An inch of draw length will get you...???
01-31-2002, 07:23 PM
#1
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska
Posts: 1,665
An inch of draw length will get you...???
I might be shooting an inch to inch and a half short on my draw length. I feel comfortable and relaxed shooting 27", but have trouble with some of the higher poundages... 67+ lbs. drawing on a regular basis... 15-20 times. I can draw it straight back, not aiming at the clouds, but I have drawn longer draw length bows at 70 pounds which didn't feel as hard.
Is my form with a short draw length restricting my ability to draw more weight?
Also, is there a general amount of speed that would be gained at the same draw weight with an inch of added length on the draw?
I'm running a poll on the bowhunting thread to check out draw lengths, vs height, wingspan, release and string loop. Enter your info there if you haven't already, and I'll tally up the results to see what the hni bbs average is.
Thanks!
Is my form with a short draw length restricting my ability to draw more weight?
Also, is there a general amount of speed that would be gained at the same draw weight with an inch of added length on the draw?
I'm running a poll on the bowhunting thread to check out draw lengths, vs height, wingspan, release and string loop. Enter your info there if you haven't already, and I'll tally up the results to see what the hni bbs average is.
Thanks!
01-31-2002, 07:37 PM
#2
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Dover, PA USA
Posts: 5,497
RE: An inch of draw length will get you...???
I find that when I shoot my buddy's 28" bow after shooting my normal 30"...it does feel heavier, I think because I have a tendency to draw it much SLOWER because I feel like if I just draw it back like my 30" I'm gonna slam it back too hard, because the 28" is walled out where my bow is just dropping into the valley.........So where my bow is taking off.....the 28" comes to a dead stop.
I never liked that feeling.
As a general rule you'll pick up or lose about 10-12 fps for every inch of draw length added or subtracted. with everything else remaining the same.......if you went to a 29" Q2Xl over a 27" you could pick up 20fps or so for the same draw weight....which would also increase your KE quite a bit.(Might make you a little more confident on those Grizzly shots!)
You have a 73.5" wingspan?......I'm almost positive that the wingspan method of measuring draw is to take your wingspan,divide by 2 and subtract 7.5".....for you that would equal a 29.25" draw length? Sounds like you either had a shop guy who didn't know what he was doing, or he wanted to dump a 27" bow?!
Edited by - Matt / PA on 01/31/2002 20:39:19
I never liked that feeling.
As a general rule you'll pick up or lose about 10-12 fps for every inch of draw length added or subtracted. with everything else remaining the same.......if you went to a 29" Q2Xl over a 27" you could pick up 20fps or so for the same draw weight....which would also increase your KE quite a bit.(Might make you a little more confident on those Grizzly shots!)
You have a 73.5" wingspan?......I'm almost positive that the wingspan method of measuring draw is to take your wingspan,divide by 2 and subtract 7.5".....for you that would equal a 29.25" draw length? Sounds like you either had a shop guy who didn't know what he was doing, or he wanted to dump a 27" bow?!
Edited by - Matt / PA on 01/31/2002 20:39:19
01-31-2002, 08:12 PM
#3
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: chardon ohio USA
Posts: 128
RE: An inch of draw length will get you...???
Matt, is the wingspan method of measuring a "general formula" that works for everybody? Why are you subtracting 7.5"'s, is that a brace height measurement? Can the 7.5 number change, or is that the standard for figuring draw length? Thanks.
01-31-2002, 08:22 PM
#4
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska
Posts: 1,665
RE: An inch of draw length will get you...???
I've been thinking of trying a 28" and hopefully a 28&1/2" with the string loop, and a 29" directly off the string. I would like the extra KE, and that is where I'm mainly headed with this. I know I have habits now from shooting a shorter draw length, so I'm leaning on the side of a 28" draw length with a string loop, and touch up my poundage a little.
I found with the Winn Archery wrist/hand strap, I can draw back higher poundage a lot easier. I'm not looking at becoming a speed freak, but I would like to have the best tool for the job, and be able to handle it, when I come to full draw on a grizzly or moose again.
I found with the Winn Archery wrist/hand strap, I can draw back higher poundage a lot easier. I'm not looking at becoming a speed freak, but I would like to have the best tool for the job, and be able to handle it, when I come to full draw on a grizzly or moose again.
01-31-2002, 08:40 PM
#5
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Dover, PA USA
Posts: 5,497
RE: An inch of draw length will get you...???
Billygoat....That's a standard formula.
Wingspan in inches divided by 2 minus 7.5" = Estimated draw length.
For me it's accurate right to an 1/8" of what I actually shoot.
ABM,
Yeah I'd say you'd be doing yourself a favor to get as much KE as possible for those 2 little guys.<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
Sounds like you need to sell that old Mathews and get a new BowTech "Pro38"!!<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> Couldn't resist.
Wingspan in inches divided by 2 minus 7.5" = Estimated draw length.
For me it's accurate right to an 1/8" of what I actually shoot.
ABM,
Yeah I'd say you'd be doing yourself a favor to get as much KE as possible for those 2 little guys.<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
Sounds like you need to sell that old Mathews and get a new BowTech "Pro38"!!<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> Couldn't resist.
01-31-2002, 08:59 PM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: chardon ohio USA
Posts: 128
RE: An inch of draw length will get you...???
Thanks Matt!
ABM, Good luck, sorry I can't be of much help to you. Maybe the other bows you drew back had different cams? Are you shooting a hard cam now? Maybe other bows had med or soft cams? Hope this helps. I don't have too much experience with different bows (other than mine). It's an older one, I'm planning on upgrading this year. Time for me to start learning about different cam options too.
And figuring out my draw length too! Thanks again Matt!
ABM, Good luck, sorry I can't be of much help to you. Maybe the other bows you drew back had different cams? Are you shooting a hard cam now? Maybe other bows had med or soft cams? Hope this helps. I don't have too much experience with different bows (other than mine). It's an older one, I'm planning on upgrading this year. Time for me to start learning about different cam options too.
And figuring out my draw length too! Thanks again Matt!
01-31-2002, 09:15 PM
#7
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska
Posts: 1,665
RE: An inch of draw length will get you...???
Matt, I plan to look into the Bowtech line as well when I start shopping around. I'm looking for something a little shorter for those pack in hunts, and something with a higher speed rating as well.
Hopefully the new Mathews (legacy?) 34" ata, 7&1/2" brace height and I think a 300fps IBO will be affordable. I'll find out in a few weeks.
Also, the same shop I bought the Q2XL from is selling cams for $100. Is that really the cost of a new cam?
Hopefully the new Mathews (legacy?) 34" ata, 7&1/2" brace height and I think a 300fps IBO will be affordable. I'll find out in a few weeks.
Also, the same shop I bought the Q2XL from is selling cams for $100. Is that really the cost of a new cam?
01-31-2002, 09:41 PM
#9
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Munising MI
Posts: 501
RE: An inch of draw length will get you...???
Arctic,
If you want some KE, go with the Ultra II-pretty fast for a one cam, and quiet. Buy the next size larger cam, put it on the short peg, and your brace height will increase about 3/4 inch, without a loss in speed. As a general rule, you gain about the 10-12 fps as Matt said, but some bows don't work out that way. The conquest II is one, the Ultra is another. It seems some of the higher rated bows don't change as much around the 29" range on up.
I've always had a harder time getting a longer draw back because the breakpoint was closer to my body making it so I don't have as much leverage.
Remember, 2 inches too short is better than an inch too long-bows anyways.
Jeff...U.P. of Michigan.
If you want some KE, go with the Ultra II-pretty fast for a one cam, and quiet. Buy the next size larger cam, put it on the short peg, and your brace height will increase about 3/4 inch, without a loss in speed. As a general rule, you gain about the 10-12 fps as Matt said, but some bows don't work out that way. The conquest II is one, the Ultra is another. It seems some of the higher rated bows don't change as much around the 29" range on up.
I've always had a harder time getting a longer draw back because the breakpoint was closer to my body making it so I don't have as much leverage.
Remember, 2 inches too short is better than an inch too long-bows anyways.
Jeff...U.P. of Michigan.
01-31-2002, 10:03 PM
#10
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Dover, PA USA
Posts: 5,497
RE: An inch of draw length will get you...???
Jerry,
I'm not too sure how short you are willing to go, but the BowTech "Mighty Mite" (31.75" ATA length)really packs a punch......if you shoot a 29" model expect IBO speeds of 308-312 with a forgiving 7.25" brace height.
The new "Patriot" might be the one for you though 34" ATA 7.25"/Brace height......I'm hearing from guys that have shot both that it's comparable to the Mathews Q2, maybe a bit smoother.........and 29" IBO speeds of about 305fps.
Those are 2 very hard hitting and forgiving hunting bows. Remember you aren't punching paper out there!.....you want a hard hitting bow, but one that is still very shootable and quiet. These are as hard hitting as you're gonna find in a single cam with a 7+" brace height in a shorter bow......probably more important than the raw speed #'s is the smack these bows have.....Both can give you Kinetic Energy levels of about 72-75ft lbs!!
They are also lifetime warrantied and have modular adjustable draw length that you can do yourself in seconds without a bow press.....one cam with the different modules is basically any length bow you need.
You aren't locked into a draw length like you are with a Mathews style cam.
The Ultra II that Jeff suggested is a nice bow......I owned an Ultra Max which is very similar. The only problems you'd find with the Ultra II is that are that it's a low brace height bow......like 6 1/8" or so. That's not going to be very forgiving of form flaws or heavier clothing that you might be wearing chasing those caribou across the tundra......boy I'd love to try that.
On top of that.......its no faster than the BowTech "Mighty Mite" and the Mighty Mite has over a 1" HIGHER brace height.....they are also pretty equal in noise and recoil.
Edited by - Matt / PA on 01/31/2002 23:09:17
I'm not too sure how short you are willing to go, but the BowTech "Mighty Mite" (31.75" ATA length)really packs a punch......if you shoot a 29" model expect IBO speeds of 308-312 with a forgiving 7.25" brace height.
The new "Patriot" might be the one for you though 34" ATA 7.25"/Brace height......I'm hearing from guys that have shot both that it's comparable to the Mathews Q2, maybe a bit smoother.........and 29" IBO speeds of about 305fps.
Those are 2 very hard hitting and forgiving hunting bows. Remember you aren't punching paper out there!.....you want a hard hitting bow, but one that is still very shootable and quiet. These are as hard hitting as you're gonna find in a single cam with a 7+" brace height in a shorter bow......probably more important than the raw speed #'s is the smack these bows have.....Both can give you Kinetic Energy levels of about 72-75ft lbs!!
They are also lifetime warrantied and have modular adjustable draw length that you can do yourself in seconds without a bow press.....one cam with the different modules is basically any length bow you need.
You aren't locked into a draw length like you are with a Mathews style cam.
The Ultra II that Jeff suggested is a nice bow......I owned an Ultra Max which is very similar. The only problems you'd find with the Ultra II is that are that it's a low brace height bow......like 6 1/8" or so. That's not going to be very forgiving of form flaws or heavier clothing that you might be wearing chasing those caribou across the tundra......boy I'd love to try that.
On top of that.......its no faster than the BowTech "Mighty Mite" and the Mighty Mite has over a 1" HIGHER brace height.....they are also pretty equal in noise and recoil.
Edited by - Matt / PA on 01/31/2002 23:09:17