Don't be an idiot...

Rangeball · 10-14-2002, 03:06 PM

...Like Me. I installed a set of leeches on my bow over the weekend. Shooting today, I kept hitting my bow arm. I thought it was my form, but the no-peep said no, it's something else. So, I'd shoot, slap, ouch, shoot, slap, ouch and on and on.

After 30 shots or so, it hit me; I had put the lower leech right at arm level. The leech was just doing it's thing, but smacking my bare arm when it whipped forward. I have a nice quarter sized red welt to prove it

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bad_ass_archer · 10-14-2002, 03:25 PM

I know when I put on any silencers at all on my bow I go no furhter than 3-4 inches from the cams, works great, no slap happy leaches here!!!<img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle>

Len in Maryland · 10-15-2002, 07:57 AM

If the Leeches are moving in a worst-case scenario, perpendicular to the string, they are bending under the torque. They are therefore not as wide as they would be in a static state. This means that the width would only be about 1/4" beyond the string.

If you're hitting your arm with only a 1/4", imagine what is happening when you wear any heavy clothing? I would consider re-evaluating my form (maybe the grip) and possibly changing my draw length.

To give you a comparison, my string misses my bare arm by more than an inch.

Hope this helps by giving you some food for thought.

Rangeball · 10-15-2002, 08:11 AM

Len, pre-leeches, when wearing a heavy coat to target shoot, I was not getting any string contact. I am shooting a Diamond Hornet, brace is 7" or more, and I've shortened my draw length to 28".

I installed the leeches so that they go side to side instead of behind the string and towards the limbs. Isn't that the correct way to do it? And I'm not understanding the 1/4" thing, the "wings" on each side of the string appear to be at least 1/2" or more, and if my understanding of how they work is correct, they stretch forward with the shot, I can stretch them to close to an inch pretty easily.

Did I really screw up?

Len in Maryland · 10-15-2002, 09:01 AM

Since I have not seen slo-mo video on the dynamics of the Leeches, I am speculating on their movement; but, my speculation is based on experience with other models.

Now that I know that you have a 7" brace height, my concern about form and draw length more justified, IMPO. Keep in mind that I personally have a 6 1/4" brace height and never come close to hitting my arm, Leeches included.

The only way I can further analyze your problem is for you to stop by my shop. Since you don't publish your location, I have no way of knowing if this is feasible.

Sorry that I can't help you more on this forum. "Pictures are worth thousand words."

Rangeball · 10-15-2002, 11:34 AM

Len, I'm in West Central IL. I'd LOVE to be able to stop by your shop. Any chance you wanna open satellite location here?

I was in another town on business today, and stopped by a proshop there. In my opinion, it is the most professional shop I've been in to date, the owner/pro seems very knowledgable, and I dated his sister in a past life to boot. It is indeed a small small world

I told him of my recent paper tuning problems, he tuned it to a bullet hole, then handed it to me. He is also a 28" draw, and said my bow was right on. My first shot was a wicked right tear. He immediately noticed the problem, said I had my hand into the grip too much, I made an overadjustment, my next tear was slightly left. I commented on the leech slapping my arm, he said it hit his arm as well, and I know his form is right on the money.

Long story short, I'm confident that after I installed the leeches, I was subconsiously altering my grip to prevent the arm contact, and consequently I was all over the place. I was shooting quarter tight groups at 20 yards last week, only thing that's changed is the leeches, which are coming off, as my bow is plenty quiet already and they were really an experiment.

I have my fingers crossed this will solve my problems. Thanks for your input.