Let me start by saying that I am pretty new to archery and I have always gotten good advice from this forum when it comes to other topics. My first problem is that I recently installed a new arrow rest on my bow and I had to re sight my bow, does anyone think this is strange? I also bought a huge lot of aluminum practice arrows in about three different sizes and had them cut to one specific length. I was wondering if the difference in size of the arrows would affect me being able to practice and maintain consistency? So far all the arrows have the same right helical fletching and I will be using the same weight of field point and broad head. the only difference is the size of the arrows themselves. Any advice or comments are welcome. Thank you

adjusting sights after a rest change is normal. whenever one thing changes you have to go back to square 3 (not quite back to #1, but close). with arrows of different spine, you most likely will not be able to keep much consistancy. might get lucky, but i wouldnt hold my breath. if they're easton shafts, try their site and look for the shaft selector. you can play around with it and see how how the different shafts stack up.

quote:

Originally posted by 724wd:
adjusting sights after a rest change is normal. whenever one thing changes you have to go back to square 3 (not quite back to #1, but close). with arrows of different spine, you most likely will not be able to keep much consistancy. might get lucky, but i wouldnt hold my breath. if they're easton shafts, try their site and look for the shaft selector. you can play around with it and see how how the different shafts stack up.

I agree totally with 724wd. Anytime you change ANYTHING on a bow, adjustments will have to be made, even with a simple rest change. Unless you managed to luck out and the arrow is in the EXACT position that it was with the old rest, you're going to have to adjust either the sight or the rest, or to get the utmost in accuracy, both.

With any projectile weapon, you're adjusting the sighting device so it points to the same point of impact as the projectile. If you changed the barrel on a rifle, wouldn't you expect to have to sight it in again?

And buying a huge lot of arrows, unless they're all the proper shaft spine and length is a huge mistake. Arrows have something called the spine (the amount the arrows flex when shot). The spine stiffness you shoot is determined by the draw weight of your bow as well as the type of wheels the bow has.

Shooting arrows of different spine from one bow is more than likely to result in inconsistant accuracy. It's kind of like shooting a rifle with different brands of ammo with different bullet weights and types. You can't really expect consistent accuracy shooting a rifle doing this and you can't expect consistent accuracy shooting different arrow "sizes."

Let us know how it works out for you...

The 2 replies above contain good information. I would recommend paper tuning your bow after installing a new rest. Shoot an arrow through a piece of paper (newspaper is fine) held in a frame or held taut by a couple of trusting friends a foot or 2 away from the tip of your arrow. It should make a clean "bullet hole". If the tear made by the arrow angles either vertically or horizontally (often a bit of both) - your rest should be adjusted up/down, & right/left until it punches straight through. Google "paper tuning" on the web for instructions (with pictures of the different ways the paper can be torn & which direction you need to move the rest). Use the arrows you intend to hunt with. As stated above, changing the spine can change the impact point and tunung. After the rest is properly positioned, then sight in the bow.

Thank you for all the advice. So I guess it is best to practice with the same arrows I plan to hunt with, Right? makes sense I will also paper tune the bow. Thank you again

It is always best to practice with the equipment you'll hunt with. That includes once you've got your bow shooting well, to begin shooting broadheads into a foam target.

Quite often, broadheads will not shoot to the same point of impact as field tips and you'll have to re-adjust the sight once again.

If you're going to shoot from a treestand, if possible, practice from an elevated position.

I would also suggest practicing some while wearing the clothes you'll wear hunting.You need to be sure nothing interferes with the bow string.Also gloves will have some effect on the feel of the bow and release feel/fit.If you plan to hunt from a tree stand you need to practice from a stand at the same heights you'll be hunting from.Just roving around the woods shooting at unknown distances with a Judo head really helps you get good at judging distances.Good luck!

Another thing to mention is to always make sure your cams, accessories are tight. Made the mistake last year and my cam was loose.