exact DL for each bow

[dougedwards]

Do you guys draw and hold each of your bows exactly the same and maintain the exact same draw length for each?

I can see the benefit in doing so but it would seem that draw weight and grip (high, low, medium) would affect the exact draw lengths of the bows by 1/4" or so even though you  might anchor in the exact same place on the face.

 
Doug

[Shawn Leonard]

I anchor exactly the same, that said my drawlength varies depending on the bow. Most bows it is 28.5"s but I have a new Caribow that is measures 28"s on the button, just the way the riser is I guess. Shawn

[Easykeeper]

I agree that the shape of the grip could be a variable in the measurement from the bottom of the nock to the deepest part of the grip.  My anchor point remains the same though so I think it should be minor, like the fraction of an inch you proposed.

[old_goat2]

No idea, I just draw and anchor, never measured to see if it varies from bow to bow, but I know it's shorter slightly on very heavy bows because of the bow compressing my joints. Compression is really evident with my wife, she pulls to about thirty inches when she shoots her daughter's super light bow, but only pulls to 28.5 on her hunting bow with the same anchor and form!

[Orion]

Given a constant anchor point, the shape of the grip, low wrist vs high wrist, for example, can change draw length a lot -- easily a half inch, and up to an inch difference between the two.

[dougedwards]

Originally posted by old_goat2:
No idea, I just draw and anchor, never measured to see if it varies from bow to bow, but I know it's shorter slightly on very heavy bows because of the bow compressing my joints. Compression is really evident with my wife, she pulls to about thirty inches when she shoots her daughter's super light bow, but only pulls to 28.5 on her hunting bow with the same anchor and form!

This is really what I am asking about.  I am amazed at how many folks shoot bow weights in the high 50's to low 60's and I am wondering if the draw length is shortened because of the stress it puts on the joints.  I can see how this stress could even affect the way the bow is gripped or how the bow holding arm is held.

The only way that I know to measure is to use a styrofoam doughnut on the arrow and I see that I draw my lighter weight bow 1/4" longer than the bow of heavier pull. It could be the difference in the grip but I suspect it has more to do with the pressure that is exerted on the joints.

 Doug

[Orion]

A heavier bow will tend to compress one a bit, and potentially shorten the draw some.  That's not necessarily a bad thing. I have more of a problem shooting a lighter bow, where I sometimes find myself overextending my draw, which, in my case, leads to left/right accuracy problems.