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How to Adjust Bow Sights in Five Easy Steps
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Want to learn how to adjust bow sights? Assuming that you already know how to shoot your bow, the next thing you should learn is to adjust the bow sight properly. Hitting a target with a bow is not that easy, but an accurately adjusted bow sight increases your potential.
Whether you are a beginner or have been practicing archery for quite some time now, this guide will help you improve your skills further. Not only will it teach you how to adjust your bow sight properly but also provide you with tips on how to adjust them.
Things to Do Beforehand
There are few things to check before you adjust your bow sight:
- Make sure that you connect the bow sight correctly
- Check whether the pins are aligned with the bowstring and arrow
- Place the vertical adjustment to zero or at a level where you can fine-tune it up or down
- Make sure that you are using the proper arrow and your equipment is well tuned
Here are the things you’ll need for adjusting the bow sight:
- Bow
- Arrow
- Target/Bull’s-Eye
- Sight Pin
Try to shoot with the top pin at 10 yards. If the bow misses by a big margin, the arrow should still hit the wall or the target at 10 yards. Adjust the trajectory to ensure that it will not get in contact with the sight housing or miss the target.
How to Adjust Bow Sights: A Step-by-Step Guide
After doing your first shots, you now have a general idea as to how much adjustment you need to do with the bow sight. With this knowledge, you can now start adjusting your bow sight by simply following these steps:
Step 1 – Nock one arrow and draw the string back to the fullest extent. Make sure that the string hand is securely anchored on your chin or face.
Step 2 – Position the sight pin of the bow on the target and release the arrow. After that, shoot three more arrows. On each shot, make sure you are consistent with your draw, point of aim, anchor, and launch. It is not important if you hit the target or not; the purpose is to get each arrow on the target in a group as big as your hand.
Step 3 – Adjust the altitude of the sight pin by easing the retaining nut and gliding the pin up or down along its track. If the arrows are above the target or bull’s-eye, increase the altitude of the pin. If they are below the bull’s-eye, lower the pin’s altitude. Once you are done with the adjustment, pull the retaining nut tight.
Step 4 – If the arrows land on the right side of the target, lock the sight pin toward the bow riser. If the arrows land on the left, screw the pin away from the riser.
Step 5 – Check if these adjustments are enough. Shoot few more arrows and make further adjustments until the arrows are pinpointed to the bull’s eye.
General Tips on Making Adjustments on Bow Sights
- The general technique for adjusting the sight pin is to place the pin in the direction where the arrow lands. If you shoot to the left, adjust the pin to the left. If you shoot above the target, lower the sight pin.
- It is important that you shoot consistently or you will have to adjust the bow sight every now and then.
- Draw the arrow at a short distance to the target while you steadily increase the range over time. This is how you can improve your shooting skills. It also helps when you use arrows with the same spine, point weight, and point design so that the arrow flight behavior is consistent.
- Make sure that the area behind and in front of the target is clear of any object that will cause focus obstruction and accident. You should have enough backstop to the target all the time.
How to Improve your Shooting
It is a great skill to shoot accurately in order to prevent adjusting your bow sight every hour. It will also prevent you from stalking or sitting all day and missing your targets. To improve your shooting accuracy, here are simple techniques you can do:
- Make sure that you are drawing your arrow on a length that is enough to reach your target. Too long or too short draw length will result to mediocre performance.
- As a general rule, tall people require longer draw while shorter people need short draw length. To make a full draw successful, the bowstring should barely touch your nose.
- After releasing the arrow, follow it through. This important step is barely known in the world of bow hunting.
- Avoid dropping your bow immediately after releasing the shot or else it will probably have an opposing effect on the shooting accuracy. Avoid dropping your arm before the arrow completely leaves the bow, or you won’t hit your target.
- A good follow-through is natural, muscle-controlled, and gravity-related. Practice follow-through and you will perfect it eventually.
- Another factor that causes missed target is the stiffness. The tension of the muscles can negatively affect before- and after-shot movements. Make your grip more relaxed and laid-back for a more accurate shot. Always remember that a steady arm and a relaxed mind is important in shooting accuracy.
- To prevent stiffness, keep your knuckles at a 45-degree angle to the bow handle. Place the pressure of the bow handle upon your thumb’s base, the strongest muscle among your fingers. Maintain the bow arm’s elbow at the right distance from the bowstring with a relaxed
Conclusion
Adjusting the bow sights is an important skill that every archer or hunter should learn. Now that you know how to adjust bow sights, you can improve your shooting performance. In time and with enough practice, it is actually quite easy to do.
Lastly, always remember that practice makes perfect. With a well-adjusted bow sight and constant practice, you will gradually improve your archery skills and become a successful and accurate shooter.
About the Author Pink Crossbow
Jen loves the outdoors and enjoys exploring a wide-range of activities. A mother of 3 whose seen far too many friends suffer from cancer, she believes Pink Crossbow reflects a sport for LIFE. It's a reminder that archery belongs to everyone regardless of age, size, or gender...and real enthusiasts aren't afraid to wear pink!