How to Adjust a Browning Compound Bow

Archery has been with us since before the written word, and has been used for both hunting and warfare. In the modern setting, archery is most often done for sport. A modern version of the bow, invented by Holless Wilbur Allen in 1966, is the compound bow, which uses a lever and pulley system to bend the limbs of the bow. In the intervening years, the compound bow has become the dominant bow in the United States, due to its higher energy efficiency and durability. One popular brand of compound bow comes from firearms maker Browning, and is usually fairly easy to adjust.

Instructions

  1. Adjusting the draw weight

    • 1

      Turn the limb bolt clockwise until it refuses to turn anymore. This will set your bow to its maximum draw weight. An Allen wrench is ideal for this job. Be gentle when turning the limb bolt, or you may damage your bow.

    • 2

      Slowly pull the string back to see if the draw is comfortable, then slowly move the string back to a resting position. If you just let the string go without an arrow it could cause serious damage to both you and the bow.

    • 3

      Turn the limb bolt counterclockwise to lower the draw weight. It can be turned four times safely, which will lower it to its lowest weight setting. Make sure to adjust each limb of the bow to the same draw weight.

    Adjusting the Cam (draw length)

    • 4

      Remove the bolt from the cam by turning it counterclockwise. This can be done with an Allen wrench.

    • 5

      Reinsert the bolt in the desired cam. Each cam hole is marked with a letter that corresponds to a certain length of string draw. The first setting, "A," is the longest setting. Each subsequent letter gives a shorter draw. "B" would be shorter than "A," "C" shorter than "B" and so on.

    • 6

      Make sure all the cam screws are fully tightened before you shoot your bow.