Shooting with a release

[TC]

Well, I really did it. I shoot with a tab but I've recently injured my shooting hand. I don't know when (or if) my hand will be strong enough to shoot a bow again.

What are your thoughts on shooting a traditional bow off the shelf using a mechanical release? Would wooden arrows work OK or would I have to go to aluminum or carbon?

Thanks for your help.

[Tom Leemans]

I severed an extensor tendon years ago on my right hand. I tried using a release but didn't like it. Looking back I probably should have tried something much lower tech. (Strip of leather released by my thumb or something.) My hand works just fine now though.

[Sharpend60]

Why not shoot wood?

You'll have to re-tune every thing.
Also consider, when useing your fingers, it torques the string. That torque pushes the shaft against the side plate.
Allowing you to shoot off the shelf.
Be careful.

[far rider]

Originally posted by Sharpend60:
Why not shoot wood?

You'll have to re-tune every thing.
Also consider, when useing your fingers, it torques the string. That torque pushes the shaft against the side plate.
Allowing you to shoot off the shelf.
Be careful.

X2.

[pamike]

I tried this a couple months ago and man i could not get it to tune. Tried every arrow I had.

Btw I tried a trueball sweet spot.

[elkken]

For woodies you'll need to change to a snap style nock from a speed nock .. I have tried a mechanical release due to arthritis and it worked pretty well. An added benefit was that it was much easier to pull my bow, when you draw back holding the release it is much like a deep fingered draw with a glove only deeper. I went back to fingers after my shooting hand got better, but this could be in my future again at some point. I do think you would also benefit in accuracy too once you got all dialed in ....

[shag08]

I tried it a while back with a Hoyt Dorado just for the heck of it.  I put an eliminator button on the string below the arrow, brass knock above, and used the same caliper release that I used with my wheelies.

I did put an elevated rest on it at the time though.  I re-tuned everything and got it shooting pretty well.  I ended up going back to fingers and shooting off the shelf.  The set up worked well enough but I just prefer the feel of fingers with a stick bow.

Oh, I was shooting carbons through that set up.  I don't see why woodies wouldn't work though.

[meatCKR]

Here is a link to a youtube video of a dude shooting a recurve with a d-loop and a Whalens Hooker release.  It's a 14 minute video and he does not demonstrate using the release until the 10 minute mark.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXPv1o5FyWE

[pamike]

Tuning issue was every arrow was too weak. Same bow shoots 500's with fingers and can't get 7595 to show anything but weak. Funny thing is all arrows look the same - weak. Has to be a false weak but not sure what to change.

[CRS]

Build the shelf out, that should take of the weak/false weak.

Or it is a clearance issue.

[JDunlap]

I injured my fingers a couple of yrs ago also and had to try a release. I used a d loop and shot carbons. I don't see what difference it makes which type of arrow you use. You do have more pulling power, but it is a different ball game for someone who has never used one -- even in the limited time that I shot a compound in the 80's, I shot fingers and instinctive. As soon as I could, I got back to fingers.

[dragon rider]

I shoot a release and woodies.  I use a D loop and found no need to re-tune anything.  I have a hybrid release - the release itself is a "Little Bitty Goose" with a Tru-Ball wrist strap.

[pamike]

Build shelf out? I was thinking I needed a thinner back plate. I will have to try diff plate sizes.

[knobby]

Go weak on the arrow spine. It'll surprise you.

[pamike]

Guess I will try 600's before I play with shelf changes

[CRS]

Is the bow centershot?  You want string, shelf, arrow, release to line up.

I would try the different spine first also.  Easy to build the shelf out temporary.  Just use a matchstick, or thinner piece of cardboard or one of those fake plastic credit cards one always seems to get in the mail.

Are all the arrows shooting left?  Even the fletched ones?  With the bare shafts shooting farther left?

Are you getting the arrows to walk horizontally across the target with different spine?

[atatarpm]

Depending on your injourie you may want to look at a Winn Winn releace (sorry about my spelling tonite) Try what releace your going to use first and then adjust. I shoot wood and carbon with mine. Feel free to pm me if you wish.  Ric