Group size

[GEARHEAD]

well not likely to get a non bs answer, but i'll try anyways, lol.  whats a reasonable grouping at 25 yards, i'm averaging maybe 3.5 inches right now. just getting started here.

[gasman]

3.5 is a good start, just try to tighten it up, but i pracise at different target points.

I have 5 dots on my target and put an arrow to each one. I have sliced off to many fletchings by practicing a tight group 

[Machias]

At 25 yards with a compound, you should get to shooting a group that you can use a half dollar to cover.  Since your just getting started, I would also recommend you start using a five dot target, it get's old very quickly when you start busting nocks and tearing off feathers.

[carpsniperg2]

yep the guys are right pick diffrent spots at that close of range under 30 you are risking nocks and vanes and arrows the more you practice the better you will get a 3.5" group at 25 will kill any deer or elk i have ever seen

[colockumelk]

Chuck Adams says that at 20yds your group should be at no larger than 2".  Then for every increase of ten yds add an inch to that.  So for example your groups should look like this.  My max effective range for me is the farthest distance I can put 95% of my arrows inside of a 6" circle.

10yds = 1"
20yds = 2"
30yds = 3"
40yds = 4"
50yds = 5"
etc. 

[GEARHEAD]

yeah, i agree on the 6 inch circle thing, same applies for me with a rifle too. i learned right off about the same target deal, at 15 yards put an arrow into another, pretty cool, but out 20 bucks. so i am shooting dots, but comparing them all i'm usually around 3.5 crazy thing is, the first arrow i shoot, every time, hits the dot damn near dead center, then it starts to spread out, so i guess i got my cold bore down, lol.

[DOUBLELUNG]

Are you shooting broadheads?  If so, I agree with the 6"/95% rule of thumb.  Whatever max range you are consistently putting broadheads inside 6", should be your max.  After you get really proficient, my own recommendation is to hold shots on game to 2/3 of that range (i.e., I can make that shot consistently to 60yds, so hold shots on game inside 40) - that gives you a margin for the difference between static targets and reactive animals.  My opinion, not looking for a debate.

[Bengal Hunter]

I have found also that since shooting with a whisker biscuit, my accuracy has gone downhill bigtime.  I am seriously considering going to a drop away rest.  After talking with an archery expert, a grouping of about 4 to 6 inches is all you need....for an animal anyway.  I was not happy with that result.  Good luck. Also someone else had mentioned, practice, practice, practice. 

[Bengal Hunter]

Also 3.5 inches at 25 yards and you are just getting started....that's pretty good I'd say.  Keep up the good work. 

[let.it.fly]

thats a good start. at 20 yards i am horrible. i will shoot at a pingpong ball at 20 and wont hit it with five arrows but if i move back to 40-50 i can hit the ball 3 outa five shots. i duno if my bow is not tuned right. im assuming its in my head. my mind is thinking tha 20 yards is a chip shot so i must not be taking the shot seriously. i duno. my bow paper tunes perfect bullet holes.

[mtbiker]

Chuck Adams says that at 20yds your group should be at no larger than 2".  Then for every increase of ten yds add an inch to that.  So for example your groups should look like this.  My max effective range for me is the farthest distance I can put 95% of my arrows inside of a 6" circle.

10yds = 1"
20yds = 2"
30yds = 3"
40yds = 4"
50yds = 5"
etc. 

I think this is a good baseline.  I was told at bow hunters ed. that whatever yardage you can consistently shoot a 4" group is your effective range because in a hunting situation that 4" group will most likely look like a 8" group on the flat range.

[Todd_ID]

Confidence in your equipment and your ability is where it's at.  I can't begin to count the number of times I've seen people miss an entire elk that can hit a quarter at 50 yards.  Myself included!  And elk are stinking huge!  Range skills are needed, but they are not the end goal for a bowhunter.  Range skills combined with the woodsmanship and cool head to execute on a big old bull makes for a great bowhunter.

[dromero]

shooting at longer distances for a couple days then go back to 20yds helped my accuracy at 20 yds.

[colockumelk]

Are you shooting broadheads?  If so, I agree with the 6"/95% rule of thumb.  Whatever max range you are consistently putting broadheads inside 6", should be your max.  After you get really proficient, my own recommendation is to hold shots on game to 2/3 of that range (i.e., I can make that shot consistently to 60yds, so hold shots on game inside 40) - that gives you a margin for the difference between static targets and reactive animals.  My opinion, not looking for a debate.

Sorry forgot to mention that.  Yes I meant with broadheads.  I also forgot to mention that my max range changes.  During the early season my max range is 60 yds because I practise ALOT during the summer months.  During the lates season my max range is 40yds.  Because one I'm wearing bulky clothing and 2 the weather in Ellensburg plus my class schedule did not allow me to shoot very much, so my skills erroded.

There are also other variables such as attitude and tenseness of the animal, plus the position of the animal, wind speed and direction etc that also comes into how far I am willing to shoot. 

[h2ofowlr]

I don't group my arrrows as it gets to expensive when you shoot off fletching, robin hood arrows or fracture the other shafts.  I shoot a 5 dot target usually and try to take out the dots.  This also makes it a lot easier to pull the arrow out when they are not in a tight group.