What accuracy are you comfortable with and at what yardage?

[Lark Bunting]

Everyone should have their limits on a shot based on ability, confidence, etc. I'm wondering what your comfort zone is for archery. For example, I am comfortable taking a shot at 20 yards knowing I can hit a Skoal Can lid. I am within 1" of that lid at 30 yards and 2" at 40 yards. I haven't practiced beyond that yet. I'm hoping to get my groups and cold shot down to a tighter range at 40 yards.

Is the old, "I can hit a pie plate at 50 yards" good enough? Should I be able to split the hair I'm aiming at at 50 yards every time?

What kind of accuracy are you shooting at the various yardages?

[Swede]

Lark: I have been shooting bows for years now. I have never gotten any better than what you describe. Along with hitting a pie plate at 50 yards or a grapefruit sized object at 40, I want to draw my bow smoothly, hold comfortably and make a good release whenever I need to. My objectives are simple. I have no thoughts about 60+ yard shots. I am not that good.

[Fridaythe13th]

A clear shot with no wind 60 yds for me. I can hit a paper plate at that range. 70 not so good. We made some game that help are accuracy. My favorite is putting a deck of cards on a piece of cardboard. see who can get the best poker hand, only use 5 arrows and you can't walk up to the target to see where you hit. any yardage well do. If you want a little more spin on it we play for a cash but it cold be something like the worst hand for the game gets all the fire wood for the night campfire. The other game is take a string tie it to the top of a pop (beer) can at a little water to the can swing it back and forth and see if you can hit the swinging can. good drill for keeping both those eyes open.

[Screaming_btf]

A clear perfect shot on an even plain with no wind and the animal not moving 65 yds for me. When I practice I like to be dead on to 30, within 1.5' 30-40 and 3-4' from 50 - 80 yards.

[Duck-Slayer]

I practice anywhere from 2-7 times a week, luckily I am able too shoot too 80 yards on my property.... at 80 yards I can hit a 4" circle about 75% of the time and a 6" circle 100% of the time... if it perfect condition's maybe I would think of a shot that far but only on Deer and Antelope, I have went 2 for 2 elk hunting and have never had too take a shot more than 20 yards on an elk, and since I have been bowhunting which is all my life I have never shot at an animal over 50 yards, so its all depends on your skill level, I pride myself in being eyeball blink close.... not everyone I know or read about feels the same way, but some people have there limitations on how close they can get, i'm luckily a smaller person at 6' - 164 pounds so for me its not as big as a deal too get close compared too a
6'4" - 240 lb guy... so shoot what your comfortable, I would like everyone too practice longer range's when there at the range so it make's anything close super easy...
Matt

[Wyo67]

In the field - no more than 50 yards. I practice out to 80 yards, just to help me maintain form and confidence in the shorter shots.

If Duck-Slayer is small at 6', I must be a runt at 5'7"... . My associated short draw length it makes it a challenge to maintain speed and KE downrange with 450 grain arrow. Which factors into the 50 yard limit in the field.

[dapper]

I routinely shoot at 30 yards getting softball size groups. I'm sure I can shoot paperplates at 50, maybe a bit farther. But this is at the range, its hard to factor in the adrenaline rush on shooting at a real animal. So I'd say 50 yards is my limit currently under ideal conditions.

Dan

[Trophyhill]

If I'm not hitting thee spot I'm aiming for, I'm neither comfortable or satisfied at any yardage! With all the different scenarios that play out and all the different shot angles possible and shrinking kill zones that go along with some of those angles, you can bet your last arrow that I don't subscribe to the "pie plate" theory

[ferris bugler]

I never use a range finder or actually measure my shots/ For me if I can visualize the shot I will take it. I shoot traditional so I'm guessing 40 yards is on the long side but I have done it and put the arrow right where I was looking.

[Toby]

The old 1"group at 10 yards, 2"@20 yards, 3"@ 30 yds., and so on is great if you an manage it. Remember, we are talking groups, not how much you miss by. For instance, at 30 yards you can be 1.5" high, low, left, or right of your aiming spot. In my world, that is really good shooting. I manage it most of the time out to 30 yards, sometimes out to 40' and on a good day at 50 yards..but, I am satisfied with softball size groups withing my hunting range, 50 yards and in. Penetration at long distances is always a concern of mine.

[Indian Summer]

My max pin has always been 45 yards. At that distance I expect to shoot most groups at or under 4 inches with the occasional hit 3 inches off the mark. I always know the reason for the off the mark shots though.

[Steve G]

50 assuming I actually KNOW the yardage.

[pointysticks]

60 is easy for me. i can hear the arrows click sometimes at that range from them contacting each other..

beyond that, it is amazing. it gets worse FAST. i think my vision is diminishing. 20 more yards for my fun 80 yard shots..i am not good anymore. i will practice all summer at 80..and hope for a 30 yarder.

now at 60, i like to see a calm animal that has zero clue i am coming at him with an arrow. at that range, he wont hear my bow.

[elkaholic]

In the past I have practiced out to 80 yards but this year I am going to stretch that to somewhere around 120yrds. 50 yards softball sized groups is what I stride for. Some days I can have those size groups at 70 yards and some days it's 40. Just depends. I test myself not only with cold shots but sprinting back and forth between my target and my bow 2-5 times depending on the distance then making 1 shot. This allow me to practice with some adrenaline

[Duck-Slayer]

If Duck-Slayer is small at 6', I must be a runt at 5'7"... . My associated short draw length it makes it a challenge to maintain speed and KE downrange with 450 grain arrow.

That's hilarious..... I have short arm's also.. 27" draw.....
Matt

[elk.addict]

so for me its not as big as a deal too get close compared too a
6'4" - 240 lb guy

My dimensions exactly, but I think I'm quite sneaky for a big guy

To answer the question: I used to THINK 70 yards would be ok, I practiced further than this distance and did quite well. I had something go wrong on a 67 yard elk shot that surprised me, I won't elaborate, but it has changed my way of thinking. So now I stick to 50 yards max.

[ElkNut1]

As far as accuracy & comfort of shot I'm good to 60yds, I prefer 40yds & under though. I'm the paper plate guy, paper plate sized groups at 60 are the norm for me. I cannot remember casting a shot that far lately but would if everything was right & the animal is not showing signs of bolting or spooked, I also need to know the distance! With this said our average kill shot is 22-23 yds. Too, you never know when a 2nd shot or backup shot will be required once animal is hit, these can happen quick so practicing to 70yd to a 100 yds is a good thing!

ElkNut1

[blackwolf]

I like to practice enough to feel comfortable with 40 yards. That is my farthest shot consideration under perfect conditions. I only feel comfortable with it after shooting a lot at 50 yards.

[Kevrod3]

I would shoot 60 pretty comfortably. Like I've said In previous threads, sub 6 inch groups at 60 yards is my goal. I live in town so I have limited room to shoot. 60 yards max.

[Lefty]

Under the right ideal conditions Ill shoot out to 65,
but most days under 30

[mmcan]

I appreciate the idea and possibility of taking a shot at "X" distance. And I'm always impressed at how much harder it is to drill another 10 yards out. But to those that argue, "Don't take the shot" bc it's too far, I would counter that most bow hunters are exceedingly reasonable in refraining from taking wild ass shots at "X+" distance, and the real reason to practice out farther than that is to take/MAKE a follow up shot if your first is less than perfect. Add that aspect to the discussion and that will have you practicing from end zone to end zone if at all possible. And a cheapo metal detector might be a bargain if it can help you find those errant 100 yarders. Damn arrows just disappear some times!

[COElkFreak]

I am pretty comfortable with 60 yards but the only way I woulkd take that shot is if the condition were all perfect. If the animal is calm...not nervous and there is little to no wind.