question on brace height

[BeltedMag]

I have been looking around for a new bow. I have stopped at several shops and looked at and drew a few bows. I know a general rule of thumb is that a bow with a short brace height is generally less forgiving and faster. My current bow is around 8 inches. I looked at a Mathews LX the other day and fell in love with it, it drew so smooth and felt great in my hand. The only thing i didnt like was the short 6 5/8's brace height. How much diffrence would there be between this bow and say the Legacy with a 7 1/2 inch height? Would the LX be considerably less forgiving? Im more concered about accuracy over speed. I really like the LX but i want to be able to shoot it .

[Rangeball]

If he doesn't show up here, PM PMantle.

He just went through exactly what you are asking about, and bought the exact same bow.

I know he's very happy and states he's shooting the best he ever has...

[HighDesertWolf]

Now days with the shorter bows that have considerably more brace height are actually less forgiving then the bows with a shorter brace heights since the bows with shorter brace heights are longer Axle to axle, the truth is a bow with a longer Axle to axle is more forgiving where a bow with both long axle to axle and longer brace height would be the most forgiving. the difference between 6 5/8" and 7 1/2" you really wont beable to tell a whole lot of difference.

[PMantle]

Rangeball is right-I did just go through this. The vast majority of the people who frequent archery boards are going to tell you higher is better. I am in the minority and there are several reasons. First, I shoot a short draw. At only 27", my arrow is not on the string as long as a guy shooting 30", so the low brace will not affect me nearly as much. I actually wanted the Outback a bit more than the LX, but I just did not want to give up another inch of cycle, not did I like the idea of a custom grip that would in effect lower the brace and allow me to shoot a longer cam.

Second, I have been shooting a long time, and I think I have fairly decent form. My release may not be all that great, but I think I get in a good enough position to shoot low braces well.

As Rangeball said, I am shooting the best of my life. Could I shoot slightly smaller groups with an 8" brace? Likely so. OTOH, I am a hunter only. I have never shot a competition in my life and have no real plans to do so. The vast majority of my shots at game are 25 yards or under. Even still, if I know the range(I shoot a few objects with my range finder from the stand) I feel very comfortable out to at least 35 yards.

I would suggest shooting the LX. If you can shoot it with no arm slap I see no reason to eliminate it just based on brace alone.

[PABowhntr]

Now days with the shorter bows that have considerably more brace height are actually less forgiving then the bows with a shorter brace heights since the bows with shorter brace heights are longer Axle to axle

I tend to disagree with this statement. I have personally found that bows that are shorter in length with larger brace heights shoot more accurately, for me, in comparison to the somewhat longer bows with short brace heights. Interesting observation though. I wonder if it has anything to do with draw length.

[ijimmy]

HighDesertWolf

Now days with the shorter bows that have considerably more brace height are actually less forgiving then the bows with a shorter brace heights since the bows with shorter brace heights are longer Axle to axle, the truth is a bow with a longer Axle to axle is more forgiving where a bow with both long axle to axle and longer brace height would be the most forgiving. the difference between 6 5/8" and 7 1/2" you really wont beable to tell a whole lot of difference.

Agree 100% , I can shoot a low brace long axil bow much more accuratly than a high brace short axil bow . I think what PA has to say has merit allso , it depends on your draw length and , form . My draw is 28" , Id bet PA's is longer . I have a very high grip , it is posable that others with lower grips would have very diferant results than myself . Archery is mostly trial and error , what works for some will not for others .

[primetimearcher]

I have a short bow 31 inch with a brace hight of 6.25. It shots great can hit it can hit a $.25 at 20yards. It might also be because I have a 23 inch draw.