Let off question

[Stace]

Just a quick question about the difference bows with let offs between 65% and 80%.

Although I understand the difference, what is the purpose of these 2 quantities?

Am I right in thinking that 80% is mainly for bowhunting so that the hunters can hold at full draw whilst prowling around the forest and that 65% is for target archers?

I'm looking at getting a new bow and would appreciate the advice.

[geoffretired]

Stace, I'm not too sure that purpose is quite what the two let offs are about.
I can see the logic in high poundage high let off for hunting. I can also see that lower poundage and less let off would give a target archer more speed than lower poundage with high let off. I had a Browning once where the let off was adjustable as well as draw length. It seemed to me that it was a choice thing. Some archers prefer a certain holding weight in order to produce the loose/follow through/feel that they like. The options available seems to be changing too. 50% was the norm at one time.Perhaps its a manufacturing "thing" They are on offer because they can be made that way now.

[Tony_zelah]

Stace found these comments, they may tell you what you need to know

http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showth...ighlight=80%25

[NeilM]

80% is used a lot by bowhunters who may need to hold and wait for prey to move into place. They would never wander around with a bow at full draw! It is also more or less the exclusive territory of release aid shooters.

65%, or less on the older bows, is better for some release aids and also what us finger shooter types need.

Try getting consistent groups on a 60lb bow at 80% let off!

Hope that helps.

Neil

[Stace]

So for target shooting, 65% is the norm is it?

80% does sound as though there wouldn't be any feel to the release. Rather like driving a car with extremely light steering.

[NeilM]

Spot on!

When I first got my Oneida, I was getting used to a very different type of compound bow, trying to tune it and improve my slightly rusty skills. Things were OK, but I really could not explain regular flyers, not much, but enough to be out of the kill on a Field target.

I figured it out in the end, 80% let off modules! Put in the 60% modules and the groups tightened right up

[Jerry Tee]

Sixty % is also best for finger shooters.

[Marcus26]

I personally look more for valley than letoff, I like a long valley I can move around in to get anchored right. Often this is at around 75% being the best. With Spirals I liked the 65% because that had the longer valley.
On most modern compounds 65% has no valley and 80% is too light in holding weight, so you want an adjustable letoff that you can get perfect for you