Brace Height

[TomMcDonald]

Hi TradGangers,
I'm starting to tune by new bow now and need advice on brace height.
It sits at just a tad more than 6" now and I want it to come up to about 8".
Is there a formula that will determine the ballpark of the brace height based on string length and bow length? My local archery shop is a clown house so I want to order a string from someone, but want to get the length exactly right so I only need to make fine adjustments from there.

Also, would a low brace height like mine be causing my bow to be shooting poorly, ie with less power than it should be?

Tom.

PS bow is a 55lb@28" - 62".

Thanks.

[SCATTERSHOT]

What kind of bow is it?

Recurve 7 3/4" +/-
Longbow 6 1/2" +/-
Hybrid  7 1/2  +/-

String should be around 4" less than the bow length, measured nock to nock on the back side, following the contours of the bow, unless it's a longbow, which should be 3" shorter..

[TomMcDonald]

Thanks Scattershot.
The bow is a Samick Deerslayer Takedown.
And before you all turn your noses up, it is my first bow and it's fine for now.
A Dryad Orion is going on order in the next few months      

[Dozer]

Don't be ashamed of your bow. You don't need a thousand dollar, custom built bow to be a good archer. Lots of hunters on here have bows that are very old and 'considered' cheap but they take deer with them.

If I had to take a GUESS at your brace height I'd say it would be between 7.5'-8.5" but that it is just a guess. I set my recurve at 8.5"

[Peter Arthur]

I'm not familiar with that model, but if it's a Recurve, go with what Scattershot suggests.
My ChekMate Hunter requires 8" or so, so I presume you're safe with his suggestions.
Higher brace height means less power delivered to the arrow when released (as far as I have experienced anyway).This will reduce your arrow spine requirement.

[TomMcDonald]

Originally posted by Peter Arthur:
I'm not familiar with that model, but if it's a Recurve, go with what Scattershot suggests.
My ChekMate Hunter requires 8" or so, so I presume you're safe with his suggestions.
Higher brace height means less power delivered to the arrow when released (as far as I have experienced anyway).This will reduce your arrow spine requirement.

Oh, I was under the impression that the higher the brace height, or the shorter the string, the more you can get the limbs to flex and the more power you can get going. Is this not the right idea?

[longstick]

Nothing at all wrong with a Samick! Good shooting bow, brother has one he hunts with. Id start at 8" and play with it from there

[TomMcDonald]

well these particular Samicks are bad.
My friend and I bought one on the same day and have both had them replaced. My limbs were really badly twisted and his exploded on him the second day he had it. It was a manufacturing flaw so they gave us new bows.
The old ones were alot better apparently.
Anyone have a comment on brace height versus power?

[SCATTERSHOT]

Actually, the power stroke is what gives you your cast. The longer the power stroke (lower the brace height) the longer the power in the limbs will act on the arrow, making it faster. Go too low, and you'll get erratic flight and excessive limb vibration.

[TomMcDonald]

Cool thanks Scattershot. But go too hight and....???

[SCATTERSHOT]

Too high will give you good arrow flight, but a slower speed because it's not getting the most efficiency from the limbs. It's a balancing act.