Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Shooting and Hunting => Topic started by: BOWMAN53 on November 17, 2012, 10:41:34 pm

Title: shooting left and right
Post by: BOWMAN53 on November 17, 2012, 10:41:34 pm
Ok so I'm still pretty knew to archery and I'm teaching my self to shoot.  I started at 5 yards and can hit my target (6" square) and I have a 50% accuracy at 10 yard and at 15 yards I almost always hit to the left or right.  So what am I doing wrong here?   I am staying at 10 yards until I get this problem fixed.

I also noticed that when I wrap my finger around the string instead of just using my finger tips I shoot wayyyyy better, it feels a lot more steady. And I believe my form is almost perfect , but I can't be sure.

Any shooting tips in general is welcome.
Title: Re: shooting left and right
Post by: Pat B on November 18, 2012, 12:02:55 am
For some reason a deep grip seems to release cleaner. It was suggested to me when I first started shooting instinctive. I have since developed my own style and no longer use a deep grip. If you shoot better using it by all means continue. Consistancy is the secret to good shooting.
Title: Re: shooting left and right
Post by: BOWMAN53 on November 18, 2012, 12:26:09 am
I was watching the movie forbidden kingdom and the girl shoots a bow with a deep grip which caught my attention. So I stopped the movie went outside and tried it lol. Never thought a movie would help increase my accuracy. 
Title: Re: shooting left and right
Post by: Pappy on November 19, 2012, 12:07:28 pm
You are probably not getting into you face at anchor some times or not canting you bow consistently ,that will cause left and right on a non center shot bow.  :)
and of course letting you bow arm drift will also, I try and hold my bow arm solid until I see the arrow hit the target. Easier said than done sometimes. :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: shooting left and right
Post by: adb on November 19, 2012, 03:22:24 pm
Are your arrows spined properly? Are they all the same spine? Arrows too stiff will shoot left, and arrows too weak will shoot to the right. Give yourself at least 10 yards shooting distance to allow the arrow's flight to become cleaner after paradox.
Title: Re: shooting left and right
Post by: BOWMAN53 on November 19, 2012, 03:30:56 pm
Pappy, what is canting?

Adb, my arrows are going straight in, not at an angle so I think they are the proper spine.
Title: Re: shooting left and right
Post by: adb on November 19, 2012, 08:30:59 pm
Whether they're ''going straight in" or not has nothing to do with it.
Title: Re: shooting left and right
Post by: BOWMAN53 on November 19, 2012, 09:05:11 pm
Then how do you tell, cuz that's how I was taught.
Title: Re: shooting left and right
Post by: adb on November 19, 2012, 09:48:36 pm
Then how do you tell, cuz that's how I was taught.

OK... carry on.
Title: Re: shooting left and right
Post by: Fred Arnold on November 19, 2012, 10:01:22 pm
Like adb said. You either spine test them to make sure or purchase them from someone who has.
If they are spined correctly then the problem is most likely your form and release.
Title: Re: shooting left and right
Post by: Pappy on November 20, 2012, 05:55:44 am
I have found if not spined right ,they don't fly good,spine can cause an arrow to hit left or right but if they are all the same they will group left or right not both.
Probably plucking the string or some of the other things I mentioned. :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: shooting left and right
Post by: adb on November 20, 2012, 01:32:30 pm
I have found if not spined right ,they don't fly good,spine can cause an arrow to hit left or right but if they are all the same they will group left or right not both.
Probably plucking the string or some of the other things I mentioned. :)
   Pappy
Or, if you have a bunch of arrows of various unknown spine (some stiff, some weak)  they'll shoot all over the map.
Title: Re: shooting left and right
Post by: BOWMAN53 on November 20, 2012, 04:16:33 pm
My arrows are all the same with the same field points. I bought a pack of carbon arrows with a spine weight for 35 to 50# and my bow is 40#. It could be all of your answers, I could be anchoring wrong, my arrows could be the wrong spine weight for my bow. 
Title: Re: shooting left and right
Post by: Pat B on November 20, 2012, 04:18:52 pm
...or your arrows could be made of the wrong material.  ::)   ;D
Title: Re: shooting left and right
Post by: FlintWalker on November 20, 2012, 10:18:48 pm
My arrows are all the same with the same field points. I bought a pack of carbon arrows with a spine weight for 35 to 50# and my bow is 40#. It could be all of your answers, I could be anchoring wrong, my arrows could be the wrong spine weight for my bow. 
Unless you're using very heavy tips, I'd say there's a good chance they are too stiff.  Strip the feathers off one and shoot it. If they're spined right and your form is good they should hit right with the feathered ones (they do have real feathers...right?) You'll really see what's going on once you start getting out past ten yards.
Title: Re: shooting left and right
Post by: mullet on November 20, 2012, 10:26:14 pm
Like Mr. Flintwalker was hinting at, ::) do your arrows have real feathers or plastic Vanes? if it's the latter, that's probably part of your problem.
Title: Re: shooting left and right
Post by: BOWMAN53 on November 20, 2012, 10:44:26 pm
I would like wood arrows instead of carbon but these were cheaper and I didn't have to pay for shipping lol.

Flint- I can't really afford to do that just yet, atlease not until I get a fletching jig. And no they are not real feathers.
Title: Re: shooting left and right
Post by: Adam on November 20, 2012, 10:57:49 pm
Bowman, I have gone to my local hardware store and bought plain old wooden dowel rods and used those as shafts.  They were only about 50 cents apiece.  You do have to sort through them to find some with parallel grain so you don't have runout.  I'm sure it's not the best shaft material, but I think they're plenty good for practice, at least for me.  As for fletching, I've picked up lots of goose feathers off the ground at a park.  Free is good!  For fletching, this link http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,24583.0.html is a good thread on how to make a super "jig" out of a scrap of leather.  Other than a point, I've been able to make completed arrows for under a dollar.  They might not have been the prettiest in the world, but they work.
Title: Re: shooting left and right
Post by: Fred Arnold on November 20, 2012, 11:07:20 pm
Bowman, send me your address. I'm going to pass a little bit of it on.  >:D You are now officially indicted.
Title: Re: shooting left and right
Post by: BOWMAN53 on November 20, 2012, 11:41:28 pm
Fred- what??
Title: Re: shooting left and right
Post by: Fred Arnold on November 20, 2012, 11:45:03 pm
I'll send you some real feathers but you have to learn how to put them on. It's part of the addiction.
Title: Re: shooting left and right
Post by: BOWMAN53 on November 20, 2012, 11:50:25 pm
Ohhhhh lol I live right across the street from a duck pond with lots of geese, ill save you the postage stamp. Thanks for the offer though.
Title: Re: shooting left and right
Post by: BOWMAN53 on November 20, 2012, 11:53:39 pm
Adam- that's a really simple and great idea for a fletching jig, ill give it a try. Ill probably go to lowes in the next couple of days to pick up some dowels.
Title: Re: shooting left and right
Post by: Fred Arnold on November 20, 2012, 11:58:11 pm
Well then let's keep in touch and do some trading. I can always use some good goose feather for fletching. Tell them little neighborhood kids you'll give them  a nickle a piece for everyone they bring you. It keeps them out of trouble, teaches them how to work, and builds character.
Title: Re: shooting left and right
Post by: BOWMAN53 on November 21, 2012, 12:32:43 am
Ill get my daughter to go out and pick some with me on thursday.