My 10 year old and I were recently gifted bows. His has a listed weight of 25-40#, mine is 55-70#. What does it mean that it’s a range?

  • 4z01235@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    This is not correct. The range of 55-70# is because the draw weight on the bow is adjustable via the tiller bolts. The letoff is expressed as a percentage. If the bow is set to 60# and has a 75% letoff then the peak draw weight is 60# and the holding weight at full draw is 15# (60# - 75%).

    • pohart@lemmyrs.orgOP
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      1 year ago

      I hope this is the right answer because then maybe it will be ill be able to use it. I can barely draw it at all.

      • 4z01235@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        I assure you this is the correct answer. I am a recently retired international competitor in target archery, so I do know a thing or two about the equipment.

        But the bad news is 55# peak draw weight on a compound is still quite high for a completely untrained beginner archer. It’s much more attainable than the 70# your bow is probably set to from the factory, but jumping straight to 55# is potentially hazardous for your shoulders. Even on a compound with letoff, it’s better to learn on a starter bow around 30# or 40# for an adult male, and then ramp up to 50-55# once the technique is learned and settled.

        • pohart@lemmyrs.orgOP
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          1 year ago

          Well, the “good” news is that my son’s bow let’s off about an inch behind a comfortable anchor so I can use his, while he uses his old banshee.

    • pohart@lemmyrs.orgOP
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      1 year ago

      It turns out it was at 66#. I took it to a local were able to lower it to 55, which is much more comfortable.

      I pulled out my son’s bow first and the owner got real serious and asked where I got it. It turns out it was originally his daughter’s. When I pulled mine out he started laughing because my view had been his and the two bows have been passed around together to a parent and child for the past twenty years.