Best Nocks for Speed Shooting

[oxnam]

I have been spending a little time trying to get fast at drawing an arrow from my quiver and getting the shot off fast and repeating.  I shoot Gold Tips with the standard nock.  They are  small pointy nocks which don't easily fall onto the string when I am going fast.  

Are there any other/better options available?  For aluminum arrows, I used to have some nocks that had a large ridge or indicator on the side of the nock and a wide "mouth" which made it easier to get on the string fast.  Thanks

[lpcjon2]

I shoot wood, and I do know that 3R has a wide assortment of nocks available and they are cheap enough to get a dozen or two of different types and see what fits.
  I do have to ask how accurate are you with the speed shooting and at what distance. Is it for small game or target?

Mercury nocks are the easiest to use for controlling an arrow by the nock. the slightly square shape with the large vane gives me the leverage I like. Plus I like how they slide snug on the string without snapping onto the string.

[oxnam]

Originally posted by lpcjon2:
I do have to ask how accurate are you with the speed shooting and at what distance. Is it for small game or target?

Accuracy is fine as long as I don't rush the shot but I am only shooting about 13 yards.  I am not really working to get the shot off fast because I am sooo slow (relatively speaking) at getting the arrow on the string that I have plenty to work on there.  It has something I have always wanted to perfect (probably inspired by the movies).  

It would be sweet to double on pheasants if a second bird got up slow or late.  But realistically my time could be better spent practicing so that I just hit the first bird and forget about the second possibility.  So it is really just for the fun of a new challenge.

[Don Stokes]

I use Mercury nocks and a single nocking point above the arrow. I can feel the index ridge and slide the arrow up to the nocking point without ever looking away from my target.

[dragonheart]

Originally posted by Don Stokes:
I use Mercury nocks and a single nocking point above the arrow. I can feel the index ridge and slide the arrow up to the nocking point without ever looking away from my target.

Ditto, but I have the nocking point below the arrow.  Mercury are still the best nock for shooting, the new ones just are made of poor quality plastic.

[oxnam]

Originally posted by dragonheart:
 

Originally posted by Don Stokes:
I use Mercury nocks and a single nocking point above the arrow. I can feel the index ridge and slide the arrow up to the nocking point without ever looking away from my target.

Ditto, but I have the nocking point below the arrow.  Mercury are still the best nock for shooting, the new ones just are made of poor quality plastic. [/b]

So you wouldn't recommend the new nocks?

[Bjorn]

If you used 4 fletch the nock locator would be a non event; 4 fletch can go on any which way.

[Don Stokes]

My Mercurys are the old ones.

[Orion]

Hmmmmm.  Speed nocks might work.  They're not made any more, but still available on the auction sites.  They have a straight throat and a raised indicator that lines up with the cock feather.  However, if you're going for speed, really doesn't make any difference whether you nock cock feather in or out.  Howard Hill, who was pretty quick from quiver to string, nocked his arrows above the string nock.  He felt it was the fastest way to get the arrow on the string and in position. Have fun.

[Jim now in Kentucky]

I just used my last old mercury nock yesterday. Now what. Nirk nocks don't look bad to me.I do like to be able to easily nock an  arrow without ever looking at it. I also put the arrow over my single nocking point. I think it's faster than putting it under the nocking point.

They all cost too much for a little piece of plastic, in my opinion.

Jim

[Paul Mattson]

I have a couple 1000 Jim Dandee speed nocks.  They do not snap on to the string.  If anyone is interested in some let me know.

[oxnam]

How fast is fast?  Was Howard hill shooting a shot per second, 2 sec, 3 sec,...?

[Jim now in Kentucky]

Hill was fast, if you can think the films weren't edited and spliced. I haven't read that he tried to be fast, or fastest.

Saxton Pope worked at trying to get several arrows in the air before the first had hit the ground. Seems like he might have done 7???

[Orion]

I believe Hill managed to shoot at least five arrows, or was it six, into the air getting the last one off before the first one hit the ground.  That's pretty fast.

[Pat B]

Nocking above the nock point gives you better speed when loading. I've been nocking above for many years after reading some of the old tales about speed shooting. I believe the Mercury nocks work best for speed shooting with their deep, wide throat and prominent index.

[Jim now in Kentucky]

Agree. Where can we get good ones? I have a pile of 1/4" ones I would be happy to trade for 5/16...

Jim