Does anyone shoot without a loop?
 

Just wondering....... Ive heard mostly good things with them, but the owner of the pro shop where I got my bow from told me he never uses them. He said tha he has shot with and without and could see no difference. He set my bow up without one and said to try it for a week or so then he would put one on so I can decide for myself.

Before this bow, I always used a glove, so the string loop is new to me.

What do you guys do? Any thoughts?

PS... I am using a release.

RE: Does anyone shoot without a loop?
 

On my target bows, yes but not on my hunting bows.

RE: Does anyone shoot without a loop?
 

Not any more, just to many advantages to ignore.

RE: Does anyone shoot without a loop?
 

I shoot a loop on y target bow as well as my hunting bow. The loop works for me. I have no string twist and the wear at the knock ing point is very minimal. the loop is the way to go.

RE: Does anyone shoot without a loop?
 

I normally shoot with a loop now but still revert back to "off the string" on occasion just to compare from time to time.

RE: Does anyone shoot without a loop?
 

Off the string for me , its what works best for me , I shoot best that way . My center serving and nocks definatly dont like it thou . My nocks have a life span of about 100 shots .

RE: Does anyone shoot without a loop?
 

The guys with shorter draw length, ie me, are more apt to shoot off the string. Why give up the extra 1/2" draw length. Now granted I not around a lot of shooters so this is informal poll of mine may not be valid.

RE: Does anyone shoot without a loop?
 

I do.

RE: Does anyone shoot without a loop?
 

I just started to about 6 months ago right after last season ended. WoW! I definately prefer to shoot a loop and do not see any reason to revert back to shooting off the string.

RE: Does anyone shoot without a loop?
 

I had been a stubborn "holdout" on switching to the loop, mainly due to the release that I prefer. I did start using the loop on most of my bows this year, and I am pleased with the results. I did just get a new bow and set it up kind of quickly with only a tied-in nocking point, no loop, and not even an eliminator button under the nock. It shoots very well, tuned easily, and gives me no problems. I'm not too sure how important the loop is, especially for a hunting bow, but I do realize that setting up a bow to reduce wear items like string center serving, eliminator buttons, etc. makes a lot of sense.

RE: Does anyone shoot without a loop?
 

USE THE LOOP! Plus you save your server.

RE: Does anyone shoot without a loop?
 

JoePA, Bulldog1 here, the one main advantage a string loop gives me when I hunt, I can let down if I have to without the arrow leaving the string. Also if set up right, it keeps the string a little squarer in the nock, adds a little more speed, and takes out what release torque I may have. I would'nt bowhunt without one, just get one that's knotless. :DBulldog1

RE: Does anyone shoot without a loop?
 

I dont use one. I used one for a couple years and never could figure out why my accuracy wasn't quite the same as without one. Started fooling around earlier this year and I figured it out. With a loop my release hand was too far back on my face and I couldn't anchor it in to the bottom of my jaw like I always had before. I ditched the loop and now I'm shooting great again with a consistant anchor. I also shoot a longer ATA bow so I dont have no problems with my arrow falling off when backing down or serving wear.

RE: Does anyone shoot without a loop?
 

Bowfanatic, Bulldog1 here, you've brought up a good point. A loop does'nt work well if the draw length isn't adjusted for it. Alot of factors go into a good set-up, release, anchor, and so on. It's just like when everyone was going from fingers to a release, if the draw was'nt adjusted, you could'nt make it work.:D Bulldog1

RE: Does anyone shoot without a loop?
 

i used to shoot off aloop but changed to shooting off my string and shoot better. i bet the larger majority of hunters go off the string.

RE: Does anyone shoot without a loop?
 

Took me a few years to finally get used to one, but now I don't forsee ever shooting off the string again. Way too many advantages for the minimal speed loss, and with a peg style release like a Scott Rhino you often don't have to give up anything in speed and can maintain your draw length (and same anchors)

I've never found a loop to be a hindrance in the woods, and I hunt on the ground where often I get deer super close before I ever see them...I hookup as they walk behind a bush or tree, and go from there. In a treesatnd I don't see how this could ever be an issue for someone who has gotten used to the loop and has a decent release aid with a small jaw or peg.

RE: Does anyone shoot without a loop?
 

I'd like to hear about the advantages. Especially for the average archer.

How? Your release hand still ends up 1/2" - 1" behind it's normal anchor spot when shooting off a loop.

I'm not posting for the sake of arguement , I just feel that the string loop is way over touted as a must have in archery. I strongly feel that it's advantages for the average archer are extremely minimal at best.

RE: Does anyone shoot without a loop?
 

If you get a release like the one Jeff mentioned or one with a smaller lever you can still shoot a loop and only add about 1/8" to the draw. That's a lot for some but if your locked in that tight you can adjust the string to compensate and have it right back where you need to be. The loop winds up being very small and speed loss is minimal if not negligable.

As for pros...the biggest for me are 2 simple reasons. I can relaese from directly behend the nock as opposed to below it. This makes tuning easier and just seems "right" mathmatically although I couldn't tell you why nad I'm not good enough in math to provide an example:D

2nd...serving wear. If you serve your own this wouldn't be THAT big of a deal I guess, but I can't and we are talking about "average archer" right? Save money and hassle in the long run.

I flip flopped once I got a longer ATA bow but it'd never work to shoot of the string woth my Might Mite or Patriot at 29" draw. Ferocious nock pinch.

RE: Does anyone shoot without a loop?
 

Tried a loop several times, could not get used to it.
I just shoot off the string, it is more comfortable and second nature to me.

RE: Does anyone shoot without a loop?
 

Right off the string with an eliminator button. Eisier for me to get on the string.

RE: Does anyone shoot without a loop?
 

TruShot touched upon the release aid and wear issues.

However, the loop makes for much easier tuning and better nock travel as well. There is virtually no upward pressure on the arrow nock, whick makes for a smoother release. On the short bows we have today that is extremely critical.

Becuase of that it makes arrow spine selection MUCH less critical.

It also reduces torque and allows one to let down with no fear of the arrow coming off the string.

RE: Does anyone shoot without a loop?
 

I've been using a loop for the past 8 years. I don't know how to do anyother way.

RE: Does anyone shoot without a loop?
 

Yeah I never have but I'm getting one on my new bow. If you think about it twist your release whiles its on the string, does it move the string? Then twist it while its on the loop, no movement. I never had any trouble with serving wear but the guy at my proshop said its the way to go.

RE: Does anyone shoot without a loop?
 

The loop offers too many benefits for me to ignore. IMO, it's the only way to go. :)

RE: Does anyone shoot without a loop?
 

i used a loop and did not like it. for the release i use it takes longer to connect and it was a pain. i dont see the use of one but that is just my opinion

RE: Does anyone shoot without a loop?
 

Since I started this, I wanted to post my own "personal" findings........

I tried the loop and found it to be somewhat clumsy and my groups were not as good. I'm sure I didnt give it long enough, but shooting off the string just feels better to me plus I find I have tighter groups.

I understand about the serving wear and all, but I'll deal with that if and when it happens.

Again, these are just my own findings :D I do appreciate all the responses!

RE: Does anyone shoot without a loop?
 

If you put the loop on and didn't adjust the draw length shorter on the bow then your findings are just as they should be.

If you shorten the draw length,then you should notice a much easier bow to tune and a much more "forgiving" setup.

RE: Does anyone shoot without a loop?
 

Agreed. Precisely the problem I had with my initial "test runs" with the loop.

RE: Does anyone shoot without a loop?
 

For what it's worth I actually disagree from my own experiences. I shot with a loop for 4 years. I shortened my draw length. There is no difference in tuning my bows with a loop or without one.

I'm also a little old school when it comes to shortening a draw length to accomodate a loop. I kinda try and go by Bernie P's theory on where the string should be when at full draw by the corner of your mouth. When you start shortening draw lengths to accomodate a loop your changing one of the most important aspects of archery , being correctly fitted to the bow , not to mention giving up something which creates more speed and energy.

I can also honestly say I dont have any problems with serving wear shooting off the string , not with todays caliber type releases. My arrow doesn't pop off the string when I back down from full draw. I can see where a shorter ATA bow might have that problem if your not conscience of the possibility.

I'd like to see some of the regulars on here take their setups and change to shooting off the string for a month and come back with an honest assesment of the tuning factor and forgiveness factor of the loop -vs- off the string.

I've also been paying particularly close attention to hunting setups while watching hunting videos and I've noticed the overwhelming majority of the hunters are shooting off the string. I'm not sure if that means anything , but start paying attention to their setups and you'll see what I mean.

RE: Does anyone shoot without a loop?
 

I have to agree with this. I never thought you had to shorten your draw length rather you just found another anchor point a little further back.

I found this link that pretty much sums it up at least for me. Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page under "Does a String Loop Change my Draw Length?" You can see by the picture of the shooter that his hand is further back with the loop than with out.

I'll add that from my first post on this that I am brand new on using a release, so all I'm saying is what I am comfortable with.......;)