How to Lower the Draw Weight on Compound Bows

The draw weight of a bow is a measurement of how much effort is required to pull the string to the shooting position. A compound bow's draw weight can be adjusted easily using a common piece of equipment and a little technical know how. Lowering the draw weight reduces strain on the users muscles, but it also lowers the force that the limbs of the bow deliver to the arrow. The arrow will have a slower speed and lack as flat of a trajectory as it flies towards the target. This makes it harder to aim over longer distances.

Things You'll Need

  • Allen key (hex key)
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Locate the limb bolts, which the two limbs to the riser. Check if your bow has limb bolt locks located on the riser just behind the limb bolts. If it does, then loosen them.

    • 2

      Tighten both limb bolts with an Allen key in a clockwise direction as far as they will go. Do not apply excessive force as this may damage the bow. Tightening the bolts like this will set the bow to the highest possible draw weight.

    • 3

      Loosen each limb bolt by quarter turn increments. Check between each increment to see if your desired draw weight has been reached by drawing the bow to the shooting position.

    • 4

      Make minor adjustments clockwise and counter clockwise if your desired draw weight is between two of these quarter turn increments, continuing to make minor adjustments until reaching the right draw weight.

    • 5

      Tighten the limb bolt locks if the bow has them.