how does draw wt affect smoothness of release?

[Matt Green]

Does an increase in lbs draw wt (i.e. heavier wt bow) = smoother release - all else being equal.
Yes - i know the USER is the biggest issue with release. But asked another way, does a heavier bow cover up flaws in release more than a lighter bow?
mg

while we're at it, same question for bow length (say 58, vs. 60 vs. 62 inch bow - again all else being equal)

[Red Tailed Hawk]

Naturally you will normally get less finger pinch the longer the bow is. I have a 70" hill bow and compared to my 62" it is night and day.

Heavier draw weights will produce a cleaner release.

You might want to post this in the shooters forum.

[Kris]

A lot of shooters like to say that a "heavier" bow "rips" the string from their fingers.  "Rip" in this instance, being a good thing; whether that means "smooth" to you, you'll have to determine for yourself.

I find it easier to get "off-the-string" with a heavier bow but do not have a problem with my release shooting light either.  Release is something we all have to work on, whether we shoot heavy or light.  

String angle likely plays a greater roll in regards to a smooth release, as Red Tailed Hawk mentions above.

Good shooting -

Kris

[Bill Carlsen]

Back in the 70's when I shot a compound I was very frustrated with the let off and it's effect on my release. i had PSE make me a 70# bow with  20% let off or 55#. It made a  huge difference. On the other hand, when talking trad bows, overbowing yourself in order to get a cleaner release may create more problems than it solves.

[Matt Green]

good input. NOT talking about going to the point of being overbowed - that makes bad sense. however, in an attmept to find "THE bow" am wondering what poundage makes the perfect balance. YES - its different for everyone, but in general, woudl a heavier bow (even by 4lbs or so) help hide some release inconsistencies??
anyone else care ot post?
thx
mg

[ksbowman]

I get a much better release with a heavier bow. I have two identical bows one is 60#@28" and the other is 45#@28". They are 60" bows and the release and group is much better with the 60#.

[Mike Mecredy]

The best way to have a smooth release, regardless of the bow wieght is to have strong fingers.  Not kidding.

[Shakes.602]

I would say it affects EVERYTHING!

[Stiks-n-Strings]

Been reading Fred Asbells book the last couple days. I can't say whether it does or does not.

 I shoot anything from 30# to 60# and can't really tell the difference. I also shoot short draw bows that are as short as 46" tip to tip and bows out to 68".
 
 I shoot light weight when I want to focus on form and I go up in weight when hunting or shooting 3-d and stumping.

 If you practice all aspects of your form and bringing it together when it comes time to focus on the spot your form will be good and your release will show that.

[sawtoothscream]

i get much better releases from my heavier bows.

[Austin Brown]

I tried light bows for a while and I definitely shoot alot better with heavier bows.

[champ38]

I get a better release with heavier, 65+ lbs for me.

[Bowwild]

I practice form, shot execution, and follow-through with a loop of string (String Bow). I shoot bows from 20-50#'s. The draw weight makes no difference to me.

I execute the shot by using my drawing side back muscles (move the drawing arm scapula)to cause the back of my draw hand and fingers to relax which allows the string to pull free from the archers groove. I know when I've done this correctly because my draw hand thumb immediately slides along my face, under my ear and comes to rest on my shoulder.

My bow arm is equally animated throughout follow-through.

[hvyhitter]

I get a cleaner release with a heavier bow and have found that longer bows are much smoother to draw and shoot than short ones...............

[WRV]

I get a cleaner release with a heavier bow.

[lpcjon2]

I agree that a heavier weight makes for a smoother draw, but if you cant hold the heavier weight then the release wont matter for the arrows will be all over the place and you will have no accuracy at all. If you practice your release then you can shoot the correct weight.Dont over think the release.

[Bill Carlsen]

Matt: Based on my experience the simple answer to your question is "yes".

[tuscarawasbowman]

I thought I read in one of the traditional bowyers bibles that all else being equal a longer bow will be more forgiving of inconsistences in release out to 70 inches. Anything over 70 robs too much energy to be effecient. I know I had a supermag 48 and I couldn't shoot that thing worth a darn even with my short draw (25" at the time).

[Jeff Strubberg]

A clean release is a clean release.  You can do it on a 20lb bow.

You can cover up a problem with draw weight, but my experience is that I introduce more problems than I solve.  You're much better off fixing the problem itself.