Is it really worth it?

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Feb 25, 2012
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I have a 5-pin slider 20-60 (60-110) yards. I got to thinking, is a 7, 8 or 9-pin fixed better? It seems we over complicate our gear. I like shooting long distance but wonder if the extra time and money spent fussing with the dials is worth it. Then there's the weight and vulnerability aspect too. I fear that going back to a 7-pin sight I'd miss shooting long range (more than 80 yards). Have any of you went back to simple?
 

robby denning

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Can"t disagree with Bohntr

I shot 3-pin fixed for 30 years but switched to a 3 pin slider last year. Surely more complicated and takes more thought. I shoot the wrong pin more often now than I used to, but I like the precision I can get beyond 50.

I'd have a hard time going back to fixed at this point. Ask me in a year or two and I might feel differently.
 

Outwest

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I just switched from a 7 pin fixed to a 5 pin slider. I stuck with the 5 pin(20-60) because I know that I will probably never have to dial in a shot on elk unless it is a follow up or I can dial the sight up to a precise yardage to make a very accurate shot, say dial my 60 pin up to 47 yards.

To really reply and answer is a 5 pin slider worth it if all it is giving you is a little more precision and ability to make a follow up shot past 60?
I don't have a definite answer but I do know that the confidence I gain in my setup being able to accurately shoot long range due to the sliding sight is well beyond worth it to me.
 

5MilesBack

"DADDY"
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I miss the days bowhunters tried to get close......that's going "back to simple". :)

I miss the days where bowhunters actually shoot year round at any and all distances because they love the sport of archery, instead of picking up their bow with 2 pins the week before the season and heading out to hunt.;) See what assumptions get you?

I absolutely love LR bow shooting, but I also love my 7-pin fixed SH Hunter. You can always stack pins if you don't want the dials. I don't shoot archery for "simple". If I wanted simple, I'd stay home on the couch and watch college football.
 
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7 or 9 pins seems like it would clutter the sight picture too much. I just started shooting a 5 pin MBG ascent at 20-60. I did get some custom pin colors and sizes to help pick out the right pin quicker. Sometimes I think a single-pin slider would be nice but then I'd be married to the range finder.
 

Archerm

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I just keep it simple with a 5 pin fixed sight.Really don't see the need to make a shot over 60yds with my bow.
 

KMT

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I have a 3 pin on one bow and a 5 pin in the other. I never really shoot more than 40 yards at an animal. So really, I don't need the 5 pin. It's all personal preference.
 

Colberjs

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I took the 5-pin fixed off my 313fps Faktor and replaced it with a single pin slider because the pins were so close together it screwed up my sight picture. I just ordered an Elite Synergy that I am going to have turned down to about 62# with an arrow in the neighborhood of 500gr. so I think the 5-pin may work on it because it will be a slower shooting bow.

I can't imagine having any more than 5 pins in my sight window. It would jack me up royally.
 

Beastmode

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I went to a slider a year ago. The main reason I did it was because a few years ago I liver shot a buck. He ran to about 80 and stopped. He knew something was wrong. With my 5 pin sight I stacked and let one more fly. Right over the top of him but perfect left to right. He died but it took longer than I wanted. I can't garuntee that with a slider I would have hit him but now I feel more accurate practicing at that distance and have a lot more confidence in a follow up shot. Although I never plan on a follow up shot if I ever have a chance to put another one in I take that opportunity.
 
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northwest montana
I just switched from a 7 pin fixed to a 5 pin slider. I stuck with the 5 pin(20-60) because I know that I will probably never have to dial in a shot on elk unless it is a follow up or I can dial the sight up to a precise yardage to make a very accurate shot, say dial my 60 pin up to 47 yards.

To really reply and answer is a 5 pin slider worth it if all it is giving you is a little more precision and ability to make a follow up shot past 60?
I don't have a definite answer but I do know that the confidence I gain in my setup being able to accurately shoot long range due to the sliding sight is well beyond worth it to me.

This^^

It's a personal decision. I don't plan on moving my slider while hunting but I like a slightly less cluttered sight picture.
 
OP
Brandon Pattison
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I shoot almost daily, year-round and even hunt with my recurve (I hope that qualifies me as a bowhunter). I shoot both bows most days. I don't care what sport it is so long as it has an arrow, bullet, hook or trap. You fellas helped. I'm keeping my slider. Thanks.
 

5MilesBack

"DADDY"
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With my 5 pin sight I stacked and let one more fly. Right over the top of him but perfect left to right.

How many did you stack? Generally, the pin gaps get bigger the further out you go. So, for an 80 yard shot you'd want to stack about 2.5 to 3 pins if your 5th pin is set at 60.......depending on your setup. But you definitely want to have practiced this stuff beforehand to make sure where you're hitting.
 
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I have been trying a Tommy hogg 3 pin slider this year on my hoyt Faktor turbo. I have it set at 30 40 50 fixed and then slide for 60 to 100. Practicing out to 80 - 100 is a heck of a lot easier now. Hunting distance for me is 60 max and should be a heck of a lot closer but nice to know a follow up at 80 to 100 is possible in right situation.
 
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I have a different look at this for you guys, i started hunting 4 years ago archery only and went out and bought my very first bow at that time. I shoot a lot and close to season almost every day. I shoot a single slider. I hear there could be issues elk hunting but I guess I may just have to pass some shots. No way I can shoot a fixed. 7 pins sounds crazy to me. I just don't know any different though.
 

kpk

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I shoot a 5 pin fixed SH. If I want to practice farther I can just grab an allen wrench and adjust it. Shooting a long ways is fun and makes 50 yards seem like a chip shot. Once season rolls around I dial in for hunting ranges, set it, forget it. I'd rather have the reliability of a fixed sight when hunting...JMO.
 

bohntr

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See what assumptions get you?

No assumptions at all.......perhaps your reading comprehension skills are a lacking, 5MB. If you truly want to go "back to simple", which is what the original poster asked, getting closer would alleviate the dilemma.
 

5MilesBack

"DADDY"
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No assumptions at all.......perhaps your reading comprehension skills are a lacking, 5MB. If you truly want to go "back to simple", which is what the original poster asked, getting closer would alleviate the dilemma.

Perhaps reading comprehension isn't your strongest suit.;)

He said he wants to shoot long range. How does getting closer to the target accomplish this? It doesn't.

"Back to simple" was in reference to his sight.......not simple shooting. Sure......everyone could stand 10 yards from the target and punch X's all day long with a single pin, but while "simple" that's also extremely boring. Even simpler.......just give up shooting altogether. But that wasn't his "dilemma" nor a solution to his problem.

Your answer was akin to someone asking which caliber would be best for a LR rifle, and you replying to just keep it simple and get a .22 and shoot at 50 yards. Not very helpful to the issue.
 
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