What is an acceptable group to you?

[hickslawns]

Everyone is different. Some very picky expecting arrows touching. Some satisfied with 6" groups.

I need to determine if I am being overly picky or if my doubts are valid.

Currently- if season began tomorrow I wouldn't shoot past 30yds. I am shooting out to 60yds. I have put together some good groups. They are not consistent enough at 50 or 60yds to be confident. I am confident in my 40yd groups but will not shoot that far on a live animal because the extra factors need to be considered.

Here are my 40 and 50yds groups. Not my best. Just one 6 shot group at 40 and a 12 shot group at 50yds. Light was fading and I was getting tired. These are my "average" groups. I put them out knowing I may be commended or I may be flamed. In my eyes they are just "okay."

 

[giles]

This is why I don't shoot a bow...always double questioning myself. Good luck man, I've got nothing to add. Wish I did...maybe some day I'll calm down enough.

 

["J"]

When I shot compound years ago the rule for me was pop can diameter groups at 30 yards.... I could consistently do that, couldn't at 40 so never made shots out to that distance....
Switched to Xbow around 2000 and could accomplish that grouping at 40 yards and was comfortable to make those shots.... Never really have made many shots at that distance as most are well within 30 yards with most being 15....

 

[xbowguy]

Main thing is...You like it? :smiley_coolpeace:

 

[Bigslam51]

Are you shooting these 40 and 50 yards groups after you've already flung a bunch of arrows at 20 and 30?

 

[finelyshedded]

Phil, IMO, I think you are on the right track thinking 40 is your max distance at this point. Just keep practicing is all you can do. Try shooting at 50 next time when you are fresh and seeing if your 50 yard group shrinks any. I always look at like your worst shot in a group will be better than your best shot at an animal.

Keep up the good work buddy!

 

[Bigslam51]

My farthest kill shot on a deer was my buck last year. 40 yards, he came out into the field, stopped on his own, was calm, and I shot him. I'm confident in my groups at 40, right now they are grapefruit size groups. I'd start out shooting at 50, then 40 first so your not tired. Maybe shoot a few arrows at a time instead of 6 so you give yourself a break.

 

[jagermeister]

Not bad, Phil. You should try not shooting so many arrows per group. 12 arrows for one group is excessive IMO. By the time you get to your 8th arrow you have to be getting fatigued, I'd imagine. And a group is only as good as the quality of the shots. Fatigue = poor quality shots. Shoot 3 or 4 arrows, then walk to the target. Take your time and rest. That will give you a better idea of your actual groups at "X" yardage.

Me personally, at peak shooting form and muscle stamina, I strive for a 2-3" group at 40 yards. I find that if I'm grouping well at 40, my 50 yard groups are usually just as good. Basically, if my form and stamina is good enough to shrink my groups at 40, the additional 10 yards doesn't result in any big change. It might open up a little bit, but it's insignificant.

How do you feel when at full draw? When you're hovering the pin near the bullseye, are they tight little wobbles or big slow meandering wobbles?

 

[Riverdude]

I would always have an area the size of your fist or smaller 35 - 40 yards and I was happy with that. I would practice out to 45 + yards and have some what of a larger area HOWEVER I do not have the opportunity for shots more then 30 yards but by practicing those longer shots and if and when the chance comes to take a shot at say 15, 20, 25 and 30 yards it seems like second nature and no pressure. Heck the other thing I practiced after my first year of bow hunting was to get a 3D target and set it up at different yardages and at different angles and shot from my stand in the yard just to get a feel where to aim from the height and at different areas how the deer might be standing. I even practiced straight down shots which paid off when I took a nice spike in VA years ago. Just my 2 cents worth. Best of Luck.

Had to edit and add this, I only use one pin with the speed I have.

 

[brock ratcliff]

To go along with what Jim said, too many arrahs in your group, IMO.
It's fun to shoot a bunch or arrows before making the walk to the target. It's also a great way to develop bad habits. Personally, I think a person improves the most by shooting one arrow at a time. Put it where it needs to be, then go get it. To me, it sharpens concentration. And one well placed arrow is always a good group.

 

[Beentown]

1" for every 10 yards is my expectation.

 

[hickslawns]

Too many replies to quote you all. LOTS of excellent points though. Thank you.

The 6 at 40yds and 12 at 50yds were the last arrows I shot. I had shot around 4-5 dozen arrows. Usually 6 at a time. At closer ranges I rotate the target and aim at each dot rather than just the heart. Like I said, those were not my best groups, just average (honest) groups. I could have posted my best groups but that wouldn't help. I need to be honest with myself and not just post the best groups I put together.

How do you feel when at full draw? When you're hovering the pin near the bullseye, are they tight little wobbles or big slow meandering wobbles?

I have been focusing on form a lot. I think you guys nailed it with too many arrows because there are nearly always a few strays due to fatigue. I would say the wobbles are a little bit of both Jim. I need to shoot fewer arrows at a time then determine.

Brock- solid input. I'll try it. I do mix it up at times. Sometimes I shoot one at 50 or 40, walk up to retrieve it and see how it is cold then start shooting a bunch of arrows at a specific yardage. That first arrow when I am cold is more realistic for a hunting scenario than the 10th arrow I shoot.

I will say after shooting at 40/50yds, if I go back to 20yds I am touching the dots with every arrow. The longer ranges definitely make me precise on the 20/30yd shots.

 

[Bigslam51]

I'm sure your groups will start getting better once you start shooting an arrow or two and then going to pull them from the target.

 

[xbowguy]

Seems to be less distraction at the target also. 3 -4 arrows at different spots is my norm.

 

[angelzd28]

Good info here, I think I have a tendency to shoot too many arrows at a time, around 6 or 7 and usually my last 2 are my worst ones. Ill have to re adjust and just concentrate on a couple good shots then walk to the target. As far as my range limit, 40 yds is all ill go out to and even then I would contemplate not shooting unless the deer was in a good position, IE standing broadside.

 

[Mike]

Personally, I think a person improves the most by shooting one arrow at a time. Put it where it needs to be, then go get it. To me, it sharpens concentration. And one well placed arrow is always a good group.

That's genius. So simple and makes total sense. Not only that, I often concentrate on my group and not "a spot" which is crucial when shooting instinctively. Thanks Brock!

 

[jagermeister]

I have been focusing on form a lot. I think you guys nailed it with too many arrows because there are nearly always a few strays due to fatigue. I would say the wobbles are a little bit of both Jim. I need to shoot fewer arrows at a time then determine.

Reason I ask is because I'm just trying to see how close you are to optimal draw length. Tight, fast wobbles usually means draw length too short and long, slow wobbles usually means draw length is too long. Somewhere in between is ideal. Sometimes just a slight tweak to draw length is enough to shrink your groups.

 

[Dustinb80]

That's genius. So simple and makes total sense. Not only that, I often concentrate on my group and not "a spot" which is crucial when shooting instinctively. Thanks Brock!

I noticed myself doing this same thing.

 

[Big_Holla]

Not much to add here, heck I haven't shot a single arrow yet this summer. Normally when I do I shoot 3 arrows at a time max. at any range. Number your arrows and keep an eye on stragglers that stray away from others especially when the shot felt good.

 

[Bigslam51]

I noticed myself doing this same thing.

Get those orange target dots. They have them at Walmart. J turned me on to the idea the other day and I picked up a pack.