Walk-back tuning
Walk-back tuning verifies horizontal centre-shot at hunting distance. You sight in the 20 yard pin, then shoot the same 20 yard pin at 40, 50, and 60 yards. The arrows should form a vertical column. A drift left or right at 60 yards proves the rest needs a lateral move, not the sight.
Five steps to a vertical column
- Set a fresh face at 20 yards. Sight-in the 20 yard pin dead centre with three arrows in a 2 in group.
- Move the target to 30 yards. Shoot the same 20 yard pin. Arrow will hit low. Note whether it drifts left or right of the 20 yard hole.
- Move to 40 yards, then 50 yards, then 60 yards. Shoot the same 20 yard pin each time. Mark each impact.
- Drift right at 60 yards for a right-handed shooter means the rest is too far left. Move rest 1/64 in right per 1 in drift at 60 yd. Re-sight the 20 yard pin.
- Repeat until all four impacts fall within 1/4 in of a straight vertical line at 60 yards.
Reading a 12 yard drift
A 2 in right drift from 20 yd to 60 yd equals 0.5 in per 10 yd. Move the rest 1/32 in in the direction opposite the drift. Re-sight and re-test. Do not move the sight to chase the drift; that only masks it.
Common errors
Shooting from a tripod-mounted release for the 20 yard sight-in, then hand-holding for the 60 yard test (introduces false torque). Not re-sighting the 20 yard pin after moving the rest (loses the reference). Skipping 30 and 40 yards (a 60 yd drift alone can be a form error, not a rest issue).
What bowhunters are saying
Walk-back tuning saved me a broadhead tune two seasons ago. I had a 3 in right drift at 60 yd that vanished after 1/32 in of rest move left. Ran broadheads through the same holes as field points on the first shot after.
Rokslide, Tuning subforum, 2025