Hey everyone.
I just got into bow hunting and have just purchased a bow, used. It's a Browning "Boss" Vortex. The thing is, it's set way to strong for me and I was wondering if I can adjust it myself or do I have to take it to a shop? Also, on a scale of 1 to 10, how good of a bow overall is this one? I got what I think is a good deal on it ($40) and it's in perfect condition. But seeing as I'm new to bow hunting, I don't really know the good brands/bows. I normaly hunt with a shotgun, but I've wanted to get into bow hunting for a long time.

See ya,
--Johnny

welcome to the site skull_monkey you've come to the right spot to get your answer's ,You can adjust the weight by yourself by backing off your limb bolt's a quarter turn each at a time ,mark a line on both bolt's so you can tell if you are backing them off the same each turn .I'd go to 1/4 to 1/2 turn at a time till you find the comfort range ,I wouldn't back it out any further than 2 or 3 complete turn's. As for your bow I've had no experience with them but I'm sure someone will let you know here real soon .

nubo

OK, just to clerify, are the bolts that you're refering to the small alan-head screws at the tips of the bow? If not, which one's are you talking about? I don't want to end up unscrewing something that will end up making my bow fall apart in a hundred peices.

See ya,
--Johnny

I agree that 's not a good thing is it ? The limb bolt's are the bolt's holding your limb's to your brace ,there should only be 2 bolt's on your limb's. Just back them off evenly as I said take some white out and mark both screw's or bolt's which ever you choose to call them,mark them both evenly so when you turn them out they back out evenly.What poundage is your bow ? and what are you capable of pulling ?

One thing that i forgot make sure the hex screw's are both maxed out or tightened before mark them and you try backing them off .

50 to60 lbs
or 40 to 50 lbs
nubo

Well, as I said, I'm new to bow hunting, so I really don't know how much I could pull on a bow. I'll just have to go by feel. I'm guessing that I want to put it with as much resistance as I can handle, so I'll have more power, right? Or is my way of thinking way off?

See ya,
--Johnny

OK, I looked it up and my bow is a 50-70lb.

See ya,
--Johnny

tell me this can you pull the bow back at all right now ? Is the bow Maxed out LIMB screws tightened all the way? This is where you need to start.

1} tighten limb bolt's to max
2}mark screws with white out at very top of both screws
3} back off 1/4 turn to each bolt {Try pulling bow over after each back off}
4} repeat till you can pull it over ,but I wouldn't go any further than 3 or 4 complete turn's ,if you are unable to pull it then I'd have to say this bow wasn't a good idea .

nubo

Well, with the screws where they were I could pull it, it just feels uncomfortable, so I took the screws all the way in and then backed them out about 3 1/2 turns and it feels good right there. So thanks for the help with that.

One other thing: do you think I should start out using my fingers or a release? Personaly, I think I'd rather have a release as it seems like it would most likely be easier to shoot with. If you do recommend using one, what are some features that I should look for in one?

See ya,
--Johnny

50 to 70 is kind of unusual to me but just make sure the screws are secure and not at the end of the thread ,I wouldn't want to see it fly apart on you .I'm sure once you start using it next season a new bow will be in order hahaha
Myself I would definetly go to a release aid and a knock string,my bow has burger button's and I attach directly to my serving.
I use a bear claw from true fire ,I find you need to be comfortable with the trigger more than anything and a small jaw .This is just what I feel comfortable with you might not like it yourself,There's lot's of good releases out there you'll just have to try some and see which feel's the best to you .I want to try a rope releasejust because the head is loose I don't like the one's that come on the end of a long shaft .The one I'm using now is a glove and i didn't like it at first but now I do .The thing with the glove is that you need to make sure that it fit's properly or it will keep sliding down your hand when you draw back . I'm glad I could help and if I can help you again just let me know .

nubo
John Edwards

Skull:

It is quite obvious that your knowledge regarding archery and archery gear is at ground level. That is ok because we were all there at one time.

It is apparent that you need to learn the nomenclature of a bow as well as the proper tuning aspects and how to shoot a bow. However, you need to begin by first having the bow checked for mechanical condition, whether it needs new cables, string, bushings, etc.

It is difficult at times to help a person via Internet forums. I believe your situation will be quite difficult to do so, take a very long time, and further confuse you. I suggest you begin by taking the bow to a shop and working person to person with the shop and other shooters.