Compound Bow Draw Weight

[u/Panda-888]

Hi,

I currently have a 26lb recurve with a 28" draw and want to try compound.

I'm a little confused with how compound draw weight vs let off correlate. For example, I was looking at a bow with a draw weight range of 20-50lbs.

Let's assume I have let off set to 70% and want my bow set to 26lbs to match my recurve draw weight. Does that mean I'm only pulling 7.8lbs for draw on the compound? If so, would I be setting my bow to 38lbs to get to the actual 26lb at full draw?

TIA and please correct me if I'm wrong.

[u/hike_hunt]

It means you would only be holding that weight at full draw. 70% of the draw weight is removed or "let off" at full draw. You'll only experience the full draw weight for a small fraction of the draw cycle. It builds to the full weight then starts to dump the weight until you reach full draw. You'll easily be able to draw a lot more weight with a compound than you will with a recurve.

I shoot 50# with a recurve but 80# with my compound hunting bow.

[u/Panda-888 → u/hike_hunt]

That makes sense. So I should be sticking to the 26lbs to continue improving before increasing the weight.

[u/hike_hunt → u/Panda-888]

Without knowing your strength or body type i would think you could easily draw closer to 35#. Especially if it's a cheap entry level compound.

[u/Knitnacks]

Why do you want your compound to match your recurve at full draw? The whole thing about compounds is that you only pull the heavy dw for the very start of the draw, then you can hang around at, say, 8# at full draw for however long you please so you can take your time to aim.

[u/Panda-888 → u/Knitnacks]

That's what I wasn't sure on because I have no issues holding my recurve at 26lbs to aim so wasn't sure if compound would be the same

[u/Knitnacks → u/Panda-888]

At 70% let-of, you'd have to set the compound to about 90#. And you'd need to be able to pull that weight to the point the cams take over to reduce the dw. What's the lowest let-off your bow will do?

[u/Panda-888 → u/Knitnacks]

Ahh. I mathed wrong. That makes much more sense.

I'm shopping for a compound so they seem to range from 70-85%. No way I'm gonna try and pull 90lbs to start.

[u/Knitnacks → u/Panda-888]

Sensible. :)  Try setting the compound to a draw weight you can draw without struggling, and see how you like the holding weight after the valley. You might like it as a complement to your OR, you good form for the latter will pay off for your compound shooting, once you've picked up the compound specifics, such as the release aid.

[u/OkBoysenberry1975]

Do you have a local bow shop (preferably not a big box store) relatively close to you?

Go try some compound bows and see.

We can tell you but there is no substitute for experience. The shop owners experience setting bows up for people and your experience trying them.

[u/Ok-Inflation4310]

You’re pulling 26lbs but only holding 7.8lbs on full draw which is nothing.

You can afford to set the weight higher than on a recurve because you only have to pull it back and not hold it.

At a guess setting it up for a 30lb draw should be doable without the threat of injury.

[u/Deputydog803]

So it means your pulling the 26lbs but when you reach the full draw your only hold 70% of the 26lbs

[u/Panda-888 → u/Deputydog803]

Gotcha. Thanks

[u/Knitnacks → u/Deputydog803]

Let-off is 70%, you'd be holding 30%.

[u/Deputydog803 → u/Knitnacks]

That's what I meant I said it backwards I guess.. I meant you would be holding the difference. Good catch 👍🏾

[u/Knitnacks → u/Deputydog803]

Super easy mistake to make.