How Can I Tell If My Hoyt Magnatec Bow Cams Are Bad?

Hoyt Magnatec is a compound bow first sold in 2002. It has two sets of cams, which are used as pulleys. Cams have the bow string wrapped around them to make it easier to pull a bow back before you fire it. Owners of all compound bows, newer and older, must frequently inspect all their equipment for signs of wear. Cams do wear out over time.

Things You'll Need

  • 600- to 800-grit sandpaper
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Instructions

    • 1

      Look for any nicks where the string touches the cam. These are common on the bottom of a cam where a bow comes into contact with the ground. This usually occurs when a hunter sets the bow down or lowers it from a tree stand. Nicks can damage a bowstring and possibly cause injury if it they make the string break. File down cams until they are smooth again, using 600- to 800-grit sandpaper.

    • 2

      Check for any other visible signs of damage, such as hairline cracks, on each of the cams. If any pieces are broken off or appear to be worn, replace them immediately. Worn cams can break while the bow is being drawn back. If they break at full draw, other parts of the bow, including the limbs and string, will be damaged.

    • 3

      Shoot your bow and test for tight groups. Tight groups occur when an archer shoots several arrows, one at a time, and each hits the target in close proximity to the others. If your bow is not shooting tight groups, your cams are likely out of tune and need to be replaced.

    • 4

      Look at the back of your bow's cams and see if either is leaning in. If so, a bow dealer will be able to twist up the cable split yoke to fix the problem.