Nocks, those little, plastic, eared things that connect your string to your arrows. Everyone knows about them, and everyone uses them, but does everyone know as much as they should? This article will serve as a general nock informational guide and overview as well as a place for FAQs (frequently asked questions) to be answered. Below that, we will include a deep dive into the specifics of Beiter nocks, their sizing differences, what asymmetrical means, and how a Beiter nock can benefit your setup. At the bottom, we have included a nock sizing data sheet so you know know exactly what nock you might need.
Understanding the Basics:
Nock Fit, Center Serving, Groove Size, and Throat Size
Ensuring that your nock fits well onto your string serving is an absolute essential when it comes to safety, efficiency, accuracy, and repeatability. Improper nock fit can lead to dry-fire situations, string torque, serving damage, and the loss of your arrows altogether. The basic test for a good nock fit is, when you nock your arrow, you want the nock to make a small 'click.' Not too tight, not too loose. The groove size of your nock is going to be the tighter section of the nock that retains your string, while the throat is the section of the nock that contacts the string during the shot. You want a comfortable throat fit for your serving size, and a tight - but not too tight - fit for the groove size. Too loose on either and your arrow might fall out or wiggle when nocked. Too tight and you will see difficulty tuning, poor flight performance, and the potential for damaged nocks and strings.
Arrow ID's and Nock Fitment
If you are generally familiar with arrows and arrow sizing, you will know that there are a range of standard IDs (inner diameters) that most arrows are designed within. .166", .204", and .245" (with slight .001" variations) are the standard sizes you will encounter. Many nocks are cross-compatible with other arrows brands, and aftermarket nock options - such as those from Beiter - give you a range of string fitment choices. Many of these 'micro, small, and standard' (.166, .204, and .245) nocks and arrows will work across the board with options of the same size, with some options fitting tighter or looser than others.
When do I Need New Nocks?
Nocks are a 'consumable' archery component. This means it is completely normal to swap out nocks when they become damaged or wear out with extended use. If you have used your nocks heavily, and you begin to notice they don't 'click' onto the string as well as they used to, perhaps consider getting a new set. If you ever notice any cracking or damage of any kind, dispose of that nock immediately. Damaged nocks can lead to dry-fires, damaged arrows, blown-up bows, and bodily harm.
Arrow Squaring
Arrow squaring is most often talked about during the topic of point and broadhead installation. You want your points and broadheads to contact the shaft as flush as possible and for those points to spin as true as possible. The same can be said for your nocks. Squaring the nock end of your shaft is an important step to ensure accuracy, precision, and safety when shooting your bow. You want flush, square contact with the whole nock onto the back of your arrow shaft for optimal performance.
Why Use Certain Nocks - Pin vs Standard
You will encounter two general types of arrow nocks (not including options for traditional, glue-on and press-on nocks). These are pin nocks and standard nocks. Pin nocks are used in situations such as 3D and target archery where you are trying to stack multiple shots as closely grouped as possible. They also bring the force of the string as close to the center of your shaft as possible, adding to your potential precision, and protect the end of your arrow from damage from other arrows and 'Robin Hood' situations with the use pin bushings. The downsides to pin nocks are that they usually add weight to the end of your shaft with the use of the required pin bushing, and the bushing and smaller nock complicate your nock system which inherently includes more points of failure at a higher price point. Standard nocks are simple, one-piece systems that can be lighter than their pin-style system counterparts, won't change your arrows dynamic spine as dramatically, and are easier and cheaper to replace. Long story short - use pin nocks for target and standard nocks for hunting. There is a hybrid nock system, though, wherein you add metal bushings to the rear of your arrow that accept standard nocks. These bring benefits and drawbacks of both systems to your setup and can be beneficial based on your pursuit and arrow size.
FAQs
Q: Why do my nocks have letters on them? What does this mean?
A: Some nocks have what are essentially 'model indicators' designed into the side of the nock body. These are simple points of reference to showcase what size or style any given nock is. Examples include Easton 'S' nocks, 'X' nocks, and 'N' nocks. This can generally be used to tell what size arrow ID your nock will be compatible with. In this example, 'S' nocks fit standard shafts, 'X' nocks fit small shafts, and 'N' nocks fit micro shafts.
Q: What pin nocks do I need for my pin bushing?
A: Refreshingly simple answer, here. All pin nocks work with any pin nock bushing - they are all designed to work regardless of manufacturer or model. An Altra 25 Pin Bushing will work with a Gold Tip HD Nock, and a Gold Tip 246 Pin Bushing will work with an Altra Nexum Pin Nock. Swap in or out any other pin bushing or pin nock you'd like, they will all work together.
Q: How can I use the nock to protect my arrows?
A: There are three basic ways that you can use a nock system to help protect the back of your arrow shaft: pin nock bushings, uni-bushings, and nock collars. Like I outlined above, pin nock bushings will deflect any arrow impact away from your arrow, mitigating any potential damage. The same goes for uni-bushings, which operate the same way a pin bushing does with the one difference being that they still use standard, push-in nocks. The third option, nock collars, allows for the use of a standard nock system except with the addition of a metal, spine-specific collar that is placed between the nock and the end of the shaft, protecting from shattering and impact damage.
Beiter Nocks
Beiter has been making aftermarket nocks for quite some time, and they are the go-to for many archers around the world. Their size and fitment selection is second to none and the design of their nocks brings an inherent longevity that few others can match. With this size and fitment selection comes the opportunity for confusion and questions, though. The difference between #1 and #2 sizing, as well as the symmetrical vs asymmetrical designs generally lead to questions when people first encounter them. Here are some frequently asked questions that will help to clear things up.
Beiter FAQs
Q: Why do some Beiter nocks say 'asymmetrical'? What does this mean?
A: Beiter uses an asymmetrical design in many of their nocks in order to compensate for the uneven string pull that comes with finger drawing (barebow, traditional, Olympic recurve, etc). This means you must shoot with the nock facing up in order to receive the benefits of this design, but it allows for optimal contact and precision shot after shot.
Q: What is the difference between Beiter Hunter and other Beiter nocks?
A: Standard Beiter nocks are asymmetrical and Beiter Hunter nocks are not. This means that standard Beiter nocks are used for finger drawing and Hunter nocks are used for compound bows that utilize d-loops and release aids.
Q: What is the difference between a Beiter Hunter #1 and #2 nock size?
A: The difference between Beiter's #1 nocks and #2 nocks are the nock throat and groove size. The #1 nocks are designed for thinner serving (generally 12 to 16 strands and based on material thickness). #2 nocks are designed for larger serving (generally 14 to 18 strands and based on material thickness).
Nock Sizing Chart:
AAE IP4: Throat: 0.111" | Groove: 0.098" | Fitment: .166"
AAE IP5: Throat: 0.113" | Groove: 0.099" | Fitment: .204"
AAE IP6: Throat: 0.111" | Groove: 0.097" | Fitment: .245"
AAE IP Pin: Throat: 0.114" | Groove: 0.100" | Fitment: Pin
AAE Plastinock Small: Throat: 0.103" | Groove: 0.069" | Fitment: 1/4" Shafts
AAE Plastinock Medium: Throat: 0.098" | Groove: 0.085" | Fitment: 9/32" Shafts
AAE Plastinock Large: Throat: 0.113" | Groove: 0.077" | Fitment: 5/16" Shafts
AAE Plastinock X-Large: Throat: 0.110" | Groove: 0.070" | Fitment: 11/32" Shafts
Altra Nexum 166: Throat: 0.114" | Groove: 0.103" | Fitment: .166"
Altra Nexum 204: Throat: 0.113" | Groove: 0.101" | Fitment: .204"
Altra Nexum 246: Throat: 0.114" | Groove: 0.103" | Fitment: .245"
Altra Nexum Pin: Throat: 0.114" | Groove: 0.103" | Fitment: Pin
Bearpaw Heavy Hunter: Throat: 0.118" | Groove: 0.105" | Fitment: .245"
Black Eagle M: Throat: 0.114" | Groove: 0.103" | Fitment: .166"
Black Eagle R: Throat: 0.114" | Groove: 0.103" | Fitment: .204"
Black Eagle SPT: Throat: 0.114" | Groove: 0.102" | Fitment: BE Spartan
Black Eagle STD: Throat: 0.115" | Groove: 0.104" | Fitment: .245"
Beiter Insert #1 (Asymmetrical): Throat: 0.106" | Groove: 0.088"
Beiter Insert #1H: Throat: 0.104" | Groove: 0.084"
Beiter Insert #2 (Asymmetrical): Throat: 0.118" | Groove: 0.098"
Beiter Insert H: Throat: 0.117" | Groove: 0.099"
Beiter Pin #1 (Asymmetrical): Throat: 0.106" | Groove: 0.088" | Fitment: Pin
Beiter Pin #1H: Throat: 0.104" | Groove: 0.084" | Fitment: Pin
Beiter Pin #2 (Asymmetrical): Throat: 0.118" | Groove: 0.098" | Fitment: Pin
Beiter Pin H: Throat: 0.117" | Groove: 0.099" | Fitment: Pin
Beiter Out #1 (Asymmetrical): Throat: 0.106" | Groove: 0.088"
Beiter Out #2 (Asymmetrical): Throat: 0.118" | Groove: 0.098"
Bohning A: Throat: 0.117" | Groove: 0.095" | Fitment: .204"
Bohning Signature (B): Throat: 0.111" | Groove: 0.103" | Fitment: .245"
Bohning Blazer: Throat: 0.118" | Groove: 0.095" | Fitment: .245"
Bohning F: Throat: 0.117" | Groove: 0.096" | Fitment: .166"
Bohning H.E.: Throat: 0.113" | Groove: 0.090" | Fitment: Easton Sonic
Bohning Smooth Release Insert: Throat: 0.117" | Groove: 0.094" | Fitment: .245"
Bohning Pin M: Throat: 0.119" | Groove: 0.101" | Fitment: Pin
Bohning Pin R (Blazer Small): Throat: 0.106" | Groove: 0.087" | Fitment: Pin
Bohning Pin V (Blazer Standard): Throat: 0.120" | Groove: 0.097" | Fitment: Pin
Bohning Apex: Throat: 0.118" | Groove: 0.103" | Fitment: .197" OD Shafts
Bohning Classic: Throat: 0.115" | Groove: 0.106" | Fitment: 5/16" Shafts
Carbon Express Launchpad: Throat: 0.099" | Groove: 0.074" | Fitment: .245"
Easton 3D Super: Throat: 0.112" | Groove: 0.103" | Fitment: .245"
Easton G Large: Throat: 0.110" | Groove: 0.098" | Fitment: .166"
Easton G Small: Throat: 0.098" | Groove: 0.088" | Fitment: .166"
Easton H: Throat: 0.110" | Groove: 0.092" | Fitment: Easton Sonic
Easton 4mm Microlite: Throat: 0.107" | Groove: 0.090" | Fitment: .166"
Easton 5mm Microlite: Throat: 0.112" | Groove: 0.097" | Fitment: .204"
Easton 6.5mm Microlite: Throat: 0.110" | Groove: 0.085" | Fitment: .245"
Easton N: Throat: 0.100" | Groove: 0.081" | Fitment: .166"
Easton S: Throat: 0.112" | Groove: 0.085" | Fitment: .245"
Easton Super: Throat: 0.107" | Groove: 0.081" | Fitment: .245"
Easton X: Throat: 0.112" | Groove: 0.096" | Fitment: .204"
Easton G Pin: Throat: 0.113" | Groove: 0.099" | Fitment: Pin
Easton Pin Small: Throat: 0.099" | Groove: 0.084" | Fitment: Pin
Easton Pin Large: Throat: 0.111" | Groove: 0.096" | Fitment: Pin
Gold Tip Accu-Lite: Throat: 0.112" | Groove: 0.100" | Fitment: .245"
Gold Tip Accu-Tough: Throat: 0.115" | Groove: 0.104" | Fitment: .204"
Gold Tip GT: Throat: 0.115" | Groove: 0.101" | Fitment: .245"
Gold Tip GTO: Throat: 0.114" | Groove: 0.102" | Fitment: .166"
Gold Tip HD Pin: Throat: 0.112" | Groove: 0.101" | Fitment: Pin
Gold Tip HD Mini Pin: Throat: 0.112" | Groove: 0.098" | Fitment: Pin
TopHat Parallel: Throat: 0.115" | Groove: 0.100" | Fitment: 11/32" Shafts
Note: Fitment is not a measure of the nock itself, but rather the general arrow size that accepts this nock. .166" and .165", .203" and .204", .245" and .246" would all fall under .166", .204", and .245" respectively.