Help Centre

Need help with your archery question? No problem, we've got the answers for the questions we're most frequently asked.

 

 

What is Brace Height?

Brace height is basically the gap between the bow's string at rest position and the deepest part of the grip, the pivot point, or the throat of the riser. It's essential to maintain a consistent brace height as it affects your arrow's impact point. Below is a chart that can help you determine the correct brace height of your bow.

BOW LENGTH

STRING LENGTH AMO / ACTUAL LENGTH

BRACE HEIGHT

48”

48” AMO / 44” ACUTAL

5 ¾” – 6 ¾”

54”

54” AMO / 50” ACTUAL

7” – 7 ½”

60”

60” AMO / 56” ACTUAL

7 ½” – 8 ¼”

62”

62” AMO / 58” ACTUAL

7 5/8” – 8 ¼”

64”

64” AMO / 60” ACTUAL

8” – 8 ¾”

68”

68” AMO / 64” ACTUAL

7” – 7 ¾”

 

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What is Draw Length?

Draw Length is the distance of how far you can draw a bow and is measured in inches. To measure your draw length, simply measure your wingspan from the tip of your left middle finger to the right tip of your middle finger, subtract 15 then divide it by 2.

Draw Length

  Recommended Bow Length

14" to 16"

48" Bow

17" to 20"

54" Bow

20" to 22"

58" Bow

22" to 24"

58" to 60" Bow

24" to 25.5"

60" to 62" Bow

26" to 28.5"

62" Bow

29" to 30.5"

62", 64", 66" to 68" Bow

31" and longer

64" to 70" Bow

 

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What is Draw Weight?

Draw weight, also known as draw poundage is the amount of force needed to pull a bow, and it's measured in pounds (LBS). Recurves and longbows have incrementally heavier draw weights the farther they're pulled whereis compound bows offer less draw weight the farther they're pulled thanks for the Let-Off system. However, if let's say you have a 62" bow and you exceed the draw length of 28", with every inch you exceed will add up to 2lbs of draw weight, and if you pull less than 28" the draw weight will also decrease by 2lbs for every inch. For example if you draw back a 62" 35lb bow to 29 inches of draw you will be holding 37lbs (an extra 2lbs on the draw).

 

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Am I Right or Left Handed?

Finded the correct hand orientation is crucial in archery. Hand orientation is sort of confusing in archery because its sort of backwards, you hold a RH bow in your Left hand and pull with your Right. In contrast you hold a LH bow in your Right hand and pull with your Left. Most people think the hand you write with is the one you should pull with, this is most commonly true but what you really want is your dominant eye.

 

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What Bow Length should I get?

There are a number of factors involved when it comes to choosing the ideal bow length (especially with recurve bows). Getting a bow that would provide you the best shooting experience depends on the draw length, and draw weight. Here is a small chart that shows the recommended bow lengths to compatible draw lengths and draw weights. Please note this chart is in reference to recurve bows only.

The discipline of archery that you are going to do with the bow is also a factor in choosing which bow length to get. Field and bowhunting recurve bows are generally shorter in length compared to recurve bows made for target archery. Many field and bowhunting recurves are 62" and 64", in some cases you can even get 58" bowhunting recurves. Being a shorter bow means that the limbs flex more and this generates a higher arrow speed. Target archery recurve bows are generally longer as they offer the archer a smoother draw which is preferred especially when shooting at longer distances.

The majority of compound bows on the market today generally have a length of 30" or 31" unless they are specifically built for junior archers in which case they will be shorter. It's recommended to use a release aid when shooting a modern compound bow.

 

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Should I buy a Recurve or a Compound?

This really depends on the type of archery you want to do, how much you want to spend and of course which style you personally prefer. Compound bows offer much more speed and performance compared to recurve or longbows however they generally cost more and have more 'mechanical' components. Meaning that there are much more moving parts which can wear down over time and need more servicing and repairs. Compound bows also weigh more than recurves due to the extra components on them. Recurve bows and Longbows are more user friendly and are ideal sharing bows compared to compounds. You can bowhunt with either compound or recurve however the majority of Australian bowhunters prefer compound bows due to the extra performance that they offer. Target archers prefer recurve bows as in the Olympics they only shoot with recurves. Recreational archers can go either way with compound or recurves but as mentioned before recurve bows are a better bow when it comes to sharing with other people. Traditional archers prefer one-piece recurve bows, longbows and other traditional style bows such as horse bows.

 

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What are the parts of an arrow?

  • Shaft: The long part of the arrow.
  • Fletching: The plastic vanes or feathers on an arrow.
  • Arrow Point or Arrowhead: The point of the arrow.
  • Nock: A slotted plastic tip located on the rear end of the arrow that snaps onto the string and holds the arrow in position.

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What are Arrow Spine Ratings?

Arrow spine ratings are in relation to the draw weight of the bow the arrow is to be shot from and also the draw length of the archer. Below is a general guide as to what is the ideal spine rating for you.

It's also recommended to check the arrow manufacturer’s spine ratings as arrow spine rating isn't standardised.

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