Arrows hitting 3 inches to the left

[valleysniper]

here's my situation, im shooting a 49# @29 recurve, shooting 30" 500 spine with 175 gr up front. Im getting good aarrow flight but my arrows are always hitting about 3 inches to the left...im right handed s h outer. I thought about putting a thinner side plate on, but won't this change the arrow spine ? My bow is cut 3/16 ,past center

[Orion]

Arrows to the left would indicate a stiff spine, unless there's a form problem.  Thinning the side plate would accommodate a little more spine so that may work.  However, if the bow is cut 3/16 past center, you're already almost center shot.

A few other things to consider.  Are you sure you draw 29 inches.  If you draw less than that, the arrow will behave stiffer. 

Also, small changes in form can occur over time that we seldom notice until the arrow doesn't hit where we want it to.  Might be sure your head is turned toward the target before you begin the draw.  If it's not turned toward the target, one tends to look across the arrow rather than straight over it, which will causer left misses for a right hand shooter.

Finally, be sure you're not plucking or pulling your bow arm at the shot. The two usually go hand in hand and either will cause a left impact. 

Good luck.

[The Whittler]

Raise your brace height. Twist up about 4 turns or more and see what happens.

[McDave]

The first thing to check is if the arrows are lined up to the left.  Don't look just at the point, but at the whole arrow shaft.  If the point is lined up with the spot you want to hit, but the shaft is pointing to the left, that means that your arrow is not under your eye, so move your anchor in until everything is lined up on the spot you want to hit.

The second is if your shoulders are lined up with the spot you want to hit.  Have someone take one of your arrows and place it on your shoulder blades at full draw.  The arrow should be pointing at the target.  If it is pointing to the left of the target, you need to correct your alignment.

Then check your strike plate.  A softer strike plate will move the POI to the right. So if you are using a leather strike plate, try a Velcro strike plate.  If you are using a Velcro strike plate, try a Martin rug rest strike plate.

I have been using a Martin rug rest strike plate for years and recently discovered that my POI was moving to the right.  Evidently, I finally, thanks to Jim Casto's program, am able to sufficiently relax to get a good (or at least better) release.  So I have changed the strike plate on the bow I am shooting now to Velcro, to move it back to the left.

[valleysniper]

Thanks guys, I will try all your suggestions and see what i come up with. The more I think of it. It could be an alignment issue. Ill get back to everyone with my results

[Friend]

Would highly suspect that the arrow is not directly under your eye.

[PICKNGRIN]

Be sure you are getting the string set in your first finger joint (deep hook). 

[A Lex]

Hey VS

Some great advice above, but my two cents agrees with what Friend posted

"Would highly suspect that the arrow is not directly under your eye".

Some years ago I used to have an issue with some shots going a few inches left, grouping very nicely, but 4-5 inches left at 20 or so meters. When it reared its head, it used to give me fits, everything else was feeling great, but why were they hitting that bit left?

Took a while but I worked it out......I was overdrawing it.

I shoot " Gap-stinktive"  I focus on what I want to hit, draw, anchor, re-focus and then the string slips off my fingers. I don't use the arrow to aim, but I can see it in my perifirial. If I find the shots starting to land left but grouping well, experience has shown nearly 100% of the time, I'm overdrawing it a tad. And because I'm not actually looking at the arrow, I don't pick it up.

If I overdraw it (and it doesn't need to be much), I reckon it puts the nock of the arrow a hair further out on my cheek, to the right of where it's supposed to be (I'm right handed), so the arrow is pointing a smidgen to the left. If it's pointing left, rest assured it'll hit left.

If it happens now (rare), it only takes a moment to realize whats going on. Usually only happens if I'm tired after a big day at work, or I'm simply expecting the shot to happen, not actually making it happen (which really means "getting sloppy"  )

As soon as I realize what's happening, the shots go back to striking where I'm looking.

The brain is a marvellous thing hey?

Hope this helps someone.

Best
Lex

[Tim Finley]

Try a 400 spine . I think you are too light .

[valleysniper]

Should zi try a 400 with same weight head for starters ?

[rastaman]

i shoot the same arrow as you with 175 grain up front.  My bow is 49 @ 27 an I draw 27.  ( I shoot GT traditionals in 500 spine cut to 29 inches). I agree with Friend, I would work on your form before I would look at changing the spine.

[Terry Green]

stiff, lack of full extension, or form...

Basically what others before me said...

[kevsuperg]

All good advice. Just try one adjustment at a time or you'll go crazy.. Have fun

[Terry Green]

All good advice. Just try one adjustment at a time or you'll go crazy.. Have fun

Yep...what he said too!

[Huntschool]

If its any help (consensus) I have the same problem now and then.  I simply make sure my eye is over the arrow.  A "quick check" at anchor has saved me some embarrassment if ya know what I mean.   LOL

[valleysniper]

Here is what I did. Raised brace height couple twists added 25 grains to the head and started paying attention to my anchor....alot. seems to have worked...thanks !

[wisconsin wood butcher]

I shoot pretty much the same set up with my A&H and I was told to try building out the shelf and it worked. I used leather and barge glue incase it didn't work. and it did work

[YosemiteSam]

I had a similar issue recently.  Arrows suddenly going about 4-6" left at 20 yards.  It was more visible with broadheads.  This setup was tuned before & bareshafted well out to 30 yards.  Now it was bareshafting...  Almost off the hay bale at 20 yards.

Come to find out, the clicker on my bowstring had slid up when I last secured it.  So I was drawing too far & plucking the string on release.  Corrected the clicker and arrows went right back down the middle.

Not sure if that's your issue or not but, as others have pointed out, form matters.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Glad you figured it out gary

[Wudstix]

Thought I'd resurrect this, as I am having difficulty.  65# @27.385"  Footed Cedar 76# spine(marked) 28 7/8" BOP with 160 grain point.  Mostly fair flight, but a bit low due to heavier than normal arrows(@685 grains), eye has not adjusted yet.  Usually first arrow is close to point of focus, but all misses are left 6-7".  This is with Velcro on the shelf and nothing on the side plate.  I used to have a piece of seal skin, but peeled it off.