HOW TO ADJUST BOW SIGHTS
When archery began, archers would instinctively shoot at targets without using a sight. As archery equipment evolved with technology, however, archers installed sights on their bows to improve accuracy. Sights are designed with one or more pins--commonly made from fiber optics--that illuminate the target to give a point of reference on where to hold the bow for shooting different distances. Adjusting archery sights takes preparation, patience and the proper equipment to be executed properly.
Step 1
Align the sight and peep sight. The peep sight is tied into the bow string and aids in the proper alignment of the shooter's eye and sight. Use the archer's wrench to adjust the set screw on the sight to move it up or down based on the position of the peep sight. The goal is to position the sight housing--the outside ring of the sight--in the middle of the peep sight so you can see the entire housing while at full draw. Make a small adjustment to the housing, draw the bow and continue making adjustments until it aligns correctly.
Step 2
Adjust the second and third axis. Most sights will feature a built-in bubble level that helps you to keep the bow perfectly level while shooting. To adjust the second axis, stand the bow vertically on a bench and place a 4-ft. level on the limbs. Most of the sights and bows on brand-new equipment will require minimal adjustments. Move the bow and level until perfectly level. Look at the bubble level on the sight and use the archer's wrench to move the set screw and adjust the level of the bow until the carpenter's level and the sight's level are in the same place.
A third axis adjustment is a special feature on a limited number of sights and changes for individual shooters based on their draw and anchor point. The third axis--crucial for extreme uphill or downhill shots--refers to how the sight aligns with the path of the arrow and the plane of sight. Hang a plum bob from the ceiling and pull your bow to full draw. Hold the bow at a 45 degree angle, level the sight and align the string from the plum bob to the vertical alignment of the pins. If the third axis is level, the string and pins will be perfectly aligned. Use the archer's wrench to adjust the set screw accordingly.
Step 3
Position the pins evenly inside the housing. Determine how many pins you'll be using and the desired distances for each. For example, most 3-pin sights will have a 20-yard, 30-yard and 40-yard pin. Every sight has different adjustment options, such as a set screw or dial adjustment. On a movable pin sight, adjust the dial until the pin hits the mark that represents the appropriate distance. Other sights feature gang adjustments where you can move all the pins at once with the archer's wrench for windage and elevation. For elevation changes, move the pin up or down in the track. Screw the pin in and out for windage adjustments.
Tips and Warnings
Make small, gradual adjustments to the sight. Securely tighten all set screws before shooting.
Be aware of your surroundings while shooting a bow. Wear appropriate safety equipment as necessary.
Things You Will Need
Archer's wrench
Carpenter's level
Plum bob
Release aid
Target
HOW TO ADJUST A BOW SIGHT FOR HEIGHT
Shooting a bow accurately requires patience, self-control, proper mechanics and tuned equipment. One of the most important pieces of equipment is the bow sight attached to the front of the bow. Using a system of fiber optic pins, the bow sight is used to accurately shoot arrows at various distances. Bow sights feature set screws and gang adjustments that allow you to change the location of the individual pins. Following a step-by-step procedure will allow you to adjust the bow sight for height.
Step 1
Set the bow sight in the middle of the elevation adjustment. Move the dial up or down accordingly by rotating the gang adjustment dial on the side of the sight. The sight housing--or ring surrounding the pins--should be centered as you draw the bow, anchor and look through the peep sight on the bow string.
Step 2
Shoot a three-shot group of arrows at 20 yards using the top pin. Note the general location of the arrows--up or down--from the intended target. Shoot another three-shot group, if necessary.
Step 3
Use the archer's wrench to adjust the location of the pins. While making micro adjustments on the bow sight for height, remember to follow the arrow. For example, if the arrow is hitting above the intended target, you will move the pin up. Move the pin slightly up or down and shoot another group of arrows.
Step 4
Repeat the steps as needed for the remainder of the pins. As the distances increase, you will start using the bottom pins. For example, a three-pin sight might have a 20-yard, 30-yard and 40-yard pin from top to bottom.
Tips and Warnings
Make small adjustments as you adjust the bow sight for height. Focus on proper shooting technique for every shot Every sight will have a different adjustment technique. Consult a local archery pro shop if you have any detailed questions about your sight.
Beware of your surroundings while shooting. Never "dry-fire" your bow without an arrow attached to the string.
Things you will need:
Target
Archer's wrench
HOW TO ADJUST BOW SIGHT PINS
Archery sight pins are designed to provide a reference point to help the archer know where the arrow should land upon launch. Sight pins are mounted on a bracket attached to the bow's riser. When the archer nocks an arrow and pulls the bow string back to the anchor position, the sight pin is then placed on the target. This is accomplished by keeping the drawing hand fixed in place at the anchor point on the face and moving the bow into position so the sight pin is on target. The pins can be moved to compensate for elevation and windage.
Step 1
Nock an arrow on the bow string and pull the string back to a full draw. Make sure the string hand is firmly anchored on the face or chin.
Step 2
Place the bow's sight pin on the target and launch the arrow. Shoot at least three more arrows, making sure you are consistent with your draw, anchor, point of aim and release with each shot. Your objective is to get the arrows on the target in a group as large as your hand. It does not matter if the group is nowhere near the bull's-eye.
Step 3
Adjust the sight pin elevation by loosening the retaining nut and sliding the pin up or down in its track. If the group of arrows is below the bull's-eye, lower the pin. If the group of arrows is above the bull's-eye, raise the pin. Tighten the retaining nut once the adjustment is made.
Step 4
Shoot another group of three arrows and make any further elevation adjustments, if necessary. Once the elevation is set, it is time to adjust the windage, or where the arrow lands left or right of the bull's-eye.
Step 5
Screw the sight pin in toward the bow's riser if the arrows are landing to the right of the bull's-eye. If the arrows land to the left, screw the sight pin out, away from the riser.
Step 6
Continue to shoot groups of arrows to make final adjustments to the windage until the arrows are centered on the bull's-eye.
Tips and Warnings
The general rule of thumb for adjusting sight pins is to move the pin toward where the arrow is landing. If you shoot low, lower the sight pin. If you shoot to the left, move the sight pin to the left. If you cannot shoot consistently, you will quickly become frustrated trying to adjust the bow sight. Improve your technique by shooting at closer distances to the target and gradually increasing your range over time. Use arrows of the same spine, point design and point weight to ensure consistent flight behavior.
Make sure you always have an adequate backstop to your target, and that the area in front of and behind the target is clear of any animal or pedestrian traffic.
Things You Will Need
Bow
Arrow
Sight pin
Target
HOW TO SET BOW SIGHTS
Sighting systems are popular on many modern recurve and compound bows for both target and hunting uses. The sighting system is similar to that used by a gun, with a front sight and a rear sight that are aligned with one another and then sighted on the target to indicate where the shot will go. With bows, however, the front sight is an adjustable pin, or multiple pins, that slide up and down and left and right on the bow. The rear sight is actually the archer's eye.
Step 1
Place a target 15 yards down range. Use a range finder or tape measure to ensure an accurate distance. Use a standard bulls-eye, or concentric ring, target to make the sighting an easier process.
Step 2
Adjust your sight pin so it is vertically centered on the rail and the pin's point is centered left to right over the arrow. This is the starting point from which you will make adjustments.
Step 3
Nock an arrow, come to a full draw and note where your string hand is anchored on your chin or cheek. You must use this same anchor point for every shot or your results will not be consistent.
Step 4
Close your left eye, if you are a right-handed shooter. With the string at full draw, rotate your shoulders left or right to sight the pin on the center of the bulls-eye. Raise or lower the arm holding the bow, not your drawing arm, to put the pin on target vertically.
Step 5
Release the arrow and continue shooting until you can get at least three or more arrows in a group no larger than your fist.
Step 6
Note where the group is in relation to the center of the bulls-eye you were aiming for. Move the pin toward the group in a small adjustment. For example, if the arrow group was above and to the right of the bulls-eye, adjust the pin up and to the right.
Step 7
Repeat the process of shooting another group of arrows and adjusting the sight pin until you are hitting the bulls-eye.
Tips and Warnings
Hunting bow sights often have multiple pins with each corresponding to a specific distance. You will have to set each pin individually using the same techniques listed above. If you are unable to get a tight group, re-examine your technique and see what you are doing with each shot. Are you anchoring in the same spot? Are you smoothly releasing the arrow? Are you jerking the bow down after the shot?
When sighting in a bow, arrows have a tendency to fly over targets during the first few shots. Make sure you have a safe background and an area clear of any pedestrian or animal traffic before you start launching arrows downrange.
Things You Will Need
Range finder
Target
Sight pin
Range finder
HOW TO PROPERLY SIGHT A BOW
There are two major sighting systems used in archery: instinctual and mechanical. Instinctual shooting utilizes the archer's hand-eye coordination. This is the same approach used when throwing a ball at a target since there are no mechanical sights on a football or baseball. Mechanical sight systems use pins or reticules that are placed on the bow's riser. At full draw, the archer closes one eye and uses the sight as a reference point to place on the target, much like how a bead sight is used on a shotgun.
Instinctual Sighting
Step 1
Stand 10 yards from the target, nock an arrow and come to full draw.
Step 2
Focus on the target bulls-eye. Do not sight down the length of the arrow shaft or use any other point of reference. Simply concentrate on the center of the target.
Step 3
Inhale slowly through your nose and pause.
Step 4
Exhale slowly through your nose and release the arrow near the beginning of the exhalation. Stay focused on the target.
Step 5
Focus on the target for one more breath after the arrow has landed. The objective is to increase hand-eye coordination, concentration and a visual connection to the target, so be relaxed and take your time.
Step 6
Shoot more arrows, but do not consciously make adjustments to the bow position. Instinctual shooting is developed at the subconscious level and your body will make the necessary adjustments by itself as long as you maintain an intense focus on the target.
Mechanical Sighting
Step 1
Set the sight pin or reticule to the appropriate height on the sighting bracket. Many mechanical systems will have ranges marked on the bracket. These are meant to be guides only, not definitive points.
Step 2
Nock and arrow and bring the bow to full draw on a deep inhalation.
Step 3
Close the eye farthest from the bow. For a right-handed archer, this is the left eye.
Step 4
Move the bow arm until the sight pin is centered on the target, using the right eye.
Step 5
Shift your focus from the target to the sight pin. You can only have one object in sharp focus so make it the most important, the sight pin.
Step 6
Exhale slowly and release the arrow. Keep the sight pin on the target until the exhalation is complete.
Tips and Warnings
The smaller the target you are focusing on, the more accurate you will be. Place a small sticker on the center of the bulls-eye and direct your focus to that to improve your accuracy. To adjust the mechanical sight system, move the pin in the direction you would move the arrows to the bulls-eye. For example, if your arrows are consistently landing below and to the left of the bulls-eye, you would need to move them up and to the right to be centered, so move the sight pin up and to the right.
Always make sure you are shooting in a safe area with the space between you and the target, as well as behind the target, is clear of traffic.