How to Tune a Matthews Bow

Tuning your bow will help assure proper arrow flight and increased accuracy. Correct tiller adjustment, followed by paper tuning, will yield the information necessary to adjust the nocking point, draw weight, arrow rest and arrow choice for the best possible performance. Paper tuning will result in a star-shaped rip in the paper. In addition to the star-shaped rip, you may see additional tearing. This is called nock-end rip and the location of this tearing is important. First, if there is no nock-end rip this indicates a properly tuned bow. The remaining possibilities are nock-end ripped low, nock-end ripped high, nock-end ripped left and nock-end ripped right. In each of these four cases adjustments are needed.

Things You'll Need

  • Allen wrench set
  • Several sheets of paper
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Instructions

  1. Preperation

    • 1

      Adjust tiller by tightening both bow ends all the way, then back each end off an equal number of turns until the desired draw weight is achieved.

    • 2

      Hang a sheet of paper approximately eight feet away from the firing line.

    • 3

      Place a suitable backstop several feet behind the paper. Make sure there is plenty of room for the arrow to pass all the way through the paper before striking the backstop.

    • 4

      Use your best shooting form to shoot an arrow through the paper.

    • 5

      Examine the paper for a nock-end rip. If none is present the bow is properly tuned. If a nock-end rip is present determine if it is high, low, right, or left. Take the appropriate corrective action.

    Nock-end Ripped Low

    • 6

      Raise the nocking point on the string.

    • 7

      Consider using a heavier arrow tip.

    • 8

      Use an arrow with a more limber spine.

    Nock-end Ripped High

    • 9

      Lower the nocking point on the string.

    • 10

      Consider using a lighter arrow tip.

    • 11

      Use a stiffer spined arrow.

    Nock-end Ripped Right

    • 12

      Increase draw weight by tightening both ends of the bow the same amount.

    • 13

      Move the arrow rest to the left.

    • 14

      Use a heavier arrow point.

    • 15

      Try an arrow with a lighter spine.

    • 16

      Consider using a longer arrow.

    Nock-end Ripped Left

    • 17

      Reduce draw weight by loosening both ends of the bow by an equal amount.

    • 18

      Move the arrow rest to the right.

    • 19

      Use a lighter arrow point.

    • 20

      Try an arrow with a stiffer spine.

    • 21

      Consider using shorter arrows.

    • 22

      Watch for arrow spines hitting the arrow rest on release. Using a different arrow rest may be necessary.