RE: Lets Stop "A Slow Hit Is Better Than A Fast Miss"
Hereis some good reading from huntersfriend.com
Forgiveness Ratings Computation
The forgiveness ratings listed on our comparison charts are NOT part of the manufacturer's specs. This is an Ease-of-Shooting index that we have created, based upon the bow's listed specs, in an attempt to help buyers predict how subdued or unruly a particular bow design might be to shoot. Our forgiveness rating is NOT a subjective score. But rather we have written a simple formula based on the following premises: 1) Bows with larger brace heights will generally be more forgiving (to flaws in shooting technique) than bows with shorter brace heights. 2) Bows with longer axle-to-axle lengths will be more stable and have greater shootability than bows with short axle-lengths. 3) Bows with mild to moderate cams will be more forgiving, as the shooter generally benefits from a more generous valley and smoother drawstroke.
COMPUTATION: Our rating was originally designed on a 100 point scale, but several designs the last few years have broken our ceiling (100+). For our rating......Brace height is the biggest consideration - followed by axle-to-axle length - and finally IBO speed (minor consideration). The math is fairly simple Forgiveness= (1.5a + 7.8b) - (s/10) where a=Axle Length, b=Brace Height, and s=IBO Speed. Larger brace heights, longer axle-to-axle lengths, and moderate IBO speed bows score higher. For 2005, scores range from 64 to 112, with 64 being the least-forgiving design. Bows without a legitimate IBO Speed (youth bows, short-draw bows, bows not capable of 70# peak weight, etc.) are not rated.
PARALLEL LIMB BONUS POINTS NEW: As parallel limb bows have become more and more popular, we often hear the argument that parallel limb bows are somewhat more forgiving. First, because they tend to be heavier and more stable at full draw. But also because they tend to have much less forward limb thrust, noise, and recoil, so shooters tend to settle into a more relaxed shot sequence with less anticipation of a violent release. While most experts aren't convinced this is true (at least not yet), we think there is some merit to the argument. As such, for 2007 we have amended our formula and have awarded true parallel limb bows with 3 forgiveness bonus points.
Admittedly, the formula isn't perfect, but it yields a fair estimate. It is our hope that the forgiveness ratings can help toprovide an objective reference for buyers who are concerned about forgiveness and shootability. We certainly appreciate the debates, the emails, and the countless suggestions we get for tweaking our formula. However, we suspect that further complicating the formula may not necessarily yield better results. Fact is, the term "forgiving" really means "forgiving to human errors", which is something that isn't easily quantified mathematically. If we were to test a variety of properly-functioning bows in a mechanical shooting machine, the varying axle-to-axle lengths, brace heights, and cam characteristics would have no significant effect on the accuracy and repeatability of the bows. The shooting machine would shoot each bow exactly the same, each and every time.
Unfortunately, humans cannot shoot with such mechanical consistency. We bobble; we flinch. We punch our triggers, or torque our grips. Even for the world's most talented shooters, accuracy is limited to the occurrence of human error. And what makes a particular bow more of less "forgiving" is the bow's tendency to accentuate or attenuate these unavoidable human errors.
Of course, we should keep the "forgiveness" issue in some perspective. Good technique and a solid practice regimen are critical to success in the field, regardless of which bow you ultimately choose. But the less forgiving your bow is, the more exacting your technique will need to be. But don't make more of this issue than need be. Within a typical 30 yard bowhunting range, virtually any properly-tuned compound bow can be shot with acceptable accuracy. And with a little practice, even a novice shooter can easily bring down big game within this range. So if you hunt in dense woods where 20 and 30 yards shots are common, your bow's "forgiveness" just isn't such a critical consideration. But if you hunt in more open country, where you must be able to reach out to 50, 60, even 70+ yards, where the smallest glitch means a wound or a miss, you should be more selective with the bow design you choose. We hope our forgiveness ratings are helpful to you in selecting a new bow.