Bow: Centre Shot – French Tune

Objective

French Tuning is a method of setting the centre shot of the bow. It is a more refined technique than Paper Tuning but will only set the horizontal on your rest and scope.

Only use this method if you have sight settings, if not, rather proceed to the Walk Back Tune.

Preparation

Set up two targets:

  • Select a further distance, like 50m, for which you already have a vertical setting.
  • About 2m or 3m – It will be very close to where the further setting intersects with the initial up trajectory of the arrow.

The French Tuning process is relying on the arrow intersecting with the direct line of sight twice. You will not adjust the vertical setting at all during the whole process.

Technique

  1. Shoot at the closer target using the 50m setting.
  2. Set your sight to be centred in the horizontal plane only. Be very precise and ensure you’re hitting perfectly centre before continuing to the next step.
    • If you’re hitting too high or low, move the target in order to find the approximate correct height.
  3. Shoot at the 50m target.
  4. Adjust only your rest a small amount (no more than 0.75 mm):
    • Arrows grouping left of the string: move the rest to the right.
    • Arrows grouping right of the string: move to rest to the left.
  5. Repeat from step 1 until you’re happy with the result and the arrows at both the closer and the further distances hits perfectly centre.

Notes

Consistent hand pressure and good shooting form is crucial to perform a successful French tune.

You never adjust the vertical position on the sight. If you need to change the height of arrow impact at the closer distance to hit the perfect vertical position, you move the target backwards and forwards.

You need a vertical setting for the further distance prior to starting a French Tune and this is the only vertical setting you will use during the process. French Tuning is reliant on the arrow intersecting with the direct line of sight twice on the shorter distance target.

Keeping in mind that small changes on the rest can cause a large variance on arrow impact. That makes French Tuning riskier than a Walk Back Tune, but it is more efficient.

This is a more accurate tuning process than Paper Tuning for the horizontal.