 06, 2011, 02:39:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Swamp Yankee:
Wow, I'm sure glad all you who believe it's the (well tuned) bows fault for not shooting where you look don't drive rental cars in my neighborhood!

My bow is perfectly accurate -- every time -- until I let go of that string.

Terry Green · July 06, 2011, 07:28:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Swamp Yankee:
Wow, I'm sure glad all you who believe it's the (well tuned) bows fault for not shooting where you look don't drive rental cars in my neighborhood!

And I'm glad you're not hunting with 'rental bows' in my woodlots.

Frank · July 06, 2011, 07:48:00 PM

The bow I'm shooting.

First two shots ever shot from the bow at 27 yards.

Yeh, I own the bow now.

As far as bows that don't shoot where I look, tell that to the sapling.

I can pick up anyone of my bows and at 20 yards put it in the pie plate.

Here is a pic of my pie plate target.

59Alaskan · July 06, 2011, 07:51:00 PM

Some rental cars require an alignment.

Can I borrow that pie plate??

Don Batten · July 06, 2011, 07:55:00 PM

In the last 7 years, Ive never ever shot a trad bow that I couldn't , shoot where I was looking. Thats after about 3 shots out of it. Spine needs to be close, but I can adjust my look to hit good at 20 yds and in. Just ask Marty or Joebuck. But what others have said. Side Plate, nock point, brace ht. I'll go out of my way to get the bow to shoot the arrow that I want. Not to trim the arrow to shoot in the bow I want. I guess I'm just lazy. I'd rather spend my time shooting and hunting than tuning. DB

frank bullitt · July 06, 2011, 10:33:00 PM

Yeah Batman! Give me an arrow within reason, will figure it out!

michigan bill · July 10, 2011, 05:23:00 PM

I don't care who you are, that pie plate is funny!!
to one of our shooters, the 10 ring on a deer target at 25 yards looks about like your pie plate. to me it looks like a pea.
bill