I tried adding a short solid stabilizer to a recurve. It is probably 8 ounces. My arrows are grouping to the left a bit with it on and on target without it on. Have I been torquing the bow all along and the weight is preventing that? I added the weight to see if I would like the extra weight that an ilf bow has but was surprised by the hitting to the left. Any thoughts as to why that is?

It may just have a new “feel” that you have to get used to. I don’t know.

What I WANT to know is: did it tighten up your groups at all (whether that landed left of aim or not)?

Are you left or right handed?

I think I always used to read it makes an arrow act stiffer. found this old gem from a long time ago. see attached.

Dan Quillian always said that the addition of a bow quiver, or stabilizer would have the effect of dynamically stiffening an arrow. And he knew about as much about arrows as anybody before or since.

You may be able to correct the reaction with a brace height adjustment though just depending.

Guys -

Yes, added weight (inertia) should make an arrow act stiffer, but I seriously doubt it would be a factor with fletched arrows. Odds are something else is going on, like a change in cant.

Viper out.

Right hand Frank. Very interesting. Thanks for the input. I never heard that a stabilizer would make an arrow react stiffer. Did it improve my groups? I don't know. I was grouping pretty good both ways but I wasn't shooting that far. It would be easier to tell if I try shooting farther. Maybe I am just gripping the bow more then usual because of the extra weight too. Thanks for the help everyone. I will try it for a few days and see what happens. I will add a heavier point and see what that does too.

I just tried a heavier point weight and that brought the arrow back to center. I never knew a stabilizer could have that effect on the arrow. I should have known by watching the arrow fly. They got a wobble when I added the stabilizer but I thought it must be me. With the heavier point the flight is the same as lighter point without using the stabilizer. Thanks for the advice. You were all spot on.

good to SEE IT with changes & effects. good on you.

"SEE IT with changes & effects" best teacher there is.

My first thought is, the added weight has changed your alignment. A little change in the spine caused by the stabilizer shouldn't effect arrow flight at all--bare shafts would be a different story.

Just a quick update. I shot more with the stabilizer and I can see now that it is something that I am doing wrong . I think that I am gripping the bow more with the added weight or something, but, I am causing the arrow to hit to the left. If I pay more attention to shooting without gripping the bow the arrows go to the same spot. Thanks for everyone's input.

That’s what happens to me as well. I have a few old stabilizers left over from my Warfing days. Put one on the Rambo riser the other day for heck of it. Got so I held the bow with just my thumb and trigger finger. If I gripped arrows went left. Somehow I ended up with 4 or five various stabilizers . Good for indoor target work.

Sounds like your stabilizer unstabilized your bow. I’d take it off and be done with it. If you should good with it off well then …

Sounds like your stabilizer unstabilized your bow. I’d take it off and be done with it. If you should good with it off well then …

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