Stuck in a rut with archery- Advice Welcome

[mallardsx2]

I was shooting last night and took a beer break and realized that I have been shooting a bow for 30 years.

I have shot about the same accuracy for the last 15 years.

I can take my bow outside and shoot a 8" group at 60 yards on any given day.

This is a hunting bow setup. Matthews Heli-m Gold tip hunter arrows spot hogg real deal 5 pin (.019)

Other than getting a 1000$ target bow and 150$/6 new arrows does
anyone have any advise to take it to the next level?

Any target shooters out there have any advice?

Has anyone else felt like they have just topped out with their current setup?

 

[ScottR]

Since you are a Mathews guy, my first thought is move up to a newer bow. They have made big improvements, especially in the speed/forgiveness areas. The Halon shoots great and I have seen the guys here bring groups at 60 yards in tighter, some beyond that distance.


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[Hilltop]

Practice at extreme ranges has helped me tighten groups up at the "shorter ranges". After a round at 100 yards, 60 feels so much easier. What rest are you using?

 

[mallardsx2]

Rip Cord Arrow rest

Honestly the best groups I ever shot in my life came from a Reflex Express set at 65 pounds with a HHA 1 pin adjustable and a bodoodle pro lite rest with carbon fat shaft arrows. I could hit a pie plate every shot at 80 yards. Loved that setup. Then I sold it cause I missed a huge buck with it. lol

 

[mallardsx2]

Also I might add that I will NEVER go back to a 1 pin adjustable sight...

 

[Hilltop]

Rest should be fine. Assuming your bow is in perfect tune I don't think there are any easy answers here other than fine tuning your form and tons of repetition. I don't shoot near as good as I used to 100% because I don't invest the time like I used to. Maybe other will have ideas? Some people claim amazing improvements by switching to different kinds of releases... I can't say because I love the trigger style and have no plans to switch. Good luck

 

[Bearlodge10]

Tough call, good points in the posts so far. Yes A new bow can be more forgiving and allow you to shoot better. From what has been stated thus far, I would also have you think about going to a .10 sight. I think it helps in giving you better sight picture especially at longer ranges. I truly believe that this falls into the "aim small, Miss small" mindset.
I upgraded bows last year after I had killed all three key species here in Wyoming. I didn't think that I had peaked out in my accuracy but have been more than pleased that my shooting has gotten much better with the new bow.

 

[JNDEER]

Not sure where you are located, but go to a pro shop and find a pro and pay some $$ to get some lessons and make sure your bow and arrows are in tune and meant for each other.

 

[CrimsonArrow]

I'm in the same boat you are, almost to a "t". I just think some guys have an innate ability to shoot a bow with extreme accuracy, and I'm not one of them. Doesn't keep me from filling a lot of tags, though.

 

[ando_31]

I second the lessons idea. It doesn't take much of a misalignment in your arm, stance, line of sight, or torque to make a 8" difference down range....but at the same time, I don't think I've ever had the perfect hunting opportunity to make sure everything is 100% lined up. I've taken many shots from sitting, kneeling, hunched over, aiming up, and aiming downward. I think all those make a big difference in your consistency downrange. I wouldn't dwell on it to much if I were you.

 

[Timberstalker]

Your doing a lot better than me, I can't group past 40. Been that way for 25 years. Where I typically hunt you can't see much past 40 yards anyway so it works for me. I have zero desire to shoot regularly, never have found it enjoyable, I stick to my range and hunt.

 

[mallardsx2]

I should mention that I do NOT shoot with a peep sight and have only shot with a kisser button for the last 20 years.

I guess I should just be happy with my shooting and just hunt. Maybe I will upgrade bows and try a new release for next season.

 

[bowrunner]

Mallardsx2, I have a few thoughts. First, what release do you shoot? I switched to a hinge release a few years ago and my groups were cut in half. It takes a while to learn and get comfortable with it, but I would recommend a carter honey 2. Or, the carter evolution releases are strictly back tension releases and can help your form tremendously. A lot of your issues could be consistency in your form, even though you may think you have great form. Grip and facial pressure are the two areas that impact your shooting the most. However you feel comfortable in your grip, try to stay focused on keeping the bow maintaining the same point of pressure on your hand throughout the draw cycle. Then, throughout the shot process as well. Additionally, some people burry the string into their face. Knowing that you use a kisser button, this could be a place where you can make some gains by switching to a peep sight and getting rid of your kisser button. I don't want to offend you, but a kisser button will put some measurable amount of impact on the string no matter how well you use it. If you were perfect, and I mean perfect, in your shot execution, it wouldn't matter. But since you are not a robot, this is probably a spot where you are impacting your shot. When you come to full draw, the string should just touch your nose, or lip depending on your anchor point, and when I mean touch, I mean just so you start to feel it on your face but nothing more. Anything more can impact your shot if you do not do it perfectly consistent every shot.

Just a few thoughts.

Good luck!!

 

[mallardsx2]

Not going to offend this guy. I'm the one on here asking for advice lol.

I use a scott mongoose release.

Thanks for your comments.

 

[DanPickar]

How's your eyesight? I don't have the best eyesight and feel I'm topped out as well. I'm ditching the contacts this spring and going to get laser surgery. That should help!

 

[mallardsx2]

I wear glasses. No because I have to but because I dont like wearing safety glasses at work and I like a crisp picture at all times. My eyes havnt stabilized enough for corrective surgery yet.

 

[Catahoula12]

Mallardsx2, as mentioned by you and other about kisser button. You should get a peep tied in and lose the kisser. I tried a kisser button once and I have to say that my groups swayed to inconsistent. This was tried on my 2013 Mathews Chill R bow. The kisser was tossed. I’ve also just a couple days ago put together a new Halon 32. Certainly we all know bows are not cheap, but if you can perhaps upgrade to a newer bow because I also feel they are more forgiving. I hope you can gain the improvements you seek. Best of luck.

 

[ScottR]

Any progress on this?

 

[Slugz]

Interesting read......how come the NEVER use a single pin adjustable ?

 

[tdcour]

I'd also take a look at your arrow setup. I found that now I'm shooting a heavier arrow my groups have tightened up. I also switched to more of a helical fletching than just a straight or offset. I'm also shooting a pretty high front of center which I think helps with accuracy.

Last thing, I shoot a heavier bow as well. According to physics, "an object at rest tends to stay at rest"... meaning a heavier bow will be easier to hold still and show less of those little movements.