Longbow brace height

[longbow fanatic 1]

I just purchased my first longbow. The Bowyer states the brace height should be between 7 1/16-7 1/8. The problem I am having is that this bow is very firm at full draw. I am having trouble holding at full draw. With my recurve, I am very comfortable drawing, holding and releasing. It should be noted that there is only four pounds difference between my recurve and longbow draw weights.

Can anyone advise what the detrimental affects of lowering the bow's brace height( below the recommended limit ), so I can build shoulder strength and reduce the draw weight?

Thanks in advance for your advise.

[JRY309]

Lowering the brace height will give you a longer powerstroke giving you maybe a slightly faster speed.But I don't think it will have any effect with what you are describing.Sounds like your bow may be stacking some at your draw length.What is your draw length and what is the length of your bow? I adjust my brace height for tuning my bow to get the proper arrow flight I'm looking for.It will not reduce your draw weight.

[Orion]

Have you weighed both bows on a scale?  Bows aren't always the weight marked.  Your longbow could be several pounds heavier and/or your recurve several pounds lighter than marked.  A long draw on a short (long)bow can also build stack very quickly, as JRY notes.

[longbow fanatic 1]

Thanks for your insights. My draw length is 29 inches and the bow is 60." I have not put both bows on the scale yet. The longbow has bamboo limbs and does feel like it stacks a bit, especially toward the last inch or two.

I have shot a compound for the past 25 years and am leaning how to shoot and tune my traditional bows. I mistakenly thought if I reduced my brace height, this might reduce the initial limb weight by several lbs. and allow me to shoot more comfortably.

[Chortdraw]

lower brace will also creat more noise. I shoot mine as low as it will allow with out too much noise. The design of the limbs may be causing a little stack at 29".

[30coupe]

If you have or have access to a bow scale, check to see first, if the bows are marked correctly. It is common for the markings to be off by a bit. If your longbow is new, it will probably lose a pound or two as it breaks in. This is also common with bamboo limbs.

You can also check for stacking with a bow scale by drawing at increments of an inch (start at about 25 or 26) and noting the weight at each increment. Most bows gain about three pounds per inch.

Generally speaking, a 60" longbow shouldn't have much stack at 29". I have never seen a bow with only a 1/16" brace range. Most are about an inch. For instance, recommended brace for my 58" Kanatis is 6 3/4 to 7 3/4 inches. Mine are pretty happy at 7".

As has been stated, brace height has no affect on draw weight. Four pounds will make a noticeable difference in the feel of your bow. Another factor may be the length of the bow. If your longbow is shorter than your longbow, you may be feeling some finger pinch, which can make it seem that the bow draws harder.

Hope this helps.

[longbow fanatic 1]

Thanks JRY309,Orion,Chortdraw and 30Coupe! I have learned a great deal.

[Holm-Made]

4 pounds difference in draw weight for a stickbow is ALOT if the lower weight is about what you can handle comfortably.  For me there is little difference between a 40#er and a 44#er. But a huge difference between a 54#er and a 58#er.  Could you be overbowed with the heavier bow?  Chad

[cahaba]

My longbow felt to strong when I first started with it. If I dont get to shoot for some reason every day I still pull my bow. I usually pull 3 sets of 10. You may want to start off with less pulls or sets. In three weeks you wont notice the increase in draw weight.

[longbow fanatic 1]

My recurve is 62" and #45 @ 28. My longbow is 60" and #49 @ 28. I hope I am not overbowed, as I just had this bow custom made. I tried to select a medium weight draw that I thought would be good for white-tails and all around hunting, but not too heavy for me to handle. I want to give this bow a little time to get used to it and build up strength. I am planning to shoot a clicker to assist me with accuracy, so I expect longer holds. I will try the 3 sets of 10.

[Bradd]

Four pounds is a lot and maybe you need to increase the strength of your back/lateral muscles.  I know when I am tired my bow shoulder hunches up because the lateral can't hold the weight comfortably.

If you are drawing with the back muscles properly, there is almost no weight at anchor.  The pressure between the bow thumb pad and anchor point (locked behind the jaw) and the back/lateral muscles locked into place, carries the weight without need to hold the bow.  

When you draw, use the fingers only as a 'hook' around the string and let the back and lateral muscles do the work, as they pull the elbow back, down and around in alignment with your shoulders.  Pretend there is a small hump right in front of the riser that you have to get up and over before anchor.  Keep the front bow shoulder down with the lats.  This will load both the front and rear the back/lateral muscles.  Take a deep breath at draw and exhale as you draw and hit anchor, while pulling in the stomach muscles as you squeeze he shoulders together to release the shot.  Open up the chest and don't hunch over.

To get the best brace, start at the lowest recommended setting and twist the string up 6 turns at a time (about 1/4") until the bow becomes quietest.  The arrows become stiffer as you raise the brace but a higher brace makes the bow more forgiving and raises the point of aim.

If the bow is stacking or the limbs are at a unique angle so that there is little or no preload, then you have a different problem.

[George D. Stout]

A 60" longbow is relatively short for a 29" draw.
It's not going to pull like your recurve since you have the "curve" to pull through on it and a smoother draw.  I like my longbows to be at least 62" and actually prefer 64 to 66 for a smoother pull and better use of limbs.

[longbow fanatic 1]

Bradd,

You described exactly what I am doing. As I tire while shooting, my bow shoulder hunches up and my draw begins to shorten. I have started doing back and shoulder exercises as well has pulling and holding the bow when I am unable to get out to shoot.

Thanks for the proper draw technique and bow tuning advise.

George,

Thanks. I am sure I will own other longbows in the future, so I'll look for a 64 or 66 next time.

D.F.