Finding it difficult to reach those longer outdoor distances with a recurve style bow? Well there are things you can do without spending a fortune on new limbs and new arrows. Let’s have a look at what you can change on your bow to shoot further.
Sight Marks
If you have a sight move your sight down to reach a longer distance, if you are already at the bottom of your sight or very close to hitting your arrow when it’s on the arrow rest the next thing to try is bringing your sight arm in towards the bow. This will produce a less exact shot but the more you bring it in towards the bow the higher your arrows will travel.
String
Now let’s look at your string. If you are shooting a cheap string, or are using an old string buy a new one. The difference in sight marks is incredible on a new fast string. Look at Nitro or Reign strings made of 8190 or 8125 strings. Also too many strands in the string will also slow down the string, so make sure you buy a string with the correct number of strands in it.
Nock Points
If you are using metal nock points remove them and change them to thread nock points. Having metal nock points on your string slows it down. Thread will increase the speed of the string which will send your arrows out faster. There are lots of YouTube videos on how to tie them on yourself.
Arrow Rest
Now onto the arrow rest, if you are using a plastic arrow rest like a Hoyt Super Rest change it to a metal arrow rest. Again plastic arrow rests will slow down the arrow leaving your bow.
Brace Height
Check your brace height is set correctly. This is altered by adding or removing twists in your string. Look in your manufacturer’s guide book that came with your riser for recommended values. If the bracing height is increased then when the bow is drawn the arrow is drawn less against the string and so there will be less energy stored in the bow.
Arrows
Let’s talk arrows. If you are shooting fat indoor arrows outside they are going to slow down and have more drag than a skinnier arrow. They are also going to be affected a lot more by the wind. Think about buying some new arrows. You don’t have to buy new, look on Ebay for second hand arrows. You can also buy some versions singularly and don’t always have to buy sets of 8 or 12. A very popular outdoor arrow is the Easton ACC arrow.
Limbs
Finally, your limbs, you don’t have to go out and purchase new limbs you may be able to increase your draw weight on your current limbs by turning the bolts inwards. If you are going to do this make sure you give both the top and bottom limbs the same number of turns. I usually put a pencil line down both bolts so I can tell how much or how many turns I have made on the bolts. Increasing the draw weight means more power launching that arrow.
Overall
Hopefully trying some of these changes will allow you to shoot further. Each change may make a small difference, but if you combine a number of these changes you could see anywhere from a 1 to 2 cm change in your sight marks.