How to Sight in Compound Bow

Sighting in a compound bow is somewhat similar to sighting in a firearm. Because of the greater arched trajectory of an arrow, compared with a firearm, most bow sights have several individual sight pins that must be precisely and separately adjusted, each one for its own individual range. When choosing how many ranges to sight in for, keep in mind that the greater the number of sight pins you have, the more your field of vision will be obscured when looking through the sight.

Things You'll Need

  • Small adjustable wrench
  • Flat-head and Phillips-head screwdrivers
  • Archery target
  • Rubber-coated needle-nose pliers
  • Tape measure or laser range finder
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Instructions

    • 1

      Familiarize yourself with the adjustment on the sight pins. There are numerous styles of sights on the market; however, most will have the sight pins locking in place on a slide with a nut at the base of the pin. Play with the pins; loosen, tighten and move them up and down and left and right until you understand how your particular sight works.

    • 2

      Check that the sight is securely mounted. The slightest play in any part of the mounting hardware will cause the sight itself, as well as the sight pins, to work loose as you shoot the bow. Tighten with wrench and screwdrivers if needed.

    • 3

      Set up the target. Using the tape measure or range finder to measure off the distances you plan to be shooting from, in 10-yard increments, out to 40 yards. After 40 yards use 5-yard increments -- arrows begin to rapidly lose velocity, and will experience greater drop, at longer ranges.

    • 4

      Shoot three arrows at 10 yards using the top pin. Sight by lining the bowstring up just behind the head of the pin, with the pin on the target. If your bow has a peep-sight (doughnut-shaped ring in the middle of the bowstring) center the head of the sight pin in the hole. Locate the center of the three-shot group.

    • 5

      Adjust the pin accordingly by moving the point of aim to the point of impact. For example, if the shot is hitting low, lower the sight pin. If the shot hits to far to the right, move the pin to the right. Tighten adjustment screws snugly in place with needle-nose pliers.

    • 6

      Align the head of the next lower sight pin horizontally with the already zeroed pin as the horizontal axis will be the same for all pins at all yardages. Shoot another three-shot group and adjust the pin vertically as in Step 5.

    • 7

      Repeat the procedure for all yardage pins.