Whats happening to my arrows at 40 yds?

[Virginiashadow]

I am shooting real well up to about 35 yards, but when I get to 40 yards my arrows seem to be shooting 3-5 inches to the right. Is it something with my eyes or my release? All my arrows up to about 35 yards shoot dead center but when I move just another 5 yards out, I am shooting them to the right. Maybe someone could help me out.

vashadow

[LoneWolf]

VS, is this indoor shooting or at the range? Also, are the arrows straight into the target or angled in?


Seemed like good questions, no idea if I can help

[Virginiashadow]

I am shooting outdoors at my house. It doesn't matter if there is a wind or not, I am shooting to the right at 40. The arrows are straight in as far as I can tell. Also, when I climb into my tree stand at about 12-14 feet high, the arrows do the same thing as they do on the ground, hit right. Thanks for any help LoneWolf.

vashadow

[Rustywreck]

VS, are you shooting field tips or broadheads?
Are you using a drop away rest?

If you are using a drop away rest, take one arrow and rotate the nock 180 degrees (half turn), on the second arrow turn the nock 360 dergrees, on the third arrow rotate the nock two full turns.
Shoot the arrows in that order and make note of make note of any difference.

If you are not using a drop away, do one full rotation of the nock on the first arrow, two on the second, and three on the third. Shoot them in that order and make note of where they hit.

You may be suprised at the difference a simple thing like nock rotation can make.

There are other things to try, but first give us some of the specs of your bow and arrow: draw weight, draw length, brand of shaft, length of shaft, point weight and fletching size.

Have you tried shooting at 50 yards or longer? I am curious if there is a consistant pattern: 5" right at 45 yards, 10" at 50.

[Virginiashadow]

Feather, yes I am using a drop away arrow rest with field points. I will try to the nock rotation you suggested and see if there is a difference. I only plan on shooting to 40 yards, when in reality I would probably only take a shot up to 35 yards in the woods.

My draw weight is around 65, I got a new 2004 Reflex Excursion Split limb bow. My draw length is 30 inches and I am using 400 grain Buck Hunter Vapor arrows. I tried the 340 grain C2's but was losing some control over them around 30 yards. They shot well at 20, but seemed to be a little loose after that so I switched to the 400's. I use 100 grain field points and 4 inch plastic fletchings. I am not an expert so when a fletching gets chewed up, I re-fletch it with no helical twist.

Thank you for your suggestions, I will try them out this weekend and let you know.

vashadow

[Buckblood]

try downloading eastons bow tuning and maintenance guide

[Virginiashadow]

Thanks Buck.

[DON WALKUP]

straight fletch with field points is ok ... at least try "diagonal" of 1 degree with broadheads if you like straight fletch.

400 grain arrow is pretty light for a 65lb draw weight bow. you're right at the suggested min AMO saftey margin. couple that with straight fletch, low brace height, nock set heigth and any other factors such as moving the bow to the right on release to "watch" the arrow in flight and you could have a very "touchy" shot.

keep in mind that as the quest for "speed" goes up, so does the "sensitivity" ... sometimes a compromise is necessary to achieve the necessary accuracy for a successful lethal shot at live game.

[Virginiashadow]

Thanks for your suggestions Don, they make a lot of sense...do you think I should move up to arrows larger than 400's?

vashadow

[DON WALKUP]

i'd try a heavier arrow ... the additional few grains added will not be that influencial on speed and "KE" ...

heavier arrows tend to be more "forgiving" and easier to tune.

take it easy, though as an example, if you shoot a 2016 and it's "borderline", try a 2018 the same length, fletch and point.

[Virginiashadow]

ty Don---I will try out some heavier arrows and see how they go...I was shooting good at 35 yards today with the 400's(usually 5 out 6 in the 6 inch ring).

vashadow