How to Adjust a Crossbow Peep Sight

Aside from arrow trajectory, crossbows are more like rifles than bows and are most often equipped with telescopic sights. In areas where optical sights are prohibited on primitive hunting weapons, peep sights, which also allow the shooter to rapidly assimilate the target, are common alternatives. As the shooting stance for a crossbow is similar to that of a rifle, the procedure for adjusting a peep sight on a crossbow is virtually identical to a firearm.

Things You'll Need

  • Bench rest
  • Sandbag
  • Archery target
  • Screwdriver
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Place a bench rest 30 yards from a target. Sit at the bench and position the bottom of the arm of the crossbow over a sandbag.

    • 2

      Look through the rear aperture of the peep sight. Do not try to focus on the peep aperture itself, but let the aperture remain out of focus. Allow the eye to naturally line the tip of the front sight up in the center of the aperture.

    • 3

      Place the tip of the front sight in the center of the target and fire an arrow at the target. Shoot twice more and use the arrow in the middle of the three-shot group as the reference point.

    • 4

      Adjust the rear aperture with a screwdriver, if needed, moving the aperture in the direction of the center arrow. Adjust the sight one click for every inch the middle arrow of the group is off-center. For example, if the middle arrow hit three inches below the bulls-eye, adjust the elevation screw on the aperture down three clicks. If the reference arrow is two inches to the right-of-center, adjust the windage screw two clicks to the right.

    • 5

      Fire three more shots from the bench rest. Continue adjusting the rear aperture until you are satisfied with the placement of the center arrow of a three-shot group.