Best target for arrow tuning?

[Jack Hoyt 75]

I think my targets and not accurately showing if arrow is hitting nock high, low or left, right. Target material is maybe giving inaccurate reading sometimes?

Any recommendations on brand or type for most accurate tuning? Thanks

[M60gunner]

OK, I would like to hear what others use as well. I have wondered about backstop material as well. So far I have used the bales at the range, excelsior material that has been tightly banded.

[JRY309]

I used to use a foam target to hold the arrows postion with aluminum because I hot melt the inserts in.Now with carbon I prefer a softer target like a bag target because of the way I tune my carbons.I use the Yellow Jacket target.With carbons I'll push the insert in with some saran wrap.It will hold the insert in snug enough for shooting and tuning.But you need a softer target that doesn't grab too tight on arrow removal.I get my carbons tuned quick and easy using this method.After I find the correct dynamic spine I'm looking for then I'll clean and prep them for gluing the inserts in.I just don't like to apply any heat and even the low temp heat to my carbon arrows.

[Canadian Idle]

I'm surely not an expert, but isn't that why paper tuning is used. Place the white paper about 3' in front of your normal target, stand back about 10 yds and shoot thru the paper. Then you go by the tear in the paper to tell you what the arrow is doing....it doesn't matter what the arrow looks like when it's in the target, you can see by the tear if the arrow is hitting nock high, low or left or right.

[LookMomNoSights]

Foam is the best,  hands down.  Rinehart targets cant be beat in regards to durability,  however,  the best for tuning,  are ones made of foam layers like a "Black Hole" or "The Block" (unfortunately they dont hold up as well as the Rineharts.  With broadheads, forget about it!).  That layered foam used in the less expensive targets "prints" exactly how your arrow is striking the target in regards to left, right, up and down.   Avoid bag targets til you are all dialed in!

[Sam McMichael]

I have no recommendation as it seems that I have had the same results with different types of targets. I just don't think any target will give consistent results. But would this work? Video the shots, and review them in slow motion. I say this because of some of the coverage of the Olympics. The slow motion showed very clearly the flexing and rotation of the arrows and the precise angle at which they struck the target.

[Kris]

Solid foam or stacked layered poly with foam getting my first vote.   A filled bag is the worst.

Kris

[Jake Scott]

Bag targets give all kinds of wild results in my experience.  This seems especially true after they start to get a little worn out.  Foam is the way to go in my opinion.

Jake

[Tall Paul]

If you are bare-shaft tuning, you are supposed to judge the arrow in flight before it hits the target.  At least thats what Ken Beck of Black Widow does on "Masters of the Bare Bow".

[M60gunner]

Tall Paul, you are right on. When I attended the clinic Ken had someone behind us to watch the arrow flight. We also shot at very large round hay bales so we were shooting level.

[awbowman]

Stretch a piece of paper in front of the target and watch which way the tear shows.  Striving for "bullet holes"

[Piratkey]

Foam target.....a new one.  

[LBR]

I'm guessing a pile of sand will give you the truest reading of impact.

[Zradix]

Originally posted by awbowman:
Stretch a piece of paper in front of the target and watch which way the tear shows.  Striving for "bullet holes"

x2

[reddogge]

No need to see it in the target. Just watch the arrow as it goes down range. Anyone can tell nock left or nock right flight and they don't wag right and left going down range either. I use a loosely rolled up foam padding so I can retrieve my point and insert if it slips out.

[TOEJAMMER]

Sand but for obvious reasons, not always feasible.

[Jack Hoyt 75]

A black hole layered foam target is what I was using. It's not very worn either. I do plan on paper tuning for sure.  Thought target was messing with me? My eye says nock kicks to the left at first in flight but some arrows are in target perfectly straight, several with nock a little left but a few to the right.  I have just been shooting a new to me bow to get to know it and will start real tuning soon.  Any other suggestions on targets?  Thanks for all the input.