Is it best to practice with a low draw wieght?

[matt g meyers]

here's my story,I'm shooting a 60# long bow and heard that by switching to a lower draw weight, to practice, I could form a better pattern as well as less bad habits.I made my self a sweet 45# Yew long bow,with the same pistol grip and draw length.This bow originaly shot just like my 60# hunting bow so, it made for a logical winter time/basement bow.WELL I broke out the big boy last week, to my displeasure,my shot was way worse than before its winter hibernation. Maybe I'm just rushing it but I'm starting to think I shouldn't mess with a good thing.

Is there any good way to switch from bow to bow and keep a somewhat consistent shot?

Signed aspiring boyer

[Scott J. Williams]

Matt,
     Once you have settled on a draw weight, one that you have learned through practice and practical application, that is right for you. Being one that is not too heavy, it is commonly suggested that you practice with that weight. Shooting a lighter weight, and then making the jump to a heavier bow is not suggested.

Having said that, if you wish to shoot a lighter weight bow over the summer, and then three months before hunting season you slowly work into your hunting weight bow, I guess that works for some.

If your interest is mainly target shooting, most would suggest a lighter weight bow.  If you are a hunter, shoot the hunting weight bow all of the time.  Sounds like you might be better served by shooting your lighter weight.  

For me, the fewer things I change, the better off I seem to be.  I shoot my heavier bow most of the time,  I have worked up arrow weights and spines for the my lighter bow that gives me the same feel as my heavier bow, but I switch from heavier to lighter weight bow. I guess in response to your final question it might be a good way to switch back and forth.

[Chris Wilson]

I switch to a lighter draw weight bow for 3D and to work on my release.  It really helps me work out any kinks in my release.  Keep in mind, the draw weight difference between my target setup and hunting setup is only 7 pounds.  It's a very easy jump for me.

[AllenR]

The reason to start new archers with light bows is that they almost never have the strength to handle heavy bows with good form.

I can't think of any other activity that would result in a non-archery having the right muscles  strong enough to handle heavy bows with consistent form.

IMHO consistent form is the most important factor to an accurate shot.  It is also very easy for a new archer to pick up form habits, either good or bad.  If the new archer is trying to shoot a bow that is too heavy for their strength, it is almost assured that many of the habits will be bad.  At least that was my personal experience.

Just shooting a light bow won't guarantee good form.  You have to also know what to practice and understand the purpose of form.  That's probably the hardest part for a new archer or for an archer switching from compounds.  If you don't know what to practice, you likely won't get it right with either heavy or light bows.

However, once your muscles and form are developed, I don't see any reason to shoot lighter bows unless there is a problem such as an injury.  Like Scott posted, the fewer changes to equipment, the better we usually shoot.

Of course, if you want to shoot a lighter bow, there is no reason not to either.

[hill boy]

My guess is after shooting your heavier bow a few days You will be back in the saddle again.  

[matt g meyers]

Thanks guys.
I'll stick with the regular weight.
No stump is safe!!

[Earl E. Nov...mber]

I like to use a lighter weight bow for form, and a heavier one for strength.. I hunt with a 55# bow, shoot a 45 for form and consistency, occasionally pull the 70# bow out to work on strength..
Actually I don't shoot the 70# much but will work on coming to full draw and holding, while standing in front of a mirror 3 or 4 times a week.
Close to season it's  the hunting bow only.

[Papa Bull]

I'm of the school of thought that bows with very light weight can be extremely good for practice.  With a very light bow the things going in your favor are:

*  No strain whatsoever, which allows you to work on form and practice anchors and releases and aiming techniques without having a very short time limit at full draw.

*  It's easier to learn how to pull through the shot with a lightweight bow.

*  Learning a clean release with a light bow makes it a snap to get a clean release from a heavier bow.

*  Very light bows significantly increase the amount of time you can spend in productive practice without fatigue.

20 yard targets and a 30 pound bow can teach you a lot.  When you can stand there and easily pump shot after shot into your mark, you'll be able to readily take the form work you've done and apply it to your heavier hunting bows.  

Once hunting season is approaching, though, I feel the best practice for a barebow shooter is exclusively with his hunting bow just because you don't want to screw around with different bows when you're getting ready for hunting.

[laddy]

One thing I have when I have been shooting heavy bows,80 to 90 pounds, is when I grab a 50 pounder I just about jerk it into the neighbors yard.  I remind myself of the joke I used play when I was a construction forman.  When we had to use a bucket brigade for filling concrete piers, summer help jobs, I would take one of the rubber buckets stuff it full of styrofoam, through a bit cement on top.  I would act like it was too full and real heavy and hand to the guy on the ladder.  Expecting even a heavier bucket than the others the kid would always nearly throw it over his head.  Switching back and forth with bow weights can have that same effect.  however, 25 or 30 years ago hearing about all this thousand arrow a day stuff I decided to try it.  I had a 4x6 target and 18 arrows.  From 15 to 18 yards I started at 7A.M.  9:30 that night I finally  broke the thousand mark.  The next time I went out to shoot, after a lengthy recovery from bursitis, I found that I could not pull my bow back to my draw length.  I had to drop my poundage to regain my form, which was okay, because I shot a very nice deer that year with a 50 pound bow.

[bailebr3]

this may sound weird but i, for the life of me, CAN NOT pull back my lighter gamemaster2. but my hunting weight gamemaster2....i can pull back and settle comfortable at my anchor. but it gets so aggravating trying to shoot this lighter bow. off target i can even settle in at anchor but on a target....forget it. WHAT GIVES??

[laddy]

That is exactly what I have.  Try to force yourself and have somebody video your attempt.  It is muscle memory biting you in the butt.  Some would call it target panic, but it really is just your synoptic neurons firing out of sink.  Try standing right in front the target and shooting with your eyes tight shut, no peeking.