Objective
Index your arrows to have the most consistent flight across all arrows. This is an optional step that would improve arrow flight.
Preparation
Set up a paper tuning jig.
Ensure plenty of space is available on your paper in the tuning jig. You will be shooting each arrow at least three times, more if you need to reshoot due to inconsistent form or if you have four fletches, and you need to be able to mark and identify each hole separately.
Technique
- Select one arrow.
- Ensure the nock is aligned with a fletch. This will be your index fletch.
- Shoot the arrow through the paper.
- Mark the sequence number of the hole.
- If a tear is not what you expect, reshoot the arrow with the current nock position and make sure the holes are all numbered accordingly.
- Align your nock to the next position clockwise. This will be your new index fletch.
- Repeat from step 3 until you’ve shot the same arrow three times, four times if you have four fletches.
- Inspect the three holes and select the cleanest hole.
- Align the nock to the fletch position of the selected hole.
- You may also want to mark the fletch with a marker to indicate it’s the index fletch.
- Repeat with all your arrows.
Notes
Consistent hand pressure and good shooting form is crucial to perform a successful nock tune. When you see an archer on the line that has all their fletches of the same colour it is highly likely the arrows have been nock tuned.
The position of the tested index fletch is not known at the time of fletching the arrow.