How to Set Up a Recurve Bow In 5 Easy Steps
Learning to shoot is one thing, but setting up your bow for success every time is equally as important. There are several steps to setting up your bow, including acquiring extra gear from the archery shop, assembling pieces, and more. We’ll dive into how you can set up your recurve bow for maximum shooting power.
Equipment for Setting Up a Recurve Bow
When you’re testing out bows and purchasing one, it’s crucial to mind the add-on equipment you’ll need to get it in tip-top shape. A recurve is used in Olympic shooting competitions where the arm of the bow bends away from the shooter. Some equipment is required, but you can also add accessories to make it quieter or perfect your shots.
The first thing you’ll need is an area to work on your bow. Clear a table, head to your workbench, and make space in the garage; wherever you have ample space to set up that recurve. Next, make sure you have an allen wrench or a hex driver.
Since you’ll be stringing the bow, a bowstring, and stringer are required. Be sure that you still have the limb screws that came with your bow, as well as the upper and lower limbs. Don’t forget that a bow riser will also be necessary.
You will need crimp-on nocking points to get the recurve bow in check for shooting. Additionally, acquire some nocking point crimping pliers. Lastly, make sure you have a bow square. If you struggle to find these items, make a search for an archery shop near me!
Steps to Setting Up a Recurve Bow
-
Assemble the pieces of the recurve bow.
Before you can start choosing add-ons and customizing equipment, it’s important to assemble the pieces properly first. If your bow is brand new, start by removing it from the packaging. It’s recommended that you lay all the pieces out to ensure everything is there.
Once all your tools are ready and your parts are unboxed, lay the bow out and attach its limbs. This is when you’ll need the Allen wrench or hex driver to assemble the pieces. The lower limb is always the one with writing on it, showing the bow length and draw length.
Make sure to align the riser’s pegs with the holes on the limb. Squeeze the limb and riser together and start to thread the screw with your fingers. At this point, you should still be able to see light in the gap.
Tighten your screw until it is hand-tight. It’s important not to over-tighten or make it too loose. After it’s fastened securely, repeat this process for the other limb.
Take time to guarantee that the limbs of the bow are all adjusted to the same level. This majorly affects arrow flight and accuracy. Once you have those limbs even, it’s time to install any accessories you may need.
-
Recurve Bow Accessories
One accessory you may consider adding to a recurve bow is a string silencer. They’re those large fuzzy things you see attached to some bows. These pieces cut down on string noise to keep your position hidden.
Sights are another helpful accessory in archery lessons and competitions. A three-pin sight can be attached to the recurve bow for more accurate shooting. Each of the pins represents a different distance, so after the bow is set up properly, you can begin working on ranging.
You’ll need an arrow rest on the lip of the recurve’s front. Having a rest allows for smooth movement as the arrow propels forward. Smooth movement ensures that the arrow goes where you’re intending with minimal resistance to the shot.
Staying steady while you’re shooting is a vital step to successful archery. If you get the jitters or struggle to hold the bow in position, a stabilizer may be your new best friend. It keeps your archery bow level while aiming, increasing your chances of hitting that target.
-
Seat the bowstring with a stringer
Once all your accessories are ready and the bow’s body is assembled, it’s time for the bowstring. It’s hard to achieve this step quickly without the help of a stringer. It works by holding one end of the bow, allowing you to add resistance and fit a taut shooting string.
Without a stringer, you may be in a strenuous battle against the line and your wrists. Using a stringer is most ideal because you can place the looped end on the ground while dragging the top fork down to meet your string. Having this advantage is critical in steading the string properly.
A string that’s improperly placed could fling off the end and injure shooters and other surrounding people. Start by attaching the covered end. That covered area will surround the fork and should provide some leverage to string the archery bow.
Pull the stringer tight so the bow can compress enough to start the string onto the fork. The stringer is best used by standing on the end with the rope loop. Using this method will allow you to wrench back on the covered end and create the force needed to seat the string.
With enough force to bend the bow, take the string’s small end and attach it to the bow’s bottom fork. To clarify, the bottom fork is underneath the handrest. Getting the string onto your bow can be a frustrating job, but with some proper gear and patience, you’ll be set.
-
Set the nock point properly
A nocking point on your bow is the location that acts as a guide for arrow nocking. It’s a simple metal piece that crimps onto the bowstring, providing a spot for the arrow to rest on the string. This piece sets the foundation for accurate shooting.
Keep in mind that it may take some work to get the nock point set in the proper position. Once the nock is crimped, it’s important to make sure the arrows are nocked level. Being unlevel can leave the rest at an odd angle with a wide shot.
There are a couple of things to watch out for when it comes to setting the nock point on your recurve bow. The nock point height is one of the most crucial parts of setting up your entire bow according to archery talk. Improper height will force the arrow off-target and could potentially cause erratic flight patterns.
Before ascending to the next step, you must measure the brace and nock height. Having a clear idea of those measurements will help you out come testing time. Be prepared for some back and forth as you tweak for the most ideal heights.
-
Center the arrow on the rest
Something that can prevent arrows from hitting your archery target<span style=”font-weight: 400;”> is the arrow’s movement. When it leaves the bow’s body, the arrow shakes and moves around. If it is not centered, your arrow will wobble when fired.
The most critical part of centering the arrow is providing enough space for it to clear the rest while staying on the archery target. Precise measurements for how far to adjust the arrow rest padding can vary depending on the draw length of your bow. It’s smart to check the owner’s manual for more specific instructions on rest padding with your bow.
There are a few rules of thumb to go by when centering your arrows. When you’re drawing the arrow back, try to look down the site and see how the arrow leans. If the archery equipment<span style=”font-weight: 400;”> moves slightly to the left, it should fire accurately.
Moving straight ahead could indicate wobbling and an ineffective shot. The test draws the bow to full draw several times to ensure that it always returns to the same location. If it doesn’t adjust with the pad and continue drawing until you have consistency.
-
Take some test shots
Once your arrows are nocked and in their proper position, you should head out to the range. It’s time to get a few shots on some targets. It’s advised to fire both fletched and unfletched arrows at the target.
Each arrow has a different flight pattern, giving you a clearer idea of the bow’s accuracy. Porpoising is what archery talk refers to as an arrow’s tail swerving when fired. This term gets its silly name from the sea mammal that must return underwater to breathe.
When preparing for your test shots, set up your target about 20 yards from your firing position. You don’t want to go any farther because unfletched arrows can be difficult to track down. Anything over 20 yards practically guarantees they won’t reach the target.
Now, it’s time for the fun part! Start by shooting a few arrows without the fletching first, and mark where they land on your target. If your unfletched archery equipment<span style=”font-weight: 400;”> is landing higher than the others, you need to move the nocking piece up until they are even.
Now that you know each step of setting up a recurve bow, from necessary equipment to taking test shots, you’re ready to pick your bow! Be sure to have patience during the process and never be afraid to consult the professionals of your local archery shop near me. If you’re looking for additional advice, check out some more of Crow Survival’s archery content!
