Single pin sights

Jakepettit

New Member
Apr 15, 2011
15
0
Does anyone shoot an adjustable single pin sight? Do you like it? Have you used it on many hunts, any problems?
 

johnsd16

Active Member
Mar 16, 2014
353
4
N Idaho
I have gone to that exclusively for a few years now. The sight picture is so un-crowded and wide open. For tree stand hunting I keep it at 20, which most of my shots are, or closer. The two schools of thought on shooting other distances are

1. adjust the sight to the proper distance
2. practice enough that you know your hold over

The downside of #1 is that in the heat of the moment, having to fiddle with your sight isn't the best, but if you are shooting longer ranges on bedded or relaxed game, or are very efficient at adjusting the sight its not big deal. You can also hybridize in some of #2. Like if you have an animal at 45, dial in and now it bounds to 50, if you know your 5 yard holdover at that range, you don't have to readjust. #2s downside is just flat out misjudging and the practice factor. I really like to know how far my target is and know I can hold dead on.

What I found was that the time in spend dealing with my one pin is better for me than counting through my pins on a multi pin, trying to focus on that pin, and hope I truly am on the right one. Todays bows are fast enough that the pin clutter in the 20-40 yard range was too much for me, and my bow is slow by today's standards (260 fps).

I do not plan on changing, and I'd recommend trying it and seeing if you like it. Kind of like going to a thumb release.
 

FitToHunt

Active Member
Man o man, I'll tell you what. I've got a good hunting buddy that kills more animals with a bow than anybody I know that always swears by a single pin. He'd been trying to get me to switch for probably 5 years or so, and I finally gave in, in 2015. I bought an HHA. Not sure which model exactly, but it was their mid-priced one.

Took me a little trail and error to get used to it, and get it sighted in. But by august my confident range went from 60yards with a 5 pin, to 75 with the single.

I took it elk hunting in September and center-punched a 5x5 at 77yards. Would have never had the confidence to take that shot in the past. Theyre very easy to to adjust on the fly and ZERO pin blur. I'm 100% sold will never go back!

The key is to set your range for the terrain you're hunting. I.e. 40yrds for elk in timber, 50-60 for open country mulies. Plus its really not that tough to adjust and shoot a target at lets say 55yards with it set at 40, if you dont have the time to change the sight. Make sense?
 

Wild Country

Active Member
Jan 29, 2012
221
0
OR
Give it a try.....you can always go back! But I would be willing to bet you won't go back, especially if you are getting a little older. Getting rid of the clutter made my accuracy and confidence skyrocket! I changed over 15 years ago and never looked back.
 

Maxhunter

Veteran member
Apr 10, 2011
1,432
1,082
Wyoming
I've been using one for 10yrs. I set it at 35yds and I'm good to go to 40yds. The best recommendation is to practice practice and practice. I shoot a lot of 3Ds and only adjust it if the target is over 40.

It had never cost me an animal yet. My train of thought if the animal is over 40yds and I don't have time to range I shouldn't shoot.

I prefer the MGB Ascent with a .19 pin in green.

It's one of the best changes I've made.
 

highcountryhoy

New Member
Jan 16, 2016
33
0
Southern, Utah
I'll never go back to a multi pin setup. ^^ these guys have given some spot on advice. HHA is grest but comes with a fat price tag. I really like Montana Black Gold Ascent. You won't bear it for the money, you can bet on that!
 

Jakepettit

New Member
Apr 15, 2011
15
0
Thanks for everyone opion, the is some great info here. I have done some more research and I think I am going to try the HHA Optimizer. I really appreciate everyone's responses.
 

NHK9

Member
Jul 8, 2015
63
0
Gilmanton I.W., NH
I've run an HHA for years and I love them. In the trees I usually set my pin for 25. That covers everything I've ever killed from the trees. When I went out west this year I set it at 30. Shot my elk at 35. Give it a shot.
 

DRUSS

Very Active Member
Jun 22, 2014
537
157
nw oregon
I think maxhunter said it perfectly. I have a Montana Black Gold ascent. it woks good for me. set it for your pre determined distance that fits you and if its longer, you need the time to range and adjust.
 

mallardsx2

Veteran member
Jul 8, 2015
3,923
3,243
I had an HHA for several years. I switched back to a 5 pin .019 sight of another brand. Moving that pin under pressure just not practical and is one more thing that can go wrong in the heat of the moment. I would not recommend a hunter using one. 3-d shooter yes but not a person hunting.

My .02$
 

FitToHunt

Active Member
Set it at 30 or 40 and if you've got a fast bow and you've practiced enough you can make any shot in that range without adjusting your sights. Anything beyond 40 or 50 you'll need time to range and adjust your sight anyways.
 

Collins

New Member
Feb 8, 2016
32
0
Green Bay, WI
I have also been debating the fixed pin/single pin dilemma for a couple years now. I currently have a 5 pin Trophy Ridge, but would love to be able to shoot longer targets with a single pin. Hunting scenarios are the only thing that has held me back. I'm not sure why, since most guys with single pin sights love them and shoot much better with them. There are several good single pins out there, HHA like everybody has said, Hogg Father, Trophy Ridge React...some may even be customize your pin size and color.
 

Wild Country

Active Member
Jan 29, 2012
221
0
OR
FYI....the HHA is a little harder to adjust if you hunt out west! Most of us keep are quiver attached to our bows on the west and the fine adjustment of The HHA will be a little tougher with a quiver but if u r a tree stand guy go for it. If out West I would recommend the react one trophy ridge with the micro adjustment! Good luck with it.
 

MOhunter28

Member
Dec 30, 2015
56
0
Branson, Missouri
I have run a HHA Optimizer for 3 years now and really like it. Never cost a animal in the heat of the moment but no doubt it CAN happen. I would second what some of these guys have said, know your hold over at certain ranges. IMO you should know your hold over under 40 yards. Anything over that I would consider a long shot in which taking your time to make a well place shot is important thus you should be patient enough to adjust your sight for the proper distance.

With the HHA I would agree with what one member said, that your quiver/arrows will be in the way if it is left on your bow, which out west would be an issue. If you are in a treestand no worries, take the quiver off.

I'm going to be getting a new bow this spring and with the huge jump in speed from todays new bows the HHA sight tapes limit you to 60 yards (you could create a longer tape if needed) but from what a few other guys have said, 80 yards max is what they will get out of a HHA. Even though I LOVE my HHA, I'm going to be looking into Spot Hogg's "Hoggfather". From what I hear you can get up to 120 yards in adjustment, but for me that raises the question of what is a ethical shot distance? I don't even intend to shoot a animal at 120 yards but being American I want all I can get for my money hahaha

Sighting the HHA in you shoot at ranges of 20 and 60 yards(if memory serves me right) and follow the instructions to calculate the correct sight tape to use. My suggestion is to not rush the initial sight-in process. Shooting 60 yards accurately takes some time. My advice is to keep shooting until your groups are very tight before committing to a sight tape. I "rushed" mine and at my longer ranges I'm about 2-3" off what it should be. At 20 yards ill be about 1/2" off. If your could somehow lock your bow in solid to shoot (like a Mathews hooter shooter?) you could make the process go very quick.
 

Bonecollector

Veteran member
Mar 9, 2014
5,862
3,667
Ohio
Fyi: new HHA allows for sight adjustment with quiver on and tapes go to 100yds.
I shoot regularly out to 150 by adding my own marks for the additional yardage.
 

Fieldmouse

New Member
Mar 21, 2016
24
0
I have gone to that exclusively for a few years now. The sight picture is so un-crowded and wide open. For tree stand hunting I keep it at 20, which most of my shots are, or closer. The two schools of thought on shooting other distances are

1. adjust the sight to the proper distance
2. practice enough that you know your hold over

The downside of #1 is that in the heat of the moment, having to fiddle with your sight isn't the best, but if you are shooting longer ranges on bedded or relaxed game, or are very efficient at adjusting the sight its not big deal. You can also hybridize in some of #2. Like if you have an animal at 45, dial in and now it bounds to 50, if you know your 5 yard holdover at that range, you don't have to readjust. #2s downside is just flat out misjudging and the practice factor. I really like to know how far my target is and know I can hold dead on.

What I found was that the time in spend dealing with my one pin is better for me than counting through my pins on a multi pin, trying to focus on that pin, and hope I truly am on the right one. Todays bows are fast enough that the pin clutter in the 20-40 yard range was too much for me, and my bow is slow by today's standards (260 fps).

I do not plan on changing, and I'd recommend trying it and seeing if you like it. Kind of like going to a thumb release.
Solid advice. I switched from multiple pins to a red dot scope over a decade ago. Its not adjustable for distance but is for light level. I have killed many deers with my old bow which is why I took so long to finally upgrade. When I did, I changed out the sight to a red dot scope and I fell in love with instantly. It offered that quick set and shoot in any light. More importantly, it showed me first hand the beauty of the single sight just like the shotgun I began my hunting career with. Just like when you use a shotgun, you have to adjust yardage by aim. It's the same with single sight bow. Once you start it, you will never go back.