Serious Problem with Nocks breaking ??

[KSdan]

Folks- been shooting trad 25 years and never had this problem.  

Went to a 3-D shoot a few weeks ago and by the end of 20 targets had three GT 5575 solid white nocks break.  They are breaking right where they meet the shaft edge.  Completely shearing off. Almost dry firing as they break upon release.

I thought it may be the nocks so I went with other GTs- translucent orange.  It happen again today- upon release- "BWHAM!"  (like Batman!).  The arrow kicks up as it almost dry fires. Scary.  Worried about my bow now (that is like 6 times in a few weeks!!)

Now I am running gun shy!

The only thing I have changed this spring was placing a second nock point under the arrow which is a new thing for me.  

Any ideas? Anyone with similar problems?? I realize the one variable that changed- but that makes little sense to me as to why the nocks would be breaking.

Thanks
Dan still in the land of KS!!  

[FerretWYO]

I am guessing that maybe the second knock point that you placed is a little to tight and it may be flexing the knock at full draw causing it to fatique. I had a similar issure a few years ago when helping a friend set up his bow.

Might be somthing to look at anyway.

[Jake Diebolt]

Could the second nock point be pinching the nock? Maybe that's torquing or yanking on the nock as the arrow is released, and causing the plastic to break.

Mind you, I've never seen that happen.

[LimBender]

I've read about this problem with some GT nocks, was hoping they had fixed it b/c I just ordered some GT Expedition 55-75s.    

The last thing you want to worry about is nocks breaking.

Anyone have replacement suggestions? Bohning Signatures?

[Rick Richard]

It is not just GTs.  I have had this happen twice recently with new nocks that came with CX75s.  They also sheared right at the point where they come in contact with the end of the shaft.

[Bob B.]

Smae thing happened to me a few days ago, ruby snap knocks for my wood arrows. Full draw, then just at release, the arrow goes nowhere, my bow almost jumped out of my hand, I have a good wallup on my bow arm just above my watch strap.  Knock split in two.  Bow looks to be ok, but I am a bit gun shy now.  I hate it when that happens.

[JimB]

I had that happen with a batch of GT nocks and have read about others as well.I like the GT shafts but won't take a chance on their nocks again.I won't risk losing one of my bows on the chance that they may or may not have corrected the issue.

I replaced all of them with Signature nocks from 3 Rivers.Problem solved.

[Doc Nock]

I used the original Uni-Bushing nocks from Easton...NOT the "SUPER" cause they're way tiny.

These were the types that fit inside the alum uni-bushings.

Once Easton made all their shafts w/ uni-bushings, they may have gone to the super nocks.

Super Nocks = Too small IMO.. I've had the longer interior shaft GT nocks, but they're quite a bit older...I've had 3 doz 5575's I'd bought 5 yrs ago.. never had that problem.

Good luck diagnosing the root cause!

[Night Wing]

I shoot aluminum arrows out of both of my recurves and they all come with Super Uni-Bushings. With these Super Uni Bushings and the sizes of the arrows I've shot which has been 2114s-2117s, all of them come with Easton Super Nocks. Right now I'm shooting 2212s with this combination.

I've been using Super Uni bushings and Super Nocks since Easton first introduced them and in all that time, which is a very long time, I've never broke a nock upon arrow release.

Of course, maybe my bow/arrow setup has something to do with that. With my 30" draw length, I shoot 66" recurves to reduce finger pinch and the higher string angle probably helps to reduce pressure on the Super Nocks as well.

My nocking point is a single brass nockset which is installed 5/8" high on the bowstring. The 62", flemish style bowstring is comprised of 12 strands of Dyna97 (with the flemish loops padded to 18). The serving is 62XS with a serving size of (.025). The Super Nocks have a firm, but not tight fit when nocking the arrow to the serving.

Experimentation should be in order if arrow nocks keep breaking.

[LongStick64]

Had this happen to me with Grizzly Stick push in nocks. Snapped on release, cracked the riser.

[Pete McMiller]

Dan,

The thing that pops into my head immediately is that if both your nocking points are brass, they may be the culprit by jamming against the arrow nock and stressing it.  Try tied in nocking points and see if that helps.

I've been shooting Gold Tips exclusively for a year and have not had a nock break unless I robin hooded the arrow (3 times).

[30pointbuck]

I have the very same problem with my GT 5575 Trads. and my knocks are tied on not brass. Almost dry fired my bow also.

[KSdan]

Wow.  Lots of info. guys.  Thanks.

I have been shooting GTs for 5-6 years and never had this issue before.

I do have a 31" draw so my first gut check was that the extra bottom brass nock is causing a new stress.  But after hearing some of you, it sounds like GT nocks have had problems in general. Hmmm. . . what to do?

I need to check my bow again as this has happened a few times now.  Glad I shoot a Widow- I think they are pretty doggone durable.  

Thanks- and still open to other ideas.

Dan

[amar911]

I had that happen recently on a standard push-in nock, but I am convinced it was because I had hit the nock earlier while shooting. I hate having the bow dry fire! I have used the g-nocks with the unibushings for years and think they are the best and most durable nocks on the market. The biggest potential problem with them is that the unibushing has to be glued into the end of the shaft which prevents easy access to the rear of the arrow for various purposes.

Allan

[Outwest]

With a nock point above and one below there must be about 1/8" of space between the bottom point and the shaft knock to keep them from pinching the shaft knock. This pinching occurs because of string angle at full draw.

John

[KSdan]

John- that is what I have been wondering.  Though there is seemingly plenty of room (your 1/8")- I wonder with my long draw on a 62" bow if that is snapping them upon release.

Dan

[xtrema312]

Two brass nocks can put a lot of stress on the nock if too close.  I use one brass and one tied on or a little tape with very little space and have no issues.  However, I put in more space for shooting 3 under because that has a lot of string angle.  Try Beman or Easton solid color nocks.  They are bullet proof.

[Hud]

Start checking nocks for signs of cracking. I think it is probably related to a defect, or design of the nock. If your shooting fast flight string, and carbons, the nock is taking a beating. The carbons are not as soft out of a bow like wood and I think it puts a lot of pressure on the nock. If they are small and thin, switch to a different brand.