Why such a high nock point?

[House]

Okay...with all of my bows (all longbows, 1,2 and 3 piece takedown) it seems to me after bareshaft planning I end up with a much higher nocking point than is usually reported on here.  With all bows, eight so far, I am between a fuzz over 1/2in. up to just a fuzz over 5/8in.  The bows seem to shoot well and accuracy is pretty good (could always be better I feel).

I'm just wondering if there is something in my mechanics or form that may be causing me to require such a high nocking point?

Any help will be/is greatly appreciated.

If you need more info just let me know!

Travis

[BigCnyn]

Thats not high to me... I shoot between 1/2 to 5/8 on most everything.

[McDave]

Your nocking point seems normal to me for split fingers.  For 3 under, my nocking point is even higher, from 5/8 - 3/4.

[House]

Good to hear guys, thanks so much for the prompt responses.  I just had a few guys around me commenting on it being "awfully high" and that they thought anything over 3/8in. and there must be some problem.  Forgot to mention that yes, I do shoot split finger.

Thanks Big Cyn, and McDave I always read your posts carefully and thoroughly, you seem to be a positive source for info and very knowledgeable.  You have helped me many times without even knowing it due to your responses to others topic posts...THANK YOU!

Travis

[dcmeckel]

I shoot 3 under and my nock point is around 3/4".
Generally,if my arrows start to strike the edge of my shelf and I start to see a wear pattern, I move my nock-point up.Works for me!

[YORNOC]

I was going to say the same. When I shoot off the shelf I often have to go 5/8 to 3/4 to get proper fletching clearance. When shooting off a rest it usually drops to 1/2 inch.
If your arrows are porpoising the nocking point is either too high or too low. You paper tuned bare shafts, so sounds like you have got yourself a great setup.

[Larry m]

I shoot off the shelf with 3 under and the majority of my nockpoints (longbows and recurves) are set at 5/8 above center...

[dragonheart]

Part of the issue with the higher nock point is the shelf.  The ol rule of 1/8" is for an elevated rest.  You get great clearance, and you have some "down-give" off most elevated rest so the nock set can be lower IMO.

When shooting off the shelf you have to get the tail of the arrow high enough to clear the shelf without serious deflection.  If you set the nock set too low you will get a "deceptive" tune reading.  The arrow will bounce and will actually appear tail high, but it is going down then deflecting up.  

You have to get the tail high enough to clear the shelf.  I start with the nock set high and work down when tuning.  In my experience the lower the nock set shooting off the shelf, the more critical the bow is.  

If you shoot with one nock set below (split only) then it seems to be lower with the setting for the tune.  This is probably because there is nothing to stop the tail from going upwards upon release.  

Over the years I have experimented with many differnt settings and always come back to a quate "High" nock set when shooting off the shelf.  I really think that a high, one below and above nock set off the shelf is the most accurate and forgiving.

Tiller of the bow can effect where the nock set will wind up once tuned, along with split vs. 3 under.

[Big Fisherman]

with a shelf rest, considering the space needed for the fletching, plus the width of the arrow, it would seem that starting at 1/2" and moving up would get you close to perfection.

[Buckeye Trad Hunter]

Originally posted by BigCnyn:
Thats not high to me... I shoot between 1/2 to 5/8 on most everything.

Same here

[House]

Thanks guys for all the response.  Guess I'm normal....well, in this regard anyhow!

Travis