Rotating nock for tuning?
 

Is there any reason why you have to have a cock vane color different from the other vanes if using a drop away rest? If you left them all the same color, is it true you can rotate the nock in 3 different positions to tune your arrows for best grouping? I now have a couple arrows that are not grouping as well as the rest of the group, so I was looking for more ways to tune them. In the past I have always just rotated nock 180 degrees if needed, but I have never tried adjusting nock to each vane position. Have you had any luck with doing this?

RE: Rotating nock for tuning?
 

no reason at all i shoot with three feathers the same colour and i think it looks better, but that is just me, as for turning the nocks, i have never tried it,my suggestion is just to try it and see wouldnt hurt any thing.

RE: Rotating nock for tuning?
 

I can't speak authoritatively on it since I've never personally done it, but I would think this would kind of lead to the same thing as the old wive's tale of aligning your broadhead blades to your vanes for better arrow flight... In other words, I just don't see it making a difference. But hey, what the heck? Give it a shot and let us know how it works out! :)

RE: Rotating nock for tuning?
 

I'am no expert by far but I recently read an article on this subject. They actually used a machine that held the bow in place (like a gun vise) and fired the bow. This thing kept the bow in perfect position for every shot to eliminate any human era. They shot 3 arrows for 3 rounds.On all 3rounds each arrow hit the same hole eveytime.
One arrow was dead on the intended spot, the other 2 were slightly off by an 1.5" to 2 " up or down I think. Then theyturned the nocks just slightly on the 2 arrows which were off. The 2 arrows ended up grouping almost in the same hole as the first. I know it may not be possible to do this in the real world without this type of machine but it seems after reading this article that turning the nocks can improve grouping.
I'll check to see if I can find the article today.

Bug

RE: Rotating nock for tuning?
 

it works sometimes, really well. when picking my hunting arrows i always do this before tossing one aside, more often than not it actually works. i believe it has to do with finding the stiff side of the arrow.

RE: Rotating nock for tuning?
 

It's a lot quicker and easier to use a spine tester and orient your nocksto the stiffest axis of each shaft before fletching. That's all you're doing by turning the nocks anyway. It just takes more time using the trial and error method.

RE: Rotating nock for tuning?
 

Try rotating your nocks as a first step , if that does not help , replace the nock , if that fails , file 13 , considering everything else is as consistant as you can posably get it . I used to wear the snot out of nocks , shooting off of the string without a cusion [hince the tag line], 100-200 shots and they were done for , started useing a cusion and nock life is greatly improved , a loop is even better . Nock fit is another part of the equasion , to tight and your in for fits , thats what magnocks are all about , consistant nock release , and lots of target guys swear by them .

RE: Rotating nock for tuning?
 

The info I got states that rotating the nock moves the stiff side of arrow to best position, as some of you have listed above. The guy I heard it from said he puts the stiff side to the right, so when using a release aid the arrow wants to flex in a vertical position. Having the stiff side to the right counteracts this and makes the dynamic spine stiffer correct? Maybe we are just controlling/rotating the static spine of the arrow. I’m confused on this part as to what the difference is between static spine and dynamic spine. Some say static spine isn’t worth your time, but dynamic spine is. Since we are on this topic…what the heck is dynamic spine and how can one use this info to increase accuracy? I’m asking because I’m getting ready to start building my own arrows, supplies are on order. Going to order all same color fletching so I can rotate nock as required. Thanks for the help thus far.

RE: Rotating nock for tuning?
 

Think this is corect ?
Staic spine = [the flex]what you get from a spine gauge.
Dynamic spine =[the flex] what happens to your arrow when shot .

RE: Rotating nock for tuning?
 

Actually there's 6 positions for the nock compared with standard fletching. The nock can be flipped 180* on each fletch, and yes it can make a difference....

RE: Rotating nock for tuning?
 

Great point and thanks for bringing that up. I was thinking only 3 tuning options. 6 tuning options sounds even better.:D

RE: Rotating nock for tuning?
 

That thought completely escaped me in thinking of what advantages simply turning the nock would give you!

RE: Rotating nock for tuning?
 

Kind of like that spacer on your sight? HEY...Don't worry about these details, just go shoot your bow and have fun! Just kidding!

Ok, on a serious note...I’m no expert, but this is how I see it for example purposes. Visualize having an arrow supported at both ends and hanging a weight from the middle of arrow shaft. To help visualize this example, pretend the arrows are already fletched with cock vane is in the up position, while the arrow is being supported and no rotation allowed. Now out of 12 arrows each arrow will “sag/deflect” in center just below weight at different amounts. You want to make this “sag” as equal as possible. The way I visualize it is to exaggerate the numbers. If each arrow sags at a different rate that would be like shooting a 400 spine arrow on one shot, then a 380 spine arrow on another shot and a 420 spine arrow on the third shot, etc. Thinking of the way the fibers are woven and layers of the arrow over-lap each other will cause an arrow to have a soft and a hard side. If you rotate shaft so all “stiffer sides” are in the same place this makes each shot more consistent because you are getting the spine of arrow to react the same shot after shot. Metals can do the same thing based on how the heat treatment was received from each material that makes up your finished product.

Now take that and think of it as the arrow and nock being nocked (attached) on the string with cock vane up. You can rotate shaft to get the same results. You can also rotate nock when it is not attached to string and when you go to attach it to string it will have to rotate the shaft in order for the nock groves to slip around the string. You're basically rotating the shaft of arrow 120 degrees each time to find the sweet spot of arrow spine or place the stiffer side of arrow to the same position for all 12 arrows. If that doesn't give you the results you're looking for, then as stated above, rotate the nock 180 degrees and start over on each 120 degree vane position. Remember there are 360 degrees in a full circle, so each vane is 120 degrees apart. The best way to do it is like Arthur said...before fletching. That way you can get within 1 degree accuracy. Does that help?

RE: Rotating nock for tuning?
 

mildot, i think backtension will explode your head.