Speed and mistakes

[Daveinthebush]

Well the new BowTech is doing fairly well.  Hopefully the learning curve will improve as it is almost bear season and I am running out of arrows to ruin. The boat trailer is the biggest destroyer as the backstop was on top of it.  The 1/4" steel frame does a job on the aluminum arrows. :eek:

Question:  As speed increases (320 fps) little mistakes seem to drastically increase? If I am off, drop my arm or just plain miss; I seem to be able screw up a lot worse.  Does this sound right or am I just getting old and can't handle the 70 pounds anymore? :roll:

If I am on.......it's a screamer! One pin to 30 yards!

[Scottyluck]

Oh yeah. The faster the bow the more it will exploit all the little flaws in your shooting form. You have to be extremely consistent on a shot to shot basis with the way you draw, hold, release and follow through or your groups will be all over the place with the increased speed.
If, when you're practicing, you start to get tired, stop shooting for the day. Muscle fatigue will wreak havoc with your form and get you extremely frustrated in the process.

[longwinters]

Like Scotty says, generally an increase in speed etc... has a cost.  Usually it would be in loudness of a bow and criticalness in shooting.  I would not feel bad in dropping the poundage to 60-65 (you still have great speed) and then work on form etc... you can always crank it up later.  I am sure you know it. . . but good form is everything.  

long

[Daveinthebush]

I have been trying to isolate one thing wrong and work on that one thing each shooting session.  I may shoot 30 arrows then rest for an hour.  Having a target in the yard certainly helps.  I just need a bigger backstop if I miss.  I have the largest BLOCK available but the only thing behind the backstop is snow. :roll:

I did find that I am shooting 2314's and 2315's in a mixed lot of arrow.  I have an unused set of 6 - 2315's that I will try latter to see how they do.
I need to order some more arrows so the experment will help determine what to buy.

I have the bow cranked down to 65 or so.

[Scottyluck]

Shoot at close distances so you know your not gonna miss and try to perfect your form. Try to get into a routine for every shot. I talk to myself as I draw and release just to remind myself to be consistent.

Just a thought, you say you were shooting alum arrows and missing alot. You could be tweaking the arrows when you miss which in turn could be screwing up your groups. It doesn't take much to put a slight bend in an alum arrow even if you just shoot it into the ground. This is the reason I switched to carbons. They're much more durable.

[willis5]

what is your brace height?

if it is a low brace height, the arrow is on the string longer and this gives you more of a chance to flinch, look, or whatever. Practice yoru follow through. concentrate on keeping your form AFTER the shot. this is why fast bows that have short brace heights are less forgiving. the only way to shoot consistently is to have consistant form before during and after the shot. I hope this helps

[Daveinthebush]

Well too many arrows lost and damaged with the new bow.  I shot the other night and it was terrible.  One arrow whipped so bad that when it hit the target the knock broke. Time to take it to Anchorage to an expert and see what is wrong with: A. my shooting or B. the bow set-up.

The old Pearson!!!  I shot 3 broadheads the other night to test them and put them in a 1" group at 25 yards. I think it is going to be my bear hunting bow for the season. :-)

[longwinters]

Sounds like set up is the villain.  I am thinking your arrows are bent or that your arrow rest is set up wrong.  Or you need to rotate your arrow nocks so that your feathers/vanes are not contacting the rest or window of the bow riser.

long

[willis5]

The arrows are whipping? that sounds like you are not getting fletching clearance, the rest/nock point alignment is off, or you have bent arrows.

One other thing. Do your arrows have enough spine? sounds like your bow is really pushing the arrows.

[Daveinthebush]

I sat down the other night and had a heart-to-heart talk with the BowTech.  I did find a problem with the clearence on the rest as it wasn't returning to the same position every time. Fixed that.  Put a lighter spring on the rest. That seems to have helped as it drops out of the way more easily now. Adjusted the height and vane clearance. Shot great the other night.

Next problem. Spelling carpultunnel well enough so the spell check will correct me.   My bow hand, right, is so sore that I am loosing accuracy as it isn't strong enough to support the bow very long.  Too many years of machinist, carpentry and other abuses.  

I guess I need an arm brace that I can form to my wrist to support it.  Probably a trip to Anchorage is in order as there is no place around here for anything like that.  

Never say die and never give up hunting! :grin:

[cam69conv]

Here is a little hint for ya Dave...Try One of the new fall away rests...That may cure alot of your problems...Also have you tried carbons?? Today they are not much if any more expencive than aluminums...You will find the durability is MUCH greater..Hope you find the problem...You have a great bow in the bowtech

[Rmouleart]

Sounds like you need a real backstop,made with dense foam, arrows are not cheap, hay bails anything other than what your using, you can also hang a braided rug in half behind your target, that may stop them,but 320fps is cranking;) I use a kisser button and a peep to keep my form the same all the time, also use a release(freeflight) to cut out any finger problems, plus pulling back 85pds is not easy with fingers. When you put your arrow on the rest, hold it up right and take a look and see if your arrow is offset(not straight) if the arrow is not straight, have you played with the limb bolts, they can change your way the arrow sets on your rest, some people do that to reduce pounds on your draw, but has to be even on both sides, just a thought, there can be many things that are going wrong, start bye deleting the simple things first. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

[Daveinthebush]

I took the bow about a month ago to an archery shop in Wasilla, Fletchers Archery.  He was able in ten minutes and a new rest, correct everything.

I am now shooting out to 40 yards with realitive ease and have tried 60 yards with success (5 of 6 in 8 inches).

It is now a pleasure to shoot the bow and I love it.  It will do its part if I do mine.  I have the poundage up to 65 and approching 70 by moose season.  I am getting over 100 foot pounds of energy and should be able to kill a moose with no problem.

I did take one bear since the start of this post.  A 5' 6" blackie that was no contest, 8-10 yards at the most. The arrow blew completely through.

Buy a BowTech! :grin: