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My son and I are just starting to use a crossbow. We have been practicing and sighting it in. Just when we think it's good( 2"grouping at 30yrds) the arrows start to go 6-8 inches right for both of us.
The kicker is my daughter can shoot the same 3 arrows and never miss.
Is it something we're doing?
Any ideas?
Are you using a cocking aid for the bow? Not having the string come into the catch perfectly centered can toss the arrows around a bit.
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This was common with older crossbows for sure.Quote:
Originally Posted by oaknut
One also has to remember that the same shooting mistakes made shooting a rifle will happen with a crossbow and usually compounded. For example the trigger pull is usually considerably more that the average rifle.
You'll need to break it down and eliminate any variables. Eg, shorten distance, start with a bench rest, etc., to see where it's coming from. Likely shooting error is my guess.
Just been pulling it back and cocking it by hand.
It's about a year old.
I will place my bet, that is where your issue is coming from.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wake
With a black sharpie, nail polish or something else that will stick, mark where the string meets the rail on both sides. When you the bow be sure that those two marks are the same distance from the rail on each side.
Or get a cocking aid, they are cheap and offer repeatable accuracy.
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What type of bow?
If you have a scope what type is it?
Silly question but was there a crosswind?
Getting a rope cocker is a great suggestion!
Common issues to check:
Cam timing, when cocked is the string and cables in the same place on the both sides.
Broken scope, crossbows vibrations are hard on scopes and the reticle can come loose and start to float.
Different arrows or arrow heads will impact different places.
Changing your grip. Crossbows are different from rifles and should be gripped firmly so the inertia does not move it during firing. If you are shooting a bench for example you may see different points of impact when you hold the bow with 2 hands versus 1 and loosely versus tight.
Rifle scope vs crossbow scope. If you are using a rifle scope the parallax may be sufficient at 30 yards to throw the arrows off if your cheek and eye are not in exactly the same place twice.
It should not have much impact at 30 yards but make sure the bow is level.
Hope this helps.
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You should be using a cocking aid and not by hand. If you have an Excalibur and use the cocking aid that comes with the bow, you should have no problem
Pay attention to the arrows - see if there is a pattern which could indicate if one of the arrows is behaving differently than the others.
I agree with this assessment. By the time you figure you're good and sighted in, and then you start to lose your groups, your arms have tired some and your strong arm is pulling more on the string. This causes your shots to go wide.Quote:
Originally Posted by oaknut
In addition to the suggestions above, liquid paper on the string works to make sure you're pulling back consistently as well. A rope cocking aid is by far your best bet.
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My son had the same issue and it ended up being shooter error. About 75% of the time he was lifting his head to see the impact too soon. Because he was doing it in a roughly consistent manner the error was roughly consistent. It is sort of like not keeping your eye on the ball golfing. Lift you head too soon to see where the ball is going and you end up slicing.
I agree ^^^ I used to do that, until a guy watching me pointed it out. Keep your form till the arrow hits.Quote:
Originally Posted by Species8472
Yep agree with species. If your daughter shoots lights out but you and your son do not it has to be user error
Going out tomorrow to try again. Both my son and I were pulling back by hand and my daughter was using the rope cocker.
Thanks for the advice. I'll let you know how it goes.
This pretty much explains your issues !Quote:
Originally Posted by Wake
Just got back from shooting. This time we used the rope cocker and what a difference. Consistent 2-3" groupings at 40yrds.
Bought this for my son's 13th bday. Carbon Express bow came with scope, rope cocker, 3 arrows and a quiver for 200 bucks.
It's alot better starter set than I had anticipated. Now we just need find a turkey on the 25th.
Thanks for everybody's help. Makes it alot easier on us green newbies.
Glad it worked out for you
Happy hunting!
A solid bow\arrows and good optics is the ticket for an accurate crossbow!
https://images2.imgbox.com/e4/69/aD06vkqy_o.jpg
Just be mindful of the distance You will be shooting at ,live beings deserve that.Good luck.
Glad it worked out and good luck!Quote:
Originally Posted by Wake
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gbk
Decoys will be at 20 and 25 yd. won't shoot past 30. Make sense?
I've always thought people put their decoys out way too far. Depending on the terrain I'm hunting, etc., I've always had the decoys right on top of me. Five yards in many cases. It's exciting as anything as well. I do that goose and duck hunting a well. For me it's always been about getting close. If they are going to come in, they'll come in.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wake
A friend of mine gave me a tip for Turkey hunting that makes sense. if you put your decoys out set them at half the distance you are comfortable shooting to. So if you feel comfortable at taking a turkey at 30 yards set you birds at 15 yards. Then at 30 yards put a stick in the ground. When the tom comes inside the decoys and stick you got em.