Finding The Best Draw Weight And Length For Your New Recurve Bow
Recurve bows are popular for both hunting and target practice and nowadays use very
advanced technology although the basic design has been used for many years. Practice is needed to develop the skills necessary to use them to their fullest but this is a challenge many people enjoy. They are light and powerful and ideal for hunting.
Choosing a Recurve Bow
Choosing a recurve bow will take some time and shouldn't be rushed. You will need to find the one that is best for you regarding draw length and weight. You should measure your arm span accurately. Although it is tempting to use the general formula of arm span being equal to your height, don't skip this step as it is important that you have an accurate measure of your arm span to ensure you buy the correct bow. to find your arm span hold out your arms with the palms facing forward without stretching and get someone to measure the length from one middle finger to the other. The draw length is then your arm span divided by 2 1/2. Now you need to find the correct recurve bow length. For a draw length less than twenty eight inches choose one that is between 62" and 66" long. For a draw length of more than twenty eight inches choose a bow that is between 66" and 70" long.
Finding the Best Draw Weight
Now let's think about the draw weight. This is the force needed to pull back the bowstring completely and will depend on the type of shooting you will be doing. For hunting a higher draw weight is recommended. The force that you need also depends on your strength and size and will be obviously be different for children than for adult males. Try out a range of bows with different draw weights and see which feels the most comfortable. You should be able to pull back the bowstring and hold it for at least ten seconds. If you can hold it easily for much longer then the draw weight is too light and you should try a different one.
These general guidelines may help you to choose the correct draw weight. For a small woman 25-25lbs, a small man, 45-55 lbs, a larger woman 45-55 lbs and a larger man 65-75lbs. Remember these are general guidelines so always try out the bow you are thinking of buying first if you have not purchased a recurve bow before.
Conclusion
Recurve bows are popular and archery is great fun provided you have a suitable bow. Ensure your first bow is the best for you by following these guidelines to ensure the correct draw length and draw weight.