Frequent draw weight changes - good or bad?

[DaNewb]

Hi All, I'm just getting into archery and having a ball. I picked up a Bear Cruzer G2 and set up a couple straw bales for a target stand, marked off 10y, 20y and 30y to start.

So anyways, the wife is interested in shooting too, just for fun, but only pulls about 20lbs draw weight where I'm pulling 40lb. So I've either got to set it at 20 and pull at her weight or change the bow's setup from 20 to 40 frequently if we're taking turns shooting together.

But changing the weight back and forth just seems like it wouldn't be good for the bow, am I wrong? Does it matter? It seems they're more designed to 'set it and forget it' for the most part, but they're also designed to allow weight changes...so how many and how often is too much?

Any advice?

[Buckjunkie]

Hi All, I'm just getting into archery and having a ball. I picked up a Bear Cruzer G2 and set up a couple straw bales for a target stand, marked off 10y, 20y and 30y to start.

So anyways, the wife is interested in shooting too, just for fun, but only pulls about 20lbs draw weight where I'm pulling 40lb. So I've either got to set it at 20 and pull at her weight or change the bow's setup from 20 to 40 frequently if we're taking turns shooting together.

But changing the weight back and forth just seems like it wouldn't be good for the bow, am I wrong? Does it matter? It seems they're more designed to 'set it and forget it' for the most part, but they're also designed to allow weight changes...so how many and how often is too much?

Any advice?

I’m not an expert, but I try to limit changing the weight up and down and I am OCD about turning each screw the exact same amount when I do. The main reason is to keep the bow tuned evenly. I shoot a solo cam, so it should be less of an issue, but, I am still careful.

I do drop the draw weight down if I will not be shooting it for a while. And I check the weight and chronograph after a few hundred shots because the string can stretch and your weight drops off.

Probably people on here way more knowledgeable than me. Hopefully they chime in.

[NorseNW]

If you are just target shooting for fun I would say it does not matter much just more of a pain switching back and forth. If it were me I think the best two options would be just leave it at 20 lbs and shot away. After some reps your wife may be able to work that weight up a bit just like everyone that's a beginner archer. The other option is looking for a separate bow for her. Pretty reasonably priced bows out there to shoot for fun or find a used bow that would fit her needs to keep price down.  Very cool that you have spouse that enjoys the sport. My wife likes to shoot as well but I'm left handed so it was an easy decision to buy her a bow.

[andersonjk4]

Sounds like she needs her own bow. 

At that low of draw weight I would doubt you are doing any damage to the bow other than maybe affecting the tune. But for 30y and in practice for fun that doesn’t matter much. Just make sure to not back the limb bolts out any further than the MFR recommendation. Keep doing what you’re doing and have fun with it.

[blackveltbowhunter]

That bow is designed for lots of adjustment. As long as your turning them equally it is a non issue just inconvenient and more wear and tear on the bow over all. It's convenient that you both have the same draw length.
 
You have 4 options:

1) keep doing what your doing
2) lower the poundage and maybe see if she can comfortably split it at say 25 or 30, give her time to work into the 40 ( most adults can pull 40 comfortably after getting the mechanics down) and you both share at set draw weight.
3) get her her own bow
4) get you a new bow and let her have this one!!! Ding ding

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Get a mathews genesis bow.
Pick a color,  make it.fun!
.
I have coached full grown adults at the Archery range.
A 20# Genesis is my "beginner"
.
They get to practice the shot process and work on form.
.
NASP.
.
.every new archer I have met is over bowed.
30 arrows from my 20# Genesis and we start over with form and follow through.
.and a 20# bow has them complaining about sore muscles..
.
Consistency is more important than accuracy.
.
One follows the other.
Practice makes better.
.
A solid foundation will survive.
.
And just to.plug Archery as a way of life..
NASP