whats expected in accuracy?

[HumbleHunter]

I just read a post about rests and I believe it stated that a consistent 5" group is really good. Is that a good goal? To keep them in 5" groupings? Say out to 20-25 yards? If that is right I was asking way too much of myself. I am still new to Trad Archery so, I sure appreciate yalls advice.

Have a good day, HH

[Terry Green]

Humble,

A 5 inch group with 5 arrows at 20 yards is a good goal....just make sure the 5 inch group is around the center, and not off to one side.

However, what is also just as important is your FIRST shot.  So don't neglect that as well.

If you shoot for 3 inch groups and obtain it...GREAT!!...but if you fall a little short, you are in the game.

But practice a LOT of 1st shots as well.  YOU and a well tuned bow and correct spined arrows are much more important than any attachment you can put on your bow.

[**oneshot**]

I'm sure I'm not the only one to say this, But Your own goals need to be set and when you meet them you need to set new ones.

When I started shooting, I was happy to keep them inside a paper plate.
I then cut the ripples off the edge, and made that my goal.
I then cut down to the flat center of the plate.
Etc....
I was getting into a rut with standard line shooting so:
I now shoot at tennis balls tossed around in the woods with blunts.  My goals have changed,  I now count my hits and misses.  So far I'm up to 60%, but will probably have to back up a few percentage points since the weather hasn't let me shoot at all in the last few months.

Just remember:  As the goals get bigger(or smaller), they also get harder to acheive.  So be patient with your new challenges.

Tom

[HumbleHunter]

Terry and Tom,

I sure appreciate your wisdom!

Thanks! HH

[RC]

I agree with Terry on making the first shot. If you are a hunter that is the one that counts.My first shot every time I go out is with a broadhead hunting arrow and is a hunting shot. I may be leaning around a tree or shooting off my knees but it will always be a totaly controlled hunting shot.As far as groups go I could`nt tell ya. I only shoot one arrow at the time and other than my first shot of the day I shoot judos at what ever is in the way.

[katman]

My goal is to get as good as I can be. Starting with 5" groups @ 20 yds is good and will take a while to achieve consistently, then you can keep raising the bar. I shoot ONE shot before work practicing for the one shot in a lifetime, practicing both physical and mental preparedness. Serious practice is done with one arrow, pull it, shoot it etc. Form practice is done with multiple shots over succesion. Roaming is also very good practice/and fun with Judos. What can I say I'm hopelessly addicted. Hope this helps.

[DAS Kinetic]

I'm a firm believer in multifaceted shooting too.  Lots of bale work to refine form, stumping and other 1 or 2 shot practice like 3D, and small game hunting.  By balancing the three, you'll gain the skills you need to be an effective hunter.  It all comes down to one arrow usually, but that one has to be backed up by a few thousand to have a fighting chance.

David

[hunter7x]

Good question HH I was wanting to know the same...

[HumbleHunter]

Thanks everybody!

[Wudstix]

I usually shoot at those CD Disks you get in the mail all the time.  I try to get all my arrows in the center hole, but if they stay on the disk I'm happy.  Most of my shots are 25 and under.  Aim small, miss small.

[Alaska Jim]

Yes, I'd say that 4 to 5 inch groups are very good out to 20 yards, provided they are centered around what your aiming at. In addition to doing most of my shooting at less then 25 yards I shoot the American Round about once a week and it sure makes those 15 and 20 yard shots seem a lot easier. I know a lot of folks don't have the room to shoot the AR but for those who do, give it a try, you just might enjoy it as part of your practice sessions   Hang in there, Alaska Jim

[KrEn]

Woah!!

You guys are killing me. I have just gotten to the point where i might claim 6" groups @ 18m, and thought that was fairly good..    

Usually i can put the first arrow well within that circle, but by the 3rd or 4th i get cocky and send it high and wide

Strange thing is i can usually shoot about 2" groups @ 12m.
@ 18m they really open up. Does anyone else have that problem?

K

[9 Mile Archer]

This may sound like a stupid question but...Are you talking 5" radius or diameter for that circle?  I am assuming it is 5" diameter

[Earl E. Nov...mber]

Fred use to practise with a small paper plate.. 20 arrows for score.. First arrow scored 105 all others 5 ea. 200 is perfect..
I try for 180 or better at random yardages out to 25 yards, first shot 15 yards or more.
Also when shooting a round target at say under 20 yards, I like to place my arrows by the clock..
Don't just shoot the circle, try and place them at say 12, 3,6 and 9. etc

[LCB]

Set goals, reach goals, become more confident, set higher goals.

This is my plan! I'll let you know how it works.

[jonsimoneau]

I was unclear as to how accurate a person could be with traditional gear until I spent a few days with Rick Welch.  Believe me your accuracy depends soley upon yourself.  

Here is a big one.  Rick told me that most people don't obtain the accuracy they want because they practice too much in the wrong way.  He told me not to shoot for more than 15 minutes to a half hour a day.  He also said that the worst thing a guy can do is stand there and shoot groups.  Your best bet is stump shooting with one arrow.  Another good way is to shoot the target with one arrow.  Then walk to the target, pull the arrrow out and throw it over your shoulder.  Now go pick up the arrow and shoot from wherever it landed.  
With the way he shoots, it is hard to argue with him!

[BigRonHuntAlot]

Hey Jon, That sounds like some GOOD advice. I dont shoot groups that well but the one shot deals I seem to be able to pull off every now and then.  

[jimneye]

I was always told " If you want to shoot good at 20yd then learn to shoot at 30yd if you can do that the 20yd will look easy."

At the beginning of each session stand 5ft from the target and with your eyes closed draw and shoot 10 arrows.  This takes away the visual stimulis so that total focus is on form only.

[swampbuck]

5" groups at 20 yrds is pretty good really esspecially if you can do it all the time.The 4 ring on an NFAA target is 6 1/4" and all your arrows inside of that will put your score on the 300 round over 260 probably closer to 270 or more and there aren,t a lot of folks able to shoot 270's myself included(I'm workin on it LOL)

YES that first arrow is all imprortant as the season gets closer my 1rst is a BH tipped arrow shot only after the whole seen has been played out in my head waitin for the aproachin shot 1 more step come on baby gotcha....maybe not exactly like that LOL but I hope ya get the idea

That first arrow has it,s best chance of finding it,s mark if it comes after a few thousand "good" shots."Good" shots need to be made on the bale with no target as well as at range with a target.A bad shot that hits the bull is still a bad shot that ya just got lucky on,try to shoot only "good" shots because 100 "good" shoots blows away 1000 bad ones

Good luck!!

[Terry Green]

Yep....and 10 good shots are better than 100 bad shots.........

AND, 1000 good shots are better than 10,000 bad shots.

All you want to shoot is GOOD shots, and the more GOOD shots you shoot the better.  And, you don't have to make them all in one session either.  When I was learning to shoot, I shot 100 in the morn, 100 at lunch and 100 in the evening.

Look at it this way.....

THE most important shot, is the one you are fixing to make.  Think about it.