Shooting the gap

[Will_m]

Could be a mental thing, could be a real thing.

I've noticed that I shoot tighter and more consistent groups at 80 than I do at 70. My last pin is 70. To shoot 80, I shoot the gap between 70 and the bottom of my sight housing.

I'm beginning to think that without the pin, it allows for a natural sort of centering between the two reference points and somewhat elements target panic.

Too much time in the sun or something legitimate?

 

[TX_Diver]

Interesting.... I have no idea if you're onto something or not but you could try dropping your 70 pin to 80 and seeing if your groups at 70 improve when shooting the gap between 60-80 just as another reference.

 

[willfrye027]

Maybe you are trying to force the pin to stay on the spot, rather than letting it float, introducing some slight hand torque? When I shot compound I used to shoot better when I could hardly see the spot I was aiming at because I shot more relaxed

 

[street]

It could be that you're less likely to punch the trigger in that scenario? I know I have the tendency to slap it sometimes when the pin is where I want it.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[5MilesBack]

I shoot better groups at 60 than 50, and I have pins for both. Sometimes different sight pictures just work better.

 

[Beendare]

I shoot better groups at 60 than 50, and I have pins for both. Sometimes different sight pictures just work better.

I've noticed the same^ type of thing at certain distances with certain bows. I think its that certain geometries and sight pictures create a sweet spot. Then I try to figure out if there is anything I'm doing at the sweet spot that I can improve on at other distances- like grip for example.

Since you are gapping and not shooting off a pin it could also be your concentration is more focused on that shot- I dunno, just guessing.

...

 

[Blockcaver]

I like gap shooting at the "5's"....25, 35, 45 and 55 yards and often practice those yards. For me the totally clear sight picture of the target allows for a better focus on the target and likely better form shooting the index finger with back tension. The pin hiding the target, especially if the spot is too small seems detrimental. I find this especially true when shooting my "busy" Rhinehart 18-1 target. My groups shrink when I gap shoot it versus shooting on the 10's at a target with spots that are about the same size and color as my green and yellow sight pins.

So yes I think you are on to something. At any rate, gap shooting if you use a sight other than a single pin slider is a good skill to have. And yardages other than 5 and 10 yd increments requiring you to shoot 1/4 or 1/3 non-symetrical gaps are excellent practice too. Good luck!