Sight tracking

fbirder

Member
As I adjust me sight for longer distances my arrows tend to move to the right, so I have to adjust my windage. I'm guessing that's because my sight track isn't true. I've seen several comments about how this can be a problem - but nothing on how to fix it. The sight is a Sure-Lock recurve sight (Quest-X?).
 

bimble

Well-known member
Supporter
Fonz Awardee
Ironman
AIUK Saviour
there's normally a bit of play if you loosen the screws that hold the sight track to the sight bar to tweak it. Are you sure it's the sight track and not that you're canting the bow slightly?? It may be a case that the sight is vertical in relation with the bow, but the bow is slightly canted sending the arrow further off the further the target.

If you've got any friendly compounders in the club ask if they've got a slight leveling bubble you can borrow.

I've often seen written "line the sight track up with the string", but I can never see how as the riser always blocks the view!
 

joetapley

New member
Most sights have a built in alignment adjustment (scale bar pivots with respect to sight block)
1. Check limb alignment
2. Align sight pin with riser aligned string
3. Check pin remains aligned with string fully up/down and sidebar fully in/out. Four positions.

For quick check align sight bar with edge of riser.
 

Mark31121

Member
Ironman
Are you sure that it's moving the sight down that's causing the shift it and it's not a tuning issue? so if you don't adjust the sight between distances is your left/right still correct.
 

Simian

Supporter
Supporter
One of the holes in the extension bar where it bolts on to the sight track will be oval, giving a bit of side-to-side free play.

If you first line it up with the riser - hold it in front a bright surface, so there is a thin gap visible between the riser and the sight track, now move it slowly so the gap closes. When it's aligned, the gap will close all at once.

I've never had to do more than that to get it right - you can also check it by putting an arrow on the bow, and setting the sight pin directly over an arrow. Moving the pin up and down and check that it stays aligned with both the nock and the point.

If they're still going right, then it's you or your arrow/bow tune at fault.
 

Nightimer

New member
Find a doorframe which is true vertical (sprit level needed,a small one is good,you will need it later).
String your bow and fit sight place the limb pockets of the bow on the door frame,it is now true vertical.
You can place the level on your string as well to see if it matches.
Now place your spirit level on the vertical sight bar on your sight.
If its not vertical undo the screws slightly and move track until it is perfectly vertical.
Job done,you can now move the block up and down the track with no problem at all distances (assuming tuning is ok).
 

Rik

Supporter
Supporter
Are you sure that it's moving the sight down that's causing the shift it and it's not a tuning issue? so if you don't adjust the sight between distances is your left/right still correct.
That's why you always check alignments before tuning... Then if you see sideways effects, it's probably due to the sight track or extension being off.
 

Mormegil

Member
Find a doorframe which is true vertical (sprit level needed,a small one is good,you will need it later).
String your bow and fit sight place the limb pockets of the bow on the door frame,it is now true vertical.
You can place the level on your string as well to see if it matches.
Now place your spirit level on the vertical sight bar on your sight.
If its not vertical undo the screws slightly and move track until it is perfectly vertical.
Job done,you can now move the block up and down the track with no problem at all distances (assuming tuning is ok).
This is very similar to what I do.
 

backinblack

Active member
Another thing you can do is stick a bit of card to the sight rail (make sure it has a straight edge and is stuck on straight) and adjust the sight rail so that the edge of the card runs parallel to the string.
 

fbirder

Member
Many thanks for the helpful replies. The rail was skewed. I just have done it when I swapped the bar a few weeks ago.
 

geoffretired

Supporter
Supporter
Usually the sight track can be checked against the string by taking the sight aperture part off and placing a ruler on the edge of the sight track. The opposite edge of the ruler is often in line with the string and visible from the string side of the bow.
 
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