loose nocks

[matt61]

I have been serving my strings with thinest serving I can get,but my shooting accuracy has dropped off.I am now thinking
my nocks might be to loose causing poor flight,has anyone had a similar problem.
Matt

[longbow steve]

Loose nocks will cause inconsistent arrow flight . Steve

[Glenn]

Loose nocks aren't very good, you want your nocks to grip onto the string without being too tight as this will give you problems as well. Better of to double the serving and sand the nocks down to suit the serving if you have to...Glenn...

[Stephen Georgiou]

Hi there matt,
A good guide is that the arrow suspended from the string will support itself - just.
But the bow suspended from the arrow will not.
I got this from Byron ferguson - Become the arrow, tuning section. I have used this method with good results.
The other thing in that I nock both above and below the arrow so that there is no chance of the arrow slipping out of place on release.
Some of the newer arrow nocks have a ridge that will engage into the serving reducing the need to double nock but the classic design nocks do not have the ridge so are prone to slip.
if you nock above the arrow, slipping might appear as intermittent porposing of the arrow. if you nock below the arrow slipping might appear as loss in elevation - if you gap shoot. Or the arrow will hit lower than you expected if instinctive, or you might have a slower porposing as the arrow tries to right itself.

The remedy is to use dental floss to use as an over serving to take up the slack. Mint flavour is my preference
Hope this helps
Regards SG

[Stickbow Hunter]

The remedy is to use dental floss to use as an over serving to take up the slack. Mint flavour is my preference

Mint flavour hey, plain stuff does me.

Stephen, another way to do the nocking point area of the string with dental floss is to wrap it on first and then serve as normal. The serving covers the dental floss and looks much neater IMO.

Jeff

[TomMcDonald]

Dental floss is annoying for me. Another way to fix the problem is to heat your nocks in hot water, as long as they're plastic, and squeeze the throat together till it's a good fit.

[Dewi]

Dental floss is annoying for me. Another way to fix the problem is to heat your nocks in hot water, as long as they're plastic, and squeeze the throat together till it's a good fit.

I have seen this debated before. You must be good, as I would think that its unlikely that every nock would be consistant using this method. No consistancy, no acuracy. Just my opinion.

Dont be lazy, re-serve, quality manufacturers go to alot of trouble to ensure their nocks are consistant.

[matt_d]

Stephen, another way to do the nocking point area of the string with dental floss is to wrap it on first and then serve as normal. The serving covers the dental floss and looks much neater IMO.

That's my preferred method to get my nocks fitting perfect as well. I have also used layers of teflon thread tape under the serving too with good success.
Cheers,
Matt

[Coach]

sand the nocks down to suit the serving if you have to...Glenn...

Are you serious about sanding the nocks down ?? Surely that would compromise the integrity of the nock ? Perhaps cause them to break upon release . The Hot water idea is much better IMO .
Jeff

[Glenn]

No Coach this does not effect the intregity of the nocks at all, it is only a minimal amount of sanding with very fine sandpaper or emory paper. You can also heat up the nocks with hot water and fit them to the string as well but some of the snap-on nocks are so hard the snading can be a better option.....Glenn.....

[TomMcDonald]

Dental floss is annoying for me. Another way to fix the problem is to heat your nocks in hot water, as long as they're plastic, and squeeze the throat together till it's a good fit.

I have seen this debated before. You must be good, as I would think that its unlikely that every nock would be consistant using this method. No consistancy, no acuracy. Just my opinion.

Dont be lazy, re-serve, quality manufacturers go to alot of trouble to ensure their nocks are consistant.

It's not a matter of being very good, it's a matter of heating them and putting them on the string.

[matt61]

The nocks I am using are Marco,s they fit on to the string just tight enough that if I flick the string with my finger the arrow hanging vertical off the string it will fall off.But the nock is not tight on the string it is only the throat that stops it falling off and I think what is happening is when I release because the nock at its deepest point is not gripping the string at all,the arrow rear drops down the the string to the top of where I have double served,about half an inch upon release causing poor flight and inconsistant accuracy.And this is on a sixteen strand flemish dacron string served with 0.15 serving.
Matt

[longbow steve]

Hi Matt, my nocks are tight, and dont move on the string as you describe.
If you know a good olympic recurver ask them to show you the tension that they use, I copy them . Steve

[matt61]

Steve ... The serving is the only thing that I have changed ,it has got to be the problem.I dont know any target archers but I will try a bit thicker string that I have on the bow and see if the problem goes away.
Matt

[longbow steve]

Hi Matt, I make my strings specifically for my nock size and use the same serving, they need to be tight enough for consistency as you are finding. Steve

[Stickbow Hunter]

but I will try a bit thicker string that I have on the bow and see if the problem goes away.

I wouldn't go any thicker as in extra stands than the 16 strands you are using now as you will loose performance. I suggest just using the dental floss or similar under your serving where you nock your arra.

Jeff

[GrahameA]

Morning Matt

The nocks I am using are Marco,s they fit on to the string just tight enough that if I flick the string with my finger the arrow hanging vertical off the string it will fall off.But the nock is not tight on the string it is only the throat that stops it falling off and I think what is happening is when I release because the nock at its deepest point is not gripping the string at all,the arrow rear drops down the the string to the top of where I have double served,about half an inch upon release causing poor flight and inconsistant accuracy.And this is on a sixteen strand flemish dacron string served with 0.15 serving.
Matt

I doubt if the arrow is moving during the shot.

Even so, to solve your issue. Place a nocking point Above and Below where you want the arrow nocked - then it can neither move up or down,

[ichiban]

i havent found that loose nocks cause poor arrow flight, i shoot self nocks cut in the same way as "speed nocks" i think it must depend on how you hold the nock to the string?