Broadhead Tuning for Bowhunting Success

When getting prepared for the bowhunting season many an archer grabs up his or her bow, equips his or her arrows with field tips and commences 'sighting it in'. They get to the point of consistently grouping arrows together and are confident everything is set correctly. Now, removing the field tips they screw in the broadheads and everything should shoot perfectly, right?

Not so fast. A broadhead is a far cry from a field tip and offers different challenges to getting the bow sighted in. This can be one of the most frustrating aspects of preparing your equipment for the bowhunting season. Such a simple task, yet so many variable to hinder your progress.

Is your bow tuned properly?

Yep, your bow actually does need to be tuned correctly in order for your broadheads to fly true. If you were having trouble shooting consistent groups prior to the installation of the broadhead tips then you'll definitely have issues after installing them. Prior to shooting with broadheads, always make sure your bow is properly tuned..

Double check the square of your nock point, check that your rest is level, if your arrow rest uses a cushion plunger ensure that it is not pushing your arrow rather than guiding it and be sure to paper tune. If you continue having problems getting your bow tuned properly take it to a local sports shop or have an experienced friend lend a helping hand.

Does your arrow have the proper spine for your broadhead?

If the arrows you have chosen have to light of a spine for your broadhead the tip will take control of the arrow and lead it to where the elements decide it should go. A broadhead, although designed to be aerodynamic, will act as another set of arrow fletches but on the front of your arrow.

One way to determine this is to drop the draw weight of your bow by five pounds, re-shoot with your field points on the arrows and then shoot your broadheads again. If you notice a tighter grouping by doing this then you have a number of options.