New to the Forum, Sight and pin question!

[Lever-Action-Outlaw]

Hey guys!! This is my first post, I'm excited to join in on the conversation with some fellow WA bowhunters. I started bowhunting about two years ago and have only gotten one little whitetail Doe! But I'm hooked guys...

Alright I'm already getting excited for deer season, summer is almost here and fall isn't too far as well!! So Im getting my bow dialed in and ready to go.

My question is how many pins is the right amount on a sight and what is the best yardage for each? I've always shot with a cheap Apex sight with 4 pins at 20, 30, 40, and like 55. This last fall I had a mule deer at 60 yards and missed her. Should I add another pin? Or get a better sight?

[D-Rock425]

If you can upgrade I would.  Normal people set pins 20 30 40 50 60 on a 5 pin sight.

[bobcat]

I have a 3 pin sight and currently I have it sighted for 20, 35, and 50 yards. I'm not saying this is the way to go, it's just what I'm trying for now. I've had the bow for two years and have yet to hunt with it, so take it for what it's worth. I will hopefully put it to the test on an elk this September.

I do know most people use even 10 yard increments for their pins. But with mine being only a 3 pin sight, I had to be a little different to stretch it out to 50 yards. I hope to not even take a shot at that distance anyway, but I like practicing at 50 yards.

[h20hunter]

I'm in your shoes...got a few critters under my belt with my bow. I've only ever shot a 5 pin and feel that for ME that is enough pins to extend my ethical kill range. Most guys don't shoot near the distance on an animal compared to what they practice on the range. Practice long to become better up close. Really, I think it comes down to how far under field conditions can you take a single shot and have the greatest chance to put that arrow where it needs to go. Not trying to bash you in any way but 60 yards is a long poke for those that are experienced let alone us that are fairly new.

[Beardo]

I have a 3 pin sight and currently I have it sighted for 20, 35, and 50 yards. I'm not saying this is the way to go, it's just what I'm trying for now. I've had the bow for two years and have yet to hunt with it, so take it for what it's worth. I will hopefully put it to the test on an elk this September.

I do know most people use even 10 yard increments for their pins. But with mine being only a 3 pin sight, I had to be a little different to stretch it out to 50 yards. I hope to not even take a shot at that distance anyway, but I like practicing at 50 yards.

With a 3 pin you could always set the pins to 20,30, and 40yards and then stack the pins for longer shots at the range.  My girlfriend shoots a 3pin and can shoot pretty consistently at 50.  Longer shots with her bow loose a lot of speed and drop faster past 50.  I would not recommend stacking while hunting tho.

[hogslayer]

Depending on how fast your bow shoots you could be better off doing one at 25 yrds and then go 40 and 50.   That is what I did.   I sighted my first at 25 and I am within an inch at 20 and 30.   That is close enough for me considering human error.  Between 30 and 50 there is alot more room for error than 20-30 considering the distance of your pins from each other. 

[NOCK NOCK]

If you can upgrade I would.  Normal people set pins 20 30 40 50 60 on a 5 pin sight.

Hey,  I'm pretty sure I am normal,..... ....but I only use 3 pins, 20-40-60  I have been strictly archery for 20+ years and have taken many animals with this 3 pin set up.

[coachcw]

I use a g5 two pin , one fixed and one mover . top pin is 37 yards and the bottom starts at 45 and moves to 90.

[Lever-Action-Outlaw]

Thanks for all the input guys!! I'll try spacing my pins out more and see how I like it!

[elk247]

Based off your question, i think you might want better sights. Keep the pin spacing you have. The guys that have fewer pins shoot alot more often than most of us. Those guys that only need two pins have very fast bows and can judge distance without electronics within a couple yards. Maybe consider a spot hog sight and a 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 yd pins. I doubt fewer pins will make you more accurate. Only more time at the range will do that. 

[coachcw]

no doubt yardage is the key , if your at a walk through , shoot your arrow at what you think first then range it and shoot another arrow as long as you dont have guys backing up behind you.

[KFhunter]

Lever-action-outlaw huh?

whats your cowboy action shooter name? 

[sakoshooter]

I'd set up the pins for 20, 30, 40, 50 & 60 and I hate to be the first to say it but 'practice' is not above any of us. Stay within your comfort zone. Badly hit targets will heal but badly hit deer/elk can wander off without much blood to die without being recovered.
I shoot a 7 pin Spot Hogg and regularly practice out to 100yds but I wouldn't shoot at a deer that far.

[bloodhound]

like said before speed of the bow is most important. my bow is fast enough i have a 30,40,50,60,70. if you can use your 20 at 30 and its only an inch off or so then just have a 30 and up. if you shoot your 20 at 30 and its like 4-6 inches off then youll want to start at 20.

[Special T]

I think you site is fine just set it at50 yards and learn to stack pins. If you last pin is set at 50 place that on the target. If the target is say 60 yards, look at where you 40 pin is at while holding the 50 on the kill spot. Then move the 50 to where the 40 was and release. If you have a pretty fast bow, and or shoot alot you can go the 20-40-60-80 yards. Really fast bows the pins are stacked too close to go every 10 yards. Shooting more and practising stacking pins will do more for you than a new site.