You can draw the bowstring of a recurve bow to any length you want. But it is essential to configure your compound bow’s length. Otherwise, the release will work too late or too early, which doesn’t always end well.
How to change the draw length on a compound bow: You need to change the mod’s position. With this, you can adjust your draw to any length of your choice. The mod usually has symbols that show the draw length setting.
However, some other compound bows don’t use this same adjusting style. This is because they have a different operating system from the common compound bow. As we go further, we will explain the other types and how to adjust their draw length.
What is Draw Length?
The distance of your full-draw bowstring from the nocking point to the deepest part of your grip is a draw length. A compound bow has a slim difference from a traditional recurves and a longbow. Any distance can drag the traditional bowstring back.
But, engineers made the compound bow to drawback only for a specified distance. That distance is a draw length, and you can control it with the mechanical system of the bow. So, your physical size has to correspond with the mechanical setting of the compound bow. If it doesn’t match, they won’t be an excellent delivery when you shoot.
Here are other things you need to learn about draw length.
What is a full draw?
Full-draw means drawing the bowstring of a compound bow till it stops. Every compound bow needs to be drawn to the end before releasing for a shoot. If you set the draw length at 25, you should always draw the bowstring by that same 25 before you shoot your target.
Note that you should only shoot when you have a full draw. You don’t need extra lessons to know when you have reached full draw. Just draw the bowstring till there’s nothing else to draw again.
Overdrawing a bow
The mechanicals in a compound bow stop when you get to full-draw, and drawing it past there is overdrawing. Don’t attempt to overdraw your bow. It can destroy the bow and injure you.
Proper draw length
Proper draw length differs for many people but, generally, it is the draw length with which you are comfortable. The full draw of your bow might not be your proper draw length. However, it still doesn’t mean you should overdraw or underdraw. You can change the draw length of your bow to correspond with your proper length.
Why is draw length set on a compound bow?
You must set draw length on a compound bow because: first, unlike other bows, you cannot draw it to just any length. It is mechanical, and you have to adjust it for proper use. Second, to avoid the dangers of overdrawing your bow. When you don’t set your draw length, you will overdraw and damage the bow.
Setting an accurate draw length is not only excellent for your performance but significant for your safety too. An overly long draw length can make you bend, and it makes it hard to see your target. It can cause a bow tension that can spoil your gear. Also, it can inflict injuries as part of your hand will be in the string’s path.
If your bow is rather too short for your proper bow length, it will leave your anchor point floating. Also, your accuracy of hitting your target will be very poor. So, you need to set the draw length on your compound bow.
How to change the draw length on a compound bow?
To change the draw length on your compound bow, you need to adjust the mod, and you can change the draw length. But, you must know the system of your compound bow to change the draw length effectively.
We will list the systems compound bows can have and ways to change their draw length.
Replaceable mods
How to change the draw length on a compound bow that has a replaceable mod is what we will look at now. Many bows with high ends have replaceable mods. To change such draw length, you need to replace the mod.
Some bows come with extra mods, while some don’t. But, you can easily buy from the store. Each of the mods has a separate draw length. So, you just have to find the one that suits you and plug it on.
If you have trouble finding which of the mods has your draw length, you can check on the product manual. Also, the manufacturer’s website mostly has the records of mods and their draw length. To change the mod, loosen the screws and attach the new mod.
Configurable mods
A configurable mod is one that there are holes with matching numbers or letters on it. To adjust its draw length, loosen the screws and twist the mode. Several mods have the accurate length on them while others use codes. For the ones that use codes, you can get the matching draw length to each code in the product manual.
Some bows have mods in just one cam. But, if both cams have mods, adjust both of them. Also, make sure you tight every screw properly after fixing the mod. The screws can disengage because of vibrations if you don’t tighten them well.
Adjustable string or cable posts
An adjustable string or cable post has many holes near the cable post or string. Some compound bows with this system are before this time.
If you want to adjust this type of system, put the bow in the bow-press before anything else. Then, take every tension off the cable and string. Afterward, you can start untwisting the post, tightly screw it in an alternative port and join the string to the post.
The process is direct and easy. However, it can take more than a few attempts to know the screw port to use.
Replaceable cams
Replaceable cams are hard to find among new bows, but you can easily find them in really old bows. You don’t have to loosen anything to fix the draw length. You just have to change the cam entirely and put another that fits your draw length.
They connected the string to the cams, so you will use a bow-press to replace it. Replacing a calm is pricey, depending on the manufacturer you buy from. The producer’s website and product manual carry the records of cams you need for your bow.
How to find your specific draw length?
To take your draw length measurement, stand erect and place your back on a wall. Stretch out your arms in the opposite direction of themselves. Then measure from one end to the other. Subtract the figure you get by 15 and divide it by 2. That is your draw length.
There is also another method to find your specific draw length. Measure from the deepest part of the arc to the last part of your grip. Then, add 13/4 inch. Some archers don’t agree with this measurement pattern, but some people still use it from time to time.
These methods are hard to achieve alone as you can’t hold the measuring tool and drag the bow at the same time. So, you need the help of your friend to get it done.
Having a perfect draw length for your compound bow is one of the most important steps to having great archery participation. The strength at which your arrow projects to the target highly depends on your draw length. If it is not good enough, your target might just escape with a mere injury, or the arrow does not reach it.
Three ways to measure your draw length:
There are different ways to find out your draw length. Unfortunately, there’s no accurate measurement method yet so, trying other ways helps give you balance on a figure.
Measure by arm span
Experienced archers highly recommend this method for beginners.
- Step 1: Spread your hands horizontally with your back placed on a wall and let your friend mark both points where your hand stops.
- Step 2: measure between marked areas in inches and divide your figure by 2.5. Whatever you get is your draw length estimate.
Measure with a simulated bow
If you can’t get a bow to do the first method, you can try simulating a bow. You simply need a long rod. It is simpler to carry out with a friend’s help. However, you can still try it on your own.
- Step 1: Find a rod or anything that can represent an arrow.
- Step 2: Carefully place the rod between your fingers so you would an arrow.
- Step 3: Place the hand you would use to hold your bow like you a practically holding it. Then, keep the rod on top of your hand.
- Step 4: Drag the rod backward until you reach your standard anchoring point, then sustain the position.
- Step 5: Your friend will help you mark where the rod passes the webbing of the thumb and just in front of the fingers of the hand you draw with.
- Step 6: Measure the distance between both markings, and add it to 13/4.
Measure with an arrow and a bow
- Step 1: Go to a great location for archery. Ensure to use a backstop.
- Step 2: Nock an arrow in your bow and drag it to your standard anchor point. Sustain the position for proper measurement.
- Step 3: Ask your friend to use a tape or any other thing to mark where it goes past the riser on the arrow.
- Step 4: Release the bow gently and do not let the marketplace go off.
- Step 5: Use a measuring tape, and measure the length between the marking made and the throat of the nock. Take whatever figure you get to be your draw length.
Your measurement should be in inches. If you took it in centimeters, divide the figure you got by 2.54. That is how to convert centimeters to inches.
This is the correct method, but it demands having a bow and arrow. It now becomes hard for beginners because they need the measurement to purchase their first bow. But they can borrow from an expert to get this done.
Conclusion
Knowing your draw length is the first step to being an excellent archer. You won’t know how to change the draw length of your compound bow if you don’t know your draw length. So take the steps outlined above and get your measurement. You are likely to get the closest to the accurate if not your accurate draw length when you do this.