How to Adjust Brace Height on Recurve Bows? (With Recommendations)

ByWei Yang

Adjusting the brace height on a recurve, typically between 6-8 inches, fine-tunes performance. Higher brace height can boost arrow speed by up to 5 fps, enhance accuracy, and reduce noise and hand shock. Experiment with small changes within this range for optimal settings. Stiffer limbs perform better with lower settings.

Imagine adjusting the grip or stance when throwing darts: small tweaks can significantly affect the dart’s path. Similarly, tuning the distance between the bowstring and the grip, known as the brace height, optimizes how your bow transfers energy to the arrow, impacting its speed, accuracy, and smoothness. To adjust, simply twist the bowstring: add twists to increase the height or untwist to decrease it. Small changes can improve arrow flight. This fine-tuning helps you hit your target with precision.

  • Measure from the grip to the string, setting brace heights at 7½”-8½” for compact bows, 8″-9″ for standard bows, and 8¾”-9½” for extended bows to optimize performance.
  • Start with your bow manufacturer’s suggested brace height, then adjust by adding or removing twists; verify with precise tools for best results.

Recommended Brace Height for Recurve Bows

Setting up your bow correctly is pivotal for maximizing your bow’s performance. This measurement—from the deepest part of the grip to the string—affects not just the arrow’s speed and accuracy, but the overall feel of the shot.

Optimal Brace Height Ranges by Bow Size

Compact Bows (62″ – 64″)

  • Optimal Brace Height Range: 7½” – 8½”
  • Typical User: These bows are typically suitable for archers with shorter draw lengths or for those who prefer a more compact bow for maneuverability, such as in field archery or bowhunting in dense environments.

Standard Bows (66″ – 68″)

  • Optimal Brace Height Range: 8″ – 9″
  • Typical User: These bows are often a good fit for archers with average height and draw lengths. They offer a balance between power and maneuverability and are commonly used in various forms of archery.

Extended Bows (70″ – 72″)

  • Optimal Brace Height Range: 8¾” – 9½”
  • Typical User: These bows are typically used by taller archers or those with longer draw lengths. They can also be preferred for target archery, where the size of the bow is less of a concern compared to the stability and accuracy it provides.

Archer Considerations: The ideal settings varies by bow size, archer physique, and bow design. For example, taller archers or those with longer draw lengths might find a higher settings are more beneficial. This adjustment ensures smoother arrow flight and reduces hand shock.

Manufacturer’s Recommendations: Begin with the settings suggested by your bow’s manufacturer. These recommendations are based on extensive testing of limb design and material properties to ensure optimal performance and safety. Fine-tune within these guidelines to accommodate your shooting style and conditions.

To adjust, tweak the string: increase the brace height by adding twists, or decrease it by removing them. Even minor modifications, about 1/4 inch, can significantly enhance how the bow responds.

Fine-Tuning Your Bow with Brace Height Adjustments

Tuning your bow can drastically improve its performance. If you notice louder than usual noise, excessive vibrations, or erratic arrow paths, it might be time for some adjustments.

Hope you guys find this video tutorial I liked about brace height adjustments for a recurve bow.

Video Tutorial

Here’s a straightforward guide to fine-tuning your setup:

Identifying Adjustment Needs:

  • Loud Noise & Vibration: A low brace height often causes this. Increasing it slightly can reduce these disturbances.
  • Erratic Arrow Flight: This inconsistency usually points to a need for height adjustment.
  • String Slap: Frequent slaps to your forearm suggest the height might be too high.

Essential Tools:

  • Bow Square: To ensure your bow’s measurements are precise.
  • Measuring Tape: Ideal for accurate distance measurement from the nock point to the rest.

Measuring Steps:

  • Locate the Nock Point: Find where the arrow fits onto the string.
  • Align the Bow Square: Place it against the grip, ensuring it’s straight.
  • Measure the Distance: From the nock point to the rest’s deepest part.

Adjustment Steps:

  • Loosen the String: Twist near the nock points. To decrease height, add twists; to increase, remove them.
  • Fine-tune: Adjust by half a twist at a time to avoid over-adjustment.
  • Secure the String: Ensure it’s evenly tightened after adjustments.

Rechecking Is Key: Always double-check the measurements post-adjustment. Small, precise tweaks are better than broad changes, which could damage the bow or affect its performance negatively.

By following these instructions, you’ll not only enhance your bow’s output but also its accuracy and the smoothness of your shots. Patience and minor adjustments are crucial for the perfect setup.

Optimizing Performance (Advanced Techniques)

There are other more advanced techniques to refine your bow’s performance once you’ve set your brace height. These methods fine-tune your setup for that perfect shot every time. Let’s dive into these techniques to streamline your tuning process.

Stabilization and Vibration Dampening

Adding a stabilizer extends the bow’s weight forward, reducing jump and improving balance, while dampeners absorb excess vibration. Together, these adjustments complement the brace height setting, smoothing out post-shot tremors for a steadier shooting experience.

Arrow Spine Tuning

Significant changes to brace height might necessitate a re-evaluation of your arrow’s spine to maintain flight accuracy and precision. It’s wise to test different arrows if substantial adjustments are made.

Alignment and Center Shot Tuning

Proper alignment and center shot are vital for accurate arrow flight. Any shifts caused by modifying the brace distance require checking and realignment to ensure your arrow strikes true to your target.

Tiller Tuning

Adjusting the tiller balances the upper and lower limbs of your bow, affecting arrow clearance and flight. Changes in brace settings might call for minor tiller adjustments to keep the arrow path clear and maintain accuracy.

Maintenance Tips

To keep your recurve in top shape, it’s vital to focus on the string quality and condition. High-quality strings resist stretching, maintaining stable settings over time, while proper serving minimizes wear.

Replacing a Worn-Out String

Watch for fraying or stretching, which compromises the recurve’s efficiency. Replacing your string promptly helps preserve the desired distance from the grip to the string, enhancing both shot accuracy and equipment reliability.

Effects of Incorrect Settings

Setting the string too low increases vibration to your hand disrupts arrow stability, and makes your shots noisier. It can also cause the string to hit your forearm painfully (known as a string slap) and put undue stress on the limbs, risking damage. Keep this setting within recommended limits to avoid these issues and protect your equipment’s longevity.

Conclusion

To wrap up, remembering these points is key to maintaining your bow’s effectiveness. Initially setting your bow’s height as per the manufacturer’s guidelines, typically between 6-8 inches, is advisable. Fine-tuning this setting by making slight adjustments within the acceptable range can reduce noise, decrease hand shock, and improve arrow groupings.

Keeping detailed records of these changes helps in determining what works best for your style and needs. Ensuring the consistency of this setting is vital for reliable shooting results. This involves using durable strings and replacing them as needed to prevent changes in tension that could alter your settings.

Avoid straying too far from the suggested range to prevent unwanted noise and inconsistent arrow paths. Sticking to a proven setting will enhance your bow’s performance, ensuring each release is as good as your last.

FAQs

Absolutely, it is a straightforward process. By altering the string length through the number of twists in the bowstring, you can customize it to fit your shooting style and needs better.

Either add or remove twists in the bowstring. Increasing the number of twists shortens the string, raising the brace height, while decreasing them lengthens the string, lowering it. Ideally, keeping the settings within an optimal range—typically 1-2 inches above the manufacturer’s recommendation—may enhance performance without significantly affecting efficiency.

You will need a bowstringer to string the bow safely and a bow square. Additionally, consider using digital tools like mobile apps that provide visual measurements.

If it is set too low, it can make the bow louder and more challenging to draw, which may also increase the wear and tear on both the string and the limbs. This setting intensifies the bow’s vibrations, making it less comfortable to shoot.

A too-high setting can impair the bow’s performance by making it feel sluggish and reducing its power. This inefficiency can lead to slower arrow speeds and a decrease in overall shot quality. You should go slightly above the recommended setting for drawing smoothness.

Regularly checking is crucial, especially the effects of environmental factors on the string material. For strings made of Dacron, more frequent checks are necessary as they are more susceptible to changes under these conditions. Adjust your brace height every 2-4 weeks, or even more often, depending on your local climate and string type for top shooting conditions.

Wei Yang, from Huntsville, Alabama, loves archery, especially with recurve bows. He's practiced for over five years, joining many tournaments. His passion for archery is about more than just competition; it's a source of joy and dedication.

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