How to Set the Red-Dot Scope on a Compound Bow

Red-dot scopes reflect a small red dot on the scope's glass that is superimposed onto the target for aiming purposes. A red-dot scope can be easily mounted on your compound bow using an Allen wrench. These scopes function by projecting a series of dots onto the scope's glass for targets over 35 yards in range. Each dot is set to a specific range, which causes the archer to adjust the bow's trajectory to get the dot on target. Each of these individual dots needs to be calibrated for a set distance.

Things You'll Need

  • Allen wrenches
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the stock sight on your compound bow by unscrewing the hex bolts with the Allen keys.

    • 2

      Install the red-dot scope by screwing it into place where the old sight was mounted.

    • 3

      Turn off the red-dot scope. Press the power button to turn it on.

    • 4

      Calibrate the multiple settings on the scope. Red-dot bow sights employ a pin system for various shooting conditions. Each setting must be calibrated in order to fire the bow accurately.

    • 5

      Adjust the scope for lighting conditions. Some red-dot sights adjust automatically depending on the ambient light to provide a sharp image on the scope's glass. Others need to be manually adjusted. Cycle through the lighting options, until the red dot or pins are clearly visible in the scope's glass.

    • 6

      Set the scope to single dot targeting for targets up to 35 yards away. Red-dot scopes typically have two settings: single-dot and multi-dot. To fire at targets within 35 yards, select single-dot targeting; for over 35 yards, select multi-dot.

    • 7

      Shoot an arrow in single-dot mode. Draw back an arrow and align your view through the peep sight with the red dot on the scope's glass. Release the arrow to fire. A peep sight is a small ring set into the bowstring and pulled back toward the eye for sighting. It functions like the rear posts on a rifle's sights.

    • 8

      Switch to multi-dot mode. Projectiles fired from a compound bow begin to drop at around 35 yards. The multi-dot mode compensates for the falling trajectory by offering multiple dots based on distance to the target.

    • 9

      Fire an arrow in multi-dot mode. Draw an arrow and aim at the target, aligning the peep sight with the dot that best matches the target's distance. Release the arrow to fire.

    • 10

      Adjust the scope's major adjustments. If the bow is firing left or right of the bull's-eye, adjust the scope's left/right adjustment using the Allen wrenches until you are consistently striking the bull's-eye. Check the adjustment in both single- and multi-dot settings.