How to tune arrows for a compound bow
A tuned bow shoots broadheads and field points to the same aim point at 40 yards. An untuned bow shoots broadheads 6 in off at 40 yards no matter how well you shoot. This guide covers the exact tuning sequence we run on every review rig before we score a broadhead.
Tune your compound bow: 25 yd sight-in, walk-back, French tune
Do this in order. If the arrow does not print with the field point at 25 yards, no broadhead in the world is going to save you. This is the exact sequence we run on every review rig before we start shooting broadheads.
01. Set nocking point + center-shot
Nocking point 1/8 in above square. Center-shot at 13/16 in from the riser on a 65 lb Hoyt (adjust per bow spec). Verify with a bow square before you touch an arrow.
02. Paper tune
Shoot through paper at 6 ft. Read the tear. A tail-high tear means nocking point too high. A tail-left tear (right handed) means rest too far left. Adjust in 1/32 in increments. Chase a bullet hole; do not accept anything wider than a nock-width.
03. Sight-in at 25 yards
Sight-in the 20 yd pin first at 10 yards; a small mistake at 10 is a big mistake at 20. Move to 20, then set 30, 40, 50, 60 yd pins. Group of three per pin, minimum. If groups open past 5 in at 40 yd, back up and re-tune, not shoot more.
04. Walk-back tune
Sight-in at 20 yd. Move to 40, 50, 60 yd shooting the same 20 yd pin. If arrows drift left or right at distance, micro-adjust the rest laterally in 1/64 in increments. Perfect vertical line = center-shot true.
05. French tune (fine finish)
Shoot 5 yd + 30 yd at the same aim point. Arrows should stack vertically. Any lateral drift means micro rest-shim adjustments. This is the final polish before broadhead flight verification.
06. Broadhead verification
Shoot broadheads at 20 and 40 yd next to field points. Impact should be within 2 in of the same aim point. If not, adjust rest laterally toward the field-point group (broadheads are always more sensitive to yaw).
Tools you need
Bow square. Paper tuner (a paper frame at 6 ft). Ram spin tester or arrow spinner. Allen key set for the rest. Bare-shaft arrow (no fletching) for bare-shaft tuning. Field points and broadheads matched in weight.
Common mistakes
Chasing paper without checking centre-shot first. Sight-in with broadheads before paper is bullet-hole tuned. Ignoring nock rotation. Skipping walk-back and going straight to a full broadhead sight-in. Not spin-testing broadheads before flight test.