Just got the Merlin Shadow in the mail and have to say that I am very impressed in the quality for a low end bow. I originally intended to set the bow up for my son but after playing with it I think he will be using the Darton next year. Question, with the limb bolts bottomed out how far (many turns) can I back out safely and what kind of draw weight reduction will I see on the 70# limbs. The poor kid cant even draw it.

10 Pointers

If you think the Shadow is a good bow, wait till you handle one of Merlins' GREAT ones! <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

You can safely back out the bolts about 4-5 full turns, should drop you around 10 lbs or so. Good shooting, Pinwheel 12

Thanks Pinwheel
I knew it would be you to reply. Hope to be handling one of the 2003 or 4 Merlins. For the price this is one hell of a bow. I think I am going for another on ebay. It is going to cost me more to set the bow up to shoot than the cost of the bow itself

10 Pointers

I recently got a Merlin Shadow (an ebay deal) from another member of this forum. I was impressed in ways with it (as stated above for a &quot;low end&quot; bow.) I do think I will be sticking with my Darton for a while. Just a little better feel for me. The bow is stickered @ 29&quot; and #60, but on my scale, with the limbs bottomed, it does #68. If interested (Rodsmith), send an e-mail.

Avoid the inevitable until it is absolutely unavoidable!

JOE PA, I think you got the bow from me. I felt it was stiff for a 60#er, but don't have a scale. I thought it was cam design. I tried several times to email, but they always came back, even after you told me of the problems. Sorry the bow pulls so much more than advertised. Take care.

Phil.
&quot;Could you guys be quiet, my dad's trying to shoot.&quot;<img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>

Yes Phil, I did get the bow from you.

There is nothing wrong with the bow at all, and I did not mind the #68, just letting Rodsmith know in case he would be interested.

I recently switched internet providers from AOL to a local system.
I forgot to switch my e-mail with ebay, but did so with this forum and still get very few e-mails, so perhaps there is a problem with the system.

IMO, the Shadow twin cam is somewhat similar to the two Darton CPS bows I had, but I never put Limb Savers on the Merlin, so its hard to say that for sure. It should be a reliable hunting bow, even if it is not in the same league with a BK 2!

Avoid the inevitable until it is absolutely unavoidable!

Joe,

Sounds like you have a 2-cam bow that originally had a single cam on it. That is the exact amount of poundage you would be expected to increase on a Shadow when swapping from a sinlge cam to the twin cams. This will not hinder anything, just sounds like that is what happened.