short bow brace height question

[bornagainbowhunter]

Hey guys, do any of you know a good starting point for a brace height on a 54" recurve?  I looked on the builders site and did not find a suggestion. It is hard for me to play with because it is my son's bow.  I would like to know where to start.

Thanks

BAB

[Prairie Drifter]

Who's the maker?

[Stephengiles]

I read one time that you take the length of the bow and divide by eight. Around 6 3/4 . Of course that's just a starting point  and some bows have weird designs but that's from a FITA manual. It's actually been close for my bows though.

[Bladepeek]

Personally, I've always had good luck contacting the bowyer and they will normally give you a fairly wide (1"?) spread where they feel their bows perform best.

[mahantango]

I haven't come across a recurve yet that doesn't shoot ok at 8". I would start there, usually shorter bows need a fairly high brace height.

[ghoster808]

In my experience my shorter bows prefer a bit higher bracing than my longer ones. About 8" (+/-) 1/4"

[Prairie Drifter]

Have to disagree w/ "the shorter bows use a higher brace height" statements. I have (and have had) bows from 46" to 54" from 3 different makers and NONE of them take a brace over 7 3/4". Been shooting short bows since the late 80's and most that I've had take a brace of about 7 1/4". That's why I asked who the maker was. The design makes a difference as far as brace height.

[Blackhawk]

I'm with the higher brace group.  Most of those ole bows I've owned and shoot do very well with braces close to 8".  Sure, they will shoot at 7", but I find the higher brace helps dampen the noise and the thump as well as making me more accurate.

[Stephengiles]

I agree with prairie drifter. If it's a lightweight target bow or a kids recurve it could take a lower one. Of course you always twist till it's quiet. Now if it's a k-mag or something like that.....

[Prairie Drifter]

Check w/ different current makers

Morrison 54" 7 1/4"- 7 3/4"

My old Rocky Mtn Recurve  52-54" Same

Sierra Blanca bows(Rocky Mtn Recurve design) same
 
Maddog Kaliska 54" 6 1/4" - 6 3/4"

Maddog Machete 46" 6" - 6 1/2"

He said this is a currently made bow, NOT an old bow.

 However, I did have an old Stemmler 54" 45# bow back in the 80's and that also took just over 7" brace.

Once we know the maker and his bow design, we can make an educated guess on brace height.

[mooshkat]

What would you think brace height on a 60s Howatt Hi-Speed would be? 54" bow

[stagetek]

I'd start at 7 3/4" and work up. Knowing who made the bow and the model would help. Bears like higher brace heights, but I don't believe they made any 54" bows.

[Steelhead]

I would start low and just work your way up till the limbs start to dampen out and the bow shoots quieter.You really just need to play with the brace hieght and listen to how the bow feels and sounds and where it seems the most stable.The bow will tell you where it likes to be braced at in my experience.

[Stephengiles]

Agreed, as long as the proper string is on the bow, brace height is purely done by feel.IMO

[bornagainbowhunter]

It is a 7lakes sawed off.
I realize most brace height is done by feel, but I can't feel the bow when my son is shooting. I can listen, but it needs the brace set for the way it is going to be shot.


I appreciate your suggestions.  Looks like I will start around 6 1/4" and head north.

BAB