65% or 80% let off, which do you choose?
#11
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location:
Posts: 2,994
RE: 65% or 80% let off, which do you choose?
Theoretically, but at 70# draw the difference between 80% and 65% is only 10.5# (24.5# at 65% and 14# at 80%)... Not a bunch of difference, and well worth the trade off for steadier aiming and more solid feel at full draw, in my opinion... for $5, I'm gonna go to 65%, as I can always switch back if I don't like it...
#12
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Central Louisiana
Posts: 144
RE: 65% or 80% let off, which do you choose?
Rangeball be sure to let me know how you like the 65% let off after you get it back. I had thought about giving it a try myself. By the way my Bowmaster portable press is the best 30 something dollar investment I ever made. Works great on my Hornet.
#14
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location:
Posts: 2,994
RE: 65% or 80% let off, which do you choose?
Drew, I'm guessing that the 65% comes up to full poundage a split second longer, allowing more of the bows stored energy to be applied to the arrow on the power stroke... but it's only a guess...
#15
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,175
RE: 65% or 80% let off, which do you choose?
Actually, it's because the bow doesn't let off as far. That extra 10 pounds that you hold with the 65% wheels goes into the total pounds your bow stores at full draw.
80% holds easier, but you sacrifice stored energy for the easier holding. Not the mention all the other nasties we talked about.
80% holds easier, but you sacrifice stored energy for the easier holding. Not the mention all the other nasties we talked about.
#16
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Hepzibah WV USA
Posts: 313
#18
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location:
Posts: 2,413
RE: 65% or 80% let off, which do you choose?
If the biggest concern is accuracy, it would seem to me that more important than any particular percentage of letoff reduction, would be a defined draw weight to hold. If one person is drawing 75 lbs with 80% letoff, the holding weight is 15 lbs. If another is drawing 50 lbs with a 65% letoff, then they are holding an almost identical weight - 17.5 lbs. Assuming draw length is the same, both situations should have the same torque at full draw.
Rather than advocate a percentage letoff, I think a particular holding weight would be a more appropriate goal. If a target shooter can be reasonably accurate shooting 50lbs at 65% letoff, then a bowhunter shooting 70+ at 80% letoff, shouldn't be at a significant disadvantage. Does anyone know at what holding weight the negative variables are reduced?
Also, when holding on an animal at full draw for a minute or more, 10 additional pounds of holding weight can indeed be significant. Accuracy can really suffer when you start shaking from a long hold at full draw, while waiting for just the right shot. The few extra fps speed from the 65% cam would be a poor trade off when comparing to the added hold-time of the greater letoff, in my opinion.
Rather than advocate a percentage letoff, I think a particular holding weight would be a more appropriate goal. If a target shooter can be reasonably accurate shooting 50lbs at 65% letoff, then a bowhunter shooting 70+ at 80% letoff, shouldn't be at a significant disadvantage. Does anyone know at what holding weight the negative variables are reduced?
Also, when holding on an animal at full draw for a minute or more, 10 additional pounds of holding weight can indeed be significant. Accuracy can really suffer when you start shaking from a long hold at full draw, while waiting for just the right shot. The few extra fps speed from the 65% cam would be a poor trade off when comparing to the added hold-time of the greater letoff, in my opinion.
#19
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,175
RE: 65% or 80% let off, which do you choose?
Nope, I ain't gonna bite and turn this into a P&Y argument.
I will say that it's a rare individual that can hold for a solid minute, regardless of letoff, and maintain the same accuracy they would have had if they had shot within 15 seconds after drawing the bow.
I will say that it's a rare individual that can hold for a solid minute, regardless of letoff, and maintain the same accuracy they would have had if they had shot within 15 seconds after drawing the bow.
#20
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: East Yapank NY USA
Posts: 3,457
RE: 65% or 80% let off, which do you choose?
I often practice holding my 80% 70lb mathews at full draw for over 3 mins then shooting. That 10 pounds is huge. It is about 40% heavier.
Draw early, hold long and shoot straight.
Draw early, hold long and shoot straight.