Category Archives: Big Game Hunting

Articles about Big Game Hunting.

Making A Field Hunting Ballistic Card for Long Range

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Making a pocket field card for a specific load and bullet will aid in improved vital zone bullet placement.

The card is really a drop or trajectory table with wind and energy at a specific laser rangefinder game distances your looking to shoot.

I used my Nosler 300g AccuBond to create the table below for my moose hunt with the .375 Ruger. There are many ballistic calculators on the market. I use JBM Ballistics Trajectory calculator (free on-line). It works great!!

The pocket card you take into the field will look like the card above. Wind drift is in inches with a 10 mph 90 degree crosswind. I zeroed for 250 yards. Go to the website below and experiment.

https://www.jbmballistics.com/cgi-bin/jbmtraj-5.1.cgi 

You can select your bullet from this software’s drop down menu, enter the bullet muzzle velocity, zero-range, wind, elevation, vital-zone radius and many other parameters for the table you will create.

 

Trajectory
Input Data
Manufacturer: Nosler Description: Accubond™ Spitzer
Caliber: 0.375 in Weight: 300.0 gr
Ballistic Coefficient: 0.473 G1 (ASM)
Muzzle Velocity: 2550.0 ft/s Distance to Chronograph: 10.0 ft
Sight Height: 1.50 in Sight Offset: 0.00 in
Zero Height: 0.00 in Zero Offset: 0.00 in
Windage: 0.000 MOA Elevation: 0.000 MOA
Line Of Sight Angle: 0.0 deg Cant Angle: 0.0 deg
Wind Speed: 10.0 mph Wind Angle: 90.0 deg
Target Speed: 0.0 mph Target Angle: 90.0 deg
Target Height: 40.0 in
Temperature: 40.0 °F Pressure: 29.92 in Hg
Humidity: 50 % Altitude: 0.0 ft
Vital Zone Radius: 5.0 in
Std. Atmosphere at Altitude: No Pressure is Corrected: Yes
Zero at Max. Point Blank Range: No Target Relative Drops: Yes
Mark Sound Barrier Crossing: No Include Extra Rows: No
Column 1 Units: 1.00 in Column 2 Units: 1.00 MOA
Round Output to Whole Numbers: No
Output Data
Elevation: 7.540 MOA Windage: 0.000 MOA
Atmospheric Density: 0.07925 lb/ft³ Speed of Sound: 1095.8 ft/s
Maximum PBR: 302 yd Maximum PBR Zero: 255 yd
Range of Maximum Height: 136 yd Energy at Maximum PBR: 2658.9 ft•lbs
Sectional Density: 0.305 lb/in²

I found that my rifle zero is best set for 250 yards as it allows for max point blank range with a vital zone radius for moose at 5 inches. Basically the size of a ten inch pie plate. 

Here is a printout of the calculation.

 

Calculated Table
Range Drop Drop Windage Windage Velocity Mach Energy Time Lead Lead
(yd) (in) (MOA) (in) (MOA) (ft/s) (none) (ft•lbs) (s) (in) (MOA)
0 -0.7 *** 0.0 *** 2556.6 2.333 4353.2 0.000 0.0 ***
25 1.1 4.2 0.1 0.2 2507.4 2.288 4187.4 0.030 0.0 0.0
50 2.6 4.9 0.2 0.4 2458.8 2.244 4026.5 0.060 0.0 0.0
75 3.7 4.7 0.5 0.6 2410.7 2.200 3870.6 0.091 0.0 0.0
100 4.4 4.2 0.8 0.8 2363.2 2.157 3719.4 0.122 0.0 0.0
125 4.7 3.6 1.3 1.0 2316.1 2.114 3572.9 0.154 0.0 0.0
150 4.7 3.0 1.9 1.2 2269.6 2.071 3430.8 0.187 0.0 0.0
175 4.2 2.3 2.6 1.4 2223.7 2.029 3293.2 0.220 0.0 0.0
200 3.2 1.6 3.4 1.6 2178.2 1.988 3159.9 0.254 0.0 0.0
225 1.9 0.8 4.4 1.9 2133.2 1.947 3030.8 0.289 0.0 0.0
250 -0.0 -0.0 5.5 2.1 2088.8 1.906 2905.8 0.325 0.0 0.0
275 -2.4 -0.8 6.7 2.3 2044.9 1.866 2784.9 0.361 0.0 0.0
300 -5.2 -1.7 8.1 2.6 2001.5 1.826 2668.1 0.398 0.0 0.0
325 -8.7 -2.5 9.6 2.8 1958.7 1.787 2555.1 0.436 0.0 0.0
350 -12.7 -3.5 11.2 3.1 1916.4 1.749 2446.0 0.475 0.0 0.0
375 -17.2 -4.4 13.0 3.3 1874.7 1.711 2340.7 0.514 0.0 0.0
400 -22.4 -5.4 15.0 3.6 1833.6 1.673 2239.2 0.555 0.0 0.0
425 -28.3 -6.4 17.1 3.8 1793.1 1.636 2141.3 0.596 0.0 0.0
450 -34.8 -7.4 19.4 4.1 1753.2 1.600 2047.1 0.638 0.0 0.0
475 -42.0 -8.4 21.8 4.4 1713.9 1.564 1956.4 0.682 0.0 0.0
500 -50.0 -9.5 24.5 4.7 1675.3 1.529 1869.3 0.726 0.0 0.0

 

13-Oct-22 13:46, JBM/jbmtraj-5.1.cgi

 

By experimenting with muzzle velocity, wind, altitude parameters in the JBM software, you will better understand how your bullet will perform as it speeds its way to the intended game.

 

Good shooting!

©Copyright 2022

 

 

 

Newfoundland Moose Hunt Prep 2023 and .375 Ruger Rifle Choice

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Moose hunting provides an opportunity for lots of delicious meat and maybe a large rack to display in remembrance of the hunt.. I have been blessed with successfully hunting Newfoundland moose bull in October 2019 and a New Hampshire bull several years back, neither had great racks. Below is the New Hampshire moose.

So I am trying for a larger mature bull (more meat) with perhaps a larger rack. We shall see. 

This new moose hunt is expected to be a river hunt using the Gander River Canoe or some say Gander River Bay boat. Newfoundland moose hunts are in September and October and are prime times for crazy weather.

I shot my last bull, quartering forward, in Newfoundland in a late September snow squall with 30 mph zero degree windchill. A one-shot kill at 100 yards with a Nosler 300g AccuBond. My bullet did not exit and was recovered under the skin on the far side after wrecking the lungs. He stood for just a few seconds before collapsing where he stood.. 

 

You’d think that I had dozens of rifles to choose from but in truth I have only 5 rifles. Two are muzzleloaders. My really big game modern rifle is the Ruger M77 African in .375 Ruger. I hand load it. My bullet of choice is the 300 grain Nosler AccuBond™ because it is a tough bonded bullet and has a high ballistic coefficient and a superior sectional density for long range hunting. Below left is the Nosler 260 grain and right is the 300 grain AB. 

I like the 308/30-06/7mm/.270 type cartridge or greater for moose hunting. No, you don’t need a .375 Ruger, but I have one in my gun safe and it is accurate as all get-out. I shoot it very well.

For those not familiar with the .375 Ruger, it is slightly more powerful than the .375 Holland and Holland of African fame for Cape Buffalo and is a non-belted round.

With a state-of-the-art recoil pad, it reduces my .375 felt recoil by approximately 50%, like a .270 Winchester.

These recoil pads like the Pachmayr Decelerator™ and Limbsaver models are excellent and tames my .375 Ruger very well.

I can shoot it off hand, in my t-shirt. Get one of these pads today and stop whining about recoil!

 

Many Newfoundland bogs, that are prime moose habitat, are hundreds of yards in size and you need a rifle to reach out and maintain speed and energy. 

I use the BOG Deathgrip tripod below for longer range shots. I have shot it prone and accurately out to 600 yards. 

My scope of choice is the Leupold VX-6 3-18. What a combo! Below are the ballistics as calculated by JBMballistics.com with a muzzle velocity of 2550 fps with the Nosler 300g AB. Zeroed for 250 yards. With a 20 mph wind at 45º angle. The .375 Ruger with this Nosler AB bullet delivers over 2000 ft lbs. at 450 yards. Wow!

 

Trajectory
Input Data
Manufacturer: Nosler Description: Accubond™ Spitzer
Caliber: 0.375 in Weight: 300.0 gr
Ballistic Coefficient: 0.473 G1 (ASM)
Muzzle Velocity: 2550.0 ft/s Distance to Chronograph: 10.0 ft
Sight Height: 0.70 in Sight Offset: 0.00 in
Zero Height: 0.00 in Zero Offset: 0.00 in
Windage: 0.000 MOA Elevation: 0.000 MOA
Line Of Sight Angle: 0.0 deg Cant Angle: 0.0 deg
Wind Speed: 20.0 mph Wind Angle: 45.0 deg
Target Speed: 0.0 mph Target Angle: 90.0 deg
Target Height: 40.0 in
Temperature: 40.0 °F Pressure: 29.92 in Hg
Humidity: 50 % Altitude: 0.0 ft
Vital Zone Radius: 5.0 in
Std. Atmosphere at Altitude: No Pressure is Corrected: Yes
Zero at Max. Point Blank Range: No Target Relative Drops: Yes
Mark Sound Barrier Crossing: No Include Extra Rows: No
Column 1 Units: 1.00 in Column 2 Units: 1.00 MOA
Round Output to Whole Numbers: No
Output Data
Elevation: 7.521 MOA Windage: 0.000 MOA
Atmospheric Density: 0.07925 lb/ft³ Speed of Sound: 1095.8 ft/s
Maximum PBR: 302 yd Maximum PBR Zero: 255 yd
Range of Maximum Height: 136 yd Energy at Maximum PBR: 2658.9 ft•lbs
Sectional Density: 0.305 lb/in²
Calculated Table
Range Drop Drop Windage Windage Velocity Mach Energy Time Lead Lead
(yd) (in) (MOA) (in) (MOA) (ft/s) (none) (ft•lbs) (s) (in) (MOA)
0 -0.7 *** 0.0 *** 2556.6 2.333 4353.2 0.000 0.0 ***
25 1.1 4.2 0.1 0.3 2508.0 2.289 4189.5 0.030 0.0 0.0
50 2.6 4.9 0.3 0.5 2460.0 2.245 4030.7 0.060 0.0 0.0
75 3.7 4.6 0.7 0.8 2412.6 2.202 3876.6 0.091 0.0 0.0
100 4.4 4.2 1.2 1.1 2365.7 2.159 3727.3 0.122 0.0 0.0
125 4.7 3.6 1.8 1.4 2319.2 2.116 3582.5 0.154 0.0 0.0
150 4.6 3.0 2.7 1.7 2273.4 2.075 3442.1 0.187 0.0 0.0
175 4.1 2.3 3.7 2.0 2228.0 2.033 3306.1 0.220 0.0 0.0
200 3.2 1.5 4.8 2.3 2183.1 1.992 3174.3 0.254 0.0 0.0
225 1.8 0.8 6.2 2.6 2138.8 1.952 3046.6 0.289 0.0 0.0
250 -0.0 -0.0 7.7 3.0 2094.9 1.912 2923.0 0.324 0.0 0.0
275 -2.4 -0.8 9.4 3.3 2051.6 1.872 2803.4 0.360 0.0 0.0
300 -5.2 -1.7 11.4 3.6 2008.9 1.833 2687.8 0.397 0.0 0.0
325 -8.6 -2.5 13.5 4.0 1966.7 1.795 2576.0 0.435 0.0 0.0
350 -12.6 -3.4 15.8 4.3 1925.0 1.757 2468.0 0.474 0.0 0.0
375 -17.2 -4.4 18.3 4.7 1883.9 1.719 2363.8 0.513 0.0 0.0
400 -22.3 -5.3 21.0 5.0 1843.4 1.682 2263.3 0.553 0.0 0.0
425 -28.1 -6.3 24.0 5.4 1803.5 1.646 2166.4 0.594 0.0 0.0
450 -34.6 -7.3 27.2 5.8 1764.2 1.610 2073.0 0.636 0.0 0.0
475 -41.7 -8.4 30.6 6.2 1725.6 1.575 1983.2 0.679 0.0 0.0
500 -49.6 -9.5 34.3 6.5 1687.6 1.540 1896.9 0.723 0.0 0.0

 
08-Oct-22 09:19, JBM/jbmtraj-5.1.cgi

Wind at long range becomes a serious factor, understand your limitations. If you have a heavy wind at 90 degree crosswind angles, keep your shots at much shorter ranges. Quartering wind or wind blowing at you is a better situation, but you may need to move for a better shot opportunity. A trajectory and wind table printed in your pocket can be helpful. 

Good Hunting!

© Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August is for Archery

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August is just a month before Archery season begins in New Hampshire.

 

 

Sharpen your shooting skills and get your arms in shape. Distance judging is another skill that we can work on. Shooting downward from a tree stand at say my max range of 40 yards with a crossbow

or 20 yards with recurve make practice a must.  

 

 

I use a Leupold laser rangefinder that accounts for the down angle such as the TBR True Ballistic Range models.

Leupold RX-1600i TBR/W with DNA Laser Rangefinder 6x OLED Selectable

 

Shooting your practice broadheads vs field points can ensure hunting accuracy. If you hunt from a tree stand then practice in one too, or at that height.

Watch out for branches and clothing that can brush your string and send your arrow off the target.

I developed a mental pre-draw checklist, for branches and clothing/armguard you should too.

 

Good Shooting!

 

10 Point Turbo S1 Crossbow Arrow Flight with Killzone Broadhead

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I am very pleased with my 10 Point Turbo Crossbow (390 fps) and my NAP Killzone Cut-on-Contact 100 grain mechanical broadheads however at 35 to 40 yards, my target points hit 6 inches higher than the Killzone broadhead. I have adjusted for the broadheads.

Killzone provides a practice blade. It isn’t easy to assemble the practice blade but once done, it works. Note that the there is a pencil point type head that you can get as well for this broadhead but i prefer cut on contact point. Haven’t killed a deer with it but we shall see.

Now is the time to purchase hunting items because they’ll be sold out come August/September.

Good Shooting!

 

 

New Hampshire Turkey Hunter Attacked by Bobcat

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On May 3rd, 2022, My hunting friend Ken Wenzel heard a gobble before shooting light in Fremont, New Hampshire. He set up with his back to a large tree near where the gobble was heard and began a series of clucks at dawn. It wasn’t long when…

His True Story – “When calling for Toms be on the look-out for Bobcats. 5/3/2022 I hear a gobble at 5:17 AM. I close the distance half way from the Tom. I get set up and start to call.

No response from the Tom.

I made some more calls with no luck. Spent maybe 5 to 10 minutes on my set up.

All of a sudden I’m charged by a bobcat. He or she was coming, at a good clip, towards me. (Editor – thinking he was breakfast)

It realized I wasn’t a turkey and locked up the brakes, skidded about about 2 maybe 3 feet in the leaves and smashed into my left boot and leg. Then the cat did a 180 and threw a rooster tail of leaves at me trying to get away. It stops 4 feet from me thinking what the hell is that. I yelled and it just kept looking at me.

I had to shoot over the cat to scare it away.

Still stayed there looking at me.

A few minutes later it did walk off. What a wild and scary moment I had.

No injury to the cat or myself.

Be careful out there guys. I’ll remember this day for sure. I do have 5 bobcats in my area that I have pictures of in the last 3 years. “

 

Lesson: Be prepared for predators!

A side-arm might be a good idea!

New Crossbow Ten Point Turbo S1- Out Of The Box

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Honestly, I fussed and researched quite a bit before purchasing my new USA Made Crossbow.  My goal was to purchase a fast and accurate, cost effective crossbow, with a crank cock decock system. I did not want to fuss with shooting my bow at my truck after a day of hunting,  I wanted an easy way to decock it. Note: In New Hampshire law, crossbows cannot travel cocked in your vehicle. 

My new Ten Point Turbo S1 is for all intent a 400 fps (390 fps actual) Crossbow with built in ACUSlide cock and decock system for the crossbow. This crossbow breaks into the “best of the best” category with features costing $2000 or more. MSRP is around $1299 to $1399.

https://www.tenpointcrossbows.com/product/turbo-s1/

I purchased the crossbow at my local crossbow shop Wyvern Creations,LLC in Lee, New Hampshire. Wyvern is operated by David Wilkins. David just sells crossbows and you can find Wyvern on the web too. See below.

https://www.wyverncreations.com/tenpoint-crossbows-c-77/turbo-s1-p-1340.html

A must have feature for me on this crossbow is the cock/decock mechanism to minimize back and shoulder strain from repeated shots with a rope cocking method. I like this brand new 2021/2022 design as the cock and decock mechanism is not an add-on, it is part of the bow stock. Some 2019 models are still being sold, but I prefer the newer design I have purchased.

. Dave gave me  personal instruction too, and three 100 grain Killzone mechanical broadheads with 2 inch cutting diameter. And a sling too. 

Length (w/o foot stirrup): 31″
Width Axle-to-Axle (uncocked/cocked): 11″ / 7.2″
Power Stroke: 11″
Weight (w/out accessories): 7.3 lbs. (with ACUslide)
Draw style: Forward Draw
Safe De-Cocking: ACUslide

The Micro-Trac barrel, the advertisement says, is one of the best and reduces string contact by 50% providing long string life. The barrel is machined and not molded as some lesser models are. Molded barrels are said to be somewhat less accurate than the machined barrels but I have no experience with them so I am not a good source of info on molded barrels. 

The RangeMaster Pro Variable Speed Scope has a dial for speed adjustment that you can see on the adjustable turret below and a red or green lighted pins. I like that in low light at dawn or dusk.

 

TenPoint RangeMaster Pro Scope, 60 yd (Black)

I adjusted the scope for 20 yards with 6 carbon arrow shots, then backed off to 30 yards and used the 30 yard pin. It was spot on! Then to 40 yards. It was spot on. The scope speed dial said 390 fps and that was proof as the dial adjusts the pin space. 

The arrows are  Pro Elite 400 Carbon Arrows (.003” straightness) and come with a detachable 3-Arrow Quiver that attaches parallel to the crossbow. I like that. 

This new Killzone Rear Deployment broadhead (pack of 3) is said to open up to 2 inches and hit the same impact as field points. My test shows that they in fact do fly like the field points out to 40 yards where my test ended. I tried my 100 grain muzzy three blade and it hit 10 inches lower at the 390 speed setting at 40 yards. 

My overall opinion of this crossbow out-of-the-box is excellent. Many others have reviewed this bow with similar excellent results. 

I will hunt with this bow, maybe soon in turkey season. We shall see…

Good Hunting!

 

 

 

 

 

Boats, Dogs, Hunting, Fishing: Busy Spring

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Honestly, I am trying to find a larger boat but in the wake of COVID, used boat sales have gone bananas.  Why a larger boat like 21 feet? Can you say family and grandkids! And deep sea fishing. Haddock will be biting and soon stripers will be here. We are looking at a used 2007 Key West 216 Center Console boat at the moment, and in the buying process.

 

At the same time my Labrador retriever, Bella, and I have begun retriever training. Yes me too!

And I am the home improvement contractor for my house. New furnace and bath shower, rebuilding porch rails. New fence in back yard soon. I am a busy guy! But there is time for Turkey hunting too if I plan well. Life is tough but, hey, someone has to do it!!

See you out there!

Be Safe!

 

New Hampshire is Wild: Wild Turkey Hunt Begins in May – Safety is Key

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Many New Hampshire hunters have gotten bit by the turkey hunting bug.

 

https://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/hunting/turkey-season.html 

Did you know New Hampshire Fish and Game says we have an estimated population  of 25000 turkeys! Wow!!

There are many web sites and YouTube videos that share techniques and use bow/crossbow or shotgun to bag your bird.

But Safety is prime.

https://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/hunting/turkey-safety.html

Excerpt from the NH website above:

Turkey Hunting Safety
  1. Never stalk a turkey. It rarely works and increases the risk of an accident.
  2. Never wear red, white or blue or black over- or under-clothing, because these are the prominent colors of displaying gobblers.
  3. Never call from a tree that is thinner than the width of your shoulders. Small trees won’t hide slight movements of your hands or shoulders, which might look like a turkey to another hunter.
  4. Never jump or turn suddenly in response to a suspected turkey. When turkey hunting, assume that every sound you hear is made by another hunter.
  5. Never call from a site where you can’t see at least 40 yards in all directions.
  6. Never imitate a gobbler call while concealed in a stand.
  7. Never presume that what you hear or what responds to your call is a turkey.
  8. Never think that your camouflage makes you totally invisible. To ID yourself to other hunters, wrap an orange band around a tree.
  9. Never hide so well that you can’t see what’s happening around you.
  10. Never move or wave to alert approaching hunters; shout “stop” instead. 

Be Safe out There!

 

The United Kingdom Bans Trophy Hunted Imports?

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Sadly, the UK Government announced that this year 2022, it will ban Trophy Hunted Imports, I believe, from around the globe. The reason is that they reject the killing of endangered species? And may go further in its tree-hugger-like ban. 

I am not aware of any “so-called” endangered species being hunted!

There you go, leftist governments and professors again, get in the way of scientific management.

In fact, if it were not for hunting, many species including non-game species would be either extinct or or endangered. Hunting is an essential management tool used by wildlife professionals around the world to manage and enhance species and populations. 

Safari Club International responds in the website below:

https://safariclub.org/sci-responds-to-uks-trophy-ban-hearing/

brief SCI quote :

“Question: What will the effect be if we ban trophy hunting as well as the import and export of animals into and out of the UK?

“SCI Answer: Although specific details of the bill have not yet seen published, one proposed approach would prohibit the import and export of ALL hunted animals, regardless of species and harvest location. This includes ducks, deer, elk, and many other common species that clearly need no protection. Implementation of this proposal would be detrimental to conservation efforts worldwide, including in the UK which has a robust hunting tourism industry, and utilizes hunting as an important tool for game management. Such a ban is not supported by any legitimate scientific literature.”

end quote

Hunting dollars world wide pay for land use and conservation agencies in the Trillions of dollars never mind the billions of pounds of lean organic protein rich meat by far exceeding photo-tourism could ever accomplish.

We humans, as a species, are genetically hunter-gatherers. As such we are predators, with eyes facing forward and are omnivores, consuming meat and vegetables, with the exception of a small vegan population. If you are not a predator, then you are prey. 

Hunters are conservationists, who respect the land, sustainable wildlife, both game and nongame and adhere to conservation practices. Trophies are a rememberance of the hunt and can become educational tools for future generations!

Good Hunting!

 

Shooting Traditional Hunting Bows In My Basement?

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Shooting hunting weight recurves and long bows in my basement, during winter, does great things for my shooting basics skill level and strength.

Photo Copyright 2022

And it can do great things for you as well. Sure, most basements are at max 10 yards but that is all you need for the most important basic skills.  Skills like good form, draw and release, follow thru, and important back muscle strength are the foundation for your back yard bullseyes and vital zone hits on wild game.

Outside, many tend to concentrate more on the target and bullseyes which takes another level of concentration, sometimes leaving the basics in the back seat like a poor release and follow-thru.

Twanging the string sideways at full draw, means the arrow will fly left or right. And taking down your bow too quickly upon release can affect arrow flight.

You can practice a perfect release by drawing your imaginary bow and releasing your hand and fingers in a rearward motion to touch the back of your ears and neck.

It’s what happens at the bow that makes the shot, just as it  is the golfers swing that creates a great straight shot or a bowlers step and follow thru.

Real pros know that, if you can’t be master of the basics, then you can’t master the craft. Further, at short range, it is easy to see that your string nocking points and brace height contribute significantly to arrow flight. I have two bows braced for practice and discovered my knock point was too high on one and perfect on the other bow.

Bare shaft tests through paper at say 3 to 5 yards can aid in setting knocking points too. On a compound you also set your plunger button left/right and tension. There are books on bow tuning.

If I have not shot in a week or so, I will shoot a bow of less poundage for a few day and work back up to a bow of higher poundage. You will also discover a bow poundage which allows full use of back muscles like 50 pounds. But then shooting a heavier bow of say 55 pounds, you are not coming to the same full draw as with the 50 pound bow.  Regular practice allows the building of  muscle and soon the 55 pound bow will be drawn to the same full draw. Just remember not to over practice and damage your back muscles. Stop at a high point of your practice session.

Arrow spine and length are also essential but we will save that for another time.

Good Shooting!