So you want to know the best way to sight in a bow? It is possible that you have already been exposed to other methods but they just do not seem to work well. Perhaps you usually try sighting when you are already fatigued. In this article, we show you how to sight in a bow in the best way possible.
Read on to learn more.
Before Getting Started
Before you even start sighting in a bow, you should make sure that you do certain key things. Here’s a checklist to remember:
1. Tune the Bow Properly
Without a well-tuned bow, it will be impossible to sight in it in the right way. In fact, attempting to do so will only end in you chasing your own tail. So try to tune your bow in the right way. That way, you will be able to better sight in the distance. Essentially, tunning the bow in the right way prepares you for having a great arrow flight.
2. Target Correctly
Another important prerequisite is having the right target. The best targets are bags or blocks since they are highly visible. If you use a small target, you may end up losing your arrows. That’s unless you use small targets at close range. With large targets, you can easily see where you intend the arrows to land.
3. Use a Backstop
In case you opt for a small target, then you need a backstop. It is usually placed behind the target so as to stop the arrows that miss the target. The type of backstop you use largely depends on the type of material you have. For example, you can use a horse stall mat or an old carpet or foam from an old floating dock.
4. Shoot Consistently
Poor shooters may find it extremely difficult to sight in a bow. You can know you are a poor shooter if your arrows tend to scatter everywhere on the target. The only way out is to learn how to be consistent with your shooting. Use tape and ensure that every arrow you shoot lands on only one side. Importantly, check that your bow is properly tuned. If that doesn’t work, then perhaps your arrows are the problem.
5. Stop When You Get Tired
The worst time to try sighting in a bow is when you are feeling fatigued. Apart from not being able to shoot well, it will be impossible for you to get set up. If you have already been through several sights, stop and wait to try on another day. Also, avoid wetting up a multiple-pin sight. The best strategy is to leave one or two pins for another day.
6. What Tools Do You Need?
Before you actually get to sight in a bow, there are a number of tools you will need. Examples of the tools include a tape measure or range finder, a bag or bock target, masking tape to contrast with the target, and a wrench set. The work of the wrench is to keep the hardware in your sight. You cannot afford not to have one.
How to Set Sight in A Bow
To help you to properly set sight in a bow, we have broken down the process in seven main steps. That way, you will be able to shoot your arrows in a more focused way.
Step 1: Use a level to place vertical and horizontal pieces of tape on the target. Use pins to securely hold the two lines in place.
Step 2: Take out all the arrows you have and mark each one of them. That way, you will know which one of them is bad. That way, you can blame the arrow for going off target.
Step 3: Stand at a distance of five yards away from your target so that you will be able to actually hit it. Aim at the vertical line or tape and sight in right or left. Aim between 3 and 5 arrows at the line. Depending on whether you hit the vertical line or not, you will know if there’s a need to move the pin to the right or to the left. Shoot a few arrows below or above the first arrows to find out if you need to adjust the bow sight. Repeat the same sequence until all your arrows start hitting the line or tape.
Step 4: Stand fine yards away and take a shot. Take a shot. If it veers off the line for more than 6 inches, it will be necessary to adjust the whole sight housing. Do that until you can see the upper pin begin to hit close to the horizontal line. When you expand the distance to up to 20 yards, you will find it easier to hit the target.
Step 5: Further out to 20 yards away from the target. Use your top pin to target the horizontal line. Make adjustments until all of your arrows begin to hit the point of intersection of the two lines. You will have to move the first pin to move the sight housing in its entirety. Then, lock in the pin and adjust the rest by separately moving each one of them.
Step 6: Repeat what you did in step 5 for a more precise pin-down while standing further await at 30 yards. This will mark the beginning of sighting a bow by moving further off-target. Keep doing it by increasing the distance to 40 yards and so on.
Step 7: As you move further away from the target, double-check the left as well as the right adjustments. As you move further, the sight adjustments will be greatly magnified. With the fine-tuning, you will be able to start consistently hitting the horizontal and vertical tapes. Double-check until you are able to accurately hit the target. Once you attain that, nothing else should matter.
There’s not much difference between sighting in a bow and sighting in a scope. As long as you follow the above steps — whether you plan on going for hunting or training for your favorite sport — you will never go wrong!