ACCURACY with a recurve

[highlow]

How do you expect us USers to answer that ? when you Canadians are always taking metric. We tried converting to that system a few years ago and it didn't fly. When you convert to our English system, then we can talk.

[DaveT1963]

I've been around a few years and I have not seen anyone that can consistently shoot a true 3 inch group at 20 yards with a hunting weight bow and no sight. Guess they are out there but I have not seen it done time after time (and I have seen Rick Welch shoot).  IMHO a true 6 inch group challenges most archers at 20 yards.

[Babbling Bob]

Don't know what is needed specifically, but everyone should practice those 5 to 40 yard shots as much as possible prior to deer season, and try shooting from a stand or on the top of a hill. Shooting down hill, such as over a creek bed,or from a tree can really be different. I just use paper plates over a creek bed or railroad track with a dot in the center for targets.

As far as accuracy with a recurve, Betty Grubbs from Oklahoma City, a two time NFAA instinctive division and overall ladies NFAA Champion one of those years (meaning she was the top scoring lady and out shot both all the instinctive and sight shooting divisions) used to shoot ping pong balls and also into the holes of 45 rpm records for demonstrations at the local TV station where my father worked. This was in the early sixties and she shot a black painted riser 37# Wilson Brothers black widow.  My father introduced me to her husband, Johnny Grubbs, who became my coach. Unfortunately, she died of cancer relatively young before she set any more records but is in the Oklahoma Archery Hall of Fame. Not breaking 45 records on TV is pretty darn good. That's how accurate a person can shoot a recurve.

[Babbling Bob]

Don't know what is needed specifically, but everyone should practice those 5 to 40 yard shots as much as possible prior to deer season, and try shooting from a stand or on the top of a hill. Shooting down hill, such as over a creek bed,or from a tree can really be different. I just use paper plates over a creek bed or railroad track with a dot in the center for targets.

As far as accuracy with a recurve, Betty Grubbs from Oklahoma City, a two time NFAA instinctive division and overall ladies NFAA Champion one of those years (meaning she was the top scoring lady and out shot both all the instinctive and sight shooting divisions) used to shoot ping pong balls and also into the holes of 45 rpm records for demonstrations at the local TV station where my father worked. This was in the early sixties and she shot a black painted riser 37# Wilson Brothers black widow.  My father introduced me to her husband, Johnny Grubbs, who became my coach. Unfortunately, she died of cancer relatively young before she set any more records but is in the Oklahoma Archery Hall of Fame. Not breaking 45 records on TV is pretty darn good. That's how accurate a person can shoot a recurve.

[fnshtr]

I have been feeling really good about my recent shooting. Help from Arne Moe, Dave and others on this site have helped me immensely.

With that said, I went out this morning and measured off 5, 10, 15 and 20 yards. (I've never measured off yardage like that before, just shot at varying ranges.)

I was amazed at how POORLY I shot. Shooting at a circular piece of cardboard (from a frozen pizza container) from 10, 15 and 20 yards... 3 arrows each, I would usually have one off the cardboard at 20 yards. The cardboard measures 10" in diameter.    

One thing I noted was that I have always "stepped off" what I thought was a yard per step... but it is actually less than a yard per step.

I have recently gotten my first true robin hood and have hit a plastic golf ball a few times from 40 yards... but I have a LONG WAY TO GO.

I've taken dozens of deer with the recurve... but all were fairly close shots.

Good luck with the accuracy!!

[Whitetail Addict]

Originally posted by Graps:
 

Originally posted by The Whittler:
Shoot 1 arrow just like in hunting. The first shot is the only one that counts. Practicing with 4 or more arrows is fine to build up your muscles and memory of your shooting form so everything is consistence.

2X on that .         [/b]

I agree. I like to shoot an arrow, go do something else for a while, shoot another one, etc. Especially closer to hunting season.

If you plan on hunting, I find it helps to do some shooting after doing something that has your heart rate and breathing up some too, even if It's just walking around the yard between shots, instead of the nice relaxed state I'm never in when a deer or turkey is headed my way.        

Bob

[Trond]

Originally posted by jackdaw:
...but 5 to 6 inches at 20 yards is realistic....jmo

Yeah... if I can get my release to sit, my arrows hit! I´m in there, if only I can get my release consistent...

When I am really on and paying attention, I can get my first three or four arrows pretty tight, the problem is, I make my arrows a dozen at a time and the more arrows that are in the quiver, the bigger the group is on the target.  I am not sure constantly trying to shoot a quiver full into a nock splitting feather ripping pile has much to do with hunting.  There are some that can consistently shoot tight groups with 6 arrows, but everything needs a nice set-up to do that.  Once suitable grouping starts to happen, that is a good time to start seeing how many first shots are dead on in variable situations and with varied timing.  Shooting at a target or a foam deer is never the same as shooting a live deer when still hunting or when one is shooting at an odd angle from a blind or tree stand, when you know that if you move a foot to get better balance the deer will spook, so you are forced to shoot with your body position and foot positions as they are.