Nock Fit to String-how tight

[BCD]

Curious as to how tight you prefer the nock to fit on the string. I'm used to having it fit fairly tight-meaning it will not slide up or down the string even if I didn't have a nock set on the string.

I've read where some say it is OK for the nock to slide easily up and down the string. My concern with this is that if it is too loose and my top finger puts a little pressure on the top of the nock that it may push it down a bit.

Thoughts?

Thank you
BCD

[Pat B]

I prefer that my nocks to not fit tight.  Too tight can affect arrow flight. Most of my self nock arrows are loose. I actually prefer them that way and I have no problem keeping them on the string.    Pat

[Charlie Lamb]

If the nock moves up and down the string too freely, then put a nocking point above and below it to keep it in place.

If the nock is too tight on the string it will be detrimental to accurate shooting as Pat said....the arrow has to fight it's way off the string before it goes through all the paradox stuff and tuning the bow get to be impossible.

You should be able to clip the nock on the string and let it hang. If a light tap on the string with your finger lets the arrow drop then you've got a good fit.

[Dan Worden]

To expand on Charlie's note. With the arrow hanging rap your string with the side of your finger. The side is kinda tender if you have to hit hard enough that it hurts your nocks are too tight.

[BCD]

I may try my standard brass nock point with a tie-on underneath. Does anyone make an adjustable tie-on nock or what would be the best way to put a simple tie-on underneath-would just a couple of wraps of dental floss with 2 overhand knots work?

Thanks guys-this is really helpful-please keep those responses coming.

[BTH]

http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000078  

Here's Charlies nock tying tutorial. It's permanent though.

For adjustable string nock I just tie a series of opposing overhand knots, tie off and melt the end. This allows you to "twist" the nock up and down while you tune your arrows. Once I've tuned the arrows then I'll tie in a permanent knot ala Charlie's example. My "temporary" dental floss or serving material is four or five opposing overhand knots.

For nock fit on the string what everyone else is saying is true. There is a fine line though so don't make it too loose or you'll be liable to dry fire if your arrow comes off the string while at full draw!

[BD]

ttt

[Tedd]

If you want to screw up your accuracy...have a dry fire because of a loose nock. You won't hit anything for a while!

I have have had no flight problems with any nock fit including excessivly tight nocks on carbon arrows.

Tedd

[Shawn Leonard]

What Charlie said, as usual he is on the money, I would love to meet ya(Charlie) as I think you are a wealth of knowledge! Shawn

[SOS]

I'm with Tedd.  Don't want to have to jam it on, but not so loose you can easily pull it out of the nock.  Big difference in nocks of carbons versus Bohning classics.

[LBR]

The problem I've seen is most nocks (other than Mercury and Bohnning Classics) are designed for wheel shooters and release aids--so they hang on to the string for dear life!

I'll agree that a tight fit/hard snap can and usually will cause tuning problems.  I've talked to folks that were about to give up because they couldn't get a decent tear in paper or a bare shaft to fly straight.  One of the first things I ask about is nock fit--that has solved the problem many times.  Along with screwing up your flight, it costs you energy.

You can remedy a tight snap with an emery board, but if you serve the string so the throat of most any carbon nock fits without sliding, you are going to have a devil of a time getting even decent arrow flight (much less good flight), especially if you are pulling less than 55-60 lbs.

Chad

[BD]

I nearly dry-fired my bow this am as the arrows are almost falling off every time I draw the bow back, so I'm going to have the string re-served with a little larger diameter serving. I've had good arrow flight in the past with strings where the nocks were very tight, but I want to get them so they are barely tight or slightly loose, but not this loose.

BD

[BamBooBender]

If your nock stays on the string after the arrow is gone, it's too tight.    

[dachba]

From experience, I can say that too tight nock fits will also eventually fatigue the plastic nock causing one side to break off.  I like them to click on, but slide with only a slight resistance once they are on.

Dave in Ft. Collins, CO

[southpawshooter]

As Charlie said, a light tap to knock the arrow off the string is a good test.  Also, when the arrow snaps on you should be able to twist the string without moving the arrow off the rest.  I often use plain old masking tape for nocking points.  Real easy to change out for tuning and it will slide up a down the string a bit.  When you get tuned, replace the top point with a brass one and leave the bottom nocking point masking tape.

[aromakr]

After more than 55 years shooting a bow, I can only say this about those having good arrow flight with a tight nock. "BULL". Not only will the arrow flight be bad, it makes for excess noise going on the string as well as coming off.
Bob

[Jason R. Wesbrock]

My arrows don't come off the string with a light tap. More like a medium rap on the string. I want them tight enough to stay put when I nock and arrow and hang my bow up next to me in the tree. I don't want them sliding up and down the string, and because I shoot 3-under, I don't want to dry fire on account of loose nocks.

I bareshaft tune my bows out to 35 yards, and without fletching I don't stray off an NFAA indoor face at that distance. So I suppose that's consistent enough with bare shafts for me.

Something else to ponder. I spent a lot of years shooting NFAA Barebow (string walking). Ever seen anyone string walk with loose nocks? It's not very possible. To be honest, it'd be downright dangerous. Those guys use a snug nock fit and routinely shoot upper 290's indoors and 500+ on field courses. I don't think arrow flight or accuracy is a problem for them, so why should it be for anyone else?

[LBR]

No idea what the answer is to that Jason, but I do know I can't get decent arrow flight with a tight nock--either bare-shaft or through paper.  I also know of several folks that couldn't get their arrow flight straightened out until they fixed the nock fit.

Could be the type nock used.  Most of today's nocks have a large throat, but still snap on the string hard.  There's a few--Bohnning Classic, for example, and maybe Nirk?--that don't snap hard, but won't be loose on the string with the right size serving.

Chad