Draw length question

[Riverrat43]

I'm about to buy a Samick Phantom 45# bow. I had a recurve that was marked 57# and it was a chore to shoot. I couldn't practice as long each day as I wanted each day due to poundage coupled with a bit of arthritis. Now, 5 years later I want another recurve. My "wing span" is 75 inches. Doesn't that make my DL 30 inches? I think the Phantom is 45# based on a 28 inch draw length. How much will two inches add to the poundage of the bow? Don't wanna get into a position where I'm over bowed again. I realize now that I was probably pulling more than 57 on the bow I used to own. I could shoot maybe 10 shots before I was getting shaky trying to hold it. Your thoughts will be appreciated.
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[**DONOTDELETE**]

Forget wing span and use this measurement. See video below to get the measurement.

   

here is a video i did for my daughter to measure my grandson'r bow.

 

[SAM E. STEPHENS]

2 1/2 or 3 pounds per inch past the marked 28 is usually a safe bet...

,,,Sam,,,,

[slowbowjoe]

Like Sam says, probably around 5 lbs. more for the 30" draw

[McDave]

It's best not to speculate about what your draw length is.  Most archery shops have a specially marked light draw weight bow so you can measure it directly.  If you don't live near any archery shop, then find yourself a light draw weight bow and draw an arrow to full draw.  Then have someone make a mark on the arrow where it passes the back (side away from you) of the bow.  The distance from the mark to the bottom of the nock is your draw length (or close enough; Kirk's method is more accurate, but your draw length is going to change as you start shooting more anyway).

You need to get a bow where you can shoot 50-100 shots a day. You can't learn anything from shooting just 10 shots a day.  If it takes a 30# bow to do that, then start with a 30# bow and work your way up. One of the nice things about a Samick is that you can change the limbs without breaking the bank.

[LBR]

My "wing span" is 75 inches. Doesn't that make my DL 30 inches?

No.  The only way to know what you are going to know exactly what your draw length is with a particular bow is to measure it on that particular bow.  The "formulas" may work, or may not.

Until it starts stacking, you will gain 2-3# per inch past 28".  The standard is to measure the poundage at 28".

[Riverrat43]

Thanks guys. I tried the method in the video link KirkII posted. It came out 28 exactly. Only five more days until the "don't lift anything over 5 lbs" restriction is up from the procedure the Doc did.  Then, I'll be able to draw back some bows and see how comfortable I am with different poundages. I'm not one of those macho types who thinks I have to pull 100 lbs. Heck 35 lbs is legal here to hunt with I believe. If thats where I need to start, so be it.

[Stumpkiller]

My wingspan is 75" and I make my arrows so that the back of the glue-on head is 30-1/2" BOP.  When I draw with a gloved bow-hand the shoulder of the broadhead touches the glove finger.

I shoot a fairly straight and closed stance with a high grip - so I use more arrow than a hunched and open stance shooter with a low grip would.

As far as draw weight - I have bows marked 46# that pull 50# at my draw (+2#/in) and bows marked 55# that draw 62# at my draw (+3-1/2#/in).  It follows a 35# bow might only add 1-1/2# per inch when drawn to 30".

I also have a 50# bow (56" AMO) that stacks and feels like 60# at my draw.  I have not had a chance to measure that one on a scale.

[damascusdave]

Check out peteward.com to get an idea of how much variation there can be in draw weight increase per inch...the Border Covert Hunter, for example, gains around 1 pound per inch toward the end of its effective draw length

DDave

[LBR]

Not sure where Andalusia is, but come Feb. there's a good shoot at Tannehill State Park just South of Birmingham.  Great place to try out bows.

[KenH]

Forget "wingspan".  Your draw length is the distance from the back of the handle to wherever on your body you are COMFORTABLE drawing -- chest, chin, jaw corner, ear, whatever -- the weight you want to shoot.  

I wear glasses and draw to my chin to keep the glasses from accidentally flying downrange when the get caught by the string.  I could draw 28" to my jaw if I wanted to; or draw 30" to my ear.  I choose to draw 26" because it's comfortable for me.  I can buy or make a bow that has the draw weight I want at the distance I choose to draw.

[john gerrard]

Just because the "don't lift anything over 5 # period is over----------------START SLOW !!!!!!! You don't want to reinjure yourself. Start with a very light poundage bow, or better yet get some light weight surgical tubing or light weight rubber band and start pulling it.

[Riverrat43]

Good point John. LRB..Thanks. Andalusia is about 90 miles due South of Montgomery. Tannehill is about 3 hours give or take. I'll put it on my calendar.

[LBR]

You might be interested in the Traditional Bowhunters of Florida or GA too.  Check out the traditional events board for dates and details.