Will this work

[penrosefred]

I have been in archery a very long time shooting both componds and trad. I just got a Damon Howatt hunter 45# @ 28 I can't quite reach my anchor point can I narrow the limbs just a little to lesson the weight my draw is 27 is this possible

[Bud B.]

What's your anchor? It should be somewhere near your mouth area. What's preventing you reaching anchor at a 27" draw? Are you shooting fingers? 3? 2? under? split?

This will help us figure out what responses may help.

Thanks.

[McDave]

I think that if the bow has not been previously altered to reduce the weight, the answer is "yes," as long as you only need 2-3 pounds taken off.  Whether you should attempt this yourself, I dunno.  Some of our sponsors, like Maddog archery, offer services like this, and you might give one a call to see how much it would cost.

[Wheels2]

You might be better off to find a 40# and then sell yours.  It has been my experience that most production bows run a few pounds heavy.  A marked arrow and a bow scale would be the way to know for sure.

[penrosefred]

Bud B, The reason I can't reach my anchor is because it is to heavy, I have a 40# pound that I can reach my anchor, I am 82 and it is getting tougher

[ARCHER2]

Mr. Fred,
My hats off to you sir! I hope I can still shoot when I reach 82.
Charlie

[Bjorn]

Penrose, yes you can narrow the limbs a little but as McDave suggests have it done by a pro. Maddog, Bow Hospital, perhaps others; but shipping the bow back and forth and the actual work may be more than the bow  is worth.
Anyone make bows in your area?
Reducing weight is not hard but the risk of failure for someone who has not done it before is high. The weight may come off ok but the bow might be loud or knock your fillings out.
Sell this one and buy the bow you need for your poundage and draw length.  

[Bud B.]

That's the best reason there....longevity. I hope to see an 8 as the first number in my age one day. Even a 9, Lord willing.

PM sent

[macbow]

Mr. If you have experience using wood working tools removing a little weight is not too hard.
The key is to remove the same amount off each of the four edges. Then round over any sharp corners.

I would suggest staying back from the fades and string tips and groove so you don't have to mess with these areas.

One of those sponge type drywall sander blocks with medium to heavy grit would work well.

Good shooting.

[hart2hart]

Fred,
Great to see proof archery is a lifelong endeavor.
Main message we send our NASP classes.
I didn't see bow length mentioned.The difficulty might be bow length..or are they the same?
5 lbs can make a big difference at our age.(69 and a week here).
Many good trades to be out there.. but taking weight off always has its risks.

[monterey]

Fred, if that bow is in good shape, I would consider building a 35# longbow for you and trade straight across.  I know you draw 40#, but like you said, it gets harder and harder.

[monterey]

Fred, another thing popped into my mind yesterday during a chronographing session.  I pulled eight bows to 28" before shooting for speed comparisons and was reminded of how much the actual draw weight can vary from that marked on the bow!

Three of them ran 5#, 6# and 11# under the weight written on them  :eek:   Before you do anything about requesting a draw weight adjustment, you might want to scale the bow for it's actual draw weight.