Mule deer / bear out west: setting 3 pins

[bobcattin]

0 to ~30-35, top pin, sending it

I meant to ask if the animal was in the 20-30 yard range if you'd just put the 1st pin on and send it...but this answers that question nonetheless. Thanks

 

[CMF]

I meant to ask if the animal was in the 20-30 yard range if you'd just put the 1st pin on and send it...but this answers that question nonetheless. Thanks

Yea, if I have time to think and/or range and the animal is only 20 or less, I would aim slightly lower on heart.

 

[awcopeland]

If something is inside 10 yards, you’ll likely hit significantly lower than you’d think unless you’ve practiced shooting extremely close. For example, I use my middle or 4th pin (happens to be sighted at 50 & 60 respectively) for shots that are extremely close (not that I’ve been fortunate to have that experience on an animal)

 

[CMF]

If something is inside 10 yards, you’ll likely hit significantly lower than you’d think unless you’ve practiced shooting extremely close. For example, I use my middle or 4th pin (happens to be sighted at 50 & 60 respectively) for shots that are extremely close (not that I’ve been fortunate to have that experience on an animal)

I hadn't tried in a while and I never tried the 3yd shot before that I heard mentioned recently(that 60yd pin would be on a 3yds) So I went and shot some test.

I just in the past year or so went back to 3 pins(25,40,50) from 4 pins (20,30,40,50) and I hadn't played around much at intermediate yards. Previously, when I'd set my top pin, I would shoot at 20 and 30 and make sure they were hitting equally high/low from my aiming point. Having set my sight tape at 4 pins and not wanting to move anything right now. My top pin is set at 24yds to align with the red indicator pin maxed out on a BG mountain ascent. I will work on moving things so my 20 and 30 yds shots are equally high/low from aim.
Here are the results. The 10 yard is actually higher and the 3yd not much lower(and does not align with 60yd pin)not sure where I heard that.
Difference at 20/30yds is about 4.5". I've seen guys saying theirs are only 2 to 3". Maybe that's because of arrow weight/speed, I'm not sure. Arrow weight is around 456grn. Speed according to my sight tape is around 286fps.

 

[awcopeland]

I hadn't tried in a while and I never tried the 3yd shot before that I heard mentioned recently(that 60yd pin would be on a 3yds) So I went and shot some test.

I just in the past year or so went back to 3 pins(25,40,50) from 4 pins (20,30,40,50) and I hadn't played around much at intermediate yards. Previously, when I'd set my top pin, I would shoot at 20 and 30 and make sure they were hitting equally high/low from my aiming point. Having set my sight tape at 4 pins and not wanting to move anything right now. My top pin is set at 24yds to align with the red indicator pin maxed out on a BG mountain ascent. I will work on moving things so my 20 and 30 yds shots are equally high/low from aim.
Here are the results. The 10 yard is actually higher and the 3yd not much lower(and does not align with 60yd pin)not sure where I heard that.
Difference at 20/30yds is about 4.5". I've seen guys saying theirs are only 2 to 3". Maybe that's because of arrow weight/speed, I'm not sure. Arrow weight is around 456grn. Speed according to my sight tape is around 286fps.
View attachment 895137

Arrow speed will be the largest variable, but density altitude will also play a factor. I usually have my top pin set at ~26 yards and that gives me ~1.5” POI difference for 20 & 30 yards. My arrow weight and speed last year was 442gr & 291fps (Bowtech sr6 at 29” & 70lbs). I also live and sight in at 9k’. Super convenient for me because I don’t worry if I’m hunting close to that altitude. I also happen to have the convenience of shooting at much lower elevations (4k’) similar to what I could hunt antelope at.

All that to say, density altitude is important depending on where/when you plan to hunt vs sight in and practice.

 

[CMF]

Arrow speed will be the largest variable, but density altitude will also play a factor. I usually have my top pin set at ~26 yards and that gives me ~1.5” POI difference for 20 & 30 yards. My arrow weight and speed last year was 442gr & 291fps (Bowtech sr6 at 29” & 70lbs). I also live and sight in at 9k’. Super convenient for me because I don’t worry if I’m hunting close to that altitude. I also happen to have the convenience of shooting at much lower elevations (4k’) similar to what I could hunt antelope at.

All that to say, density altitude is important depending on where/when you plan to hunt vs sight in and practice.

So what are you doing when you make a big change in altitude and your sight tape is off. Do you change the sight tape? or what I was thinking about doing is adjusting my poundage.
I'll be practicing at 15ft elevation and going to hunt sheep at 12k-13k elevation. I'm expecting I'll need to make some adjustments when I get out there.

 

[awcopeland]

So what are you doing when you make a big change in altitude and your sight tape is off. Do you change the sight tape? or what I was thinking about doing is adjusting my poundage.
I'll be practicing at 15ft elevation and going to hunt sheep at 12k-13k elevation. I'm expecting I'll need to make some adjustments when I get out there.

Easiest way would be to back out your limb bolts as you shoot at altitude. I’ve never done that personally because of my fortunate circumstances but wouldn’t hesitate if I needed to.

I’ve also heard that precision cut archery has the ability to give you solutions based on DA but I haven’t played with it so I’m not sure how that works.

I haven’t been shooting much this year due to life so I probably won’t build a tape beyond 60-70 yards this year to avoid any stupid temptations.