How to Figure out the Draw Weight at Home

The draw weight refers to the pounds of pressure required to draw the bowstring. Determining the current draw weight on a bow and the preferred draw weight for the archer is an easy process. The draw weight must be comfortable to prevent excessive strain on the archer. Strain leads to an unstable position and inaccurate shooting. The draw weight also must be heavy enough to generate arrow speed. Modern compound bows relieve the draw weight near the end of the draw with the cam system. The relief allows the archer to draw a heavy poundage while comfortably holding the bow at full draw.

Things You'll Need

  • Digital draw scale
  • Bow
  • Hex wrench
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Instructions

    • 1

      Clip a digital draw scale to the nock loop on the bowstring. Pull the scale and string into a full draw and hold for two seconds. Slowly return the string to the resting position and read the results. This is the current draw weight.

    • 2

      Identify the feeling associated with the draw after you have returned the string. The draw must require some strength but not all of your strength. Roughly 70 to 80 percent strength is a normal draw.

    • 3

      Use a hex wrench to turn the hex nut associated with the draw weight on your bow. Turn in a counterclockwise motion two full turns to lower the draw 5 pounds. Turn clockwise to add 5 pounds.

    • 4

      Draw the bow with the new poundage and monitor the overall feeling associated with the weight. Continue adjusting in slight increments until you have reached a comfortable draw weight.