What's the scoop with increasing the distance?

[heli]

Well, I have been practicing in the basement, 12 yards, for a while. When on a roll, I can shoot 3" groups, consistently. I went to the shooting range and shot 20 yards, but for whatever reason, I'm not consistent at all. I would have thought that maybe my groups would open up to double, say 6" but that's not the case, it's worse. I'm shooting instinctively. What's going on? Is this normal, when double-ing the distance, can't expect the same for the group size? No free lunch, eh?

[McDave]

No.  You have to get used to shooting each new distance before you can expect proportionate groups (i.e. 6" groups at 20 yards).  Your sight picture looks different, your mind works differently, so your body is tense.  Just shoot more at longer distances and it will all work out eventually.

[heli]

Thanks McDave. Back to more practicing

[YosemiteSam]

Errors expand in a non-linear fashion so, hypothetically, a 3" group at 10 yards may be a 8" group at 20 yards and 20" at 40 yards.  That's not hard data, by the way, I'm just showing a non-linear progression.  In theory, they shouldn't vary all that much.  In practice, it's often more than you'd think.  Makes those long range shots all the more impressive.

[Producer]

I find that even more than distance the environment in which you shoot plays a big factor, such as your basement to the desert,to the forest. There are many factors that complicate the shot and you must practice in all the environments in which you plan to shoot.

[TomMcDonald]

Gotta train the brain.

[heli]

Thanks guys!

[Stumpkiller]

Are you more consistent in width (horizontal) than vertical?  

You have to educate your eye and bow arm to the proper hold for the new distance.  Like Tom said: "gotta train the brain."  But it's the whole spacial and muscle relationship of eyes, arrow, arms and attitude.  Are you shooting with others around?  That can blow your concentration.    

Are you using the same target face?  Try a smaller spot to aim at for the longer distance.  The further out you go the more difficult it is to pick a specific spot and focus on it.  At least for me.


Practice, practice, practice.