Hello All - Sight question from a Numpty !!

[WaftyUk]

Absolutely, brand spanking new to this place and archery !!

All the gear and no idea ......

Please bear with me as I am a complete novice armed with a Recurve bow - and have just received my first set of Cartel 2000 sights. (as with most most things - no instructions)

I was wondering if anybody would be able to point me in the direction of a web-site which explains how to set them up and how they should be used in practice ?

I have been shooting without sights for a while and generally align the arrow tip with the gold and at 20 yards have been doing quite well. After putting the Cartel sights on I found that the only way to get the sights onto the gold was with the arrow tip pointing below the target. Which obviously was not correct - so I trying to figure how to marry the sight to the arrow tip without them being sat on top of each other ....

Many thanks to one and all ....

Richard
P.S- What a Great Forum !!!

[andrew.paterson]

Originally Posted by WaftyUk

I have been shooting without sights for a while and generally align the arrow tip with the gold and at 20 yards have been doing quite well. After putting the Cartel sights on I found that the only way to get the sights onto the gold was with the arrow tip pointing below the target.

You no longer need to look at the tip of the arrow, that is why you have a sight. Do not worry where the arrow is in relation to the target, just look through the sight.

The one thing to remember with sights is to "follow the arrow". So if the arrow is going low in relation to the gold, move the sight down. If the arrow hits the target too high (or even going over) then move the sight up.

[tel]

Welcome aboard!

I'm guessing that you are pretty much flying solo as far as your shooting is concerned?
You'll probably get a wave of answers now suggesting, quite rightly, that you look up a local club and join their beginners course (typically six one-hour sessions) to put you on the right track. If you have any trouble finding one click here and use the club-finder.
One of the first things I expect you'll discover is that if the tip of the arrow is on the gold you're probably doing something wrong!

Good luck!

tel

[tel]

Quick on the keyboard Andrew!

[WaftyUk]

Wow guys that was quick !!!

Thank you for all your help .....

I am looking into the local club aspect but am fearful that their meetings coincide with my work - I have seen them conclude their practise as I am driving home.

What I found was that when shooting at 20 yards I had to lower the sight so that it was practically touching the arrow shaft - so there is going to be a conflict as the fletches pass by the sight.

I am hoping that maybe I could ask a local club member to give me and my wife some basic lessons at home if we cannot juggle the meeting times.

Anyway, thank you for all your help .... you have been most kind ...

Regards,

Richard

[narrowboat]

you want this http://www.nsbf.nu/artiklar/archref_...e%20archers%22
it is very handy

[Kae]

The problem (or not) with sights is that it requires you to have an accurate reference point (where your hand touches your face).
It sounds like your lining the end of your arrow up with your eye, and sighting down it, this you can't do with a sight (at least not successfully).
Start with archers reference, and try to get some coaching, or don't use a sight and go freestyle.

[Dave]

Or possibly the 5th edition of the Archer's Reference
http://www.archersreference.co.uk/download.html

[WaftyUk]

Thanks Dave & Narrowboat ....

The Reference PDF is a gem .... I shall be back in the garden tonight ....

Having received my new carbon arrows today along with my sight - the target fell over in the wind and broke two of my arrows - better not go to the loo as I dont want to break a third thing !!!

Regards,

Richard

[geoffretired]

WaftyUk,
If you shoot using the point of the arrow, as you have been doing, you will find that as the distance from the target increases, the point of the arrow has to be lifted closer to the gold to get the arrows in there. When you use a sight, the same thing happens, the arrow point gets closer to the gold at longer distances. It has been said already that you will ignore that when you use the sight, but it may be of interest when using the sights to begin with.
If your sight is very close to resting on the arrow, that can't be ignored. As you said, the fletchings will probably strike the sight on the way past.
When the sight is close to the arrow, that is usually close to the maximum distance you can shoot using the sight, as things are."As things are" is important here. To have a maximum range of 20yds, is due to 1) the bow being very light(not very powerful) or
2) you have the back end of the arrow close up to your eye when the bow is fully drawn, or
3) you have a very short draw. (or a mix of some or all three)
You said you are new to this so I hope I don't appear rude, it is just difficult to work out how you are shooting without seeing pictures or you telling us.
Could you let us know the poundage of the bow? Where the back of the arrow is on your face(under the chin or just under your eye or whatever.)
How far you draw? That's the distance from the bow where you hold it, to the back of the arrow just before you let go.(an easy way is to measure the arrow and look to see how much is infront of the arrow rest when you are ready to shoot.)