Too light?

[PEARL DRUMS]

I switched to what I consider to be a light draw wt for myself. I pull 45# @ 29". The switch was to get my form in shape and repeatable. Now my release has become sloppy and jerky. I can hold the bow at full draw for all of 30 seconds before I start shaking. Do I need to jump up in draw to get a more crisp release? What are your thoughts?

[Wapiti Bowman]

In general, most find that the higher draw wts result in "crisper" releases. However, If you have the patience to work on your release until it becomes smooth and consistent with a 'lighter' draw wt, it will likely only get better with heavier draw wts.

Most of us, myself included, actually "let go" of the string rather than "relaxing" the fingers and allowing the string to 'knock' the relaxed fingers out of the way. The fact that our release improves with higher draw wts is indicative of our  "release" technique, or "lack there of".

Only you can decide if you want to spend the time at close distance on a blank bale focusing on your release with your eyes closed until you can get equally smooth releases with both light and heavy draw wt bows. Most of us find that to be boring work; and we're anxious to just get out and have fun flinging arrows and letting time, trial and error, and repeated activity slowly make our form "consistent". Consistency, after all, is really what archery is all about. It's not necessarily what's "right or wrong".

Whatever you decide, above all, keep it fun!  

[moebow]

PD,  You are not too light.  Your release is dependent on your back tension.  Get to full draw, concentrate on holding with your back NOT YOUR ARM muscles then just start to relax your string fingers.  The string should just slip away.  Part of this is that your string arm (forearm and upper arm) need to be as relaxed as possible.  The ONLY tension should be what is required to hold the hook in your fingers.

Work on this for a good while without a target, just "blank bale."  Using this, you can get a good release with a 20# bow so 45# is good.  It is an old wives tale that you get a better release with a heavier bow.

[PEARL DRUMS]

The bow I shoot is about as unforgiving as you can get. I love it, but its a bitty when it comes to shooting. Maybe its just the bows personality I need to get used to. It has been frustrating for me the last few weeks.

[Terry Green]

I think that really depends on your strength.  I too get 'blase' with a light weight bow, and don't tend to 'get into' my form as good as I do with  my regular hunting bows.  I get a better/cleaner release with my hunting bows than I do a lighter weight bow....so its not a wives tale if it actually is true for some people.....and I know a LOT of good shooters that say the same thing I just wrote....not just good shooters either, they actually are great hunters as well.  

There's a balance of not being over bowed though....that's not good either. ...That balance is different for everyone as 'one size don't fit all'.  

That being said....a lighter weight bow can improve your form for your hunting weight bows....just like shooting a selfbow will fine tune your longbow shooting.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Terry I can pull and hold a 65-70# bow no problem. Thats kind of what brought me to the conclusion of my draw being too light for me, I think Im getting sloppy because the bow isnt "pulling" back. I also was thinking that my anchor was wandering due to the fact I can under and overdraw slightly without really feeling it. I dont have any heavier bows around to try my theories out with. Better buy another right away!

[Terry Green]

Yep,....that's a real good description...'the bow is not pulling back'.  I hear ya.  My balanced bow weight makes me 'get into' my form better as it kind of 'challenges' me if that makes sense.  It makes me get proper alignment by forcing me to make sure I set up on bone structure and not 'muscle the bow'.

I remember someone sent me a bow to try out a few years ago, and it was 25#s lighter than my normal hunting weight, and it was like shooting a rubber band.  

Anyhow, like earlier stated....you gotta find the balance weight for you and your strength, not someone else's.

[bogeyrider63]

pearl, come and shoot one of my bows for a few day's if you like.  62" 56@28.  you can shoot it for a while if you like.  that way you can see if you like the weight before you buy one.  the other is 62" 54@28. just let me know. you can shoot either for awhile if you like.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Your the man Curt. I will contact you in the next few days. I can drive over and check it out. Thanks for the offer!

[bogeyrider63]

np, just let me know.

[hvyhitter]

I have trouble shooting my daughters 40# recurve consistantly compared to my 60 to 65# normal hunting bows. Just cant get as clean a release off my fingers. I also find that if I shoot it long enough I start developing a bit of target panic as I can hold it too long.

[PEARL DRUMS]

I do the exact same thing hvyhitter. Target panic has never been in my vocab, but has surfaced lately. Terry's rubberband comment above hit the nail on the head, it just doesnt feel right anymore to me.