Fixed Pin vs Slider?

Joe2Kool

Joe2Kool

Very Active Member
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Upgrading from my 20+ year old Champion bow and have come to the sight decision. I like the 3 or 4 pin slider type, but also considering a 7 pin fixed. I'm leaning this way because of the flexibility to reset the pins for a 50 yard shot, but also the lack of clutter for shots under 40. I've ruled out a single pin as that seems to be too much fiddling with the sight before every shot. Thoughts or opinions? (Oh no, asking MM'ers for an opinion? :D )

I mainly use my bow for whitetail hunting (Iowa, Kansas, not so much in my home state of TN since crossbows became legal.) But am hoping to draw an AZ elk tag in the next couple of years. I might step into muley archery, but no specific plans yet.

My current sights are set at 20, 30, 40 yards. I added an extra pin a few years ago so I could practice at 50. I currently limit my shots to 30 yards, but I have to say most of my shots are less than 20.
 
I use a 3 pin slider set at 20, 30, 40. If something was within 50 I’d just eyeball it with my 40 pin. Beyond 50 I have to adjust.
When the game is moving, it’s a bit of a pain to range, then keep an eye on game while adjusting slider. An extra pin would be nice.
 
I ran a black gold 7 pin slider for a while.
Run a 5 pin axcel slider now. Don’t see why you wouldn’t run a slider if you’re already going to be ok with a 5-7 pin fixed. If money isn’t that big of a deal adding the sliding option gets you the extra range if ever needed.
 
Switched to a single pin slider 6-7 years ago from 3 pin. Love the vertical pin, can see much better than horizontal pins. I set it at 45 yards and can aim center mass + or - a few inches 0-55 yards and still be in the kill zone. If it’s a hurried shot. If I have time to dial I do.
 
I run fixed 5s. I can shoot about a 5ish in group at 60 yards pretty easily. And idk anywhere that I'd need to shoot past that tbh. All of my shots have been within 30 actually.
 
I run a 3 pin black gold slider. 30, 40 and 50. My Hoyt shoots fast enough with a hunting arrow that there wasn’t much of a difference between my 20 and 30 yard pin. Most of my shots have been under 50 but over 30 so that’s why I went with those pins. I don’t take rushed shots so everything gets an accurate range and then over 50 gets a precise adjustment and all the guess work of gapping pins is gone.
 
I ended up buying a 5-pin fixed. I decided I didn't want to practice at 60 one night and forget to put it back, then blow a 20 yard shot the next morning. Plus, the slider was heavier and I thought I was adding way more weight than I was used to.

Bow Upgrade - Done Deal! | Archery

Well finally upgraded my 2001 Champion Buck for a 2023 Mathews Phase 4. Last week, I shot the Phase 4, Lift, and Hoyt VTM. Went back today and told the bow shop owner to hand me one at the time and not tell me what it was. They all felt about the same, but the Phase 4 is what came home with...
www.monstermuleys.info www.monstermuleys.info
 
I think that was a good way to go. I've hunted extensively with sliders and fixed and have gone back to 5 pins fixed. My current setup is 25, 35, 40, 45, and 50 yards with 0.10 pins. I'm good out to 30 for a quick shot with the first pin, and like the 5 yard increments for precision for a longer, ranged shot.
 
Joe2Kool said:
I ended up buying a 5-pin fixed. I decided I didn't want to practice at 60 one night and forget to put it back, then blow a 20 yard shot the next morning. Plus, the slider was heavier and I thought I was adding way more weight than I was used to.

Bow Upgrade - Done Deal! | Archery

Well finally upgraded my 2001 Champion Buck for a 2023 Mathews Phase 4. Last week, I shot the Phase 4, Lift, and Hoyt VTM. Went back today and told the bow shop owner to hand me one at the time and not tell me what it was. They all felt about the same, but the Phase 4 is what came home with...
www.monstermuleys.info www.monstermuleys.info
Click to expand...
Good choice. Except maybe, 7 deadly pin sight might be better. That’s what I shoot. Watched a guy trying to get an antelope with a slider pin. What a joke that was. The lope kept moving and he kept adjusting his pin but he kept missing cause it was wrong yardage. I guess if a guy sits on water or in a tree stand then maybe on a slider pin. But you won’t catch me taking that chance. Most the time you only have a second or two to let an arrow fly.
 
Horsecorn said:
The lope kept moving and he kept adjusting his pin but he kept missing cause it was wrong yardage.
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That's exactly the reason I went fixed. Hunting situations are unpredictable enough without preventable issues blowing it. I figure if I want to practice farther, I can add an extra pin or move the 50 for longer shots, then reset it for hunting.
 
Joe2Kool said:
That's exactly the reason I went fixed. Hunting situations are unpredictable enough without preventable issues blowing it. I figure if I want to practice farther, I can add an extra pin or move the 50 for longer shots, then reset it for hunting.
Click to expand...
Good choice Joe.
 
TheButcher said:
I run a 3 pin black gold slider. 30, 40 and 50. My Hoyt shoots fast enough with a hunting arrow that there wasn’t much of a difference between my 20 and 30 yard pin. Most of my shots have been under 50 but over 30 so that’s why I went with those pins. I don’t take rushed shots so everything gets an accurate range and then over 50 gets a precise adjustment and all the guess work of gapping pins is gone.
Click to expand...
Apparently you haven’t hunted antelope out in the desert. There is no taking your time with them guys. Unless your sitting on water hid out.
 
Horsecorn said:
Apparently you haven’t hunted antelope out in the desert. There is no taking your time with them guys. Unless your sitting on water hid out.
Click to expand...
Apparently we prioritize different things. Ethics and high quality shots for me… and chasing wounded guy shot antelope for you. Cool bud.
 
TheButcher said:
Apparently we prioritize different things. Ethics and high quality shots for me… and chasing wounded guy shot antelope for you. Cool bud.
Click to expand...
I wasn’t trying to be a smart azz. I was just telling you how it is in the desert where I hunt. Could be different where you hunt, sorry bud.
 
I'll add an opinion... I am on the slider side. I really like a 2 or 3 pin slider set at 27, 35, 45. you just gap in between. Bows are fast enough that there you aren't going to drop out of the kill zone if it's a yard or 2 difference under 50yrds. But if you need to take a 67yard shot, its tough to pin gap at those distances. I like the slider for better accuracy. But trying to keep track of which pin to shoot, especially with a 7 pin is a nightmare I don't need.
Plus, my accuracy has done nothing but improved by practicing longer shots. No more stress taking a 50yrd shot. Confidence with your gear can't be overstated.
 
Bigwiffy said:
Sliders are for bros and flatbrimmers, fixed are for killers. Which are you? 7 deadly pins is the toughest best sight ever built.
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Lololol if you say so. 😂 no flat brim here, but you should see my trophy room full of animals killed with a single pin slider. Better than most people’s rooms killed with rifles. 😉

@TheButcher can verify.
 
I run a .010 single vertical pin on a Montana black gold. With running gold tip kinetics pierce platinums. Getting 298 FPS. Set my slider at 47 yards and adjust accordingly.
If you had a guy spitting ranges at you all the time hell, a 7 pin fixed would be killer. Definitely enjoy the single pin.
 
Butts said:
I run a .010 single vertical pin on a Montana black gold. With running gold tip kinetics pierce platinums. Getting 298 FPS. Set my slider at 47 yards and adjust accordingly.
If you had a guy spitting ranges at you all the time hell, a 7 pin fixed would be killer. Definitely enjoy the single pin.
Click to expand...
I have bounced back and forth between the Black Gold Dual Track and their 3pin sliders this yr. The sight picture using the vertical pin is a difference maker in accuracy. I like that the top pin in the Dual Track is .010, cause that gives me better accuracy at long distance. The second pin is still set at 45yrds, but when I have time and really want to be precise, I can dial the top pin to any distance out to 90yards. Makes it fun practicing in the yard.

I would bet that those using 5 and 7 pin sliders will have increased struggles hitting animals, while they count down which pin to use, and half the sight picture is covered by all the pins. If that is all you know, then keep with it. You'll never know what you are missing.
 
Tank said:
I have bounced back and forth between the Black Gold Dual Track and their 3pin sliders this yr. The sight picture using the vertical pin is a difference maker in accuracy. I like that the top pin in the Dual Track is .010, cause that gives me better accuracy at long distance. The second pin is still set at 45yrds, but when I have time and really want to be precise, I can dial the top pin to any distance out to 90yards. Makes it fun practicing in the yard.

I would bet that those using 5 and 7 pin sliders will have increased struggles hitting animals, while they count down which pin to use, and half the sight picture is covered by all the pins. If that is all you know, then keep with it. You'll never know what you are missing.
Click to expand...
I use 7 pin fixed. I know exactly what I’m not missing. But that being said. A guy should use what he is confident in. That is most important. Good luck to everyone.
 
Wow...haha. It's a bow sight fellas. It doesn't care how loyal you are to it's style.

I like a 2 pin or 3 pin slider. I use a spot hog fast eddie 2 pin right now. Set the top pin at 31 and the second pin is at 45. I feel good shooting to 50 without moving it. I typically have time to move it for longer shots but pretty much limit my shots to 65 ish for animals that aren't already hit. If he's hit I will shoot to get another arrow in him out to 100 or so. I don't like the odds of an animal taking a step or turning on shots 70 and up but will take the odds to get a second arrow in if I had a poor hit or am following up someone else's poor hit. Two bad arrow holes are still better than one.

We practice regularly out to 90 ish. It's amazing how it tightens your groups.

Whatever you choose I won't tell you you're wrong. Haha.
 
Of course you get ever option and reason with these questions. But its always nice to hear what others say. I had a 7 pin fixed and liked it. But when I would go shoot with friends or archery shoots, there were always farther shots than the 80 yard pin I had. So I went with the Spott Hogg 4 pin slider. 20, 30, 40 and 50. Then my bow shoots out to 130 yards before I hit my limit on the slide. I have never shot at anything past 50 yards. But its so much fun to shoot with they guys in camp or while camping out to those long distances. The one thing I like when I do that, is the closer 30-50/60 yard shots seem like nothing and I can shoot tighter groups when I do.
 
I am in the 5 pin slider group. 30,40,50,60,70 and then slide. Fun to shoot out to 130, but I need multiple fixed pins for most hunting situations.
 
Joe2Kool said:
Upgrading from my 20+ year old Champion bow and have come to the sight decision. I like the 3 or 4 pin slider type, but also considering a 7 pin fixed. I'm leaning this way because of the flexibility to reset the pins for a 50 yard shot, but also the lack of clutter for shots under 40. I've ruled out a single pin as that seems to be too much fiddling with the sight before every shot. Thoughts or opinions? (Oh no, asking MM'ers for an opinion? :D )

I mainly use my bow for whitetail hunting (Iowa, Kansas, not so much in my home state of TN since crossbows became legal.) But am hoping to draw an AZ elk tag in the next couple of years. I might step into muley archery, but no specific plans yet.

My current sights are set at 20, 30, 40 yards. I added an extra pin a few years ago so I could practice at 50. I currently limit my shots to 30 yards, but I have to say most of my shots are less than 20.
Click to expand...
I shoot a 5 pin .19. 30/40/50/60/70 Been doing it for 20+ years, it ain’t broken so I don’t switch, but a slider definitely will give you an advantage on longer shots, maybe not in hunting but definitely in 3d archery
 

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