Archery Equipment – Things to know when selecting your Compound Bows

Archery as a sport has a wide spread following and the number of people becoming interested in our sport is increasing! Lucky for us, archery equipment is also keeping pace with this evolution. The number of brands and variations in archery equipment and the accessories make it a bit difficult to choose, particularly when you are new to archery.

Though adequate care should be taken in selecting all components of your archery equipment, selecting the bow gains importance over others.

Choosing your Compound Bow

Since all of us are unique individuals, choosing a bow also is also a personal thing. The highly experienced bow hunters and archers would vary in opinion when it comes to the best bow for their use. The selection itself is very wide for bows and the accessories are perhaps limitless. In picking the right bow for you, some of the attributes you look for in a pair of shoes can be applied. These attributes are fit, quality, durability, the ease to use. The vast selection of archery equipment available lends itself to a buyer’s market. Therefore, your attempt should be to try out several bows you can possibly do before making a final choice. Your accuracy and the ability to relax during the shooting exercise will depend on obtaining a bow which is comfortable on your hands and sets up correctly to your style of shooting and body type. The bow is your investment and the last thing you expect from your archery equipment is the feeling of lose of confidence in your ability itself or the equipment.

The dominant eye

Effective employment of your compound bows will also depend on identifying which of your eyes is more dominant over the other. Generally, right handers will have their right eye dominant and the left handers have a left eye dominance. Rarely though there may be instances where the opposite eye is dominant. This is relevant while deciding whether you pick up a right hand or left hand bow. To determine the correct position, you can look at a distant object with both eyes. After fixing the point with your finger, close the left eye and if the finger continues to point at the target precisely, you can safely conclude yourself to be an individual with right eye dominance. Conversely, if your finger is not in alignment with the chosen object, you are left eye dominant.

Brand/Manufacturer

As in the case of all professional sports equipment, the brand or the manufacturer plays an important role in selecting your archery equipment too. When the bow you select, comes from a company with an impeccable reputation, you are confident that they will stand behind their product at all times. If the manufacturer is offering customer support, that should weigh as an additional point of consideration.  A guarantee on the bow that you decide to buy as part of your archery equipment is an essential ingredient of the transaction and not an option. Most of the high end compound bows come with a life time guarantee, with a rider that you continue to remain the owner.

HOW THE ARROW FLIES WITH YOUR COMPOUND BOW

Almost all archers and bowhunter of the modern world use the compound bow. Very few bowhunters know how this bow works. The physics behind the compound bow is what makes the arrow fly so straight and accurate.

Energy in the Compound bow

As the bow is drawn back, the wheels and/or cams rotate. This pulls the limbs together. Energy is contained within the cams, wheels and limbs of the bow. The more energy that is stored, the faster the arrow will fly and the harder the arrow will hit its target. How much energy is stored depends on 3 factors: how far back the string is drawn, the shape of the cams, and the bow’s top draw weight.

How the Compound bow Creates Let-Off

Let-off is created by levers in the cams. When the bow is at rest the lever between the string and axle is shorter than between the axle and cable. Since the cable is the stronger of the two, the string is under more stress or tension.

When you draw the compound bow the levers change. When the bow is fully drawn the cable is very close to the axle but the string has moved away. The lever arms have now reversed and the string has the advantage over the cable. This results in a decrease in the holding weight, called the let-off.

Arrows and Accuracy

The AMO (Archery Manufacturer’s Organization) is a committee that sets standards on the compound bow and other tools involved in the sport of archery. The AMO has devised a method for measuring the speed of an arrow: shooting a 540-grain arrow from a 60-pound bow with a draw length of 30 inches. All compound bows will have an AMO speed as well as all other bows available for purchase. Another organization, the International Bowhunter’s Organization (IBO) has also devised a measurement for arrow speed that seems to be becoming more popular. This speed is determined by shooting a 350-grain arrow from a 70-pound bow with a draw of 30 inches. The AMO speed will always be lower than the IBO speed.

Best Speed

AMO speeds from 200-215 fps and IBO speeds of 275-290 fps are considered called low performers. The compound bow with this design makes up for poor form. This bow is best used when aiming at targets. A bow with a speed of 215-235 fps or an IBO of 290-315 fps is considered a middle of the road bow. With this bow you get good speed and ease of shot. This is an excellent compound bow for hunting. When speeds go past 235 fps for AMO and 315 fps IBO stay away unless you are a very experienced archer. Use this bow for hunting only when the speed of the arrow is vital to the target.

What Affects Speed and Accuracy?

The distance from the string to the grip when the bow is at rest is a major contributor to speed and accuracy. The bottom brace height should be seven inches. With longer distances they bow is more accurate. At less than seven inches the compound bow is harder to shoot unless your form is absolutely perfect. This is because the arrow will stay on the string for a longer time so any flaws in form are amplified.

The best bow for the average hunter or archer is the middle of the road bow. You will get enough accuracy and speed even with a flawed form.

For more great information on archery and bows, make sure to check out http://www.eaglearchery.com.

What is a Compound bow?

Holles Wilbur Allen invented the compound bow in 1967 in his home state of Missouri. This bow uses pulleys and cables that form a leverage system to bend the limbs or ends of the bow. The long bow, also known as the recurve bow, has limbs that are much more flexible than the compound bow. The compound bow stores more energy than most other bows but that results in very stiff limbs. It is virtually impossible to pull the bow back with the single string. This problem is solved with the pulleys and cables. A string is attached to a pulley with a cable attached to the opposite limb. The pulley will turn when the string is pulled back. The pulley, in turn, pulls the cable which bends the limbs and voila! ...stored energy ready to send an arrow flying.

Compound bow Advantages

One of the advantages of a compound bow is its resistance to severe temperature changes and atmospheric moisture. As a result the accuracy and speed of the arrow as well as how far the arrow will travel makes this bow much more effective than your standard long bow.

Compound bow Strength

What gives these bows added strength is not only the pulleys and cables but also the make up of the shaft and limbs. The main shaft of the compound bow, also known as the riser, is composed of either magnesium or aluminum; both strong but lightweight materials. As a matter of fact, the top performing compound bows are made of and aircraft quality 6061 aluminum. The reason for using this material is to keep the rise as unbending as possible. You want the riser to be very stiff so you can add other pieces of equipment to bow such as quivers, sights, or stabilizers.

The limbs are made of a mixture of alloys and are built for strength. They have to be able to withstand the high tensile forces from the drawing of the string. They store all the energy the bow generates.

The Cams and Strings

Usually at the end of the bow is a wheel also called the cam. There are many different ways to use the cam to store energy depending on the bow design. There are also different types of cams that store the energy in the limbs. These different cam types are knows as bow eccentrics. The Binary Cam, Hybrid Cam, Dual Cam and Single Cam are the 4 most often used but some prefer the Hinged Cam and Quad Cam.

The strings and cables are made of polyethylene and should be strong yet flexible as they need to stretch when the bow is drawn. This moves the energy from the bow to the arrow when the string is release resulting in maximum distance. The cables, on the other hand, are made of steel surround by a clear plastic.

Arrows for the Compound bow

The arrows used with the compound bow do not vary very much from the arrows used by a standard long bow. The arrow shafts are composed of either carbon or aluminum. However, because of the force a compound bow produces the user is ill advised to try launching an arrow with a wooden shaft, as it will probably break due to the strength of this bow. The manufacturers of arrow do produce arrows of different lengths and rigidity to work with the different styles of compound bows. Matching the stiffness of an arrow to the correction style of compound bow will greatly increase accuracy.

The Compound bow-Pros & Cons

Like all products on the market, the compound bow has its advantages and disadvantages. In both makes of the bow and final outcome when the product is in use, there are positives as well as negatives.

Advantages of the Structure of the Compound bow

Drawing the bow causes the weight of the draw to peak and then “let off”. The term “let off” is used to describe the events surrounding the cam as it rolls completely over. Let off is most often 65%-80% of the peak weight with one exception. Concept Archery, a compound bow manufacturer, produces 99% let off. When “let off” occurs, the drawn string causes the cam to turn which results in the bending of the limb. When the cam turns completely around then less force is needed to keep the limb crooked…the “let off”. The better the “let off”, the easier it is for the archer to draw the bow as far back as possible and take the time to aim properly at the target.

Another advantage of the compound bow over the long bow is its ability to hold up to the elements. Because it is make of man-made materials it can better withstand changes in temperature and humidity.

Compound bows also contain rubber blocks that that provide a wall for the archer to draw up against. Called draw-stops, these rubber blocks can be modified to suit the archer’s most effective draw length. As a result, a consistent force can be placed on the arrow that exactly the same for every shot. This increases accuracy.

The way cams are designed can also control the speed at which the arrow accelerates. A “soft cam” causes a slower acceleration of the arrow. It is better for beginners to start out with the “soft cam” and slowly graduate up to a “hard cam” which shoots arrows out at a very high rate of acceleration.

There is a pulley mechanism that uses one cam at the bottom of the bow and a simple balanced wheel at the top. As a result, cables are not needed and a single string can be used. The advantage of this single string bow is its speed, up to 100-m/sec./315 fps.

Disadvantages of the Structure of the Compound bow

While there is no better bow made, to a purist or a naturalist, this mechanical monstrosity ruins the concept of archery as it as been know throughout history. The purist sees nothing more beautiful than a long bow made out of natural wood. Its form is truly back to nature, and how the ancients themselves manufactured this simple hunting tool.

Advantages of Using a Compound bow

There is a special release mechanism that can be used in conjunction with the compound bow that provides a steadier release than one’s fingers. This release device attaches to the bow near the arrow. Using a trigger on this device, the archer is able to release the string with a stead pressure and motion.

If you compete in tournaments with the compound bow the official rules allow the use of a target scope. The scope will magnify the target allowing for a more accurate shot. With the standard long bow this device is not allowed during competition.

Because of stabilizers attached to the compound bow, the archer is able to shoot the arrow with less movement of the shaft.

Disadvantages of Using a Compound bow

Due to the materials used on the compound bow, it is very lightweight. As a result the compound bow is more sensitive to and archers stance and draw on the string. A minimal fault in the archer’s form can result in a twisting of the bow when the arrow is released. This will result in movement of the arrow from left to right.

Shooting a Compound bow - Everything you need to know

Now that you own a compound bow the next step of course is to shoot the weapon using a target. Before you begin to shoot, it is best to get used to the feel of drawing the bow and releasing the string. Try it several times drawing back at different distances to get used to the feel of the weapon in your hands. These bows are difficult to pull back at first, but once drawn back to a certain distance the tension will release and the position will be easier to maintain.

Using the Correct Arrows

Before you can shoot your compound bow you must obtain a quiver of arrows. Do not make the mistake of purchasing wooden arrows. All you will get for your troubles in a pile of broken sticks at your feet. Wooden arrows cannot take the pressure and strength of a compound bow. Instead look for arrows with carbon or aluminum shafts. These are much stronger and able to withstand the strength of the bow.

Finding a Place to Shoot

Be smart about your choice of shooting locations! The backyard is not the best place to try out your compound bow. There are too many potential innocent targets in your neighborhood that could get hit. Of course, the best place to go is an archery gallery. If you are not sure where to find one, try your local gun store. If the store does not have one on property, the sales people should be able to tell you where the closest range is located.

If there are no ranges near you then choose a large empty field miles away from the nearest homes. The further away from civilization, the better.

How to Shoot

Begin by loading the bow with and arrow. Slowly draw back, keeping the bow level. Once you hand has pulled back enough so it is under your chin your should feel the tension release. This is called the “let-off”. If you feel this “let-off” then you have purchased the correct size compound bow. While in this position aim for the target. Try aiming a tad bit lower than where you want your bow to impact. Then let go of string and shoot!

Tips for Shooting a Compound bow

Before purchasing a compound bow test them out in the store. Find the one, when pulled back to just under your chin, “lets-off”. That is the bow for you.

It is better to aim low when you first begin shooting your bow. This way if your arrow misses the target it will be easier to find. If you aim too high and your arrow goes past the target it can be very difficult to find your arrow.

A few lessons with a professional instructor might be the way to go. It is better to learn good habits at the outset than try to correct bad habits at a later time. Proper posture and technique are very important to becoming an expert archer.

Cautions!

Never, never, never shoot your compound bow when someone is standing in front of you. Even if a person is off to your left or your right there is always a chance the arrow could veer in that direction. Before you shoot, account for every person who has come with you to the range. If you cannot locate one of your companions, wait until the person is found.

Be sure to wear the correct protective clothing. A long sleeved shirt or and arm guard will protect your arm from losing a layer of skin should it be to close to the bow when you release the string.

If you have long hair be sure and tie it back. Long hair can easily get caught in the pulleys of your compound bow.

Selecting the Right Compound bow for You

Almost all hunters nowadays use the compound bow. The advantage of these bows is that they reduce the force needed to hold the bow back at a full draw. They can reduce the force from between 50-80%. This reduction in force, called the let-off, lets you hold your draw for a longer time than you could a standard long bow. This gives you the time needed to take perfect aim. The let-off percentage is an important factor to choosing the right compound bow for your.

Cams

Almost all compound bow makers now offer their products with 1 or 2 cams.

One-Cam Bow

The advantage to the one cam bow is that you do not need to synchronize both cams as you do on a bow with two cams. Instead the wheel at the top of the bow, called the idler wheel, uses 2 tracks that ensure the arrow will travel along a straight path.

Two-Cam Bow

Two cam bows come in three different styles; soft, medium and hard cam.

The soft cam compound bow has irregular shaped lobes. This gives the string both a smooth draw and more speed and power.

Medium cams have symmetrically shaped lobes. Both are oval, and while the draw is not as smooth as the soft cam, the medium cam has more energy storage and therefore more speed.

Hard cams have elliptical shaped lobes. While the draw is the least smooth of the 3 cams, this is the fastest of all the styles. These hard cams are called hatchet cams.

As to which cam is best for you? The hard cam takes the most strength to draw back. In addition, the compound bow must be held perfectly still while the arrow is being launched. The slightest movement of the bow will cause the direction of the arrow to be dramatically altered. The soft and medium bows both require less strength to draw the bow back fully. In addition, they provide just as good a shot as the hard cam from about 20-30 yards, which is about the standard length of a hunting shot.

Adjusting the Draw Length

One way to adjust the length of the pull back is with an E-wheel. This wheel has 2 string pegs and the draw is adjusted my placing the string behind 1 of the 2 pegs.

The other method is to change out the string modules that are located on the cams. Both of these methods increase the draw length along with the draw weight. Conversely a decrease in the draw length decreases the draw weight of your compound bow.

Let-Off

The way a cam is designed determines the let-off of the compound bow. Let-off can be as high as 80% and as low as 50%. With a compound bow that has an 80% let off, that means you are only holding 16lbs of weight when the string is pulled fully back. Reducing the hold back weight does reduce the stored energy and ergo the speed of the arrow. The better let-off to have is around 60%. Some compound bows let you change the let-off by altering the cam axle or cam module.

When purchasing your compound bow keep the above factors in mind. Remember the best bow is the one that lets-off just under your chin. In addition you do not want the draw hold to be too strenuous. Good luck and happy bow hunting!

Consistent Crossbow Shooting

The Perfect Crossbow Shot

When shooting at game with your crossbow, you want to be able to make the perfect shot. To do this you need the correct equipment that is effective in bringing down the target silently so as not to frighten the animal away. There are several accessories to look for to help you make the perfect shot.

Choosing the Correct Sighting

For hunters there are 3 main types of sights that can be used. These are the peep sight, scope and red dots.

Peep Sight

The peep sight is the cheapest and easiest of the three choices. This is the sight that is usually included when you purchase a crossbow. When the light is good, this type of sight works just as well as all the others. However you can only use light coming through the small hole in the aperture to set this sight. Needless to say in bad lighting this sight is almost worthless.

Red Dots

Red dots are great to use in all kinds of lighting. They provide an easy-to-see well lit spot for aiming and they weigh less than the heavier scope. In addition rain does not ruin their effectiveness. However, as they run on batteries, there is the chance of the batteries running out of power leaving you sightless. In addition red dots do not gather light.

Scopes

Scopes are the most popular selection of crossbow hunters. They gather light by using magnification so it is easier to see your target in dim lighting. Some scopes also come with crosshairs to make up for crossbow trajectory. Unfortunately their range of vision is limited. This can cause serious problems at close range. Do not use a scope that has more than a power of 4X or all you will see a piece of blurry fur. In addition a scope is heavy and will fog over in the rain.

Proper Projectiles for your Crossbow

Now that you have your sight set consider the type of ammunition you are using. You want the edge of the projectile’s blade to enter your target effortlessly and cause maximum amount of damage for a quick kill. Therefore what really matters is how sharp the edge is.

A dull blade will not cause much damage. Instead of slicing blood vessels it will push them away. In addition a dull blade causes too much tissue damage resulting in a decrease in blood flow. This will cause your your blood trail to stop and you might not be able to find your kill.

Of all the blade heads to use the 3 bladed head is the most effective.

Keeping it Quiet

When a crossbow is shot in the woods it does make a sound and the deer does hear it. So the trick becomes not quieting the crossbow but getting the projectile to the deer before the deer can run from the sound. To do this, the arrow must be faster or the deer must be closer. In addition never shoot a deer when it is looking in your direction as light travels faster than sound and will react much faster. You are sure to miss the shot.

The best thing you can do is know the range where string jump becomes a problem and be sure to use the fastest arrow your crossbow can safely handle.

For more great information on archery and bows, make sure to check out http://www.eaglearchery.com

Why Use A Compound Bow? Though you'd never ask...

About 80% of all bow hunters use a compound bow. As technology has developed with the two-cam shaft, and time has passed, the prices have come down dramatically on the compound bow. Now this weapon is affordable for hunters and archery lovers from all backgrounds. And this bow has an advantage over its brethren the long bow and recurve bow. The shot from the compound bow is much faster and straighter. This allows the shooter to use a heavier arrow for deeper penetration of the prey.

The Longer Shot

The advantage of the compound bow is that it shoots a flat trajectory. This results in less of a half-moon arc and a longer shot. As a result, accuracy is increased at longer distances to the target. In addition it is possible to make the long shot that was once thought impossible.

The Let-Off

It takes less strength to fire off a compound bow than it does a long bow or recurve bow. The let-off ranges from 15-80%. Basically, this means a bow with a draw weight of 60 pounds and a 50% let off means you only have to hold 30 pounds when the bow is fully drawn. As opposed to a long bow with a draw weight of 60 pounds where you have to hold the full 60 pounds when the bow is fully drawn.

Changing the Draw Length

Another advantage of the compound bow is the ability to change the draw length. With a slight turn of a wrench you can alter how far back you pull the string to reach let-off. To determine your draw length, face a wall and put one of your fists up against that wall. Have someone measure along your hand and arm from the wall to your lips. This is your draw length. You must know your draw length before purchasing your compound bow.

The Power of the Compound Bow

What makes the compound bow so much better than the recurve bow and longbow? The answer is in its ability to store a large amount of energy thereby creating a faster and straighter arrow. In addition the bow itself is made in such a fashion as to prevent warping or stretching of the limbs. Over time the recurve bow and the long bow can loose their shape due to constant use. In addition the strings on these bows need to be replaced more often as they loose their elasticity. Not true with the compound bow. This bow maintains its shape through years of use and its strings seem to last forever.

The compound bow is truly a hunter’s weapon of today and the future. Its construction allows the launching of faster, straighter, heavier arrows. The kill is more likely to be faster than the recurve bow and long bow. In addition, extra ammunition is rarely needed to bring down your prey. Just remember, because of its flat trajectory, it pays not to shoot high at the target or there is a good chance you will miss.