The distance between the string at rest and the bow’s axel-to-axel measurement is known as brace height. For archers, knowing How to Measure Brace Height on a Compound Bow is critical because it dictates how much power a bow has and, as a result, how far an arrow may go.
The brace height of a compound bow is the distance between the string at rest and the grip’s center. This measurement should be as close as feasible to seven inches. This prevents over-travel or bounceback by ensuring that you have a full draw length before releasing an arrow.
Today, we’ll talk about what brace height is and how to measure it. We’ll also go over how to properly set up your bow and what brace height is recommended. We’ll go over the importance of brace height in greater detail at the end of this post, as well as what you should do to keep your brace height in check. As a result, you’d better stick together!
Contents
Proper and Easy Way to Measure Brace Height on a Compound Bow
What is a Brace Height?
Every archer, regardless of bow type, should be aware of brace height because it affects them all. But how tall should a brace be? Why should we be concerned about it? The distance between the string and the deepest point of the bow grip is known as brace height.
When the bow is undrawn, the distance between the pivot point of the riser located at the deepest portion of the grip on the belly side of the bow (the side facing the archer) and the bowstring is called brace height.
Brace heights on most traditional and compound bows range from 6 to 8 inches.
How does it affect Archery?
Brace height has two effects on bow performance: the lower it is, the closer the string is to the riser; the higher it is, the farther the string is from the riser. Because the arrow will spend more time tied to the bowstring, the arrow will fly faster.
If the brace height is raised, the arrow will leave the string sooner, resulting in a slower arrow speed but, in theory, a more forgiving bow because the arrow will be less influenced when attached to the string. By twisting or untwisting the bowstring, you may easily alter the brace height.
A shorter brace height results in increased arrow velocity. This is because, at rest, the bowstring is closer to the bow grip, so the bowstring must be drawn farther to reach the user’s draw length. An archer with a 30-inch draw length and a 5-inch brace height, for example, will draw the bowstring 25 inches.
However, the increased speed comes at the sacrifice of forgiving. The arrow stays linked to the bowstring for longer during the shot cycle because the bowstring is dragged further. That implies any flaws in the bow or archer will be exacerbated during the shot cycle. Things like bow torque or a badly tuned rest will have a bigger impact on arrow flight, lowering accuracy.
How to Measure Brace Height on a Compound Bow
The brace height of a compound bow is the distance between the string and the bowstring when it is strung.
While not the most significant factor in determining a bow’s accuracy, it is one of the most important. Better arrow flight and fewer irregularities in your shot can be achieved with an appropriate brace height.
The pivot point, which is the deepest section of the grip, is used to determine the height of the brace. Back the bowstring in its resting position. The Berger hole in the riser is often aligned with this. Both recurve and compound bows require brace height, but the fundamentals are different. We use a bow square to measure the brace height. Simply attach the square to the bowstring and measure the distance between the string and the Berger hole’s center.
The height of the brace, which is usually measured in inches, is crucial for getting a compound bow to fit properly. Measure from the center of the bow’s riser to the string, passing over the top of the limb. The height of the brace should be 1/2 inch less than the length of your pull.
When calculating brace height, the most common mistake is not accounting for whether you use a peep sight or a whisker biscuit. So keep vigilant and you’ll be able to handle it properly.
Conclusion
Despite the fact that brace height isn’t as significant as draw weight or draw length in determining whether a bow is suited for you, it is still an effective technique to do so. A bow with a shorter brace height will have both advantages and disadvantages, while a bow with a longer brace height will have both advantages and disadvantages.