How to Adjust Bow Sight and Greatly Increase Accuracy

In this article you will find tips on how to adjust bow sight - from learning main bow parts that are used in this process to making accurate calibrations
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George Hanson
George Hanson
Research Writer
A successful journalist and news reporter in the past, George is now focused on freelance work to be able to dedicate more time to the most important things in his life: fam read more
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John Carson
John Carson
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John is an avid traveler, hiker, and RVer. Moreover, it seems like he knows everything when it comes to fishing and hunting: his father started sharing all the tips and tric read more
Last updated: August 14, 2023
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Even if you have the most well-crafted bow, it means nothing if you aren’t able to aim. While master bowmen are able to sight their target from a distance, when you are beginning, it is very helpful to have a bow sight. In this article, we will look at how to adjust bow sight so you can reach your target on the first try. We’ll explain just how a bow sight works so that you better understand the device, and then go step by step through the process of bow sight adjustment. The more practice you do, the easier it will be when you’re out on the hunt.

How Bow Sight Works

At its most basic, a bow sight’s goal is to help you aim better. The device looks like a circle frame and it can be attached to your bow. Within this frame are a series of pins that will help you determine distance and better align your bow with your target. If you want a better idea of what a bow sight is, check out the Trophy Ridge Volt 5 Pin Bow Sight. It is a standard but well-designed example of a bow sight.

Vocabulary to learn

There has been a steady increase in the popularity of archery Trusted Source No Long Shot: Archery Growing In Popularity In Recent Years - CBS Chicago Illinois Target Archery Association president Dave Schaefer credits movies like The Hunger Games and The Avengers for increased interest. www.cbsnews.com in the past few years. If you are new to this hobby, there is a lot to learn but most of it is pretty fun.

Once you are firmly into the habit of using a bow and arrow, certain terminology will become more common. Here are a few words to know when talking about your bow sight.

Elevation – Also known as the distance setting, this will tell you how far the sight is, whether it is up or down.

Windage – Based around working with windy conditions, this tells you where the sight is in relation to being left or right.

Bow sight anatomy

Understanding bow sight anatomy can be a bit tough at first. However, all the best bow sights will have the same parts, so the more familiar you are with them, the easier it is to compare products.

Sight arm – This is the largest part of a bow sight and will run next to your actual bow.

Sight fitting – This part will connect the sight to your bow.

Elevation module – This controls how you move your bow sight up or down.

Windage module – This controls how you move your bow sight left or right.

Aperture – This is the ring to look through. It will have pins inside that help you figure out distance.

Bow Sight Adjustment

How to Adjust Bow Sight and Greatly Increase Accuracy

While there are different categories of bows, almost all will allow you to attach a bow sight. For example, this list of the best compound bows for beginners allow you to attach and use a bow sight.

Basics

First, you need to understand your distance. This can involve you shooting one to three arrows so that you know where they land. While there are many people new to the hobby of archery Trusted Source Archery Gaining Popularity in Central Texas - Reporting Texas Employees at Archery Country, an archery store and training facility in Austin, noticed an increase in people requesting archery lessons and customers seeking archery equipment during 2021. “(Interest) is growing at a substantial rate,” said Jake Crocker, a technician at Archery Country. reportingtexas.com , there are also plenty of veterans so if you’re unsure about any aspect of your bow and arrow, there should be a local archery location you can pop into for help.

Center shot

Your center shot is all about how you initially aim with your bow. For example, if you shoot sideways or not in the center of your nocking point, then your arrow will most likely go off-course. Before you even begin using a bow sight, you will want to perfect your center shot.

This list of the best archery targets can help you practice. You can even use them in your backyard, as long as you follow all bow and arrow safety tips.

How to set it

Over time you should be able to find the center shot but if you are eager to get there quickly, you can find it with some DIY methods.

You will need to place two Allen wrenches over the limb bolts of your bow. Then, stretch a rubber band across that area. Use a section of your arrow as this will be the diameter you need for the shot. Nock the arrow after it goes through both sides of the rubber band. Make a note of where this is on your bow, and you will have your center shot.

Multi-pin sight

A multi-pins sight is exactly how it sounds. It has multiple pins, usually between three and five.

There are three adjustments you can make with a multi-pin sight. This includes moving the entire sight up and down, or left and right. Furthermore, you can adjust the sight pins up or down.

Start by adjusting your top pin so that it is at the closest distance and then the bottom pin should be at the farthest distance.

You will then need to shoor practice arrows. If they do not strike where you want them to, you can then adjust the sight accordingly.

Single-pin sight

A single-pin sight is another common option. This has only one pin but is still easy to use. Sometimes, the pin will actually be a fiber optic construction, which is the case with the Trophy Ridge Pursuit Vertical Pin Bow Sight. When you adjust the shot, the pin becomes even more precise.

You an adjust your single-pin sight in two ways. This includes the windage, which is left or right, and the elevation, which is up or down.

Again, shoot practice arrows at a target. Depending on where they land, you will then want to adjust your sight.

Final Thoughts

Archery practice is a lot more fun when you continually reach your target. Through practice you will get a better feel for your weapon and how to use it but there are ways you can speed up the process. A bow sight is a useful tool to have. You can start by using it for practice but once you master it, you can then use it out while hunting for a more accurate and fulfilling experience. To adjust your bow sight, first understand the different components. Both single-pin and multi-pin sights will allow you to move them up and down, and left and right. After a few practice shots, you should be able to have your sight aligned in such a way that future shots are straight and true. We hope that you now have a better idea of how to adjust bow sight.

References

1.
No Long Shot: Archery Growing In Popularity In Recent Years - CBS Chicago
Illinois Target Archery Association president Dave Schaefer credits movies like The Hunger Games and The Avengers for increased interest.
2.
Archery Gaining Popularity in Central Texas - Reporting Texas
Employees at Archery Country, an archery store and training facility in Austin, noticed an increase in people requesting archery lessons and customers seeking archery equipment during 2021. “(Interest) is growing at a substantial rate,” said Jake Crocker, a technician at Archery Country.
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