Effect of loose nocks?

Jimster71 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-02-07, 11:08 AM

Hi,

When I was shooting at the club session this week, I noticed that one of the 3 arrows I was using had a very loose grip on the string, compared to the other two. In some cases, it would move a little off the string at full draw, causing me to come down and re-set it.

Would there be any noticable effect on the flight of this loose nocking arrow, compared to the other 2 at a relatively short distance (say 15-20yrds).

Being a beginner, my groups aren't quite tight enough yet at that distance to tell if it was a technique problem or an arrow problem, so I wanted to try and eliminate possibilities.

ThePinkOne · #2 (**permalink**) 08-02-07, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimster71

Hi,

When I was shooting at the club session this week, I noticed that one of the 3 arrows I was using had a very loose grip on the string, compared to the other two. In some cases, it would move a little off the string at full draw, causing me to come down and re-set it.

Would there be any noticable effect on the flight of this loose nocking arrow, compared to the other 2 at a relatively short distance (say 15-20yrds).

Being a beginner, my groups aren't quite tight enough yet at that distance to tell if it was a technique problem or an arrow problem, so I wanted to try and eliminate possibilities.

In theory, yes. In practice, depends how significant this factor is compared with all the other things.... in the case above I'd guess probably not significant. Inconsistencies between the arrows (it they are typical "club" arrows

) is probably more of an issue........ As well as all the other stuff!

However, nock consistency is a well-regarded issue, why do you think Beiter is so popular?

P.

Trunkles · #3 (**permalink**) 08-02-07, 11:49 AM

My son had a damaged string which was not tight on the nocks and it was causing damage to the nocks and the arrow came off unpredictably in odd directions - safety issue - string replaced and nocks

Kae · #4 (**permalink**) 08-02-07, 11:53 AM

When I shoot, if there is an arrow that is looser than it should be, then I take out the nock and bin it straight away!

Not only can it cost you points, but if it was to disengage before you released, then it would dry fire your bow! Which can be very painfull and or expensive!

Kae.

geoffretired · #5 (**permalink**) 08-02-07, 12:21 PM

Loose nocks are dangerous for reasons stated by Kae.
If the fit is still tight enough for the arrow to stay on the string;, but less tight than the rest, I think it would make little difference at close range unless it located at a different height from the others. That would depend on the way your nocking point is made. Very low profile ones could allow the loose nock to locate differently.

Jimster71 · #6 (**permalink**) 08-02-07, 01:36 PM

Thanks for the responses, I'll get the loose nock replaced at the next session. It's a club arrow, but I will be able to identify it easily enough.

Joester · #7 (**permalink**) 08-02-07, 02:52 PM

bite 'em...

Kae · #8 (**permalink**) 08-02-07, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joester

bite 'em...

Bad idea;

Bad for your teeth
Causes inconsistencies with nock tension
Like metal, plastic once stretched won't go back to its original shape (except obvious exceptions), so all your doing is crushing it, so won't last very long.

Nocks are cheap, replace them! I'd rather replace 40p's worth of nock, than £400 of limbs!

Kae.