Slider sights

1288 Views 26 Replies 17 Participants Last post by bowguyonly, 9 d ago

Isuckathunting

Discussion Starter · 3 mo ago

Alright I'm setting up a new bow and I'm toying with the idea of going to a slider. I mainly hunt, don't shoot leagues or anything so maybe it's not worth it but I don't like how cluttered a 5 pin sight is. I get anxious while shooting and have occasionally had some target panic to work through. I thought maybe just having the one pin would help with that. Or maybe a 3 pin slider and still have less clutter and a longer option for practice.
I'm not trying to be Cam Haynes and shoot long range, any archery shot I've ever made has been 40 yds or in. I'm just looking to change things up a bit shoot more consistent in the field. What are your thoughts?

1 - 20 of 27 Posts

middlefork

· #2 · 3 mo ago

I switched to a single pin Black Gold a few years ago and have liked it. I know quite a few that would rather have the 3 pin version. I set mine on 30 yards for hunting which works fine from 0-40. After 40 I think I'll have enough time to adjust.

I found it much less frustrating when practicing out to 80 yards. I like to go some of the 3D's that shoot that far. The only competition I do is trying to prove the old man can keep up with the kids which I can't.

Reactions: 1

Bux n Dux

· #3 · 3 mo ago

If you can find an old 3 pin sure-loc, those are the best sights ever made. Simple, very easy to use. I don’t think they make them anymore though.

2full

· #4 · 3 mo ago

I ran 1 pin at 35 yards for years. It worked really well for me. I started to really do well when I went to that for hunting. Went back to 4 pins a few years back.
I think it helps on the practice range, but I like the 1 pin for hunting.

taxidermist

· #5 · 3 mo ago

I haven't even shot my bow in nearly 10 years now.

I've been "thinking" about getting back into the archery scene, and have looked at many of the sliders. (holy crap they're pricey!!) I've managed to hit targets, black hole, or deer/elk with the five pin I have now. So "IF" I drag the bow out and have it looked over to be sure it's not going to blow up on me, I'll stick with what's worked in the past.

middlefork

· #6 · 3 mo ago

Stacking pins works! Just not quite as precisely. I still have an older bow with a 5 pin site that I shoot just to keep me honest

If nothing else walking around a course is good exercise.

I give the guys who shoot with stick or recurves credit. I've never been patient enough to get to the point of hunting with one.

taxidermist

· #7 · 3 mo ago

I give the guys who shoot with stick or recurves credit. I've never been patient enough to get to the point of hunting with one.
[/QUOTE]

I had a longbow I used one year on an elk hunt. Opening morning I managed to fling an arrow 10" over the back of a spike bull at 25 yards. I headed back to camp, put the longbow in the case, grabbed the compound, headed back out and shot a spike that evening at 45 yards. Sold the longbow after that experience.

Reactions: 1

Critter

· #8 · 3 mo ago

taxidermist said:
I give the guys who shoot with stick or recurves credit. I've never been patient enough to get to the point of hunting with one.

I had a longbow I used one year on an elk hunt. Opening morning I managed to fling an arrow 10" over the back of a spike bull at 25 yards. I headed back to camp, put the longbow in the case, grabbed the compound, headed back out and shot a spike that evening at 45 yards. Sold the longbow after that experience.
[/QUOTE]

I actually did quite well with a recurve and shooting instinctively, but it does take a lot of practice.

APD

· #9 · 3 mo ago

I like the single pin but it does take some practice. With my setup, the pin was left at 30 and I put a dot on the stem for 50. That gave me everything I needed for hunting and a great practice setup too. I commonly shot long distance for practice and hunting distances felt automatic.

Wbrim

· #10 · 3 mo ago

I’ve been shooting a 5 pin slider for years now, and very nearly switched to a 2 or 3 pin this year, wanting to clean up the site picture. I think the 3 would leave plenty of clear yardage for quick shots, and dial for further shots. I am still using my 5 pin, so I don’t have to touch the site inside of 60 yards, but I keep thinking I should try something else. I like the idea of the spot Hogg Triple stack.

Reactions: 1

KineKilla

· #11 · 3 mo ago

I use a 4 pin slider. Gives me 20-50 fixed. I don't need to adjust it at all when hunting. The slider only gets used at the range or 3D events like TAC.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Reactions: 1

LuckyStrike92

· #12 · 3 mo ago

Im a big fan of the Option sights. They are quite pricey, but in my mind it its the best of both words. You have fixed pins that that never move, so you don't have to worry about going back to zero (unlike a slider) and a single mover pin. With my set up I can get to 85 yards with the slider and 95 at the top of my bubble. I have had the Option 6 for 4 years and don't think I will be switching any time soon.

Isuckathunting

Discussion Starter · #13 · 3 mo ago

KineKilla said:
I use a 4 pin slider. Gives me 20-50 fixed. I don't need to adjust it at all when hunting. The slider only gets used at the range or 3D events like TAC.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

I am leaning towards a 3 pin slider. I think that'll clear things up a bit and still give me some range options for if I go shoot a course or something a few times a year. As was mentioned, it would be good for me to practice out farther so I'm more comfortable closer as well.

Reactions: 1

TPrawitt91

· #14 · 2 mo ago

Single pin slider has made me a better shooter, but it does come with the risk of forgetting to adjust in crunch time. With bad eyes a clearer sight picture through the peep is super helpful. Switching from 3 to 5 pin a few years back made me realize how hard it is to shoot well with all those pins in the way.

PBH

· #15 · 2 mo ago

Isuckathunting said:
...I don't like how cluttered a 5 pin sight is. I get anxious while shooting and have occasionally had some target panic to work through. I thought maybe just having the one pin would help with that. Or maybe a 3 pin slider and still have less clutter and a longer option for practice.

New bows are pretty fast. The drop rate between 50 - 40 yards isn't that much -- leaving very little room for pins at 10 yard intervals.
I use a standard 3-pin site. I have them set to 30, 50, 70 yards. For 40 and 60 yards shots, I simply split the (minimal) distance between the pins. For 80 yards I add a little. For 20, I hold 30 (there is no difference!). Anything over 80 yards, I'm trying to get closer.

My opintion is: Keep It Simple Stupid.

sambo3006

· #16 · 1 mo ago

Over 35 or so years bowhunting, I've used multiple fixed pins, single fixed pin, and sliding single pin. I've shot critters with all, and really like the sliding single pin for precise shooting at 40+ yards. I usually would leave it set for 25 yards for treestand hunting. However, I have found myself having to make multiple adjustments to it as game moves around at longer distances, and I was afraid that I was going to forget to reset it afterwards.
The setup I have settled on is 5 fixed pins at 25, 35, 40, 45 and 50 yards. The sight is capable of sliding for longer distance shots and would be handy for spot and stalk hunts, where shot opportunities can be longer in open terrain.

PBH

· #17 · 1 mo ago

sambo3006 said:
The setup I have settled on is 5 fixed pins at 25, 35, 40, 45 and 50 yards.

5 yard increments? How much drop do you get between 35-40 yards?!
this seems, to me, a little bit tight on the site. I can't imagine trying to squeeze my pins 4 pins into a 15 yard window -- they'd be touching each other.

Tail Chaser

· #18 · 1 mo ago

I own a single pin slider and have really enjoyed the uncluttered site picture. I also went with the .10 pin size. I can shoot comfortably out to 95 yards and I practice a lot at that range. I do not ever plan on shooting something that far, I strictly do it for practice. The furthest I have shot an animal so far is 18 yards. I have an itch to try a 3 pin slider as the downfall with a single pin is in closer ranges you do not want to be pulling a rangefinder out and messing with your sight as an animal is walking in on you. I would say to get a slider because it is awesome for hunting and practice. It is just the pin number that can be hard sometimes. Their are about any color and pin configuration you can think of out there as well. My brother in law has a black gold site and they are great. I have a trophy ridge react one pro and it was easy to sight in and easy to fine tune. I also found an arrow setup I like and don't really plan on changing. In the end just get something you feel comfortable with. If you let someone else talk you into something you probably wont like it.

See less See more

sambo3006

· #19 · 1 mo ago (Edited)

PBH said:
5 yard increments? How much drop do you get between 35-40 yards?!
this seems, to me, a little bit tight on the site. I can't imagine trying to squeeze my pins 4 pins into a 15 yard window -- they'd be touching each other.

PBH,
I'm shooting around 260 fps.
It's really not that bad with .010 pins. I'm used to it and it allows me to aim more precisely for the longer shots. I've used it all over the years and this is the setup that I currently feel is the most efficient for me.

Isuckathunting

Discussion Starter · #20 · 25 d ago

I went in to the store fully convinced I would get a 3 pin slider. Then I threw on a single pin and started shooting. And I tried a 3 pin. My mind gets very anxious looking at pins. I shot better and felt better about the whole process with a single pin.
So now I've got a single pin and after a week with the new bow and sights I'm shooting 3 inch groups at 50 yds and feel that I made the right call.
It's been fun getting my bow set up with something I'm comfortable with. Huge upgrade over the KSL special I was running before. That was a great place to start but this is awesome.

Reactions: 3

1 - 20 of 27 Posts