[falconduke]

Looking to purchase a new bow, but unsure as to whether I'm a 29, 29.5, or 30" draw. The 29" feels a bit too short at the pro shop, but he believes that is what I am. I feel more comfortable with the 29.5 and 30. I'm 6'1 and my wingspan is about 75.5". Any suggestions would be appreciated. Also, how much flexion do you want in you front arm when shooting...Any advice would help... Thanks

 

[EPLC]

Measure from your palm pad (grip point of contact) to the corner of your mouth... then add 1 3/4". This should give you a very good starting point.

 

[jdarcher1]

According to your wingspan, your draw should be approximately 30.2". Which is probably why you feel more comfortable at 30"

 

[Myk]

For a first bow you should be looking for one that has a good range of adjustment so you can try different things without having to buy a new cam.
That is the sure way to get a bow that fits.

I want no flex in my bow arm.
I can easily justify no flex. Get in a one armed push up, try it with your arm straight and with your arm bent. Time them both and see which one tires you our faster.
But some people's arms get in the way if they don't bend. Other people's arms don't go straight. Still other people's arms hyper-extend.
It all depends on what style of form you are using and which form best suits your body.

 

[Daniel Boone]

Draw Length

Is about pulling the bow back and feeling 100% comfortable.

We have seen so many talk about fraw length.

Find the draw length where you feel 100% comfortable. Be sure and take your release when purchasing a bow. Releases can change draw length.:wink:

I come a little pass the corner of my mouth and shoot straight arm.

Find what you feel comfortable with.

 

[erasmu]

I think having a bow that has an adjustable draw length is very helpful. I ended up going from a 31" draw to 30.5" and finally 30.0" over a period of six weeks or so. The 31" was a little bit of a stretch. The 30.5" felt fine until I changed to a BT release. My Hoyt cam and a half covers a 2.5" range. Changing the DL took a couple minutes at most.

 

[AT_X_HUNTER]

Are you going to be shooting with a release? If so are you going to shoot off the string or with a loop? Are you going to use a hand held or a wrist release. If you are going to use a wrist release which one? A loop will require you to shoot a shorter DL on the bow to get a comfortable anchor point. some releases allow your hand to fall further back on your face than others. Like MYK said, get one that can be adjusted easily so you can find the best configuration for you.

As far as arm flex goes, I don't lock my arm. It is fairly straight but not locked, I call it released. It is relaxed and I hold well without fatiguing quickly.

 

[falconduke]

Went with the 29.5 in the Switchback XT

I ended up going with the 29.5 in the XT. A happy compromise b/w my pro shop and my thoughts. Can these straightline cams be tweeked a bit, so I can get 30" if I'm not happy with the 29.5 "? Everyone tells me to error on the short side when hung up on draw length, was this a good move by me?

 

[big scores]

75 1/2 wing span = 30 1/4 inch draw.

 

[AT_X_HUNTER]

I ended up going with the 29.5 in the XT. A happy compromise b/w my pro shop and my thoughts. Can these straightline cams be tweeked a bit, so I can get 30" if I'm not happy with the 29.5 "? Everyone tells me to error on the short side when hung up on draw length, was this a good move by me?

You'll probably be just fine. Good luck and have fun.

 

[hunting addict]

I am 6'2" and have the same wingspan as you. My draw lenght measures out to 30 1/4". I always buy a 30" dl bow, and feel very good at that lenght unless shooting uphill. Then it feels a little long, but I feel cramped up and short if I shoot 29 1/2. On my two trykon xl's, I have twisted strings and cables so that they draw 29 7/8" amo. This is where these 2 bows hold the best for me.

edit: I also use a d-loop, and make them as short as I can and still get them tied on.

 

[nuts&bolts]

I ended up going with the 29.5 in the XT. A happy compromise b/w my pro shop and my thoughts. Can these straightline cams be tweeked a bit, so I can get 30" if I'm not happy with the 29.5 "? Everyone tells me to error on the short side when hung up on draw length, was this a good move by me?

falconduke:

People will always make small adjustments to bow draw length
by adding or removing twists to the bowstring.

You can always go back to your pro shop
and ask them to put your bow in a bow press,
and then take out 1/2-twist in the bowstring.

The slight increase in draw length is practically immeasurable,
but you will feel a difference in the release and how it fires
(amount of effort required).

When you are ready to experiment with your draw length
is really small adjustments, then you will see what adding 1 full twist or removing 1 full twist to the draw length will have on how steady you can hold your bow.

Making adjustments in draw length up to 1/4-inch shorter or longer is routine by adjusting the number of twists in the bowstring.

 

[Deezlin]

Looking to purchase a new bow, but unsure as to whether I'm a 29, 29.5, or 30" draw. The 29" feels a bit too short at the pro shop, but he believes that is what I am. I feel more comfortable with the 29.5 and 30. I'm 6'1 and my wingspan is about 75.5". Any suggestions would be appreciated. Also, how much flexion do you want in you front arm when shooting...Any advice would help... Thanks

Well, this is one of the reasons, I never buy a draw specific bow!!! I have been shoot for quite some time. If I pick up a bow and I can't get more than a half inch adjustment without decreasing let-off or something then it get placed on the shelf very fast.

I am 6'-4 and have a wingspan of 29.75, I believe. There are even a couple of different ideas with the wingspan. But, I am currently shooting most of my bows at 28.5" and do a little setup changing to get to 29.5 or 30".

I would say, the shop knows what he is talking about. I would say you are a 29" or so. I would just stay real clear of a draw specific bow. If you can buy modules or trade cam then that is one thing. But, personally, I like an adjustable module bow. In general, it is a better for accuracy to be a little short than just a little too long. Of course, draw length produces speed, but speed unto itself doesn't create accuracy.

Stance is the main variable to draw length. I use a slightly more open stance than many archers. This allows my bow shoulder to be a little off line of the arrow and my shooting eye to be a little bit more in line with the arrow. This will give me a much steadier hold.

Also, if the draw length is too long, you will never be able to use a hinged back tension release with any reliability.