Archery is practiced by both hunters and athletes who perfect their skills on a target. As with any other weapon, hitting a target with a bow is not that simple; it is not enough to point the weapon towards the target to have a realistic chance of hitting it. The arc and front sight adjustment process maximizes your chances of hitting the target. The adjustment of the sight allows the archer to compensate for the force of gravity that is exerted on the arrow during its flight over long distances and minimizes any other interference caused by the shooting procedure starting from the moment of aiming. The following explains how to make a viewfinder adjustment.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Prepare the Bow and the Shooting Range
Step 1. Make sure you have a few days off for this job
Adjusting the sight requires several shooting sessions, due to the fact that the fatigue accumulated in each session affects strength and accuracy. The adjustments made in several sessions distributed over time allow to achieve greater precision in general.
Step 2. Get the viewfinder
There are many different types of sights, which must be chosen according to the preferences of the archer. They can be purchased at sporting goods stores or at stores specializing in archery material. If you intend to go hunting with a bow, you can use a simple sight which costs less than 20 euros. Competition sights, on the other hand, can cost a lot, up to 5 times as much and more.
This guide explains how to adjust a viewfinder with fixed pins. It is the most popular and recommended sight for both hunting and leisure
Step 3. Mount the sight on the bow
For correct mounting follow the instructions supplied with the viewfinder. Many sights are clipped onto the riser (the bow handle) and secured with a couple of screws. Many arches already have reamed holes in which to fix these screws. Be careful not to overtighten them so as not to damage the bow. The aiming pins inside the front sight should be vertically aligned with the bowstring.
- The front sight should be perpendicular to the bow.
- After attaching the viewfinder, let it settle overnight. You may need to re-tighten the screws once it has settled.
Step 4. Adjust all pins to their center position
In this way you will have the maximum excursion for subsequent adjustments in both directions. You may need an Allen key, available at any hardware store, to adjust the pins.
Step 5. Set up the target and mark distances
It is advisable to mark distances every 10 meters from the target, at least up to 40 meters. For maximum accuracy, if possible, a rangefinder can be used. Rangefinders can be purchased at hunting or outdoor activity stores.
The target should be made of a strong material that can withstand many arrows, as adjusting the sight can take some time and a lot of repetitive shooting
Method 2 of 2: Adjustment
Step 1. Adjust the 20 meter pin (the first one)
Stand on the distance closest to the target, which is usually 10 meters. Stand with your body perpendicular to the target and nock an arrow. Aim while looking at the top of the plus pin and shoot the arrow. Make several consecutive throws.
- Check where the arrows land on the target. If they are above the point you pinned, the crosshair should be moved slightly up.
- Repeat this step until the arrow hits where you are aiming when looking at the top of the pin.
- Backs up to 20 meters from the target. Repeat the aiming process, raising the crosshair if necessary. If the arrows do not stick to where you are aiming, you can make adjustments even if they go too far to the right or too far left by moving the crosshairs to the right or left respectively.
- At this stage it is not necessary to seek maximum precision, since this pin will most likely have to be moved again.
Step 2. Adjust the 30 meter pin (the second one)
When you feel that the 20m pin is accurate enough, you can move over the 30m distance. Aim with the second pin and shoot some arrows at the target. Repeat the same adjustments made at 20 meters.
- At this stage you must remember to move the entire viewfinder to make the appropriate adjustments.
- Take the time to make sure that the 30m pin is adjusted as precisely as possible, as it will not have to change - this is the main reference point of the viewfinder.
Step 3. Move within 40 meters of the target
Shoot some arrows aiming with the 40m pin (the third one). This time, when you make the necessary adjustments, you only have to move the pin, not the whole sight. It should no longer be necessary to move the crosshairs to the right or left - instead, you have to concentrate to send the arrow right where the 40m pin is pointing.
- The distance between the pins of 30 and 40 meters should be greater than the distance between the pins of 20 and 30 meters.
- If you need to adjust the sight by moving it to the right or left, you have to go back 30 meters from the target to make the appropriate adjustments.
Step 4. Check your shot at 20 meters again
After adjusting the 30m pin and fixing the 40m pin, go back to shooting 20m from the target. This time you will only need to adjust the pin and not the whole viewfinder.
Step 5. Step back to adjust each additional pin
Depending on the type of viewfinder, you may also have other pins for distances of 50 meters, 60 meters and beyond. Step away from the target and repeat the steps above, adjusting only the relevant pin.
Advice
- All adjustments must be millimeter. Improperly adjusting a pin could cause the viewfinder to get high, causing significant delays and a bit of discouragement.
- To adjust the sight, contact an archery association.
- Make sure that the bow and string are not brand new, otherwise you will lose much of the accuracy of the adjustments made over time, as the bow wears due to tension and the string tends to stretch.
- The shooting range can be done outdoors, in a place where there is no risk of injuring someone or ruining something with arrows.
