Option archery sights …and skinny arrows

[Knight.54]

Lots of more experienced archery elk hunters on here than me… so I’m looking for some advice on my set up.

I don’t think I want a sight that dials or slides.
I currently have 2 bows set up, both with Montana Black gold sights. One dials and has 3 pins the other is fixed 5 pins.
Does anybody have experience with a fixed sight with more pins?…
I’ve seen that Option Archery has a sight with 7 pins.
It’s a pretty pricey and complex looking piece of equipment that also has a pin that dials.
I don’t want to look at numbers on a sight tape or try to dial a single pin at the moment of truth.
I shot both the bows a lot a few years ago when I thought I was going on an archery hunt but it didn’t happen. I had one of them shooting nicely at 70 yards. Of course I’ll be hoping to get closer than that.
I’m challenged by a short draw length at 27”. Shooting 70 lbs. I’m pretty settled on an arrow close to 470 grains. And I really can’t justify or afford a new bow. I plan on shooting my Mathew’s switchback Xt.

On another topic,until now I’ve been shooting regular diameter arrows…
Is it worth re-configuring everything to go down to a small(or I guess micro) diameter arrow.
I’ve got the golden ticket and this will be my best opportunity in my lifetime at a trophy bull. So I’m trying to really have the best set up I can afford.
Please offer any advice you want as I’m a little overwhelmed by it all. I have very few experienced archery elk hunters to consult with so I’m counting on you guys!70 yard group. A couple of years ago. But my recent practice sessions are showing promise.

 

[Nick87]

Timely post I'm thinking about upgrading and can't decide which route to go or stay with the old one. Following.

 

[Dan O]

I been shooting bows since 1974. I use a fixed pin sight with 7 pins. At first I had issues getting the correct pin quickly. So I settled on having red pins at 20, 40, 60 yards the others are green at 30,50,70 and 80 yards. With a little practice it's easy to get the right pin immediately. I have my main bow and backup bow set up the same.

Whichever sight you decide on practice, practice, practice.

 

[Mule Kick]

The Option is a nice sight and system for sure. Personally I don’t think I’d like 7 pins but if you can get used to finding the right one quickly it’d pry work good. I use a 2 pin slider and like it. Less cluttered sight picture and I like dialing.
I think either of the sights you have would work just fine though!
My pick would probably be that 3 pin. Set at 30,40,50. Further than 50 you will likely have time to dial…
No real reason to switch to smaller diameter arrows either unless you simply like tinkering and have the money. 470 is a good weight IMO. Good luck!

 

[ccc23454]

I have had it all from a single fixed to 7 fixed and liked less pins i learned. I found myself even with color schemes counting to myself 20, 30, 40....50 while bull is standing there. I discovered by going to a newer faster bow I could reduce pin gap and remove clutter appearance. My current bow i put together couple years ago and settled on a 2 pin adjustable and couldnt be happier. If I was hunting mostly lope or deer I might want few more but for elk easy always is best. As far as arrows I am probably bad choice to listen to about micro shafts. I shot easton sonic 6mm's (coincidentally 2 dozen new shafts get here today). I hate smaller arrows and all they seem to do is create problems or costs so everytime i tried to switch i found myself questioning significance of advantage and just decided to shot full size shafts. Whatever you decide just practice and build confidence with the setup, good luck

 

[SAJ-99]

Does anybody have experience with a fixed sight with more pins?

You don’t need more than 5. In the moment, you increase your risk of picking the wrong pin. Mostly I see 7 pins as a sales gimmick. I went from a 5pin to a slider, and mostly still just leave it fixed and shoot the gap. That may be from doing that my whole life and avoiding the change. My longer range accuracy with the slider is a little worse than it was with the fixed pins. I can figure out why and I’m not convinced it isn’t me.

470 is fine. The group looks great. 70yds is a long shot. I practice to that but would never shoot it unless it was a follow up shot and unavoidable.

 

[Rack Daniels]

It’s not for everyone, but I’ve used the EZV since I started bowhunting. Although every animal may vary greatly in size, MOST big game animals have a similarly sized vital area. The V is based off of stadia metric range and the speed at which your arrows fly. If you change your speeds, you also change your “V” insert. It is very simple and once you are used to it, you will feel much more confident in taking real world archery shots in moments where ranging every time the animal moves isn’t possible. Beyond about 70 yards, you lose hash marks— no cam hanes shots. REAL WORLD archery shots or you’re using instinct… good luck with everything.

 

[Knight.54]

Thanks Rack
I’ll have to look into that one

And thanks everybody…. I’m definitely stupid so I should probably keep it simple!

Go with what I know.
Rucking and shooting everyday, practicing holding full draw…

 

[BOHNTR]

I’ve been lucky over the years hunting bull elk while using a 5 pin sight. It’s simple for
me to decipher in a critical moment and is not too cluttered in the sight ring.

 

[Gulf of America]

My current sight is a 3-pin Black Gold slider, and I think a 4-pin slider would be the ticket. Something like 30, 40, 50, 60 for all realistic hunting scenarios (at least as far as I’m comfortable shooting at game) but having the option to dial for stretching out to 100 practicing. I plan to add a 0.010 pin at the bottom of my sight so the one I’m using for long shots doesn’t cover up as much of the target.

 

[Nick87]

Question for some of you guys that shoot single pin slider with two or three dots. Is the spacing on those dots fixed or can it be moved. I just put my sight on my kids bow so now im either putting my old 5 pin (about 17 years old but its never let me down yet) or being forced to buy something new.

 

[Deez Nutz]

I've always shot fixed pins and currently have a spot hog with 7 fixed pins. Moving or dialing my sight is the absolute last thing I want to be doing when I've got a bull at 35 yards.

 

[Nick87]

I've always shot fixed pins and currently have a spot hog with 7 fixed pins. Moving or dialing my sight is the absolute last thing I want to be doing when I've got a bull at 35 yards.

Lot of truth there. Same with whitetail hunting most bucks I've shot there was really no time for that especially during the rut from stand. Barely enough time to grab your bow and pick a shooting lane.

 

[TheTone]

Question for some of you guys that shoot single pin slider with two or three dots. Is the spacing on those dots fixed or can it be moved. I just put my sight on my kids bow so now im either putting my old 5 pin (about 17 years old but its never let me down yet) or being forced to buy something new.

Some have individually adjustable pins and some are fixed. Just depends on the brand and models

 

[Mule Kick]

Question for some of you guys that shoot single pin slider with two or three dots. Is the spacing on those dots fixed or can it be moved. I just put my sight on my kids bow so now im either putting my old 5 pin (about 17 years old but its never let me down yet) or being forced to buy something new.

Mine is fixed but yeah like Tone said you can get individually adjustable. Spott Hogg has both.
If I set my top pin at 30 the second one is about right on at 45.. that’s how I hunt that way I can shoot to 50 without having to move it.

 

[mdhunter]

I have harvested five bulls but only one with a bow. My non professional opinion is to be more worried about your arrow weight than your pin set up. I will save you the sales pitch but imho, go heavy on the arrow and then find the sight setup that makes you the most comfortable. Good luck!

 

[Gulf of America]

Question for some of you guys that shoot single pin slider with two or three dots. Is the spacing on those dots fixed or can it be moved. I just put my sight on my kids bow so now im either putting my old 5 pin (about 17 years old but its never let me down yet) or being forced to buy something new.

On mine (the Ascent Mountain Lite), the whole housing moves when you dial, so the distance between pins is fixed and the sight tape shows the short and long distance (stock pic below). With actual arrow ballistics, the distance between pins would be increasing slightly as you get further out, but inside 80 yards the difference isn’t enough to take your POI outside the vital area.

 

[Knight.54]

I’ve been playing more with my slider the past few days…. I am trying to get it figured out to maybe do a 15 yard increments on the 3 pins…. Not there yet but I was shooting a lighter arrow in it before and now I’m figuring it out with these heavies…

Don’t know yet if I can fit something like 30, 45 , and 60 and then slide for 70+….. obviously we’re hoping for a sub 45 yard shot.

I ranged my target at 60 this afternoon….thats a long ways!!