How do you guys that shoot off your point set up your bow? Do you simply keep playing with arrows until you find them the right length, and spine? This would seem like a long process. I have never shot off my point successfully, just looking for some info. Any other suggestions? Thanks

What exactly do you mean, "off the point"?

Usually, we go by the Easton arrow chart and start from there. Easton recommends specific arrows for specific bow-configurations. Wheels or cams, soft cams or hard cams, draw-length, draw-weight, what size tips/broadheads you're shooting, fingers or release, etc. etc.

I know indoor spot shooters who play around with arrow length and weight, then their anchor points, until they get their point-on distance exactly 20 yards. Longer, heavier arrows shorten the point-on distance while shorter, lighter arrows increase it. Higher anchor points shorten point-on, lower anchor points increase it.

You're right about getting the correct arrows. The charts will get you in the ballpark, but you still have to try at least two sizes each side of the ones the chart recommends. So, you're going to shoot at least 5 different shafts in order to find the magic one. And then you can fine tune the arrow spine by playing around with brace height. Of course, with compounds it's easy. You simply adjust your poundage to fit the arrow.

When I was shooting field archery, I adjusted everything till my point-on was 50 yards and I had my gaps figured off of that. Anything 30 yards and under, the gaps were so big they were practically useless, so I shot those distances 'instinctive'. The gaps really helped put me on target from 40 yards on out.

I know exactly what you mean about that, my point on is at 40 yards, and I can gap shoot to about 30 yards. 25 and under is most definetely instinctive (well, Ferguson's become the arrow method). At 10 yards the gap is so large that it would impossible to gap shoot.

As far as the arrows, according to the Eason Legacy Chart, my sizes were 2018,2117,2020. 2018 worked the best for me.

The Easton chart generally runs way too stiff for trad bows.

Art, Bob, how did you get your point on down to 40-50 yds? I don't know exactly what mine is, but after shooting some longer shots the other day I'm guessing that it's about 70 yds. I stepped off 65 paces from the bale I was shooting at, and when shooting point on I was about 18" high.

Just curious--not likely I'll ever shoot field archery again.

Chad

Hi Chad, I really didn't set mine at 40, it was just where it ended up. And it is also from shooting from an slightly elevated platform. I think the average is more like 60. But I do use a rather heavy arrow and tip which need to be taken into consideration. The length of the arrow, legnth of your arm, anchor placements, and bow arm placement also has a lot to do with the point-on.

Just curious--the bow I shoot now has the longest point-on distance of any I've owned (any longbow anyhow--don't remember shooting a recurve enough to figure it out). I'm shooting just a hair under 10 grains per lb, but my draw is 30.5".

Chad

I know you are shooting the Crusader, but what is the wood combinaitons, length, and poundage? Just curious.

Cocobolo riser, yew limbs, 66", [email protected]". Arrows are POC, average 620-640 grains. 14 strand Dynaflight '97 string, 8" of .025 #62 braid serving, one set (two 6" pieces) of rubber cat whisker silencers. Same set-up I use for hunting, except I have field points instead of broadheads. Wish I had found the point on yardage of the 64" I had--it was a little faster--but I like my 66".

Chad

Here ya go
http://www.bowmaker.net/index2.htm
Click on bow tuning.