tinkering with brace height

[olddogrib]

I know there is no shortcut to finding the ideal brace height with for a given bow...only trial and error.  For as long as I've been shooting and as undaunted by arrow tuning experience has made me, I'll confess that optimizing brace height seems to elude me.  I understand the concept and procedure, I just seem to always settle on the midrange of the manufacturer's recommendation and can't seem to discern a real difference when moving it +/- 1/4" from there.  I know noise, handshock, etc. should all be optimum when that "sweet spot" is found, but my question is a general one (and possibly stupid, so just say so) If you are at 7" of a recommended 6-3/4" to 7-1/4" brace height would you expect the bow noise to change significantly at either end of that range or is it impossible to predict without testing?

[JRHunter]

It depends IMO. Most of the big bow makers today and they way they produce with CNC equipment, there is not not going to be much change as they have tested and refined thier process and know what it will take to tune a bow. But it is still a process and at times (it is still an art) they will need to be outside of the range. You will know if you get a bow due to noise or handshock if you are experienced. Also each shooter is different and the sweet spot for one may be a little different to another (not much but some). But for the new bow builder or self bows and the variation within is where the tuning really comes into play. I think you still need to test each bow to confirm and find the "sweet spot"

[Rob W.]

IMO recurves like a certain sweet spot better than longbows. The recurves I have owned would tell you pretty quick what they wanted. The longbows I really had to get to know the bow first and it seemed the change from high to low brace range was less noticable.


Rob

[Rick Richard]

I am also "Sweet Spot" challenged.I have tried finding that optimum brace height on several bows that I have owned and can't  discern the difference.  In the end, I do the same by splitting the recommended range.

[Orion]

The sweet spot isn't a spot, it's a range, albeit a rather small one.  That's probably why you don't notice a difference if you go up or down a tad from the mid-range that seems to work best for you.  

At the extremes, a twist or two of the string one way or the other will be noticeable.  However, if you're in the middle to begin with, (i.e.,what works best for you, not necessarily the middle of the builder's suggested range) a twist or two won't be noticeable.

If your bow is quiet, doesn't vibrate excessively, etc., you're there.  Just have to develop the confidence that you are and stop worrying about it. Good luck.

[hvyhitter]

Its also based on the arrow you are shooting sometimes. Changing the brace height is a way to fine tune your broadheads to hit with your field points. You can have your bow tuned to 750 gr woodies to hunt with and to shoot 550 gr carbons might need a brace height change, depending on the bow/arrow/shooter, Also changing string material from dacron to FF may cause a need for change to shoot the same arrow ............YMMV