How do you tune your recurve bow?

[Marcus26]

Which one applies to you?

[Andy1960]

I didn't realise there was any other way to do it!

[Field Archer]

I buy arrows according to the shaft and adjust the poundage to get them right. The button is only used to fine tune.
First I set the button at a medium pressure, then adjust the poundage to get the bare shaft to group close to the fletched arrows.

[tel]

Do you consider one of the options above to be the only correct one Marcus? If so which?

[PaulT]

I voted for the first option here but really I use a combination of adjusting poundage and plunger (plunger last). But this is after having shot bare shafts for groups with a rough tune to determine correct spine/point weight combination: you'd think I'd have better reults after all that messing about!!!
:christmas

[timppa]

I buy arrows according to the shaft and adjust the plunger and poundage to get them right.

[Marcus26]

I see #2 as the only right answer here.
Consider that there is one perfect spine per length and draw weight of a bow. So the best results will come from having the best matched spine and bow weight (given your draw length is a constant)

If your spine is incorrect for the poundage on your bow that leaves you with 2 options
1) Change your bow's speed to get the correct speed for your arrows (This is done by adjusting poundage or string thickness)
2) Change arrow spine


Best tuning method I have seen for recurves is

1) Set centreshot down the centre of the string. Set plunger rock hard (swap spring for matchstick)
2) Shoot group then bareshaft
3) If bareshaft is to the left increase poundage, if to the right decrease poundage
4) once grouping together get your sights sets so you are hitting the middle of the target
5) set the centreshot just a little outside and set spring tension to medium
6) shoot group and bareshaft again, adjust cushion plunger to bring group back into the centre of the target.

What you are doing is setting the poundage to the arrows so that they are matched perfectly.
Then you are moving the centreshot to improve clearence on the arrow rest and the cushion plunger to do it's job. The cushion plunger is not there to counter poor spine selection, simply to help prevent poor shot hitting the rest etc.

It's fast, easy and provides excellent results indoors and outdoors.

[currie1014]

This is a very open ended question. There are obvious set guide lines you need to take.
1. Bare shaft tuning and walk back are excellent guides to tuning.
2. Correct and matched equipment to your style.
3. Technique.
All of the above have a bearing on how well yuo can tune your bow. if in doubt drop us a line or if not an experience archer at your club as weel as a coach will help.
good shooting 2006

[Rik]

Only one of the options listed is "tuning"... tuning is about fiddling with a setup to improve groups. Most people aren't good enough to need to do it.

[tel]

Originally Posted by Rik

Only one of the options listed is "tuning"... tuning is about fiddling with a setup to improve groups. Most people aren't good enough to need to do it.

Surely a tuned setup is better, regardless of the archers ability - if only to remove that from the list of causes for poor results.