Pins for what distance?
 

Just a little background....I posted for the first time a couple weeks ago looking for advice on a crossbow due to a shoulder problem. Well, after talking with you folks and talking with a lot of other folks...well, I decided to tough it out and go for the compound bow.
With the help of a friend of mine who is pretty much an archery guru, I got a PSE Bruin...not top of the line but a decent starter. Been shooting for about a week now...shoulder doesn't hurt any the worse for it...and after "hearing" a guy shoot a X-bow at the range I'm very glad I went for the compound bow. That X-bow was LOUD!
Anyway, with the Bruin I got the 3-pin PSE Glo-sight. After set-up an tuning at the pro-shop, I shot it at their 18 yard indoor range...my guru friend adjusted the first pin for the 18 yards and I was pleasantly suprised with my groupings. Now that I've practiced at home, at the 18 yard distance, I'm ready to step it out a little farther...but how much farther for the #2 pin? My guru friend is out of town for the next couple weeks so I can't ask him...so I thought I'd ask you good folks. I know I'm probably dealing with "opinions" here but I'm curious what ranges you folks have your pins set for. I measured off 30 and 40 yards...boy 40 yards seems a looonnnggg way to me right now...but gimme time. So, what distances do you experienced archers reccommend I set my pins for? Yeah, I'm just starting out bow hunting again, but for what it's worth, with 4 days practice, at 18 yards, I can touch my thumb and middle finger around the 6 shafts of my groupings :) okay, that probably isn't that great, but I'm happy with my self. Especially considering a Dr. once told me I'd probably never be able to shoot a bow period. Thanks in advance.
REX

RE: Pins for what distance?
 

I use 2 pins for hunting. One set at 30 and one set at 40. I just compensate for shorter shots.

I would suggest a 20 - 25 - 30 yard setup for you since your just getting back into it. Keep up the practicing and you will be able to extend your effective range further if you choose to.

Glad to see you chose the compound and good luck out there:)

RE: Pins for what distance?
 

I would reccomend 15-25 and 35 yds. I use to only use one pin set at 25 yds and just aim a little high for farther shots or a little low at close range. I now went to a one pin slide type sight. I really like it.

RE: Pins for what distance?
 

Thanks gents...I was kind of thinking of starting out with the 20-25-30 thing and then see how my accuracy develops. My friend was trying to explain to me about using only two pins...one for 18 yards and the next for 35 and learning to compensate...something about the apparent size of a deer's body and how it looks between the two pins??? He'll have to keep trying that one on me...I can be a little dense some times...just ask my wife! Thanks again.
REX

RE: Pins for what distance?
 

Wow... you're going to get 8,326 different opinions here. ;) Normally the rule of thumb is, there is no rule. Set your sight pins to whatever you want them to be.

I too have the Tru-Glo fiber optic sights, and have them set at the common 20,30,40 yards. If I'm need 25 yards, I use the two top pins and sight inbetween them. Same for 35 yards - I use the bottom two pins and sight inbetween.

Good luck and glad to hear you can still shoot a compound bow! [8D]

Butch A.

RE: Pins for what distance?
 

the problem with sighting in at 20-25-30 is all three pins will basicaly be touching if your using horizontal pins, I like a window in between and use that window for in between shots.

RE: Pins for what distance?
 

You will be glad you chose a compound.

That's a nice bow.

You tell us. Go out and practice and decide.

We are your new gurus.;)

Dang straight!:D

Got that right.

20 yards is all I shoot. I like getting them in close.

That's really good.

That's all that matters.:)

RE: Pins for what distance?
 

I was taking into consideration his shoulder injury and assumed he would not be pulling much weight that translates into slower arrow speeds.

20 - 30 yard gap would be pretty large. Thats why I suggested 20 - 25 -30 yard pins. Gap shooting takes a little while to learn correctly. To close to the season IMO to get gaps down pat.:)

RE: Pins for what distance?
 

zrexpilot,
That's an interesting thought...having the pins too bunched up together. I can see that being a bit of a problem. I'll see how close they are at 20 and 25 and make an initial decision based on that. It would be a shame to miss a deer becasue all I could see was pins:eek:. You guys are providing me years of experience in only a few minutes... Much thanks!!
REX

RE: Pins for what distance?
 

Whats your draw length and draw weight? Are you shooting carbons or alumnium?

RE: Pins for what distance?
 

I have a 27" draw, a 60 lb pull, and a 400 grain arrow. I shoot a PSE Fire-Flite 33. Between my 20 and 30 yard pin, there is such a big gap that I don't get confused.

RE: Pins for what distance?
 

Draw weight is 60#, draw length is 28.5. Shooting Super Carbon Magnums 45/60. 100 gr. target tips. I shot through a chronograph with everything and it came up with a 262 FPS average. The chrono was acting a little screwy at first...got a high of 280 something and a low of 220 something without changing a thing, but 260 seemed to be the consistent average. This sound about right? The pro sho[ guy didn't seem too concerned.

RE: Pins for what distance?
 

oops! make that a 27.5 inch draw.

RE: Pins for what distance?
 

20-30-40 yards are prob. the most common. Most of the new bows don't have enough drop in them to justify less than a ten foot distance between pins. I would suggest you do just like you said and see how much difference there is between pins.

Aim towards the top of the target and shoot an arrow. Then step back to 25 yards and aim at the same arrow. See how much drop there is. You will prob. be surprised at how close they are. Mine are less than 2 inches. Then do the same at 30 and there is prob. a 3-4 inch drop which if you are alittle off could put you out of the vitals.

The difference at 40 is more noticable so get a 30 yard pin set and then try the same at 40. I pratice alot at 40 but restrict my shots on game to under 30. You will be able to find your range in a short time as well.

Good Luck

RE: Pins for what distance?
 

I have 4 pins set at 5 yards apart 20 25 30 ect.

RE: Pins for what distance?
 

I've got a PSE Carrera and I use 3 pins.

This may or may not work for you particular sight but you should get the idea from this.

I put all three pins in the same groove.
Set the top pin for 18 or 20, what ever you shoot the most.
Now put the rest in the same "groove" so you can slide them all up right against each other.

This means you can easily recover from any sight pin mishap. Damage the main pin and the others act as a stop for replacement, vice a versa.

Shoot the pins until you are at the yardage they are centered on, mine happened to be 20, 30, 45. Any damage and I can replace or at the worst shoot in one pin and the others are simple to get in. I recheck this every year and write it in white out on the inside of the top limb. Facing me when the bow is drawn.

This also serves as a quick check range finder.

For my set up, with the bow at full draw and ready to shoot a 3D deer target is top pin to bottom pin at 20 yards. Same with the 3D turkeys.

At 40 yards it will be just one pin to the other.

With this checked and easy to look at with just a glance at the last minute you will always have a pretty darn good idea if you are with in your "instant death" range.

I never shoot game animals at 40 but it serves well for the other purpose and you've got it there for fun at the range and 3 d shoots and stuff like that.

Most of these targets are 18 inches. If you check you'll find most 3D game targets have some aspect that is very close to this. Beats heck out of a last minute wild a22 guess and if you keep shots under 30 you'll always be darn close.

RE: Pins for what distance?
 

I have 4 pins, set at 20, 30, 40, and 50. I think you will find these are the most common settings. Like said in another post, if you are shooting an odd yardarge like 25 yards just aim inbetween the pins. It isn't that hard at all. And in a hunting situation it shouldn't matter. If you are new to this I would suggest not shooting past 20 yards in the first place at live game. Practice at whatever distance you want though.

I would also suggest that if this is your first bow and you just started shooting that you skip this season since it is so close. Practice with the bow and get to know it really well, then go out next year with the utmost confidence that you know what you are doing.

Good luck with what every you decide to do, and remember to be realistic about your goals.

Feel free to ask us any questions you like, and use the search function, there is a lot of great info here if you look.

Paul

RE: Pins for what distance?
 

I would recommend 20, 30, 40. Like previously stated, you probably can't get your pins any closer. I know I can't. Practice at 30 and get good and confident. Step back to 35 (aim between your 30 and 40 pins). Then move back in closer and you will be surprised how accurate you are. Keep doing this and eventually 40 yards will be an easy shot (at a target). Have fun and keep us posted.

RE: Pins for what distance?
 

I'd just go 20, 30, 40