I am new to bow hunting in general. I have done some research on making sure to get ethical shots and kills and I was wondering what distances to adjust my pins to. I have 5 pins that are right now set to 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50. Shooting a Bear Strike 29" 60# draw.
If you are new to bowhunting, I'd recommend taking 2, maybe 3 pins off. Sight the remaining pins in for 20, 30 and maybe a 40. But if you're just getting started, I'd say 20 and 30 yard pins would be sufficient. Too many pins will often times confuse you, especially when you have a deer in range for the first time. The less complicated, the better. Also, if you're just starting out, you may not be proficient enough at ranges outside 30 yards to make an ethical shot. I personally have a 20, 30, 40 setup. I removed the rest of the pins to unclutter my sight picture and reduce confusion. However, I've only ever used the 40 one time, when I killed a doe in a field last year. It was a PERFECT situation and allowed me plenty of time to get myself ready for the shot. Often times, you don't have that luxury and have to make the shot rather quickly.
My sight pins are set at 20, 30, 40, 45, 50 right now for the hunting season. During the offseason I will adjust it to 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 for practicing and 3D shoots. My self imposed limit to shoot a deer in the woods is 30, but will take a shot at 40 if sitting on a field edge. There really is no need for the 10 yd pin.
Excellent post. I'll say the same thing, the fewer the pins the better. You'll be surprised how easy it is to pick the wrong pin in the heat of the moment.
Thanks for your help guys. I will be removing the 10 and 50 pins. Probably won't be using the 40 pin for at least this year. I am just starting to feel comfortable with shooting at 30 yards.
I shoot a relatively heavy arrow (~430gr) flying at ~230fps and I have my pins set in 5 yard increments. 20-25-30-35-40. I only use the 35 and 40 yard pins for follow up shots or fooling around like 3D. My bow set-up a 10 yard increment was too much drop for my liking. If your arrow is going faster and/or you are shooting a light arrow a 5 yard increment would put the pins too close together. For my set-up it works great. Just something to note.
Yes, anything 20 yards or less.... use your 20 yard pin. Your arrow is flying very flat still at those yardages that it doesn't pay to have another pin.
Thanks for all the help guys. Just one more question, I amusing an arrow a little over 400 grains, any pointers on what broad heads to get? I think I want to stick with fixed or replaceable ones but really don't have a clue yet.
WHY??? Unless you're bow is really slow (which it shouldn't be or you'd never have room for a 70yd pin), WHY would you even have a 10yd pin....??? Do ou realize that the ballistic arc for a 250fps bow shows 10yds being about 0.94" above 20yds, at 300fps, the 10 and 20 will be essentially the same point, but if you're shooting 180fps, there would be about a 3.5" difference, but at 180 fps, you'd also had over 30" of drop between 50 and 60yds.... In all honesty, anyone who has a 10yd pin, really almost CAN'T have a 20yd pin.... That pin is more likely 25yds or so.... Sort of hard to believe a guy who shoots 70yds doesn't realize this....
I set my pins on the 5's. 15, 25, 35 and so on. My stands are set for these ranges as well, couple at 35 yards and a few at 25 yards off the trails. I have a relatively small hunting area and very few stand locations. At first I had 20-30 and i would always be shooting too high or too low from my stands. I went with the 5 yards because that was closer to the yardages and I know my shots would be dead on. I shoot a heavy arrow, +530gr. My bows min arrow gr. is 420. I also shoot fixed broadheads with a bonecutter tip. Wasp Hammer SST 100gr. I will never shoot the same blades twice when it has gone through (yes through) an animal. Bone really does a number on the blades, makes them look almost serated after. For me expandables, like rage, have never gotten very good penetration. With the wasps ive had pass throughs at 30 yards. My gf shoots the Muzzy 3 blades but I still like wasps because I find it easier to change the blades.
