I'm thinking of footing my shafts externally, and am wondering is it would be wise to calculate the length of my footing to coincide with touching the shelf or my finger at full draw. That seems like it would help make my draw length be rock-solid consistent.
Anyone tried this, or if have any thoughts for or against?
A good idea I think. Some guys have painted lines or even a sort of lower cap dip for the same reasons, seems like it makes sense and I'd personally rather use that than a broadhead barb digging into my finger such as is also a common method.
I don't want a "bump" so pronounced that it could cause the nock to pop off the string, pulling the arrow off the string and causing a dry fire.
But it seems like it could work otherwise.
Same principle as Howard Hill using .38 shells as blunts. He could "feel" the rim. For him another way to check if he was at full draw.
I've found that I don't feel the footing as the sight window is radiused more than the thickness of the aluminum footing plus,the leather side plate is app. 1/16"(.0625") thick.Most footings range from .012"-.019".I don't think there's any way that will bump the back of the bow.
For me, since I shoot off of a rest, I think I'd feel it bump over. I think I'm going to give it a try.
If it works as a drawn-length check, it might be worth it to glue on a tiny rim of the footing shaft at the right spot, to function only as such, and put the actual footing at the tip of the arrow.
One of the guys I shoot with cut small width strips of a wrap, about 1/4 inch wide. He uses those as a draw check. Might be a little less "bump" and a little easier to apply.
The only problem with a draw check system is that it always seems to take my focus off my spot... Oh sure.... a draw check has huge advantages, but i find it to be too much of a distraction personally. I tried exactly what you are proposing and my radius shelf allowed the footing to come past the back of the riser, and putting a stop on the riser for it to bump into interfered with my arrow clearance..... it wasn't worth it to me.
I recently tried a limb mounted clicker to be used as a draw check.... After a week of shooting with it every day, i ended up taking it off. i was focusing more on the "Click" than i was my spot, and it was driving me nuts. This dad burn thing wore me out waiting for the click.....
I know a using a clicker takes some getting used to and can really help you learn to expand using good back tension as you release..... But it's just too much of a distraction for me.
My findings exactly Kirk. For me a draw check is useful shooting blind bale, otherwise to distracting.
I do. Here is a picture of the bevel I feel with my forefinger at full draw. My hunting gloves have that piece cut out to maintain consistency in field conditions.
Some guys can only shoot with clickers, some guys can't shoot to save their lives with one. Whatever works for you!
Thom
(http://thomjorgensen.com/bows/arrows/scale870.JPG)
I did this and found that in the moment I over drew the footing onto to the shelf and shot way left.
Won't be doing the footing again.
Mike
Kinda like Kirk here. Tried this with back of broad head reaching riser (no finger contact), and while it indicated my draw, it definitely distracted my concentration from the shot.