For many, August and September are the times to get the bow out and begin shooting to get ready for bow season. It’s also the time people think about making improvements to their setup and getting an extra edge. A couple of things to think about in this quest are bow tuning and proper arrow flight.
The goal of tuning your bow is to deliver straight and accurate arrow flight. It involves axle -to -axle length, brace height, cam timing and arrow rest adjustment. Some can perform this at home, but since a bow press is needed to adjust the first two you may also request the help of your local archery pro shop. You can usually find these specifications in your owner’s manual or through the manufacturer’s Web site.
As strings stretch, the distance between your axles and the distance between your grip and the string (brace height) may change. Every bow will shoot to its optimum when these setting are correct. Adding or removing twists in the string and cable(s) can bring these measurements back to specs, or you may also choose to replace them if they are worn or frayed.
Cam timing is the relation of the cam rotation to the string/bow. As the lengths of the string/cable(s) are changed, so is the rotation of the cam. Cam timing can be more imperative in dual-cam bows because they must be rotating in sync. You can imagine how this is important by exaggerating the picture in your mind that, if as the shot is fired, the top cam finishes its stroke well before the bottom cam instead of a single and equally matched “thump” of the string, you will get a “thump – thump.” Not only is this an untimed force, but also may cause vertical nock movement throughout the shot. Although more forgiving, single cam bows also have optimum timing for cams. It doesn’t have another cam to align to, but it does have a rotational starting point that can be adjusted.
Center shot of your arrow rest is perhaps the most crucial in effecting arrow flight. Anything off of center will cause the arrow to leave the bow at an angle rather than straight. The more off center, the worse the arrow flight. Keep in mind, though, that the rest should be centered to the bow as it relates to the cam, not necessarily to what looks like the center of the bow.
Penetration relies on true arrow flight, too, as an arrow flying at an angle as it hits its mark is trying to drive through sideways rather than straight through. You will also see reduced accuracy with broadheads as a result of poor tuning. Field points are streamlined and do not “fly.” Additions such as blades can act as wings to guide the arrow. Those flying off center will attempt to fly the arrow and exaggerate further any errors in flight.
Proper tuning and arrow flight will provide both more consistent accuracy and better penetration when it counts.
Next time we’ll talk about shooting and practice techniques! Stay tuned. (pun intended)