If you met me in person, you might say I’m stuck in the 80’s. As I still have the same haircut, truck, and clothes, you’d be partially right. While I’ve never been very modern, when I see something better come along, I get on the bandwagon. I’ve shot fixed pin sights for 30 years and never longed for more. That was until I hunted with a friend, Ryan Pimentel, on a 2010 Wyoming hunt where we’d found a killer buck pushing the 200-inch mark.
Mid-day, buck hunting can be slow so we’d lounge around camp shooting our bows. While Ryan is a crack shot—taking the Idaho State Jamboree five times—I was particularly impressed with his moveable pin bowsight. No matter the angle, and within 70 yards, he could put his arrow in a 3″ circle every shot. I was sold but as life has its way, it took me another three years to make the switch. I finally chose a multi pin moveable Black Gold Ascent made in Bozeman, Montana.
The Black Gold manufacturing facility is only a few hours from home so I made the drive to meet with president Mike Ellig. His place was impressive. Running 24 hours a day between man and machine, Mike is meeting the demand for a 100% American made bowsight that stands up to the rigors of Western hunting. I took a tour and was impressed with the operation and staff.
Over a quick lunch, Mike agreed to the project. Within about 10 minutes, Philip Larson, Black Gold’s R&D man, had my Athen’s Convixtion bow set up and I was on my way.
As I wrote about in Archery Pro-shops—Who Needs ’em?, I rely heavily on good pro-shops for help with set up. Within a few weeks of visiting Archery Idaho, I was seeing the real advantages of using moveable bowsights.
I’d been intimidated by the 2nd and 3rd axis that bowsights like the Black Gold Ascent are built to tame, but found that with a little understanding, I could add noticeable accuracy and range to my bow. If 2nd and 3rd axis are new terms you, suffice it to say that without setting up your bow to handle them, you’ll never achieve great accuracy in the western terrain mule deer call home.
So, if you’re still shooting fixed pins, give the next three short videos a click. You’ll see why moveables pins are nothing to be afraid of. In upcoming posts, I’ll show you the first arrow accuracy and groups I’m already seeing with the Black Gold Ascent.
Make sure you subscribe to the Rok Blog (upper right at “Subscribe to blog” under Fitness/Other links) so you can follow this project to completion with the Live Hunts come late summer.
Robby, welcome to the slide into the Ascent. I purchased one last year, and have not looked back. The bow I shoot and the sight I use are so much better than I will ever be, it is not even funny. Have fun practicing out past 100 yds, i:)t makes those 40 yd shotys seem like child’s play.
you are so right Bruce.
Robby, I am interested in this sight, but after a quick internet search there seems to be very few places to order one with some of the features. I can find it, but I want to make sure that I get the right one. Should I just call Archery Idaho? Thanks…
Hi Brock,
If you can’t find one, give Tom a call at Archery Idaho. The Ascent is his #1 selling sight so I know he can hook you up plus he knows so much about them. The Idaho Falls store is 208.524.0161
If you wanted to check with Black Gold and see if they have a dealer close to you, call Mike or Dustin at (406) 388-9060. Either way, I think you’ll be happy with the sight. Let me know what you find out.
Brock, you can get on line to http://www.sandsarchery.com/ Steve Speck is able to special order how you want, or can sell you a stock one. I got mine from him as well as my Eberlestock Blue Widow. When I came back from Afghanistan, I ordered my first Black Gold sight a custom Vengeance from Steve and he has taken care of me since.
Brook, give us a call if you can not find a local dealer. I have plenty of the Ascents in stock or can custom order what you would like. We are the largest Archery Dealer in the State. Good Luck
Hey Robby, great article, well written and the videos add a lot. I have had a moveable sight for a year but have not used it in that manner yet. Couple of questions: Is the rear facing plate readily accessible and is that something that I could put on myself? How did you determine which yardage marker sticker to add to the face plate? I have 20-60 pins but I like the idea of dialing it in more for shots over 50 yards and having the option to practice longer shots as well.
Hi Jamie,
the rear facing plate is very accessible (as far as being able to easily see it) and you could easily put it on yourself.
For setting your pins, I’d highly suggest some professional help if you can access it. We used an online program called Archer’s Advantage. It’s a paid program and Archery Idaho has it if you don’t have a pro-shop nearby. I think they can print your sight tape if they have all your arrow and bow parameters for a fee even if you’re not present. It was very slick and got my pins on target right on to 60 yards. Beyond that, the tape is slightly off. I have to dial 71 to shoot 70, 82 to shoot 80, etc, but when I tune my broadheads, Tom will account for that in my next tape.
For your example of using your 50 for your sliding pin, you would set your 50 for your bottom pin (so 20, 40, 50 pin settings), then use your dial/sight tape to shoot exact yardages beyond 50. Example, want to shoot 63 yards, dial your 50 yard slider pin to 63 on your sight tape and you’re good. Give Tom a call if you have questions- 208.524.0161 . He’s done thousands of these set-ups and gets it very close the first time. I know he saved me hours of frustration in trying to do it myself.
I’ll give you a call then Tom. I’d rather patronize a Rokslide member/sponsor even if it costs me a few extra bucks… Thanks, I’ll be in touch soon.
Thanks for that Robby. I have one pro shop within an hour of me but I have been less than impressed with them in the past and I would be very surprised if they had this program. I was wondering more if the rear facing plate was something that most proshops would normal carry or if I would have to order one online.
Once I get my bow tuned and broadheads hitting where I want I will have to give Toma a call. Too bad I am so far away (Alberta).
Jamie, I would order it from Tom so you know exactly what you’re getting. Can’t guarantee any proshop would have it.
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