How to Sight a Bow

There is nothing that will ruin a good shooting day like a sight that is off. Setting a sight is fairly easy, as long as you are a fairly consistent shooter and have a bit of patience. Read on to learn how to sight a bow.

Things You'll Need

• Bow
• Sight
• Arrows
• Pen or pencil
• Target

Instructions

1. Attach the sight to your bow following the manufacturer’s directions. Different sights require different set ups so be sure to follow the directions carefully.

2. Put the first sight peg or the site at about the middle of the sight bar and carefully shoot your first arrow from 20 yards, lining the round part of the first sight peg or the red dot in the center of the sight with the “x” on the center ring of the target. If the first arrow hits the target, shoot the remaining four arrows. If the first arrow misses the target, adjust the sight accordingly, remembering that the sight works backwards. For instance, if your arrow went wide right the sight should be moved to the left. Carefully shoot the next arrow and continue adjusting until you hit the target.

3. Walk to the target and look at where the arrows are grouped. If the arrows are grouped primarily in the upper left part of the target, move the sight up and to the left. Pull your arrows, and head back to the line.

4. Shoot another round and repeat the steps above until your arrows are grouped near the x. The more you shoot the tighter your groups will get and you’ll be able to fine tune your shots to make your groups all hit the center ring.

5. With a pen make a line on your sight bar where your sight is positioned and mark it 20 yards. By marking on the sight bar if your sight gets bumped during transport you’ll be able to tell it’s off before you let your first arrow go.

6. Follow the steps above to set your pins or sight for different distances, remembering that your site should be moved down for distances further than 20 yards and up for distances below 20 yards.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider sighting your bow on an empty range so you don't get in anyone's way.

• Different color fingernail polish also can be helpful for marking your sight bar.

References

• MIT OpenCourseWare: Archery Lecture Notes