Whenever I shot a compound I pulled 28" so I figured it would be close to the same on my trad bow, I assumed 27" because most say it is a little shorter.

I just checked my draw length to middle of the shelf. I'm only gettin a 26 draw. Ordered a 53# bow @ 28" assuming I'd be hitting a 27" draw and 50#. Looking like I may only be at 47-48#.

Thoughts? Bad form? Bad back tension?

measure to the front of the riser to measure your draw not the middle

Draw length is measured from the throat of the nock to the front of the shelf. If you measured to the middle you may have shorted yourself an inch or maybe even an inch and a half.

Stiks

one more thing. Work on good form and back tension and you may gain another half inch or more.

Stiks

Dwill.........the draw length is not measured from the center of the shelf. I measure mine from the back of the bow. I think it is actually measured 1.5" from the deepest part of the grip.

I only draw 25 inches and shoot 48 lbs and have no problem. Keep it tuned and the broadheads sharp.  

yup to the front of the rizer bud. you should have (assuming this is a recurve)about a 27.5 or 28 inch draw. just a simple mistake your not stupid. i always used to measure to th back or the riser until someone on here corrected me
steven

If you just ordered the bow call the bowyer. It's probably not too late. If he's busy he probably hasn't started it yet.

Keeping the Faith!
Magnus

Sounds like you're just starting out in traditional archery.  Welcome!  You are gonna have a blast.

What you are now thinking of as stupid is actually not a bad thing.  Starting out with a lower weight bow will help you develop good form and with practice, accuracy will follow.  And you are right...48# is enough.

Good luck!

I didnt gain much...26 3/4 max

Did you pull back to your anchor point? Remember most of the time with the wheels your bow arm was straighter,and with the trad it's bent slightly. You only lost an inch max. Nothing  stupid on your part,just tune your arrows with some extra weight (200gr up front)and you are good to go.

I've been shooting trad for about 2 years now, but recently got a heavier bow. Maybe I haven't warmed up to the extra weight yet.

What Stiks-n-Strings said X2 ! You will pick up at least a 1/2" and more like 1" with good form. With proper back tension, elbow down and everything in a good line you will be surprised how much longer your draw becomes. After a night or two with Rod Jenkins I had to check my bow to make sure I was not pulling the string off !!! Thanks Rod !  

That bow, as is, drawn to 26", will shoot through any whitetail I ever saw. Don't worry about it. Learn to shoot the bow well and have fun.

I'm doing well with the bow so far. Thanks for the positive comments guys.

I'm 6' 250lbs. and I shot an 80lb. wheelie for years when I was younger, now my trad set up is a #48 Bear Grizzly and my actual draw is only about 27"........it was passed down to me from my favorite uncle and I love it!
A #50 or #55 would be nice, but I have all the confidence in the world with my Grizzly, and it's real comfortable to shoot. There's plenty of KE there for killing just about anything you want to......keep your broadheads sharp and your shots in the boiler room!

Andrew,

In my former life when I shot a compound (also with fingers), I drew 31".  When I "found" traditional archery and started shooting a recurve, my draw was 28".  After a few years, I figured out one little thing to improve my form, and have shot 29" draw length ever since.

Once we figure out the form question, our draw length is what it is... no more... no less!

Don't worry about the NUMBER of inches you pull, just that you fully "load up" the bow with proper form, shot, after shot, after shot!

You might consider asking for a good training DVD for Christmas: Masters of the Barebow 3, available from several Trad Gang sponsors.  I could have saved five years of trial and error (mostly error) if something similar had been available when I started 100 years ago!!!

Thanks for the good advice Daryl. I've been wantin to get some good videos and books.

I have no trad archer friends in my area so I'm on my own in this adventure for now. I wish I had a mentor, I just don't.

I know I have enough power to kill basically anything I want.

If I got a decent video of me shooting, would you guys be kind enough to tell me of what I need to improve?

The bigger the rack- the shorter the draw.  

Just shoot small deer and you won't have to worry about it!    

Good luck- #48 will kill about anything in N. America

Dan in KS

I agree with sticksnstrings. Im 16 and about the same build (with a little extra on the belly side) and have had the same problem. With better form I can get 28" at the middle of the shelf and have improve my shooting by a butt load.