Something I’ve noticed bout “tuning arrows advice”

[Bowguy67]

This isn’t to detract from any advice given to those about tuning arrows. It is obvious to many but might not be to someone asking basic information,  an arrow can’t/won’t be tuned properly until your form is decent. If you do crazy things with a grip, explode open, collapse,  pluck your string, have a bad release, etc etc it’ll hurt your results. Just an FYI for newer folks.

[McDave]

I agree.  Beyond outright errors, such as you mention, as people grow into archery, they may learn to expand more and develop a stronger release.  Best to stick to charts, spine calculators, and personal advice until one develops a consistent form.

That said, playing around with a bare shaft is fun, and people can learn things from shooting one, be they novice or experts.  I would encourage anyone to have a bare shaft of any arrow they shoot regularly, and keep it when you move on to other arrows for future reference.

[Wudstix]

As you spend more time driving a bow/weight/broadhead combo, you'll ask questions to remind yourself of what you knew!  At least that's what I do!?!?
 

[Overspined]

Another thing I notice is 99/100 posts on tuning have to do with carbons. Save the hassle shoot wood or aluminum  :biglaugh. I have found them to shoot more consistently and tune easily vs carbons. I know there are strength and penetration benefits but I’m done with them..just so touchy. I think partly I don’t use center shot bows often so that’s part of it.

[GCook]

Yup.  And it took me a couple of years to get where I could trust my form enough to get solid results.

[Bowguy67]

Yep, and contrary to popular belief.........lots of tuning problems come from extreme tip weight, this makes arrows do crazy things IMO.

No scientific proof, just redneck testing--"bowhunting"-- but I've had arrows with extreme tip weight do strange things........my thinking is it can cause extreme paradox of the arrow with less than perfect form.........never heard this talked about and again this is IMO.

Don't mean to make this an FOC debate, just wanted to share this because going back to normal tip weight sure saved me lots of tuning trouble......hope you don't mind my post.

No worries, that’s what forums are for sharing info

[flntknp17]

This post is one of the most correct statements I've ever seen on an archery forum anywhere.  Having spent more than 10 years working in archery shops and setting up and tuning literally thousands of bows of all types (compound and trad), I can unequivocally say that the number one thing preventing people from getting a good tune is shooting form.  I can't tell you how many times someone would bring in a bow because they couldn't tune it and complain that they needed new arrows or a new rest or whatever.....but when I would shoot it through paper....bullet hole.  It almost always came down to form issues.  That is just something that is really hard for a lot of people to admit or understand.  This is why I strongly recommend cross training in target or (especially) olympic archery disciplines for people who truly want to be great at shooting a trad bow.  You'll learn things about form and release that you wouldn't have otherwise. 

Great post.

Matt

[Bowguy67]

Thanks Matt. People sometimes don’t know what they don’t know.

[GCook]

True but everyone has form issues.  No one is a shooting machine.  Thatsbwhybwe fine tune to the shooter.

[Bowguy67]

What you’re saying might have merit if the inconsistent form was consistent. Remember I was stating mainly for early on archers. A guy I teach with and I believe I’ve said this before, but if you saw his grip in particular it doesn’t look correct. Seems he’d torque bow. He doesn’t. He’s absolutely consistent and state champ. If someone is continually changing things there’s no way to tune for a shooter. Reminds me of guys who state they try this, than go to that to “help em”. Than back again. No consistency. Form should be practiced and beat in. Once you’re doing the same exact things only than can the bow be tuned correctly.