Newbie: When to upgrade draw weight?

[kinkychinky]

What would be a good indication that I can increase my draw weight?

Some of the club members recommend that I move up to the next distance (40yds) as I was shooting some good groupings at 30 yds.

My current limbs are rated 32lbs. Is this sufficient for 40-50 yds or more?

Thanks

[Barry C]

How fresh would you feel after 200 arrows? If you still feel good then upgrade. Other people advocate methods such as being able to hold at full draw for a minute. But the ability to shoot your 144th arrow as good as the 1st is what really matters.</p>

If your close, then perhaps using slightly heavier limbs with increased practice and reversals would get you in shape to manage them.</p>

[kinkychinky]

Barry,

would you advocate first building up stamina to be able to shoot 200 goods arrows rather than build up strength to draw heavier bows?

I've seen "reversals" mentioned a few times. What is the meaning of this?

Thanks

[Dave]

kinkychinky - 26/5/2005 6:14 PM What would be a good indication that I can increase my draw weight? Some of the club members recommend that I move up to the next distance (40yds) as I was shooting some good groupings at 30 yds. My current limbs are rated 32lbs. Is this sufficient for 40-50 yds or more? Thanks

</p>

Tina (my better half) shoots a 24lb bow and only started having problems when she went to 80yds so 32lbs shouldn't give you any problems with 40-50.</p>

[cecile]

I agree with both Barry and Dave.
I shoot 31 lbs and I reach easily 70 m (I tried 90 m for the fun of it, but I need to aim above the target...).
As for increasing bow weight and if you have enough stamina, do it very gradually (add 1 pound at a time if you can). It will prevent bad surprises like injuries or too much decreasing in your results (during the time you shall adapt to the new weight) that may lead to demotivation or mistakes in your form.

[Barry C]

kinkychinky - 27/5/2005 10:32 AM Barry, would you advocate first building up stamina to be able to shoot 200 goods arrows rather than build up strength to draw heavier bows? I've seen &quot;reversals&quot; mentioned a few times. What is the meaning of this? Thanks

</p>

Some people have a heavier set of limbs at home and use them for reversals. Reversals are basically a set of exercises with a bow. For example you might do sets of drawing and holding a bow with a specific rest period between pulls. You can do this with the excellent formaster to get a technique strength workout. I shoot 42 but have a cheap set of limbs that are 50 something for workouts.</p>

You can build up#stamina with your curent limbs. One coach I met asked me to pull the bow#a minimum of 20 times with my left and right hand before after and during shooting after my tea break, and more as and when I could. Also to do this on#days when I can't get to the range. I did it for a few weeks and it really did make a difference. But now im too lazy and just use my home bow for when I cant get to the range.#</p>

[kinkychinky]

Despite what some are saying, there must be a distinct advantage to being able to draw heavier bows. If there isn't, then why do some (most?) experienced archers draw 40lb plus?

I might do what Barry suggested though and buy a pair of heavier limbs to do reversals at home since I don't really get enough time get to the range.

[Mick]

It's at the longer distances that more bow weight gives an advantage.
More weight gives faster arrow flight (less time time in the air so less affected by wind).
It enables you to shoot with a heavier pile giving better foward of centre (FOC) again less wind drift.
It gives better sight marks (You don't have to move the sight bar in to the bow at 90m).
Some would argue that more weight gives a cleaner release.

As for when to increase the weight, it all depends on the physical condition of the archer. If you can shoot a full FITA and shoot the last arrow as well as the first then you may be ready to increase the weight. BUT be aware being over bowed will kill your form and increasing the weight may mean that your arrows are no longer correctly spined and you may need to upgrade to a stiffer arrow, you will certainly need to retune your set up with even a small increase in weight.
High thirties to low forties seems to be the average weight shot by most club archers (Gents) I started at 36lb five years ago, I'm now shooting 49lb but along the way it involved a lot of frustration, tuning and not a little money (limbs and arrows)
If your forms good and you can shoot all day without undue fatigue and you're at the limit (distance wise) for your equipment then is the time to think about upgrades or upping the bow weight. Until then concentrate on form and enjoy your shooting. In the mean time read up on tuning and technique. Look at "Tuning for tens" on the Texas Archery web site, also look in on Joe Tapley's site, If you have a thorough understanding of how your equipment works you'll save yourself a lot of money and heartache when it comes to making changes or upgrading.

[Little Miss Purple]

I've have not been shooting very long at all. I bought a samick agulla riser with 26lb W&W limbs. I progressed at the club quickly and found I had various problems trying to shoot 60yds, to cut a long story short I went back to the shop and upgraded my limbs to 30lbs. I was concerned that I had made too big a jump but after checking my pull weight and length, I was assured this was the correct step for me.

I guess the moral of my story is the more you practice and train, the more comfortable you are with your set up?? Of course - all advice is greatly received even when some of it is conflicting!! but i'm here to learn...

[Greyghost]

Hiya Little Miss Purple,
I also shoot with a Samick Agulla riser (nice paintwork, but it chips like nobodys business). I've had my kit since November and I've shot with 36lb limbs during the indoor season, which was fine, but I've got to a stage where I am ready to shoot Yorks/FITA. I've found that the limbs I've got, with my sight set up, I wasn't able to reach 100 yds without aiming 5 feet over the top of the target. I took the bow back to the shop and they duly cranked up the Agulla riser to increase my poundage by 10%. This and a raised, padded out tab enabled me to reach 100yds without any problem. This has saved me the trouble of buying a new set of limbs.
Best wishes and happy shooting,
Steve