Took off 2nd serving and bow went nuts!!! help!

[pitt98]

Agree with Huntschool, do you have an upper and lower nock point?  If not, I guarrantee that this issue will be primarily solved by adding the second nock point. The arrow is probably sliding down (or up) the bow string upon release and hitting the shelf.

[rluttrell]

I added beaver balls to my bow, and some of the arrows started to spiral. I tried changing my nock height and brace height and it seemed it fixed it on some but not others. I looked at the feathers and re-did 4 of them hoping that would fix the problem. After reading this thread I remembered I changed all the nocks on all of my arrows. I know how could if forget that, well I did, I went at looked at my nocks and some are lose fitting. I think I read that I can boil them and squeeze them together and tighten them up. I am hoping by you guys trying to fix his problem might have to fixed mine.
Thanks Robert

[pitt98]

Agree with Huntschool, do you have an upper and lower nock point?  If not, I guarrantee that this issue will be primarily solved by adding the second nock point. The arrow is probably sliding down (or up) the bow string upon release and hitting the shelf.

[J. Cook]

Well...I started over -- and simply retuned it as if I had never shot it.  Wasn't going quite as well as I had hoped.  So I reserved with a smaller guage serving -- that worked.  It then took only minor adjustments, the nocks are a better fit and I'm back in business with this particular bow.  

I'm still very shocked at just how much chaos that change made.  this is my first longbow -- I have 4 recurves in addition -- and I've never seen such a drastic change in tune with one of my recurves before.  

None-the-less ...it's shooting like a dream again.  Thanks for the suggestions.

Oh, I shoot 3-under and do not use 2 nock points.

[KentuckyTJ]

Oops just saw you fixed the issue with more serving. I think Huntschool had it. after you took off you top serve the nocks were much looser and your arrow may have been sliding down the string on release. A tuning nightmare. Just to check for that take a piece of tape about an inch or two long and wrap it around your string underneath your arrow nock as it is on the string.

[Lowrider]

Had the same problem and as a lot have already said the arrow is probably sliding down the string now that it is looser. I take a piece of electical tape about 3 inches long lay it on a table and cut the entire length vertically with a sharp knife. This will make a 1/3d wide by 3 inch long strip that you can wrap around the string below the arrow nock. If it works out then you can pull the tape off and tie in another nock point.

[Lowrider]

Sorry Kntucky did not read your post. We both said the same thing.

[Huntschool]

J:  you need to use a nock below... seriously, there is a video out here somewhere that will show, hell scare you into putting on a second nock below the arrow nock.  

I have been shooting 3 under since the 60's and take it from me, ya still need a second nock.

[Bob Morrison]

3 under you need 2 nock points. one above one below. Or you could just keep fighting it.

[canopyboy]

I'm gonna agree with looper as the thing that makes sense.  Assuming the nock is in the same place as before, it's the only thing that could account for something as drastic as what you describe.  All these other things make sense, but the effects would likely be much, much less.

[canopyboy]

[Bjorn]

2 nock points is a good thing regardless of number of fingers under.

[Robert Honaker]

i have seen the same as i shoot three under also...put a nock under your arrow also...not up tight against it, but a tad more than 1/16th  below. that will keep the nocks from spreading at fulldraw. hope this helps ya...im sure it will.

[Looper]

You definitely don't want your nocks too tight. When you hang them on your string, a light tap on the string should make them come off.

I'll say again, you need to have a nock tied under your arrow. Your problem initially was that your arrow was sliding down the string when you released. That makes the arrow bounce off the shelf and gives you horrible flight. If you don't have a second nock, you'll need to have your nocks too tight to keep them from sliding. That's not good, either. With nocks too tight, tuning your broadheads will be difficult, and bareshafting will be a nightmare. Your fletched arrows might look like they are flying correctly, but odds are they aren't.

You will get your best flight from correct nock tension and a double nock. Just try it. It takes about 30 seconds to tie one on.

[Huntschool]

Nocks need to be as looper said.  I shoot nocks a bit tighter but I tune for it.  

The big deal here is the under nock tied in with dental floss or material of your choice.

Tell us you have seen this and will try it... Really a needed thing, we are not blowin smoke up your skirt here....

[J. Cook]

I went the dental floss route -- too many people giving that advise to not try it.  Better safe than sorry, right.  As a matter of fact -- just so you know, I went ahead and added it to my recurves too   :D  

Thanks for the help fellas!

[Looper]

Good deal. I guarantee you'll get better flight. Now make sure your nocks aren't too tight. If they are, soak them in some really hot water (not boiling) for about 15-20 seconds. Put them on the string and, if the string is too large, they'll spread.  If the string is too small, lightly pinch them to close them up.  Let them cool for a few minutes.

Again, you want to have them come off with a light tap. Too tight and they'll give you problems tuning. Not to mention a tight nock is a loud nock.

[Huntschool]

Excellent...  Now you are in business.  I would think you might see a difference in your groups.

Good luck

[ChuckC]

How about this possibility.  Your first iteration caused the arrow to hang up on the string instead of easily slide off.  This causes a slower (lower) arrow and maybe stabilizes it a bit because of that.  The skinny version does not hold the arrow, allows it to slide right off, meaning a faster (higher) arrow and less early stabilization from your release.  

Good luck figuring it out.  Maybe try to add a BIT more thickness at the nock contact point to see if if does anything to help (and maybe corroborate what is happening.  

I don't think your string stretched but your nock point may also have moved a bit in removing the second layer.

ChuckC