Brace Height and Arrow Flight?

Buxndiverdux · January 15, 2012, 05:40:00 PM

I've been shooting my longbow for 3 months now and my arrow flight has been consistantly erratic. My accuracy has been getter better each week. But my arrow flight has never been satisfactory to me. I had chalked it up to poor release and have been concentrating on it a lot. But I adjusted my brace height 1/8" shorter yesterday and noticed better arrow flight, with a few shots and figured I'd shorten it another 1/8" today to see if that helped and viola!!! My arrow flight is really clean when I do my part. So my question is did I tune my bow to my arrows or did I learn a smooth release the last few days? I think my release is the same. What have you guys noticed when adjusting brace height? My arrows are Beman MFX Classic's full length at 540 grains total arrow weight. 56" 57# @ 28". My draw length is 27 1/2". I do not know what the draw weight is at my draw length right now. Thanks for your replys.

lpcjon2 · January 15, 2012, 05:45:00 PM

Your drawweight would be around 55-56# and each bow has a sweet spot and I think you found it,along with the release. You always always have to concentrate on good form(release is part of that) toshoot consistantly. your arrows and bow could be a perfect match and if your form is crap so will the arrow flight and impact.Good on you for sticken with it.

X2 · January 15, 2012, 05:48:00 PM

As you increase your brace height your arrows will act weaker. You were probably on the stiff side, and when you adjusted your brace height it made your arrows act weaker. I run my brace height at the higher end on all my bows.

Buxndiverdux · January 15, 2012, 06:02:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by X2:
As you increase your brace height your arrows will act weaker. You were probably on the stiff side, and when you adjusted your brace height it made your arrows act weaker. I run my brace height at the higher end on all my bows.

Does that mean I could put my brace height back to where it was (1/4" longer) and shorten my arrows by an inch and get the same results?

X2 · January 15, 2012, 06:30:00 PM

An inch would probably be to much, but you could move your brace back and then try a heavier point to verify that is the way you need to go. If they fly good with the heavier point, then you could cut 1/4 inch at a time with the lighter point. It does not take much on carbon arrows. Go slow as it is pretty hard to add length back.

Have fun with it. Only make one change at a time.

Buxndiverdux · January 15, 2012, 07:28:00 PM

What is the advantage of moving my brace height back to max suggested length?

pitt98 · January 15, 2012, 07:33:00 PM

Shortening your arrows would raise the spine, not weaken it. If you want to go back down to that brace height shooting a slightly weaker spined arrow, then you can either add some point weight, or go a little longer with new arrows.

pitt98 · January 15, 2012, 07:38:00 PM

A shorter brace height usually results in a "smoother" draw, and gives you a longer power stroke, which "can" give you a touch more performance.
Remember, raising the brace height effectively weakens the arrow spine, and lowering the brace height effectively stiffens the arrow spine. Hope that helps.

Orion · January 15, 2012, 07:59:00 PM

What kind of bow are you shooting, and what is your b race height now?

BWD · January 15, 2012, 08:06:00 PM

Just keep in mind, to an extent, length trumps weight, on a carbon arrow. You might be able to shorten your shaft, and add weight to some extent; but, if you shorten it too much...it's either adding a whole lotta weight or it's too short forever. Ask me how I know.

X2 · January 15, 2012, 08:44:00 PM

You are probably already stiff, so yes cutting them shorter would make them stiffer. It takes a lot of point weight to weaken carbon shafts.

JimB · January 15, 2012, 08:55:00 PM

He said he shortened his brace height,not increased it.

Buxndiverdux · January 15, 2012, 09:00:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by JimB:
He said he shortened his brace height,not increased it.

Correct...

xtrema312 · January 15, 2012, 10:06:00 PM

I adjust my bow to where it sounds and feels best on the shot. Then I tune my arrow to it. What spine and point weight are you shooting ?

bucksbuouy · January 16, 2012, 06:42:00 PM

you have got to shorten those shafts. drawing 27 1/2" and shooting a 32" arrow would be like shooting a wet noodle man. whats the spine size on your shafts? whats your point weight? you cant begin to play with brace height until you got your arrows right. feel free to send me a post message.

Buxndiverdux · January 16, 2012, 09:26:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by bucksbuouy:
you have got to shorten those shafts. drawing 27 1/2" and shooting a 32" arrow would be like shooting a wet noodle man. whats the spine size on your shafts? whats your point weight? you cant begin to play with brace height until you got your arrows right. feel free to send me a post message.

Beman FMX 500 Classics. Brass insert and 145gr field point.

bucksbuouy · January 16, 2012, 10:57:00 PM

If you get those shafts cut to 28.5" at the base of point you are going to be just about perfect... but thats a pretty snappy bow ya got there so Ill bet if you drop the point weight a little to 100 or 125 your really going to get good flight. If you do that you can just go ahead and set brace at the manufacturers highest recommended setting and be done with it. If total mass weight is an issue for you, you can fill your shafts with rice or coffee or something.