Help On Consistent Shooting

[Florida_Native]

I am trying to get ready for archery season. This will be my first season with a bow. I shoot a PSE Stinger 3G, its an entry level bow with no bells and whistles. Currently I am trying to work on consistency at 50 yards. I am comfortable at 20 and 30.I can hold a 2 inch group at 20 and am slightly less consistent at 30. Probably a 3 inch group with the occasional choke.

Will increasing my bow's draw weight help with consistency. I understand that practice is key, which is why when I started I set my draw weight to 50 lbs, so I could practice more without getting tired. I was reading an article that said that 4 inch groupings at 50 yards is pretty good. I assume that would be with a more high end bow than mine.

Also I have been shooting the full circle whisker biscuit. I have heard these are good for hunting but not for competition shooting. How would this affect my range at 50 yards.

I understand I need to practice more but would rather practice and know that the missed are me and not my equipment set up.Any experience and advice is appreciated?

[BGLEMIN]

Keep practicing at the longer ranges but be honest with yourself on what your max range is!!

Only increase your poundage if your body can handle and if your prepared to buy heavier spine arrows if needed.

Keep in mind that archery is about getting close and I bet there are many members here that will attest that even though they practice out to 60+ yards; most animals are taken at ranges less than 40. 

A whisker biscuit will get you by, but a drop away arrow rest will provide more accurate flight if tuned properly.

You should search through posts made by Radsav, he has given a wealth of info from now setup to proper form and so much more!!

[Firedogg]

  My max range was limited to 45 yards. Starting out don't get too far ahead of yourself trying to stretch the range. A lot wrong can go on trying to pick up the extra 15-20 yds.
  I tried to extend my range on one buck out to 72 yards once, never again. I would wait till closer or let it pass for another day. Perhaps after a while at the moderate distances and more time practicing will allow you to stretch your range, but take it slow.

[Florida_Native]

I understand and 50 would definitely be my max and I can comfortably shoot 60. With that being said my accuracy seems to vary based on how far out I shoot. Great at 20, still lethal at 30, 40 ahh, and 50 not sure if I'd want to shoot. You're points are well noted. I guess I'm just trying to figure out if i can extend my current limits?

[BGLEMIN]

What species do you plan to hunt?

Accuracy at a particular range is one thing, but size of animal and your arrow's ability to penetrate is another!!

My longest shot was 63 yds on a pronghorn. Hit right in the boiler room and stuck in an offside rib. I shoot a 25.5" draw at 75# and with my arrow setup I achieve about 53 ft-lbs of kinetic energy. That is adequate for many species.

Based on the pronghorn scenario, I realized that if I wanted to effectively harvest any species, then I would have to adjust my max range accordingly.

Pronghorn = 65 yds
Deer = 50 yds
Elk = 40 yds
Bear = 40 yds
Sheep = 50 yds
Moose = 30 yds

Even with this set of yardage discipline, I have had good shots that ended without a recovered animal. Same has happened with a rifle.

Understanding an animal's anatomy is so important. How else would you know proper arrow/bullet placement? Even the most properly placed shot can go wrong!!

[Florida_Native]

Been hunting for probably 20 years and understand anatomy well. Just switched to bow hunting this past year. Will be hunting deer possibly elk.

[BGLEMIN]

Let's put it this way then; the Seminoles and many others before them were able to punch through hide with rocks mounted on sticks. I bet your setup is adequate for the quarry you plan to hunt.

As many will say; to become more accurate is by practice and practice will become permanent. Only through perfect practice will perfect become permanent.

Unfortunately through a medium such as this, I cannot help you in matters of consistency without seeing you shoot. So many idiosyncrasies with a bow and how a person shoots it.

From grip to release to follow through, assuming the bow is properly tuned, is tough to write in terms to help a fellow archer.  I began just as you without much knowledge, for me the best help I got was from more experienced archers who watched me shoot. If someone couldn't figure out my issue, then I spent many days on the range tweaking my form or my setup. Eventually you will achieve the setup and form that works "perfectly".

My best advise for your first archery season is to get close and if you can't be even happier that you're probably already closer than many other hunters will be this year.

[Florida_Native]

So let me reply by saying thanks for the help and the Seminole reference is much appreciated

I understand practice and tuning/tweaking is needed. But, since I am already doing that it would make sense to do so with a higher draw weight, if that would help with consistency. Does draw weight/speed have anything to do with consistency? or is that just something many archers like to tell themselves?

[BGLEMIN]

Usually when one increases draw weight they suffer in consistency until they've become accustomed to it. Some develop bad form because of the increase and

[Todd_ID]

Consistent shooting is generally to be found between your ears. Your setup, if tuned, is just fine: a top shooter could win major championships with what you're using because the stuff between the ears isn't going to get in their way.

Shooting father, more often, will get the worry of losing an expensive arrow out of your mind. Or it will get expensive.

Developing a repeatable shot process for you will be the best thing you can "do" to achieve better consistency. If you're thinking about one thing during one shot and another the next, then those two shots won't hit the same place. Same with anchor points, peep and sight alignment, back tension, etc. If each shot cycle is the same, then consistency is the result. After a while you'll quit thinking about what comes next in your process; it'll just happen, and you'll know when something is off in your process.

[BGLEMIN]

And...often once a bad habit forms it's harder to correct. Especially true for archery.

Increasing your poundage will increase speed, and the increase in speed will boost your arrow's penetration. You may also find that increasing your arrow weight will make your shots more accurate, and to an extent more penetrable.

Should've asked this earlier, what weight are you drawing?

[Florida_Native]

50

[BGLEMIN]

50 works for sure. Sounds like you have been launching plenty of arrows so try and increase your poundage. Start with small adjustments like 1/4 turn per limb. Do this until it becomes too much then back off 1/2 turn. Stop for the day at this point. You've shot enough arrows and have found a point of fatigue. Next day shoot, does it feel to hard to draw? If so, turn down both limbs another half turn. Too hard still, turn down 1/4 turn. Shoot a few then put the bow away. Next day first shot, too easy or too hard? If neither, shoot a few. You will notice that your shots are off. Your sights need adjusted now.

Tinker and tinker some more. Biggest struggle your up against now is that season is a month away. That's not much time to adjust.

When your shot presents itself, the only thing that kicks in is your subconscious, developed by the repetitive shooting. Same form every time.

Perhaps stick with what works now. When season ends, start adjusting.

Broadhead choice is important too. If you want I'll recommend, but what I like might not fly well for you. Again this was learned through trial & error. Muzzy is a good starter broadhead.

[tgomez]

Florida Native, I recommend you get a year membership at Evergreen Archery Club here in Spokane. We have 10 yard to 80 yard target range, two field ranges animals/dots, and I believe the 3d shooting is still going on Wednesday evenings. This would be a great way to get ready for the upcoming seasons. I use to shoot their everyday when I hunted archery for 5 years, and it made me VERY accurate. Best of all you get a cool plaque when you get a bow kill with our club!! Here's a pick of one. If you want to go up on a weekend day, ill take you up so yoy can check it out. Just shoot me a PM.

[Florida_Native]

Florida Native, I recommend you get a year membership at Evergreen Archery Club here in Spokane. We have 10 yard to 80 yard target range, two field ranges animals/dots, and I believe the 3d shooting is still going on Wednesday evenings. This would be a great way to get ready for the upcoming seasons. I use to shoot their everyday when I hunted archery for 5 years, and it made me VERY accurate. Best of all you get a cool plaque when you get a bow kill with our club!! Here's a pick of one. If you want to go up on a weekend day, ill take you up so yoy can check it out. Just shoot me a PM.

Thanks for the offer. I signed up at EAC back in September when I bought the bow. Its a great range. I have had quite a few of the members give me pointers and its helped my shooting tremendously. I am just trying to gain more knowledge and take the next step in my shooting.

[tgomez]

No problem man, hope you get a nice buck!

[LeviD1]

I love EAC. My wife and I get out there and walk the course every couple weeks when I can get her to go. If you have space in your back yard you should buy a shooting block also that way if you dont feel like taking the time to drive you can shoot in your yard. I can get 30 yards in mine then 40 through my carport and 50 yards at the sidewalk  . I mostly just do 20-30 in the yard though. But that way you can shoot whenever you feel like even just a little bit.

[LeviD1]

Oh tgomez, how do you get the plaque? I want one haha! But also Florida I forgot to mention. If you have not been out to deer park to whitetail plus you should take your bow and make the trip out. Greg is the owner and an awesome guy. I buy everything from him anymore. Great business to support and over the past couple years has turned me into a way better archer.

[tgomez]

Oh tgomez, how do you get the plaque? I want one haha! But also Florida I forgot to mention. If you have not been out to deer park to whitetail plus you should take your bow and make the trip out. Greg is the owner and an awesome guy. I buy everything from him anymore. Great business to support and over the past couple years has turned me into a way better archer.

You get a plauqe by being a member before the season starts, then you tell the clubs management about your bow harvest throughout the year. When have the club banquet in late December then you get a plauqe for EVERY animal u harvested and reported for that year including; turkey, bear, deer, elk, moose, cougar, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, as well as any outfitted hunts you may go on such as grizzly, caribou, red-stag. It's a way for the club to say congradulations on your successful bow kill. PRETTY SWEET!!!!
 

[Special T]

You need to work on Form and Muscle memory.
FOCUS on how your body feels and where certain parts of your body are located when shooting. CONSISTENCY is key. Video tap yourself shooting. Shoot at 10 yards, get on target aim, then close your eyes and shoot! pay attention to you other senses and how the shot went. 

[LeviD1]

Oh tgomez, how do you get the plaque? I want one haha! But also Florida I forgot to mention. If you have not been out to deer park to whitetail plus you should take your bow and make the trip out. Greg is the owner and an awesome guy. I buy everything from him anymore. Great business to support and over the past couple years has turned me into a way better archer.

You get a plauqe by being a member before the season starts, then you tell the clubs management about your bow harvest throughout the year. When have the club banquet in late December then you get a plauqe for EVERY animal u harvested and reported for that year including; turkey, bear, deer, elk, moose, cougar, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, as well as any outfitted hunts you may go on such as grizzly, caribou, red-stag. It's a way for the club to say congradulations on your successful bow kill. PRETTY SWEET!!!!

Dang! Never knew that! Never been to the banquet though either.

[Nice Racks]

Just this week I started putting the front tip of my nose directly on the string; combining that with the use of the level on the sight, and a kisser button.  At 50 yards I went from having about a 6-8 inch grouping to a 2-3 inch grouping.  I need to adjust my sights a little bit now; that little bit of an adjustment has me shooting about 6 inches high and to the right, but that's an easy fix. 

[tgomez]

LeviD 1- Ask Ed Forslof or Garry Joyce about it next time you see them at the range. If you don't know Ed he's the President of the club, and Garry is the treasurer. I believe Garry is the one who has plau
es made. Good luck to you. Trevor

[theleo]

With out seeing you shoot it's hard to say what the problem is. I'd recommend stepping back and shooting farther instead of cranking up your poundage. The heavier poundage will be more likely to make a form problem worse or a bad habit more ingrained. The guys that shoot tiny little groups for money do so because of good form and the shot mechanics being the same on every shot from beginning to end. If poundage were key target bows would be minimum 70 pounds and go up from there, instead of a lot 50-60 pound bows and quite a few lighter ones. I'm pretty comfortable shooting 60 yards but it's because I'll step back and shoot 80 yards or more practicing. Those 80 plus yard groups aren't great but they show me all my flaws and bad habits to work on and make my 60 yard groups a whole lot tighter. 

[MIKEXRAY]

A lot of guys swear by the Whisker biscuit but I messed with one for two years and never got the consistency I wanted. I switched to the Trophy Taker full containment drop away and my consistency went through the roof immediately. I would say my groups were at least half the size after switching and only got better. Tuned bow the same, same arrows etc. I think the shoot through Whisker really magnified errors in my form, I would never go back. Have a great season.

[4fletch]

RadSav one of our bow pros uses whisker b rest on some of his bow and told me they shoot out to 60 yrs without a problem