3 Definitive Reasons Why You Need a Bow Scale
Once you start getting into archery, the gear and accessories to acquire can seem never-ending. The bow and arrow aren’t the only things that can make each shot perfect. Keep reading to learn all you need to know about the bow scale and why it’s a necessary tool for archery.
What is a Bow Scale?
Before purchasing archery equipment, it’s important to understand what the tool does and how it works. A bow scale is a device that attaches to your bowstring and is used to measure a bow’s draw weight. Draw weight is also sometimes referred to as bow poundage and describes the force needed to pull back the bowstring a certain distance.
It’s important to measure your bow draw weight because it will determine the power of your shots. Amazon Bow scales can come in mechanical and digital versions at the local archery shop. Mechanical scales use a spring to transmit the force, while digital bow scales have a sturdy linkage.
Bow scales will typically last a long time once you’ve purchased a good one. A high-quality bow scale will be accurate and consistent. It’s nice that some are even capable of higher poundage if you ever want to use it for measuring tension on strings and cables for measuring length, or for redoing a center serving.Â
In order to measure a bow’s draw weight, you must have a bow scale. You can find them in archery stores and online. Simply attach the scale to the bowstring, pull it back, and read the weight on the scale.
How to Use a Bow Scale
Now that you know why they’re important, let’s discover how to use your new archery accessory. The mechanism to use a bow scale may be different depending on the type of bow you use. Once you’ve got a bow scale, you’ll need to calibrate it to ensure the readings are accurate.
To calibrate your bow scale, find an item with a known weight, place it on the scale, and note the weight reading. Then be sure to adjust the scale until it reads the same weight as the item. This step will allow you to use the scale with accurate measurements.Â
For compound bows, you simply need to attach the scale to the bowstring. Then, draw your bow to the point of let-off to get the actual draw weight. The draw length doesn’t matter in this situation since the draw weight is conditioned to be the same due to the mechanism built into it.
The case will be different, however, if you’re an archer with a long or recurve bow. In that case, you’ll need to bring your bow to full draw (28 inches is the standard draw length for recurve bows) before taking your readings. However, if drawing that far is an issue, you can make do with your preferred draw length.
It’s important to understand how to use this device before diving in. Be sure to read the instructions and check out reviews from the brand you purchase. You can’t reap the benefits of a bow scale without fully understanding how to operate the device.
Reasons You Need a Bow Scale
Every archer needs a bow scale to improve their skill and create convenience. In fact, most professionals recommend that you don’t use a bow without figuring out the right draw weight with a scale. There are plenty of benefits to using a bow scale before shooting in archery lessons.
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Prevent Injuries
The worst thing that can happen is getting injured during your favorite sport. It takes considerable force to pull back the strings of a bow. This makes it possible to encounter some injuries when the draw weight is more than your physical capability.
Keep in mind that you will do a long bow drawing as you go about your archery practice. If, for example, your physical stamina can only draw 40 pounds, drawing a heavier weight of 45 pounds over a long period can cause injury. It can put a lot of pressure on your arms which can lead to muscle fatigue or other serious injuries in the long term.
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Ethics
If you’re a bowhunter, there are certain ethics you need to adhere to that are considered crucial. There are even laws to guide them throughout each state. One of them has to do with a bow’s draw weight.Â
As we mentioned previously, your draw weight determines the power of your shots. While you’re out hunting, you want to make sure your shots deliver enough power to take your game down without making it suffer. If your shots don’t have enough power, you can risk injuring an animal without killing it.
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Accuracy
As an archer, your bow, stamina, and technique greatly affect your performance. Drawing a heavier archery bow weight than you should place your shoulders under a lot of stress which can affect the stability and accuracy of your shots.
Therefore, it’s important to adjust your poundage to your capacity. This will allow you to draw the archery bow more comfortably so you can achieve your best performance. With the bow scale in your archery gear kit, you’re bound to hit the target each time.Â
Where to Find Bow Scales
There are many different brands when it comes to finding a bow scale. Your local archery shop will likely bring you the most luck in finding one of high-quality. That way, you can also get professional help and test it out before purchasing.
You may also be able to find bow scales at other outdoor and sports stores. If you’re looking to increase your accuracy without leaving the house, you can even find them online. This archery accessory is affordable at around $30.Â
Hitting that target has never been easier with all your expert archery gear! Investing in a bow scale is bound to improve your game all around and in archery lessons. Before you go, don’t forget to check out some more archery content from Crow Survival.Â
