RE: dryfire sucks
The first time I dryfired I had some flaking on one of the limbs, when I brought it to Excal they said it was just the coating that had cracked, the limbs were fine. They replaced them anyways. I cursed at myself all the way home from the Excal factory feeling foolish the whole time for actually shooting a bow with no arrow..
When I got home I knew my scope would need to be re-calibrated, I set up on the bench, laid the crosshairs on the target then heard the same horrible noise.. Yup, new limbs, no arrow..[:@]I just laid the bow down and went in the house..
Since then I have done is many, many more times with no ill effects, at least not to the bow.. My pride had taken a sever beating, but the bow is still eager to go every day..
Do the cottonball thing, and do it again with the bow cocked.There is a good chance there is absolutly nothing wrong with your bow, a very good chance. A dryfire will loosen bolts so check those too while you are at it.
Dryfire Dave.