Mounting Aimpoint: Bow Edition

Mounting an Aimpoint onto a compound bow can be a great way to improve your accuracy when shooting. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

First, make sure you have the right equipment. You'll need an Aimpoint sight, a compound bow, and a mounting bracket that is compatible with both. The HHA Sports Optimizer-Lite MRS Scope and the Tru-Glow pwr-dot electronic archery sight are two popular options for Aimpoint sights.

Next, attach the mounting bracket to the bow's riser using the provided screws. Make sure the bracket is securely attached before moving on.

Now, it's time to mount the Aimpoint sight onto the bracket. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for this step, as it may vary depending on the specific model you have.

Once the sight is mounted, you'll need to align it for accurate shooting. This involves adjusting the windage and elevation to ensure the crosshairs are properly aligned with your target. You can use the knobs on the sight to make fine adjustments.

After you've adjusted the windage and elevation, it's important to check that the scope is level. Use a bubble level to ensure that the scope is perfectly level and aligned with the bow's riser.

Finally, you'll need to sight in your compound bow. Set up a target at a reasonable distance, around 20 yards, and take a few initial shots to gauge your accuracy. Make any necessary adjustments to the sight until you are consistently hitting your target.

With these steps, you'll be able to mount and aim your compound bow with an Aimpoint sight, improving your accuracy and overall shooting performance.

Warm up and relax your muscles before shooting

Warming up your muscles before shooting is essential to improving your performance and reducing the risk of injury. Here are some tips to help you warm up and relax your muscles before shooting a compound bow:

First, understand the importance of warming up. Although archery is a relatively static sport, it still requires the use of many upper body muscles. Warming up prepares your muscles for the strain they will experience during shooting. It increases blood flow, makes your muscles more pliable, and improves your range of motion.

Allocate sufficient time for your warm-up routine. Aim for a warm-up session lasting between 5 to 10 minutes. If you are a beginner, consider starting with a longer warm-up of around 30 minutes to gradually prepare your body.

Begin with light aerobic exercises such as walking, jogging, or high knees to get your blood flowing and slightly elevate your heart rate. This will help increase blood flow to your muscles and raise your body temperature.

After the aerobic warm-up, focus on dynamic stretches that involve movement. Avoid static stretches before shooting, as they can be ineffective or even harmful when performed on cold muscles. Try exercises such as arm circles, shoulder rolls, or lunges. You can also try swinging your arms forward until your elbows meet, then bending them at a 90-degree angle. Repeat this motion 8 to 12 times to warm up your shoulder and arm muscles.

If you feel stiffness in your shoulders and back, try this exercise: Start with your shoulders upright, then turn them clockwise for 5 repetitions and anticlockwise for another 5 repetitions. This will help improve flexibility in your shoulder and back muscles.

Additionally, consider exercises that target the muscles used in archery, such as your back and shoulder muscles. For example, you can perform a few drawing motions with your bow, drawing it halfway or at a heavier draw weight than usual.

Remember, warming up also includes a mental aspect. Dry firing, cocking the bow, and attaining the proper stance can help you mentally prepare and get "in the groove" before shooting.

Finally, listen to your body during the warm-up. Warm-up exercises should not be painful. Adjust or stop if you experience any discomfort or pinching pain.

Adopt a shooting stance with your feet shoulder-width apart, at a 90-degree angle to the target

When shooting a compound bow, adopting a good stance is crucial. A good shooting stance is one that provides a strong base for your shooting, ensuring that you are stable and consistent.

To adopt a good shooting stance, start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and at a 90-degree angle to the target. This stance provides a solid foundation for your shooting platform. You can adjust your stance slightly to be a little more open (facing the target) if you catch yourself leaning or having balance issues.

With your feet in position, step a couple of inches (a few centimetres) forward with your lead foot and turn it outward. Balance your weight evenly between your two feet, without leaning in any direction. This balanced stance will help you maintain stability and avoid unnecessary movement when drawing and releasing the arrow.

A good shooting stance should feel natural and comfortable. It should also allow you to easily draw the bow and maintain your aim without excessive muscle tension or strain. Remember, consistency in your stance is key to accuracy in shooting a compound bow.

Grasp the bow with a natural grip, most of the pressure on the lower part of your thumb

When gripping a compound bow, it is important to adopt a natural grip. This will help you to shoot more accurately and consistently. Here is a step-by-step guide to achieving a natural grip:

Step 1: Positioning Your Bow Hand

Grip the bow so that most of the pressure rests on the lower part of your thumb, about an inch (2.5 cm) below the joint. Your thumb should be positioned comfortably along the side of the bow grip, not on top of it. This will help to ensure that your hand is stable and secure as you hold the bow. Wrap your fingers around the grip in a relaxed manner, avoiding any tension in your hand.

Step 2: Positioning Your Bow Arm

Extend your bow arm fully, with your elbow locked and parallel to the ground. This will help to keep your bow steady and level, ensuring consistent shots.

Step 3: Positioning Your Bow Shoulder

Position your bow shoulder directly behind the bow, with your shoulder blade pulled back and down. Ensure that your bow shoulder is level to keep the bow from tilting. This will help to keep your bow steady and prevent it from moving around as you shoot.

Step 4: Positioning Your Bow String Hand

Wrap your bow string hand around the string in a relaxed manner, with your thumb positioned comfortably. Avoid gripping the string too tightly, as this can cause muscle fatigue and negatively impact your accuracy.

Step 5: Positioning Your Bow String Arm

Fully extend your bow string arm, with your elbow locked and parallel to the ground. This will help to keep your bow steady and ensure consistent shots.

Step 6: Positioning Your Bow String Shoulder

Position your bow string shoulder directly behind the bow string, with your shoulder blade pulled back and down. Ensure that your bow string shoulder is level to keep the bow steady and prevent tilting.

Common Mistakes

One of the most common mistakes when gripping a compound bow is gripping it too tightly. This can lead to muscle fatigue and reduced accuracy. Incorrect thumb placement, inadequate support from the backhand, and incorrect elbow position can also cause problems. Focus on proper hand and arm positioning, and keep your grip relaxed and steady. Practice will help you develop muscle memory, so you can achieve a natural grip without thinking about it.

Draw the bow to your anchor points, looking for points where the bow meets your face

When drawing the bow to your anchor points, you should be looking for points where the bow meets your face. Anchor points are essential in archery as they provide a reference point for aiming and releasing the arrow accurately. They also help you maintain a consistent form and technique, and improve your accuracy and consistency over time.

There are several common anchor points that you can use. One of the most popular is the chin anchor point, where the tip of your nose touches the string and the string touches your chin when you draw the bow. Another popular option is the corner of the mouth anchor point, where the tip of your nose touches the string and your index finger touches the corner of your mouth. A third option is the cheekbone anchor point, where the tip of your nose touches the string and the string touches your cheekbone.

You can also use the eye as an anchor point by touching the tip of the nose to the string and drawing until the string touches your dominant eye. Alternatively, you can use the back of the neck as an anchor point, or the collarbone. The temple is another option for an anchor point.

When drawing the bow to your anchor points, it's important to keep your head in a similar position and your neck relaxed. You should also draw the string to the anchor point, rather than bringing the anchor point to the string. Keep your teeth joined together and avoid chewing gum, as anything that changes the position of your anchor point will affect the accuracy of your shots.

Look through the peep sight, attached to the string, and align the forward sight with the target

To align your forward sight with the target, you'll want to start by looking through the peep sight. This is a ring attached to the string of your bow, which you look through to help you aim. You'll want to make sure that your peep sight is large enough to view your entire forward sight, but small enough to allow for pinpoint accuracy when focusing on your target.

Once you've looked through the peep sight, you'll want to align the forward sight with your target. The forward sight is attached to the front of your bow, and typically has several pins lined up inside, marking different distances. Choose the pin that best matches your distance to the target, and move your bow so that the pin is directly in front of the target.

If you're not sure which pin corresponds to which distance, you can find out through trial and error. Measure a distance of 20 yards to a target and sight through each pin until you discover the one that lets you hit consistently. Alternatively, you can use software that prints out a custom "sight tape" for your bow, allowing you to set adjustable "slider" pins to different distances quickly.

Once you've aligned the correct pin with your target, you can make minor adjustments to improve your accuracy. For example, you can check the bubble level on your forward sight, and tilt the bow left or right until the bubble is in the centre of the level. You can also try "floating" the pin, which means letting it drift small distances back and forth or around your target before releasing the arrow when you feel relaxed.

Frequently asked questions