How much can you reduce bow weight?

Oldguy · 02-26-2004, 10:26 AM

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 · 02-26-2004, 10:32 AM

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 · 02-26-2004, 10:44 AM

....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 · 02-26-2004, 10:47 AM

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 · 02-26-2004, 11:05 AM

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 · 02-26-2004, 06:01 PM

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 · 02-26-2004, 07:54 PM

Ok, thanks a lot guys! Appreciate your feedback!

Straightarrow · 02-27-2004, 04:31 AM

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.