Brace Height

[Doublegun]

I understand that there is a recommended range for brace height for every bow but how does one determine the ideal brace height so a bow is shooting optimally?

Thank you,

Jay

[Krex1010]

I’m sure others with much more experience and knowledge than me will chime in...but I usually start at the minimum recommended brace height (as per the bowyer) and gradually increase it until I’m getting a good arrow flight, lower handshock/noise and I’m not getting excessive string slap on my wrist. It’s basically one of those things that you just have to play around with until you’re happy with how the bow is behaving with the arrows you’re shooting. By increasing brace height you’re decreasing your power stroke so that’s why i start low and work my way up, so I can find the lowest brace height that also checks off the other boxes I mentioned.

[snag]

The following is a method for letting the bow tell where to set brace height:

1. Set a horizontal line on your target using tape.
2. Set the brace height to the lowest value suggested by the manufacturer.
3. Shoot a group with field points at the horizontal line from same distance; 10 to 15 yards. NOTE: Tip of the arrow at full draw is aimed at the horizontal line.
4. Measure and record the group's impact above that horizontal line.
5. Add five twists to the string; shoot another group, and repeat, each time recording both the new brace height and the measurement of the resulting target impact, working towards the brace height upper limit of the manufacturer's recommendation if there is one.
6. Initially the impact point will rise steadily above the horizontal line but then suddenly starts to drop.
7. Go back to the recorded brace height which has the highest impact measurement above the horizontal line and set the brace height to that recorded measurement. That should be where the bow was transferring the greatest amount of energy to the arrow. It should also be the quietest with the least felt hand shock as the by products of wasted energy are usually noise and vibration.

[McDave]

That makes a lot of sense, Dave.  I've never read about an objective way to measure optimal brace height before.  This is similar to bare shaft tuning, where you tune based on results on the target.

[Doublegun]

Thank you!  Exactly what I wanted to know.

JDG

[MnFn]

Thanks Dave,
I never heard that before, either.
Hope you are well, Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Gary

[snag]

Just passing it along. That’s one reason why we gather here.
Merry Christmas guys!

[CEW]

I've always used the method Krex described, first time I've heard of the method snag posted. I'll give it a try when I setup my next set of limbs.

Where did you get that method snag?

[yeager]

Like others said, never heard of that method.....I’ll have to give it a try.

[Huntschool]

Law of diminishing returns.  One goes to a certain point and then "progress or improvement" begins to decline...…  Back up a bit.

Just sayin.....

[Hopewell Tom]

Just like Seinfeld's maximum allowable dosage of a medicine - find out what kills you and then back off a bit...

[McDave]

Just like Seinfeld's maximum allowable dosage of a medicine - find out what kills you and then back off a bit...

I have a somewhat similar rule for trying some unproven food supplement that is supposed to be wonderful for you: I take half the recommended dose.  That way if it is later proven to be bad for you, I'll probably live through it, and if it is good for you, at least I’ll get some benefit.