I started shooting my Montana longbow yesterday and this is what its doing to my arrows. All of them have the same mark. It starts 5 1/2" from the tip and goes up the shaft to 11". I tried 125-160 grn tips. Is the side plate too thick? Do I need to get heavier tips? Lighter tips?...Thanks Roy

Where does that line impact the bow ?  Or does it ?
ChuckC

Its only hitting the sideplate. I have the arrows long enough so the back of the tip is at the front of the shelf. The arrows are traveling about 4" forward before the marks start. The marks on the side plate are in the center of the grip.

Mine does that too,doesn,t seem to hurt anything far as I can tell.

maybe torquing the bow at release or the side plate. I would say if it doesn't make any noise on release and it hits where you want and it's neither of the two items mentioned above can you live with the marks?

The arrows fly good and flat. They are hitting a little left, not alot but enough that I figured something was wrong after I saw the marks. I can live with the marks but after putting the time in making the arrows I would rather they werent there...Roy

try some loop velcro as a side plate,it worked for me on a old bear bow...griz

If they are hitting left then try a heavier head.

I think Bill is right
Your arrow is too stiff, a heavier head will weaken the spine and fix your problem

Thanks guys..What weight should I try? I dont have any heavier than 160gr. I will have to order some...Roy

You might try raising the brace height, as an experiment. 3Rivers has 190 grain heads.

I tried a 2018 full length with 150gr tip and they worked perfect. I used white out on the shaft and no marks....Thanks again folks...Roy

You also could be plucking the string. I imagine your string hand is not coming straight back or dropping limply away. I bet it is flying out and away from your face. I have seen ythis lots with form issues. Shawn

Shawn, That could have something to do with it. I have had a toothache on the right side for the last couple of days. It felt better today. I might be flying out and not even realizing it...Roy