Archery has progressed over thousands of years, with recent technological advancements in materials, design and construction. Bows come in a variety of shapes and sizes, such as crossbows, recurve bows, compound bows and longbows, to match the shooting requirements of each archer. Every bow has specific features and measurements, so it is crucial to rate an archery bow before making a purchase. Select a bow that matches your personal shooting requirements.
Step 1
Check for a limited number of moving parts on the bow that could lead to malfunction during a shooting event or hunting trip. The cams---or wheels at the top and bottom of the bow---are an important feature on compound bows that help to create arrow speed. Consider features that allow add-on accessories to enhance the shooting experience, such as a quiver attachment.
Step 2
Shoot the archery bow on the target range. Use the same arrows and release for every bow you shoot. As you shoot, feel the smoothness of the draw, overall comfort of the bow in your hand and the shock and vibration after the shot.
Step 3
Measure arrow speed and analyze overall forgiveness. Most archers consider speed the No. 1 factor when rating archery bows, but forgiveness aids in accuracy. Speed allows a bow hunter to create enough kinetic energy to effectively shoot an animal, while a target shooter requires speed for accurate shots at various distances from the target.
Step 4
Measure the bow's length, which is critical for maneuverability and weight. As a bow increases in distance from axle to axle, the more stable it becomes while at full draw. The draw length refers to the distance required to pull the bow to full draw and must be set to the draw length of the individual shooter. Draw weight refers to the amount of pressure that must be used to draw the bow and is a significant factor in determining arrow speed.
Step 5
Test the materials for durability and review the warranty. Most archery bows are made from a combination of materials including wood, carbon, fiberglass, aluminum and magnesium. Bow manufacturers commonly have a one-year warranty for any defects to the materials, parts or construction.
Tips and Warnings
- As a general rule, the faster a bow shoots, the less forgiveness it has, making accuracy more difficult.
Things You'll Need
- Arrows
- Release
- Target
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