How do you calculate draw weight??

[Rustic]

Just getting into trad bowhunting. From what I've seen, a bows draw weight is based on a 28" draw length. Longer pull = higher draw weight.
Therefore, what does a 26" pull equal?? Thanks in advance.

[cedar]

Add or subtract 3 lbs for every inch over or under 28.  This will get you close.

Depending on the bow, you can add or subtract about 2-3 pounds for each inch of draw length. The best way to find out for sure would be to put the bow on a scale and pull it to 26".

Bisch

[wtpops]

As a general rule a bow will gain or lose 2.5 to 3 pounds per inch within its power curve. If you draw t0o far out of that curve the bow will start to "stack" (increase dramatically in draw weight)

So if you have a bow 50# @ 28 and draw 29" it will be approximately 53#, if drawn to 27 it will be approximately 47#

[Jeff Strubberg]

You really need to measure draw weight.  There are lots of general rules, but bows are individual critters.

Custom bows are typically weighed and marked for the draw length they were ordered at.  Production bows are typically marked at 28 inches of draw.

[huntmaster80]

most of them will give you about a 2-3# difference per inch. but measuring it is the only way to go, cause every bow is gona be a bit different

OK--here's another question--when weighing draw weight on a scale, do you deduct the physical weight of the bow (tare)?? When I do this, my bows typically weight in a pound or 2 less than marked. What do bowyers do?

[Night Wing]

Originally posted by Bisch:
Depending on the bow, you can add or subtract about 2-3 pounds for each inch of draw length. The best way to find out for sure would be to put the bow on a scale and pull it to 26".

Bisch

This is how I measure mine.

[Bjorn]

That is a good question as almost all bowyers do the subtraction but some do not.  Jack Howard bows are always over the marked pounds, they have very heavy risers and Jack did not subtract.

[Jeff Strubberg]

Depends.  My scale setup has the bow sitting in a cradle at the handle, then pulling down against the string with the scale.  Bow weight is irrelevant here.

If you are hanging the bow from a scale and pulling on the handle, then you would need to subtract bow physical weight.

This will make absolutely no difference to your 28 to 26 inch comparison though, as bow physical weight will remain the same in both cases.

[Yellow Dog]

I draw 30'' and I use an arrow with insert installed and no point that's exactly 30''. Put my trusty old Bear hand scale on the string and pull it until the end of the arrow is flush with the front of the riser. That weight is my weight @ 30. I also have one at 28'' to verify draw weight @ 28. As others have said 2 to 3 pounds per inch depending on the bow.

[Flying Dutchman]

You have to add or substract 5% of the 28 inch drawlenght per inch. Not just 2 or 3 lbs.
So if you are shooting a bow of 50lbs@28" and you draw 29", your drawweight will become 52,5. Deadeasy!