A compound bow is a powerful and accurate archery tool that has been gaining popularity among hunters and competitive archers for decades. They are designed to provide more force than a traditional bow, thanks to the combination of its cams, cables, and the leverage provided by its pulleys. By utilizing this powerful system, the archer is able to take more precise and accurate shots with greater distance. Understanding how a compound bow works can help you utilize its maximum potential on the archery range or in the field.
Table of Contents
The Basics of Compound Bows
A compound bow consists of three main parts: the bow, the cams, and the cables. The bow itself is a common archery tool, made of a riser (the center piece), limbs (the pieces that extend outward), and string that connect the limbs. When the bow is drawn back and released, the energy stored in the limbs helps shoot the arrow forward.
Cams
The cams are two round discs attached to the limbs at either end, with two inner tracks. These tracks contain the cam’s cam followers, which are metal blocks, and the graspers, which fit over specific points on each cam track. When the string is drawn back, the cams are forced to rotate and generally slide the limb backward slightly, thanks to the cam followers and graspers.
Cables
The cables, also known as strings, are two separate strands that travel from the cams to the bow’s outer limbs. As the archer draws the string back, the cables wrap around the cams, storing kinetic energy and increasing tension. This tension is released when the archer releases the setup, allowing the stored energy to drive the arrow forward.
Leverage
The use of cams and cables on a compound bow allows the archer to generate more power than with a traditional bow. This is because of the leverage the cams, strings, and pulleys can generate to help propel the arrow. As the archer draws the bow and string back, the cams rotate and the cables wrap around the cams, creating a pulley-like system that allows the archer to generate more power with each pull. This increased power and distance can help hunters and recreational archers alike to make more accurate shots and hit target faster.
Set Up and Adjustment Tips
When setting up a compound bow, it is important to adjust the cams, strings, and pulleys correctly. To ensure that the bow is tuned correctly, check for the following:
- Cams: Make sure that the cam followers and graspers are in their proper locations and that they fit flush. Also, adjust the cam stops so that the cams stop at the proper point in their rotation.
- Strings: Make sure that the strings run along the cams and the pulleys are functioning properly. To do this, make sure that the strings run through the pulleys without snagging or having excessive slack.
- Pulleys: If the pulleys are not properly adjusted, the archer’s draw length will be off and the power generated by the bow will be diminished. Make sure that the pulleys are in the proper locations and that the string tension is set to the correct amount.
Once the compound bow is set up and tuned correctly, the archer can take accurate and powerful shots.
Compound bows are a powerful and accurate archery tool, allowing the archer to take more precise and accurate shots with greater distance. Understanding the basics of how the tools works, as well as being able to properly set up and adjust the components, can ensure the archer has access to this advantage. With proper maintenance and use, a compound bow can become an invaluable tool for any archer.
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Last update 2021-01-05. Price and product availability may change.