Turn limb bolts safely, keep both limbs synchronized, and know the limits your bow allows.
Turn limb bolts safely, keep both limbs synchronized, and know the limits your bow allows. Follow the steps in order — each one builds on the last.
Step 1: Find your bow’s range
Check the limb sticker: a “60–70 lb” bow can only run within that window; going below spec de-tensions the system dangerously.
Step 2: Back out evenly, count turns
With the appropriate Allen key, turn each limb bolt counterclockwise to reduce weight — identical turn counts on both limbs, typically 2–3 lbs per full turn.
Step 3: Never exceed the stop
Most bows allow 8–10 turns out from bottomed; past that, limb pockets can separate at draw. Consult the manual, not forums.
Step 4: Verify with a scale
A $25 hanging bow scale reads true peak weight — limb-bolt math drifts after string stretch.
Step 5: Re-check tune and pins
Weight changes shift spine match and arrow speed; expect a paper-tune check and small sight adjustments after.
Why Draw Weight Matters
Draw weight is the single setting that touches everything else about how your bow shoots. Too much weight and your form collapses, your shoulder creeps up, and you short-draw under cold or fatigue. Too little and you lose the arrow speed and kinetic energy that flatten your trajectory and drive a broadhead through bone. Getting it right is the difference between a bow you can hold steady on a long sit and one that beats you up before you ever release.
Most hunters carry far more poundage than they actually shoot well. A bow you can draw smoothly while seated, in a coat, with cold muscles, and without skyward-pointing the riser is a bow you can shoot accurately when it counts. Speed is worthless if you cannot anchor under pressure.
Tools You Will Need
- The correct Allen wrench for your limb bolts, usually 3/16 inch
- A bow scale or a digital hanging scale to verify true poundage
- A notepad to count and record limb-bolt turns
- A safe shooting space to re-check tune and pin gaps afterward
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Backing one limb bolt more than the other, which throws off tiller and tune
- Exceeding the limb bolt range and risking limb damage by bottoming or unscrewing too far
- Chasing maximum poundage for speed instead of choosing a weight you can shoot all day
- Forgetting to re-verify the weight on a scale instead of trusting the bow’s sticker rating
- Skipping a re-sight after a weight change, since pins shift when arrow speed changes
Pro Tips for Setting Draw Weight
- Turn both limb bolts the exact same number of turns to keep tiller even
- Make changes in two to four pound steps and shoot between each to feel the difference
- Test your draw seated and in a jacket, because that is how most hunting shots happen
- If you have to point the bow at the sky to draw it, the weight is too high, full stop
- Re-check your nock height and center shot after a big poundage change before re-sighting
Final Word
There is no trophy for the heaviest bow on the range. The right draw weight is the most you can draw straight back, slowly, while seated and cold, without straining. Set it there, verify it on a scale, re-tune, and you will shoot tighter groups with less fatigue than the person grunting through ten more pounds than they can handle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my draw weight is too high?
If you have to raise the bow toward the sky or jerk to start the draw, or your shoulder creeps up, the weight is too high for clean shooting.
How many turns equal how many pounds?
It varies by bow, but a full turn of each limb bolt typically changes weight by about two to three pounds; always count turns evenly on both limbs.
Will lowering draw weight hurt my hunting performance?
Modern arrows and broadheads kill efficiently at moderate poundage, and most states set legal minimums near forty pounds, so accuracy matters more than raw weight.
Do I need to re-sight after changing draw weight?
Yes, because changing poundage changes arrow speed, which shifts every pin, so re-confirm your sight after any meaningful change.
Can I adjust draw weight myself?
Yes, limb-bolt weight changes are safe to do at home with the right wrench, as long as you stay within the bolt's range and turn both limbs evenly.