How to Paper Tune Your Arrows for Optimal Accuracy

Are you looking to improve your accuracy and consistency as a bow hunter? Paper tuning your arrows could be the answer. This tuning method involves shooting arrows through a sheet of paper and analyzing the resulting tear pattern to make adjustments to your bow and arrow setup. Paper tuning can help you achieve optimal arrow flight and ultimately improve your success in the field.

While there are many acceptable tuning methods, I recommend paper tuning for release aid shooters. It’s also important to ensure that your equipment is properly set up before you start this process. This includes shooting with good form, using the right draw length, and shooting arrows with the proper spine.

Why Paper Tune?

When you shoot an arrow through a sheet of paper, the resulting tear pattern can reveal any flaws in your bow setup or arrow spine. For example, if the tear is high or low, it may indicate that the arrow spine is too stiff or too weak for your setup. If the tear is left or right, it may indicate that the bow is not properly tuned or that the arrow rest is not properly adjusted.

By identifying these issues through paper tuning, you can make small adjustments to your equipment to ensure optimal accuracy and consistency. This can help you avoid making costly mistakes in the field, as well as improve your overall archery skills.

Paper tuning can address issues such as porpoising (up and down movement) and fishtailing (left to right movement), helping to improve the stability and consistency of your arrow flight.

So if you’re ready to take your archery skills to the next level, read on to learn how to paper tune your arrows like a pro.

Pre-Paper Tuning Checklist

Before paper tuning your arrows, make sure to go through the following checklist to ensure that your equipment is properly set up and ready to go:

1. Check your bowstring and cables: Ensure that your bowstring and cables are in good condition and are not frayed, worn, or damaged in any way.
2. Check your arrow rest: Ensure that your arrow rest is properly installed and adjusted, and is not interfering with the fletchings of your arrows.
3. Check your draw length: Ensure that you are shooting with the right draw length, as shooting with an incorrect draw length can affect your shooting form and lead to inconsistent arrow flight.
4. Check your arrow spine: Ensure that you are shooting an arrow of the proper spine for your bow, as arrows that are too stiff or too weak can result in erratic arrow flight and poor accuracy.
5. Check your shooting form: Ensure that you are shooting with good form, including proper stance, grip, anchor point, and release.
6. Check for fletching wear: Check your fletchings for unusual wear, as this may indicate that they are coming into contact with your rest or cable during flight.
7. Check your cam timing: If shooting a solo cam or a two-cam bow, check the timing to ensure that your bow is not torquing during the shot.
8. Check your bow specs: Ensure that your bow is set up to the manufacturer’s specifications, including brace height, axle-to-axle measurement, and other factors.

By completing this pre-paper tuning checklist, you can ensure that your equipment is properly set up and ready for paper tuning. This will help you achieve the best possible results and increase your chances of success in the field.

Required Tools

Here are some tools that can be helpful for paper tuning:

1. Paper tuning stand – this is a stand that holds the sheet of paper in place and allows you to shoot arrows through it at a consistent distance.
2. Target paper – a large sheet of paper that can be hung from the tuning stand and used for shooting arrows through.
3. Bowstring level – a tool used to ensure that the bowstring is level and properly aligned with the arrow.
4. Level or straight edge – a tool used to check the alignment of the bowstring and arrow nock.
5. Measuring tape or ruler – to measure the distance between the tuning stand and the target paper.
6. Allen wrenches – to adjust the arrow rest, bow sight, and other equipment as needed.
7. Pencil or Marker – for marking the paper and target to track your results.

While not all of these tools are strictly necessary, they can help to make the paper tuning process more accurate and efficient. Many archery shops have paper tuning setups available for use, so it may not be necessary to purchase all of these tools yourself. However, having your own tools can be useful for practicing at home or making adjustments on the fly while in the field.

The Paper Tuning Process

Follow the steps below to go through the paper tuning process. Then, in the section below, analyze your results, make corrections, then work through the process again.

1. Set up your bow and target: First, set up your bow and target in a safe and secure location. Make sure you have enough space to shoot several arrows without hitting anything around you.
2. Prepare the paper: Take your target paper (butcher paper or newsprint work well) and attach it to whatever you are using as a paper tuning stand. Make sure the paper is large enough to catch the entire arrow as it passes through before hitting your target. Make sure your paper is taught so the arrow flies straight through and provides you with the details you need.
3. Mark the center of the paper: Using a pencil or marker, mark the center of the paper. This will help you determine if the arrow is hitting the target consistently.
4. Shoot an arrow through the paper: Stand about 6-8 feet away from the target and shoot an arrow through the center of the paper. Make sure you shoot the arrow straight and level. Don’t worry about hitting the bullseye of the target behind it at this point.
5. Analyze the hole: Examine the resulting hole in the paper. Look for tears, folds, or other anomalies in the hole. Ideally, the hole should be perfectly round and symmetrical.
6. Adjust your arrow rest: If the hole in the paper is not perfectly round or symmetrical, it may indicate that your arrow rest is not properly adjusted. Try adjusting the rest up or down, left or right, until you achieve a perfectly round hole.
7. Adjust your nocking point: If the hole in the paper is consistently angled in one direction (for example, always higher on the left side), it may indicate that your nocking point is not properly adjusted. Try adjusting the nocking point up or down until you achieve a perfectly symmetrical hole.
8. Repeat the process: Shoot several more arrows through the paper, making adjustments as needed to achieve a perfect, symmetrical hole. Continue to shoot and adjust until you are consistently getting a perfect hole.
9. Fine-tune your bow: Once you have achieved a perfect hole, you can fine-tune your bow by adjusting your sights or rest for greater accuracy. You can also experiment with different arrow types or weights to see if they affect your arrow’s flight.

Making Adjustments: Analyzing Tear Patterns

When paper tuning, an archer should look for specific tear patterns in the paper that indicate what adjustments need to be made to their bow and arrow setup. Use the picture above for a graphic representation of the tear patterns listed below.

Here’s a breakdown of what to look for and how to correct it:

1. High tear: A high tear is characterized by a tear in the paper that is higher on the vertical axis than the horizontal axis. This tear pattern indicates that the nocking point is too low or the rest is too high. To correct a high tear, move the nocking point up or move the rest down.
2. Low tear: A low tear is characterized by a tear in the paper that is lower on the vertical axis than the horizontal axis. This tear pattern indicates that the nocking point is too high or the rest is too low. To correct a low tear, move the nocking point down or move the rest up.
3. Left tear: A left tear is characterized by a tear in the paper that is to the left of center on the horizontal axis. This tear pattern indicates that the rest/center shot is too far to the right, the cable guard is too far to the left, or the arrow spine is too stiff. To correct a left tear, move the rest/center shot towards the riser (for right-handed bows), move the cable guard towards the arrow, or use a weaker arrow.
4. Right tear: A right tear is characterized by a tear in the paper that is to the right of center on the horizontal axis. This tear pattern indicates that the rest/center shot is too far to the left, the cable guard is too far to the right, or the arrow spine is too weak. To correct a right tear, move the rest/center shot away from the riser (for right-handed bows), move the cable guard away from the arrow, or use a stiffer arrow.

It’s important to note that making adjustments to your bow and arrow setup should be done in small increments. Make a small adjustment, shoot another arrow through the paper, and observe the tear pattern again. Repeat this process until the tear pattern is symmetrical and you achieve optimal accuracy.

By looking for these specific tear patterns and making the necessary adjustments to your bow and arrow setup, you can ensure that your arrows are flying accurately and consistently, increasing your chances of success in the field.

READ: How to Fine-Tune Your Arrows Using Different Field Point Weights

Common Paper Tuning Errors

there are a few common errors that can occur during paper tuning or mistakes that people make when trying to diagnose a problem with their arrow flight:

1. Not shooting consistently: One of the most common errors during paper tuning is not shooting consistently. In order to get an accurate read on the tear pattern, you need to shoot each arrow the same way every time. Inconsistent shooting can lead to inconsistent tear patterns, which can make it difficult to diagnose the root cause of the problem.
2. Torqued grip: A torqued grip can affect the accuracy and consistency of your shots, which can in turn affect the tear pattern when paper tuning. A torqued grip occurs when the bow hand twists or rotates during the shot, which can cause the bow to torque or twist as well. This can lead to inconsistent arrow flight and erratic tear patterns when paper tuning.
3. Fletching contact with the rest: Sometimes, the fletchings of an arrow may make contact with the rest during flight, which can cause erratic arrow flight and a misleading tear pattern. It’s important to make sure that your rest is properly set up and that there is no contact between the fletchings and the rest.
4. Not accounting for wind or other environmental factors: Wind and other environmental factors can have a big impact on arrow flight, and can cause the arrow to behave differently than it would in still conditions. When paper tuning, it’s important to take into account any environmental factors that may be affecting your shots.
5. Improper bow setup: Finally, if your bow is not set up properly, it can lead to inconsistent arrow flight and a misleading tear pattern. Before paper tuning, make sure that your bow is properly set up and that all components are functioning correctly.

To avoid these common errors and mistakes, it’s important to shoot consistently, ensure that your equipment is properly set up, and account for any environmental factors that may be affecting your shots. With a little practice and attention to detail, you can achieve accurate and consistent arrow flight.

Conclusion

To ensure accurate results when paper tuning, proper shooting form, and a consistent release are critical. Try shooting each arrow a number of times to make sure that you are getting a consistent reading. Additionally, spraying your vanes with aerosol foot powder can help you identify any vane contact with the arrow rest, which can cause erratic arrow flight and inaccurate paper tear readings.

While paper tuning can be time-consuming, it can pay big dividends in accuracy for bow hunters. By following these guidelines and making the necessary adjustments to your setup, you can ensure your arrows are flying true and increase your chances of success in the field.