handirifle wrote: OK I thought I had this down. Let me start by stating up front I AM A LEFT HAND SHOOTER, since everything I read is tailored to righties.

In testing my steel insert and heavy field point (see “steel inserts” thread in the Friends of FOC) I started with my trusty 2018 bare shaft, and the 223gr field point and 181gr insert. For ME, as I understand it, shooting left handed, if the nock hits left of the point, the arrow is too stiff. If nock hits right of point, the shaft is too weak, right?

OK, here’s my problem. When I started with the above setup (recurve bow, shooting off the shelf, finger release, 10yd target) the arrows hit nock high and right. About 5″ high and 5″ right.

Sooo, assuming I had a too weak shaft, I took to the little lathe and trimmed the weight of the field point, down to 200gr. Still shoots about the same as before. OK trim it down to 180gr, still the same. My bad for nt checking basic bare shaft BEFORE making all the little toys.

Instead of cutting the tip down more, I tried a 125gr. Now is shoots straight in, but nock high. No biggie, nock set moved down. Nock hits higher yet, so move nock up, gets better, but in trying to get it perfect, it gets to a point of going even higher.

The best it ever got was hitting about 3″ high (nock) and straight left to right.

Then all of a sudden it seems it’s hitting nock right again, so I try a 100gr point, still right. So I go to alum insert, 180gr tip, still right. Then to 125gr tip, still nock right. What the heck am I doing wrong. I am careful with my form and release to be as consistent as possible. Thumb and forefinger holding the bow to lessen torque.

Help!

After reading the above it seems you are having a slight release problem.

For things to change without any adjustment to the arrow tells it all. I know alot of folks think they have the same release all the time. However, this is not true.

On average your release will get better after a few shots then turn south as your body starts to tire.

As the ol’ saying goes, “been there done that”. If you see a change in shaft impact or flight after shooting for awhile, take a break. Several hours break is best. Then start over. Most likely you will be off at first then get better.

Troy