Oldguy

I have heard different things, regarding "Draw Weight Adjustment" on a bow. But how much below the Mfg. weight can you reduce draw weight without effecting accuracy and/or bow performance/safety?

Thanks for any help

Rack-attack

Depends on the bow

Most modern bows will allow a 10lb adjustment down from the top weight.

There are some models that allow more

PABowhntr

....and some times it is not just measured by the actual draw weight adjustment but rather by the number of turns of the limb bolts.

Oldguy

It's a 2002 PSE Thunderbolt. I looked on PSE web site, didn't find any reccomendations. I had heard the 10 lb. rule, but my pro-shop set me up 13 lbs below and said it would be fine! But others have told me that bow performance would suffer and the bow would be noiser. I don't know as I am fairly new to this

PABowhntr

Probably "yes" on both counts. As I mentioned above, some companies say not to turn the limb bolts out by "X" number of turns. If you turn a bow from one company out "X" number of turns then it might only reduce the draw weight by 10-12 lbs while doing the same thing on a bow from a different company might yield a 12-14 lb weight reduction.

Going to the bottom end of any given bow's draw weight range usually does reduce efficiency and increase noise/vibration but that, again varies with in terms of the extent with any given bow.

torontohunter

Agree with PABwhntr......I've always heard you get the most performance out of your bow if it's maxed out. When you lower the #'s your actually loosening your limbs inside the pockets......not sure why, but this is not suppose to be good. I don't ask questions, I just shoot my Patriot VFT as tight as possible.

Oldguy

Ok, thanks a lot guys! Appreciate your feedback!

Straightarrow

Personally, I wouldn't worry about it. If there is more noise, it's only slight. As to lost efficiency, you're not going to notice it. You might be shooting a couple fps slower then a comparable bow at the top of it's draw weight range, but that makes no difference.