Falling sight marks

[SVL]

Since I started shooting outdoors this year I have noticed that my sightmarks at all my long distances have dropped alot. I have checked and my bracing height is the same, no changes to the arrows and I have not changed anything on the bow. I use a clicker and that has not changed either. The only two things I am considering are maybe the string needs replacing (less than 1 year old, about 200 shots per week in summmer and 80 in winter) or my limbs are starting to give up (10 year old Hoyt limbs). I have noticed that on the edge of the top limb there appears to be some wearing, a bit like an indentation in the laminates.

I shoot a Hoyt Avalon and of course checked for cracks, but none to be seen.

Is there anything else I should be considering ?

[Kae]

The cracks that develop in the Hoyt Avalon aren't apparent as cracks.
I was surprised to see the crack in mine as it looked more like a hairline scratch when it wasn't braced. I'd ideally get this checked for a second opinion.

As you've said, 10 year old limbs could be failing, but I would expect the tiller or brace height to fluctuate slightly to support this.

String sounds fine, but strands could have broken inside the serving. Look for irregular string shapes underneath the serving.


Kae.

[geoffretired]

Sometimes the centre serving slowly creeps up the string raising the nocking point. A second string would give a quick check on condition and nocking point position.Could the limb bolt settings be backing out over time?

[WhitehartFB]

Apart from checking your kit is your bow shoulder coming up usually results in low left (RH) hits.

This also happened to me last week - sightmarks all high by 1/2" on the scale then low by 1/2" turned out to be the sight block loose, but not that loose when you moved the block.

[teknohippy]

I know it sounds obvious but have you got the sight at the same extension?

[geoffretired]

If the sight marks have dropped more at longer distances, it sounds like a slower bow. Are the spaces between the sight marks wider now than they were. If they are I think the bow has slowed down. The weight has changed for some reason or the string could be damaged in some way.

[SVL]

Originally Posted by geoffretired

Sometimes the centre serving slowly creeps up the string raising the nocking point. A second string would give a quick check on condition and nocking point position.Could the limb bolt settings be backing out over time?

Nocking point is fine, but I will check the limb bolt settings tonight.
Spacing between sight setting has increased, I think i will make a new string tonight just to be on the safe side, also will use the bowscales to check my holding weight..... it should be 28lb.

If all else fails I am going to use my Yamaha EX for the county champs at the end of the month.

[SVL]

Originally Posted by teknohippy

I know it sounds obvious but have you got the sight at the same extension?

Yeap, have my page at the back of the score book for all these settings.

[buzz lite beer]

Originally Posted by SVL

Since I started shooting outdoors this year I have noticed that my sightmarks at all my long distances have dropped alot. I have checked and my bracing height is the same, no changes to the arrows and I have not changed anything on the bow. I use a clicker and that has not changed either. The only two things I am considering are maybe the string needs replacing (less than 1 year old, about 200 shots per week in summmer and 80 in winter) or my limbs are starting to give up (10 year old Hoyt limbs). I have noticed that on the edge of the top limb there appears to be some wearing, a bit like an indentation in the laminates.

I shoot a Hoyt Avalon and of course checked for cracks, but none to be seen.

Is there anything else I should be considering ?

Finger tab been changed lately? head position might have changed some, if it was initially vertical and now leaning back a way and reducing anchor to eye dimensions will increases sight mark, you may have started tip hooking your string, I have found a deep hook gives me the best sight marks.

[dino1300]

On your finger tab, do you have a movable shelf? If so, has it moved down, so that you are anchoring with your hand closer to your face?

Admittedly this would only account for all the sight marks dropping by the same amount, but still worth checking.