Shrinking the gap

[Scott E]

Shooting 3 under, 3/8" high nocking point, 145 grain point on 31" arrows, 30" draw length 44# bow

I still have about an 18" gap at 20 yards.

I'd like to get it to at least an 8" gap at 20 yards.

Any recommendations?

[moebow]

Scott,  How high on your face the arrow nock is at full draw/release had the single largest effect on reducing or increasing the gaps.  IF your form can stand it, find a way to raise the nock on your face.

Arne

[McDave]

3/8" seems a little low to me for a nocking point for 3 under. It will also drop your point of impact if you raise your nock point, maybe to 5/8 or 3/4".

[reddogge]

Simple,raise your anchor. I shoot split finger and have a 13-15" gap at 20 yards with a second finger in corner of mouth anchor.

[Scott E]

I'm shooting with my middle finger in the corner of my mouth right now. I've tried to shoot with my ring finger but it just doesn't work for me. I'll try raising the nocking point some more, I didn't know you could shoot it that high. Still pretty new to this

[Scott E]

Would shooting an elevated rest shrink the gap any?

[McDave]

No, because an elevated rest usually calls for a lower nocking point than shooting off the shelf. Your 3/8" might be appropriate for shooting off a rest, for example. So you might actually be increasing your gap.

[Str8Shooter]

The biggest factors are arrow length and anchor point. You are already shooting a long arrow but if you can find some 32+" shafts that could help.

The fastest way to cut the gap would be raising your anchor. Don't be afraid to move your anchor forward a little as you go up. If you go with the corner of the mouth and just move up you'll probably hit your cheekbone. This will feel cramped and probably bump the arrow to the side of your eye. Moving forward will keep the arrow centered and allow you to use different references on your face.

Another thing to try is tilting your head forward a little so the string contacts your brow at full draw (disregard if it already does). Adding this step can cut several yards off your point on distance and give you a reference that will help with consistency.

Raising the nock can help. The caveat in this is raising it while maintaining good flight. You can easily cut your gaps by raising the nock but if you induce a nock high situation to get better aiming you compromise arrow flight. That may not be an issue in nice weather but if you get caught in the rain it will be an eye opener.

I'd shoot some bareshafts to see how your nock at 3/8" is working. If the arrow flight is good and the bareshaft is impacting level with fletched I'd leave it or maybe fudge things a little. I shoot three under and don't have a single bow I have to tune over 1/2". Most are a heavy 3/8 to 7/16" and have clean flight.

[Scott E]

I really appreciate all the tips lots of stuff to try tomorrow morning.

i found some legacy's that are 33.5 how much would an extra couple inches cut off the gap?

You could put your index finger 1/4" to 1/2" below the nock. That'll shorten your gap considerably.

[Brent Hill]

I rarely follow this part of the site but saw this question and wanted to add my 2 cents.   Jim is correct about putting space between the bottom of the arrow and the top of your index finger.
I shoot what I called a modified string walk/gap system where I have a knock point above and below the arrow (arrow should little or no movement up and down between the arrow nocks for good arrow flight ) and and an extra knock 1/2 to 5/8 of an inch below the bottom arrow knock.     I don't walk up and down the string like a string walker but people at first glance think so because where i grab the string 3 under is not touching the bottom of the arrow, it's 1/2 to 5/8 below the bottom nock on the arrow.  I have nothing against string walking but i set this system up for broadheads and only wanted 1 drawing point to  avoid eradic arrow flight.   I started using this idea in 2007 when i had the same question and missed numerous deer because of the 1 1/2 foot gap i had at 15 yards.    Now, i can adjust  that bottom nock point so that im shooting point on to where i want....25 yards and my gaps are about 4 inches below at 10 yards, 3 inches below at 15, point just under target at 20,  arrow on or covering point of aim at 25.   This system is not for everyone and I have had some people complain its not traditional.... And I can't shoot competitively in some tournaments because some people call my system string walking even though I pull on the string at the same point every time.... Or that I'm not touching the bottom of the arrow.... Or that I'm not shooting split finger.   With respect to 3d shoots, I only shoot them for fun, to be with good friends and my 9 yr daughter who truly shoots instinctive (and shoots instinctive well, I'm jealous) and to practice for deer season. I have heard it all as to why i cant shoot like this "for score" (usually after i already said im just shooting for fun and no score) and choose to not argue with anyone about whether my system is legal for competing or not .
The system has helped me be more effective hunting because its easier to judge a 3 vs 5 inch gap vs 20 inch vs. 15 inch gap...good luck.   I hope I made sense.  If I didn't and you have more questions or want a photo, pm me.   I just learned how to iPad and email but I don't know how to post photos here.  Bhill

[Brent Hill]

I also forgot.   Since you are gap shooting, consistent arrow length is a must and I also shoot long arrows to reduce the gap.    I shoot full length 55/75 gold tips with 275 upfront for my 50 lb bob lee.    I set my hunting arrows up for the same length but shoot each one to make sure each arrow gaps up correctly.

[Fanto]

half an inch arrow length only shortens the gap by an inch or two for me at 20 yards. not really noticeable, i shoot split vision anyway i just gap now and then to check.

[Scott E]

Thanks you all for your help. Just from the suggestions in this post I went from spraying arrows in a 2ft group to consistently shooting sub 8 inch groups at 20 yards.

Thanks again,

Scott

[bwsandite]

Personally I anchor right under my eye, and shoot 5/8" nock hieght. My pointt on is 25yrds and 5 inch low at 20yrds. Raise your anchor high on your cheek, below the eye, shrinks your gap considerably. For me and 1/8"  difference on the nock hieght makes about 3" at 20yrds.