Bend em back or not?

[mwosborn]

I am very new to selfbows so I will go out on a limb and ask a dumb question...

A bow I just finished and have been shooting takes about 2" of set after shooting it for 15 minutes or so (about 30 shots maybe).  Is it best to let the limbs return to their original position on their own?  Or is it ok to put some pressure on them and return them to their normal position as soon as I am finished shooting?

It is an ash bow.

Thanks

Mitch

[Eric Krewson]

Let them return on their own. Bending them back won't correct the string follow because the limb's belly wood cells are crushed enough to allow 2" of string follow and nothing but heat bending on a form will change this fact.

2" isn't half bad, if it were 4 or 5" I might be concerned but not with just 2".

[mwosborn]

Thanks Eric -

I'll let them return on their own.  It is my first one that actually shoots well enough that I can hunt with (first one was a bit under weight).  Shoots pretty decent and at 15 yards I think I got a chance - taking it out this weekend.