Help on holding pin(s) still..
 

Hello everyone, my first time here so I hope this is the right place to post this question. Does anyone have any little secretes on holding your pin steady? Thanks in advance for any help I get.

RE: Help on holding pin(s) still..
 

Of primary importance is getting the draw length of the bow set for your body. Sometimes too much draw weight. Too little holding weight. Tensing muscles in an effort to hold the bow still, which is often caused by thethree preceding hints.

Do these hints help?

RE: Help on holding pin(s) still..
 

FORM,FORM and FORM.

I know alot think that when we talk form it is just mumbo jumbo but it truly does make shooting easier.Once you grasp form,then learning shot sequence and how to let the pin float instead of fighting it.


Just a couple quick things that will help keep a pin still.Still really is a bad term,that isn't what you are looking for.Floating over the spot is the key.

Post up a pic and there are plenty that are willing to help guide you in the right direction.

RE: Help on holding pin(s) still..
 

Float, and squeeze to release. Dont hold and punch. Just like TFOX said, let the pin float and squeeze the trigger when your pin is moving the least amount. Also, focus on the target and spot you are wanting to hit, not the pin. Bare down on the spot and stare it down adn let the pin settle into the spot. the pin should become blurry, then squeeze the trigger. This is what has helped me the most. good luck

RE: Help on holding pin(s) still..
 

Wait a second guys. I have spent this past year working towards holding still, and it has worked pretty well for me. Now, I have not shot a 300 on 5 spots yet, but I have done a 286 with my 82nd at 73# and I thought that was pretty good. However, I'm am certain that you staff shooters could teach me a lot about form. I am no master.

Derek, I totally agree with what you said about staring at the target and not the pin. That is some good advice. I have trouble focusing on an X, but I can pick nocks off like you wouldn't believe. One of my favorite pass times at 3D shoots. Haha.

RE: Help on holding pin(s) still..
 

First off,don't be shooting spots at 73#'s:D

The ultimate is when you become ONE with the bow and can RELAX and let the pin float on the X.If you are trying to force the pin still,you are going to force the shot off and when that happens,you will pull the pin off the spot.


Think about it this way,if you are forcing the pin in the center of the X,when it moves,where is the pin going?It will be going AWAY from the center BUT if you are letting it float,it is always coming BACK TO THE CENTER so chances are,when the shot goes off,the pin is working it's way back to the center.;)

RE: Help on holding pin(s) still..
 

The easiest way to hold still on a target is to relax and not fight it. Now if I could practice what I preach[&o]

RE: Help on holding pin(s) still..
 

I know what you mean about the practicing what you preach. I try relaxing, but sometimes I get too relaxed and the monster takes off with the release and my arm still attached to the string. If you know what I mean. That is probably because 73# is not a god spot weight, like TFOX said. I know that. I am not trying to be a great spot shooter, but I am on a league and would like to improve my shooting. I'm on the beginners team, even though I am pretty far from a beginner, because I am not as accurate as those guys. That's fine. I am a hunter that wants to get better. I am going to try to let it float, and practice what you guys are preaching. Thank you for the information. I'm sure Shrek3 will appreciate it.

RE: Help on holding pin(s) still..
 

Please read your response and put the response into context from a hunting scenario.

If you can't relax on a spot at 20 yards on a spot that doesn't move(without fear of it taking off),how are you going to relax on a deer that IS moving and has your emotions going 100 mph.This is where the relaxing takes precidence and holding through the shot means the difference in a trophy or a wounded or missed animal.

Please don't take this as a bash because it isn't.Many people use equipment that is overkill with great success.Just some food for thought.

I realize spots is a different game but the biggest thing that makes it different is 60 shots verses 1.But all the small stuff still apply.

RE: Help on holding pin(s) still..
 

Nope, you'll never get that pin to hold perfectly still. You've got to realize that big muscles in your shouldars and back are holding the bow at full draw. Those muscles don't have that pin point movement required to hold your pin still.

Here is one thing that you may try. I know its worked wonders for myself. Draw your bow, settle into your anchors and put the pin on the target. Relax and watch the center of the target for about 10 seconds or so. Then, let down with firing a shot. Do this several times, then shoot an arrow. I think what this does is helps you get accustomed to seeing that pin float around on the target.

Hope this helps.

RE: Help on holding pin(s) still..
 

Agree muzzy and that is one of the drills I preach but you have a slight typo,let down WITHOUT firing a shot.;)

RE: Help on holding pin(s) still..
 

I have been successful with heavier bows. I have some really old bows that I found at my grandma's house. Great for starting out. Anyway, I shot a deer at 40 yards with one of those at 80# and I have no idea what the let-off was. I know that my 82nd is overkill, but I like it that way and can confidently hit a 9" vital out to 60 yards. I actually don't get too excited. I blame Grand Theft Auto for desensitizing me.

RE: Help on holding pin(s) still..
 

I am not really speaking of higher poundage but more about aggresive cam styles that take away the ability to relax in those intense situations.


Maybe it is just me but I can't do them.[&:]

RE: Help on holding pin(s) still..
 

I'll be honest. That is super hard to pull back in the cold.

RE: Help on holding pin(s) still..
 

Do yourself a favor.Drop 5#'s of draw weight and put yourself through some rigorous shooting drills and see if you don't see a drastic difference.

That should be enough to tame the draw cycle down just enough to make a huge difference.

If I am wrong,what have you lost,absolutely nothing but if I am right,look at what you gain.;)

RE: Help on holding pin(s) still..
 

I just did it. 68#. But this is our little secret. wouldn't want anyone thinking that I wused out. I'll give it 1000 shots at 68# and let yo know how it goes.

RE: Help on holding pin(s) still..
 

pm me if you would like.


I have been there and have done the same thing.

Funny,when we had our little get together at H&H,Germ pulled out his Elite at 72#'s and we were playing around,when we got to shooting a little more serious and I started ODD situational shooting,he put the Elite up and brought out his Ross and Germ is a very stout individual.He just couldn't shoot it with the same accuracy as he could the more moderate Ross.

RE: Help on holding pin(s) still..
 

I completely agree TFOX. Switching from 70# bows to 60 made a very noticeable difference in my shooting. Not only in Hunting but targets also. I down seem to get fatigued as easily as before when shooting for longer times. I feel that i can make good shots, for a longer duration. I always figured " if i can pull 70#'s im going to because #1 im pretty huge lol! (TFOX canvouch for that)#2 the whole speed/KE thing. Now that ive switched to 60# i will never go back, i promise;). I probably will actually drop even more poundage b/c the bows nowadays are plenty fast. I honestly dont believe I would have had the ability to make a good shot on the buck i killed a couple weeks ago b/c i had to hold FOREVER!!! It was 23* and any more weight, i dont think i wouldhave been able to make a solid shot. BlackStick, I dontblame you for shooting the 82nd like you do. But the next bow you get, i urge you to try a 50-60# limb. I really think you would agree that it is betteroverall, just like said above. Imgetting 290fps out of a 400ish gr. axis, and 320 out of my target setup. Fast enough right? Derek

RE: Help on holding pin(s) still..
 

I believe we should shoot the most we can comfortably shoot but first we must understand what comfortably is.[8D]

After meeting drock,I think he is being really conservative at 60#:D

RE: Help on holding pin(s) still..
 

I'll have to see what TVA does for my 82nd. I doubt that it could get 320 fps at 60# with 308 grain arrows right now if I am only getting 335 fps with 369.5 grain arrows at 73#. I was just about to stick the speed tapes on my HHA sight. They sent me some special ones because the ones that come with the sight are not fast enough for my 82nd. I'm a little disappointed about loosing the speed, but I know that being super accurate is way cooler. I guess that I really wanted both 335 fps and a 300 60x on spots. My shop pros joke with me saying that if I practice enough, I'll be the first to win FITA with an 82nd.

Anyway, I'll give it a 1000 shots, which I think is very generous. Plenty of time until hunting season now.

Derek, I am not getting 50-60#. Sorry man, but I'll get the 60-70# and leave it low. You can get them down to 57# anyway, which is pretty low for me. I'm no giant, but my back and shoulders are pretty huge.

RE: Help on holding pin(s) still..
 

60#'s might be conservative for me when shooting spots, or in the back yard, but when hauling my big arse around ona 3d course for 20-40 targets, that element of size and strength turns into morefatigue in the long run lol.Especially when its hot! Last year when I shot the Daviess county 3d, i was pulling 70#'s and it was a 40 target shoot in 80+ degree weather. My last 6 or so targets were bad due to fatigue. Thatswhen i decided that i would no longer shoot a 70# bow in comp. of any kind. And since i typically only shoot a few arrows at deerper year, I figured why have a 70# bow, for 1-3 shots per year when i probablyshoot 5k or moreshots per year? That easily justified my reasoning for less poundage. Not only that, but I played high school baseball and already have an elbow issue, and my father has a bad shoulder, so im trying to let myarchery days last as long as my body permits, and if that means to sacrifice speed, so be it. Derek

RE: Help on holding pin(s) still..
 

I did a 50 shot course in 90°F heat (yes, it gets that hot in Minnesota) with my 82nd at 73#. It was hell, but I didn't do too badly. Granted, I knew the course pretty well. We aren't serious at the shoots, so I don't want to hear anything about 280 fps speed limits and me cheating. There was guy that was getting 370 fps out of a super-tuned x-force at IBO specs. It's not or money, it's for fun.

Anyway, I think that you guys gave me some great advice because I need to work on my form a lot. For a guy that shots nearly 20,000 shots a year, I not that good. I just worked my way up to max poundage for hunting season (I'll probably do it again next season). It was fun while it lasted, but now it's time to get serious and maybe win the Techno hunt league. That is my favorite thing.

RE: Help on holding pin(s) still..
 

I promise you will see more than 320Fps. If not, then i will go and check some more chronographs lol! My bow ibo's at 340, yours at 350. If you set your bow at 61#'s and were to use one of my arrows at 308gr. i gurantee you get at least 5-10fps more than me. As far as you not getting a 50-60# bow, thats cool. If you can get your bow down to 60ish thats awesome. I honestly didnt realize there was that much flexibility in the BT's. when you send your bow to TVA,you shouldhave them set the draw weight then b/c they will set your tiller accordingly. Just a suggestion. Im sure you will be curious to see how much their tune will help your speed. As far as the speed tapes go, i know what your talking about. with my hunting sight, when using it for target (hunter class) My first pin is at 20yds, 2nd atabout 38b/c i couldnt get my second pin any closer to the first lol! When are you having it setup at TVA. you still have to have the strings built dont you? Derek

RE: Help on holding pin(s) still..
 

Yeah it blows trying to geta fast bow down to ASA lol! Im shooting 3 ASA events this year and still need to find my arrows to get me down to 285 or so. This is my first yearwith a "speed" bow so im still figuring stuff out with it. Im actually going to set my hunter setup up for ASA so I dont have to worry about changing tapes and stuffon the slider. That and I cant hang withthe big boysin open classanyways:D

RE: Help on holding pin(s) still..
 

I don't know. I am having John make me some a sweet Bucknasy set in blaze orange and white with white servings, which he said are actually clear. If Vapor Trail had those colors, I would go through them, but they don't so, John gets my business.

RE: Help on holding pin(s) still..
 

Ways to help hold steadier:
#1: Shoot a longer ATA bow. It's harder to manipulate a longer bow around the target.
#2: Have a heavier bow. I can remember pouring lead into the riser voids of an old Golden Eagle spot bow so it weighed more and sat better on target (see #1).
#3: Develope the muscles necessary to hold the bow at full draw. (Weight training or repetative practice but Olympians use both).
#4: Use #3 and proper form to help you relax at full draw. Tension causes muscle fatigue, causes pin float. Chill!

RE: Help on holding pin(s) still..
 

I totally agree with #2. I added every bowjax accessory to weigh my 82nd down. It's so heavy, the guys I hunt with tell me I'd be better off clubbing the deer than shooting it.

RE: Help on holding pin(s) still..
 

That sounds awesome!! I was thinking about orange and silver. Not to be a copy cat, but we live about a thousand miles away so... I might be switching to VT's. Im working on getting on their staff for 09[8D] I love the LD and am sure there strings are great as well. If not i will be trying a local guy out that TFOX recommended to me for strings.

RE: Help on holding pin(s) still..
 

I talk to a VT rep and am convinced that VTX is the best string fiber available. I have more than 10,000 shots on this set and there is not peep rotation, the servings look great and there is no fraying.

RE: Help on holding pin(s) still..
 

Another way to help steady your pin is to shoot a stabilizer that around 8+" with a weight forward design. it will slow your pin movement down a bit as well.

RE: Help on holding pin(s) still..
 

The fuse Axium is great for that. I am putting the 4" Axium on the end of an 11.5" Octane for league and 3D. I should be in unlimited class, but there are no classes, so it doesn't matter.

RE: Help on holding pin(s) still..
 

Make sure the bow is set up properly for you. Make sure the draw length is correct, and the draw weight is reasonable. Control your breathing. Don't tense your muscles. When I like to draw back, I like for my sight to start above the target, and drift down slowly until where I want to shoot. Then, I'll take the shot, or hold on the target if necessary.

If you don't have a stabilizer, try one. I don't like them, but some people do. I just use a limbsaver s-coil for vibration dampening.

Make sure your bow hand on the bow correctly. Don't clench your fingers around the grip. Let the bow rest into your hand. Having confidence in your shot is important also, KNOW you'll hit the target, don't wonder whether or not you will.

And, the most important, practice practice practice!!

Good luck.