Archery Pins

[seth30]

Got a hunt of a life time coming up early next year in South Africa. Going to be taking my bow.  Currently have a 5 pin set up on it, with the ranges at 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 yards.  Some of my buddies that I turkey hunt with have been using a single pin sight and swear by them.  For those that use a single pin, what is the advantage on them?  I can see if you are in a blind and have all the ranges already mapped out, but I don't see the pro on a spot and stalk? For those that run a single pin, what advantage do you see in a single pin set up?   

[Longfield1]

Clear sight picture is the biggest difference that i like. I have a dual pin spot hog that is like a happy medium between a single pin and a  3-5 pin setup. I like how i can shoot all the way to 40 yards without having to adjust anything if there isn't time but that if i can range i can even get a more accurate yardage to dial to which makes me feel more confident in my shot process. One caveat that i would take a good look at is if you range and animal and dial then the animal moves your going to either have to let down and range again or just adjust based on if they moved further or closer away. Also in the same scenario, say you ranged and didn't even get a shot, you have to remember to reset your dial back to what you practice with (my top pin is 20 yards and bottom pin is 35 yards). Otherwise if you go for a no range shot and you didn't reset your sight you are gonna miss and your going to swear off adjustable forever.

I assume your buddies are all talking about a single pin adjustable sight and not a single pin fixed? If its fixed, I have never used one and don't know much about them.

[seth30]

Clear sight picture is the biggest difference that i like. I have a dual pin spot hog that is like a happy medium between a single pin and a  3-5 pin setup. I like how i can shoot all the way to 40 yards without having to adjust anything if there isn't time but that if i can range i can even get a more accurate yardage to dial to which makes me feel more confident in my shot process. One caveat that i would take a good look at is if you range and animal and dial then the animal moves your going to either have to let down and range again or just adjust based on if they moved further or closer away. Also in the same scenario, say you ranged and didn't even get a shot, you have to remember to reset your dial back to what you practice with (my top pin is 20 yards and bottom pin is 35 yards). Otherwise if you go for a no range shot and you didn't reset your sight you are gonna miss and your going to swear off adjustable forever.

I assume your buddies are all talking about a single pin adjustable sight and not a single pin fixed? If its fixed, I have never used one and don't know much about them.

sorry they are running adjustable

[vandeman17]

I had a single pin slider for a couple years and like mentioned, the biggest thing that I liked was the clear sight picture and only having one pin to focus on when shooting. Its great for target shooting and pretty good for stand hunting but I switched back to a standard 5 pin with a floater. In a real world hunting application, especially on the ground, there is a good chance that you won't be able to adjust your pin based on a lot of in the moment factors like coming to full draw on an animal before it comes into the opening you ranged and having it change course to a different opening with a completely different range. Very unlikely you can let your draw down, adjust your pin and draw again with much success. I will say that this really only pertains to shots 40 yards or so plus because under that, its not super difficult to just keep your pin set at 30 yards and adjust your hold point accordingly. I left my pin at 30 when practicing and would shoot from 20 to 40 yards so that I got comfortable where to hold.

[seth30]

I had a single pin slider for a couple years and like mentioned, the biggest thing that I liked was the clear sight picture and only having one pin to focus on when shooting. Its great for target shooting and pretty good for stand hunting but I switched back to a standard 5 pin with a floater. In a real world hunting application, especially on the ground, there is a good chance that you won't be able to adjust your pin based on a lot of in the moment factors like coming to full draw on an animal before it comes into the opening you ranged and having it change course to a different opening with a completely different range. Very unlikely you can let your draw down, adjust your pin and draw again with much success. I will say that this really only pertains to shots 40 yards or so plus because under that, its not super difficult to just keep your pin set at 30 yards and adjust your hold point accordingly. I left my pin at 30 when practicing and would shoot from 20 to 40 yards so that I got comfortable where to hold.

  Thats how I was thinking myself as I have had to leave treestands or blinds to go after elk and deer that took a alternate trail.  My friends swear by them, but honestly I dont see much of a benefit if you have to move. 

[Stein]

I'm similar to others here with the want for more flexibility if an animal moves once I've ranged and dialed.  I shoot a 3 pin with the top and bottom pins floating with two separate needles on the dial.  I used to shoot a 5 pin fixed, but am a much better archer with a dial as I apparently wasn't very good at splitting pins with great accuracy.

[D-Rock425]

There's a few advantages and disadvantages and a lot of it will depend on the archer and their style of hunting.   Sight picture and the ability to dial to any yardage is an advantage for some signal pin shooters.  Spot hogg makes a set of 3 vertical pins called a triple stack that gives you the sight picture of a single pin but the advantage of a multi pin sight. 

[blackveltbowhunter]

Couple things that might he overlooked is arrow speed, archers range estimation accuracy, and anticipated cover in the terrain. I shoot a triple stack and like it. But the extra pins are primarily for flight path obstacle reference rather than needed for actual aim ( but if you hwve them, use them). If you are shooting a fairly quick arrow setting one pin to cover distances from 0 to 40 with nominal hold variation is pretty easy. For me If I'm estimating the shot being over 45 yards I won't shoot without a lasered range.  Since I'm primarily solo if I have time to range, I have time to dial,. If the shot opportunity can't afford an extra 2 seconds the shot is already too rushed.

[zwickeyman]

I use a single adjustable but I think I like it because I shot a stick bow for 30 years and the last 10 years shot point on

When still hunting Elk or Deer my pin is always at 30 yards. When spot and stalk my pin is at 50 yards then keep dialing as I get closer

IMHO there are more cons then pros but I still choose single pin because I shoot them better at practice and hunting

Pros:
Clearer sight picture, with a fast bow the pins are too close together for me
Dial to exact yardage so no need to split pins

Cons:
Sometimes cant dial when animal changes distance
Forget to change the pin back ( never done on an animal but have done at practice )

Bottom line is do what works best for you as everyone is different

[Karl Blanchard]

Another 3 pin slider guy here. It's a happy medium. Allows me point blank to 60 without dialing then the option to dial further if needed.

[fishngamereaper]

What's your honest maximum effective range
If 60-65 is your max under hunting conditions you could just delete two pins from your fixed site.
I've done this before and it's easy to get confident with a 20, 40, and 60 pin.

[seth30]

What's your honest maximum effective range
If 60-65 is your max under hunting conditions you could just delete two pins from your fixed site.
I've done this before and it's easy to get confident with a 20, 40, and 60 pin.

  I can stack arrows at 60 yards, but don't think I have ever taken anything past 45 yards.  I will be hunting in South Africa next spring and the hunting will be a combo of blind hunting, and spot and stalk. Some critters freeze like black tails, while others will move stop and repeat.  I have a 3d range on my property that some targets are set at 60.  Most of the time I hunt black tail and elk from a stand and usually 20 to 30 yard shots.  Will be going after Zebra, Gnu, Blesbuck, Warthog, Impala, Spring buck and jackal's.  The placement of their vitals is different that ours here, so will have to retrain myself where to shoot as well.  on a personal opinion and I mean personal, I doubt I would take a shot past 60 yards as I feel the kinetic energy would be diminished. 

[seth30]

There's a few advantages and disadvantages and a lot of it will depend on the archer and their style of hunting.   Sight picture and the ability to dial to any yardage is an advantage for some signal pin shooters.  Spot hogg makes a set of 3 vertical pins called a triple stack that gives you the sight picture of a single pin but the advantage of a multi pin sight.

Will look into that sight, never heard of it, and like the idea of a fixed top and bottom.

[seth30]

I use a single adjustable but I think I like it because I shot a stick bow for 30 years and the last 10 years shot point on

When still hunting Elk or Deer my pin is always at 30 yards. When spot and stalk my pin is at 50 yards then keep dialing as I get closer

IMHO there are more cons then pros but I still choose single pin because I shoot them better at practice and hunting

Pros:
Clearer sight picture, with a fast bow the pins are too close together for me
Dial to exact yardage so no need to split pins

Cons:
Sometimes cant dial when animal changes distance
Forget to change the pin back ( never done on an animal but have done at practice )

Bottom line is do what works best for you as everyone is different

I can see in the heat of the moment forgetting to either dial it, or forgetting to factory reset after

[seth30]

Thank you everyone of the valuable insight!  Mid next month will be heading to the local bow shop to get some 125 grain fixed blade broad heads and new arrows.  Will look at your recommendations on some you tube videos and may purchase a new sight or stick with my current one.  Just got a forearm tattoo, so testing this bow in the next few days will not be happening 

[adamR]

I switched from a 5-pin fixed years ago because I really struggled to differentiate between the pins; my eyes just couldn't focus right. I went to a 2-pin Spot Hogg Fast Eddie and it improved my accuracy tenfold. I did learn during elk season that the 2-pin was a little tougher for hunting. I've recently moved to the triple stack Spot Hogg Boonie and feel like it's the sweet spot. I can accurately dial to 125 yards for 3D, or I can have pins set at 20, 35, and 45ish for hunting. I'm excited to run it this hunting season! One thing I've learned in all my years hunting is that you do have time to range and adjust your sight; I've always felt hurried but it was in my head.

[OltHunter]

I switched from a 5-pin fixed years ago because I really struggled to differentiate between the pins; my eyes just couldn't focus right. I went to a 2-pin Spot Hogg Fast Eddie and it improved my accuracy tenfold. I did learn during elk season that the 2-pin was a little tougher for hunting. I've recently moved to the triple stack Spot Hogg Boonie and feel like it's the sweet spot. I can accurately dial to 125 yards for 3D, or I can have pins set at 20, 35, and 45ish for hunting. I'm excited to run it this hunting season! One thing I've learned in all my years hunting is that you do have time to range and adjust your sight; I've always felt hurried but it was in my head.

This is almost my exact situation except 5 pin. I ended up going green 019 green 019 yellow 019 green 010 green 010.

Ideally I'd like a 4 pin and have my 3 019 pins and the 010 for the slider.

I found having horizontal pins for reference better for me than a better sight picture double pin vertical.

I think it's all user preference.

[hughjorgan]

Thank you everyone of the valuable insight!  Mid next month will be heading to the local bow shop to get some 125 grain fixed blade broad heads and new arrows.  Will look at your recommendations on some you tube videos and may purchase a new sight or stick with my current one.  Just got a forearm tattoo, so testing this bow in the next few days will not be happening 

Might want to check out option archery sights, kind of spendy but you get the option of a single pin or multiple in one sight….

https://optionarchery.com/collections/sights/products/new-s-series-option-sights

[NOCK NOCK]

Thank you everyone of the valuable insight!  Mid next month will be heading to the local bow shop to get some 125 grain fixed blade broad heads and new arrows.  Will look at your recommendations on some you tube videos and may purchase a new sight or stick with my current one.  Just got a forearm tattoo, so testing this bow in the next few days will not be happening 

Might want to check out option archery sights, kind of spendy but you get the option of a single pin or multiple in one sight….

https://optionarchery.com/collections/sights/products/new-s-series-option-sights

This is what Im running on my new bow. Love it so far.   3 pin fixed that folds out of the way for a 1 pin slider.

[Bows4huntn]

I switched last year from 5 pin fixed to the spot Hogg fast Eddie 2 pin. Improved my shooting immediately! With the speed of my bow, when I set the top pin @ 30 bottom pin is around 42. This allows me to basically shoot out to 50 without adjusting the sight and just holding a tad high @ 50. Anything longer and it’s pretty quick to adjust. Shot a cow last year opening morning with this set up. First saw them at about 70 yards coming my way and when they paused for a moment I was able to range the distance then set top pin to 50 and when she came clear of the trees all I needed  to do was focus and make the shot