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Cut Charts

Overview

In this section, we walk through our 'Cut Charts' feature. This feature allows you to determine the proper shoot-for range for angled shots. These cut charts are printable for in-the-field use.

Why do I need a cut chart?

My rangefinder has angle compensation, right? Why do I need a cut chart?

Most angle compensating rangefinders simply provide the horizontal distance to the target, not taking into account whether the shot is uphill or downhill. For short distances and moderate angles, this serves as a rough approximation of the "shoot-for" distance, as gravity acts on the arrow over this horizontal distance.

However, as distances and angles increase, this simple horizontal distance approximation breaks down due to differences in the trajectory path / time of flight for these different angles. There are several factors that need to be considered for accurate cut values when making angled shots:

  • Parallax error (the difference in perspective due to your eye being above the arrow shaft)
  • Time of flight
  • Arrow velocity
  • Arrow drag properties
  • Air density

We take into account all of these factors, model your arrow's ballistic curve for each shot, and provide you with the exact “shoot-for” mark on your sight tape.

Prerequisites

Before creating some cut charts, you'll need to have completed the following:

Navigate to the Cut Charts Page

Select the bow and arrow you wish to use for shot.

Choose your Cut Chart Preferences

We allow you to specify the ranges, angles, and increments between ranges for your cut chart. We currently support 1 and 5 degree / yard increments.

You can specify the range type you wish to use for the cut chart table: line-of-sight distance or horizontal distance. You will likely want to select the range type that matches the mode you run your rangefinder in. For example, if you run your rangefinder in angle compensation / horizontal distance mode, the horizontal distance range type will handy.

Note

If you use a rangefinder that offers a mode to provide an archery-specific cut value such as the Leopold Full Draw 4 and 5 or the Sig Kilo series, you will want to use the plain angle compensation mode when referencing our cut charts.

In addition, you will need to choose an output format. We currently support two formats:

1) Shoot-for distance: This will provide you with the exact distance to dial your sight to for each distance and angle combination.

2) Plus/Minus from distance: This will provide you with the amount to add or subtract from your rangefinder's reading for each distance and angle combination. This is relative to the range type you selected above. For example, if you selected the horizontal distance range type, this will provide you with the amount to add or subtract from your rangefinder's horizontal distance reading.

Review the Results

Once you click "Compute Cuts", we will compute the cut chart for your setup. You will see a table of results.

Note

If you choose 1-yard or 1-degree increments, this can take some time to compute as we plot the trajectory curve for each shot to provide the most accurate results possible.

Printing the Cut Chart

You can also print the cut chart for in-the-field use.

We currently offer two cut chart printing modes.

  1. Default Mode

    • Default printing mode will print a standard size cut chart on a piece of letter paper. This is intended to used when maximum detail and ease of use is required.

  2. Compact Mode

    • Compact printing mode prints a small, compact cut chart intended to be attached to a rangefinder or back of a phone for quick and handy reference in the field.

    • When using compact mode, we recommend using range and angle increments of 10, and specify 'Plus/Minus from distance' output format. This will ensure the chart remains uncluttered and is efficient to use.

Click 'Download PDF'.

This will download a PDF with the cut chart, ready to print and take with you to you next hunt or shoot!

Recommendations and Tips

If you're running a cut chart for quick reference in the field paired with your angle compensating rangefinder, we suggest using the "horizontal distance" range type paired with the "plus/minus from distance" output format. This will allow you to simply add or subtract the value in the table from your rangefinder to get the proper sight mark, and it will avoid switching your rangefinder between angle compensated and line-of-sight modes.

If your rangefinder does not have an angle compensation mode, or if you prefer to run line-of-sight mode, you will want to use "line-of-sight" range type paired with the "shoot-for distance" or 'plus/minus from distance' output format.

Tip

Be sure to familiarize yourself with your cut chart and the formatting options outlined above for effective and accurate use in the field! As always, it's a good idea to get out and test your setup thoroughly before heading out on a hunt or shoot.