Holes In A Recurve Bow: What's Their Purpose?

The recurve bow is a popular type of bow used by beginners and experts alike. It is the only type of bow that can be used in the Olympic Games. The bow has three main parts: the riser, the limbs, and the string. The riser is the central part of the bow that the archer holds, and it also holds the other pieces together. The limbs are the long, flexible parts of the bow that curve away from the archer and store energy when the bow is drawn. The string transfers the archer's energy to the limbs and then to the arrow.

The holes in a recurve bow are likely for attaching accessories such as a stabiliser, sight, or plunger. These accessories can improve accuracy and reduce vibration and noise.

To attach a bow sight

A bow sight is an attachment that helps archers aim at their target. It consists of pins or dots that can be lined up with the target to aim and shoot. Bow sights are made of plastic, aluminium, or carbon fibre.

Examine the bow sight parts

Remove the parts of the sight from the packaging and make sure that all the necessary parts and hardware are included. Refer to the supplied documentation to verify that everything is present.

Fasten the sight to the riser

Most recurve bows come with a place to attach a bow sight. Install the two supplied screws that fasten the sight to the riser. Install them hand-tight, as you are screwing into the berger hole, which has threads that are tapped into the riser. Be careful not to use too much force, as stripping these threads may damage the bow riser and require repairs.

Adjust the telescoping frame of the sight

If your bow sight allows for it, adjust the distance from the sight ring to the riser. A closer head will be easier to hold on target but less accurate, while a farther head will be harder to hold but more accurate. Fine-tune this adjustment to relieve any eye strain caused by focusing on the sight pins and the target simultaneously.

Set the second and third axis of your sight

If your bow sight has a second and third axis adjustment, now is the time to set it. The second axis is used to rotate the sight pin stack so it is vertical while the bow is vertical. The third axis adjustment ensures that the sight ring is perpendicular to the bow.

Align the bow sight's pins for your first shot

Check that your arrow will not come into contact with the sight by looking down the arrow shaft while it is in the rest. Then, adjust the left-right adjustment so that the head of the pin(s) is in line with the centre of the string and the arrow. For a right-handed archer, the sight pins will likely end up slightly to the left of the arrow's centre.

Remember to check your sight screws several times a year to ensure they stay tight and avoid vibration and excess noise.

To attach a stabiliser

The holes in a recurve bow are used to attach a variety of accessories, including a stabiliser.

A stabiliser is a piece of equipment for competitive archers. When you hold a bow without a stabiliser, you may find that it shakes a little. A stabiliser allows you to hold the bow with a steadier hand.

The stabiliser will need to be attached to the riser of the bow. The riser is the central part of the bow that the archer holds and that holds the other pieces together. The riser has a slot where you can attach the stabiliser.

The most popular configuration for a stabilisation setup includes a longrod, v-bar, extender, and two short rods with weights and rubber dampeners on the ends of the rods. For beginners, it is recommended to start with a longrod and then add the other components once you are more familiar with shooting with a stabiliser.

When shooting with a stabiliser, you will also need to use a finger or wrist sling to prevent the bow from falling to the floor after the shot.

To attach a plunger

The holes in a recurve bow are used to attach a variety of equipment, including a plunger. A plunger is a crucial accessory for recurve archery, enhancing accuracy and bow tuning. It is a small cylinder that threads into the bow's riser, just above the arrow rest, and it houses a spring. The plunger's tip makes contact with the arrow shaft, ensuring the arrow is guided along the bow's centreline during the shot and moderating the arrow's flexing upon release.

The plunger head, made of soft materials like plastic to prevent scratching, protrudes through the riser when attached. Only the plunger head should come into contact with the arrow during proper installation. Some manufacturers provide replacement plunger heads, as they can get damaged over time.

The plunger spring resides inside the plunger barrel, providing resistance to the plunger head. This spring is not visible unless the plunger is disassembled. Some manufacturers include replacement springs, as they can wear out over time. Additionally, different spring strengths may be provided to offer flexibility to the archer.

The plunger screw, located within the plunger barrel and cap, regulates the pressure on the spring. By adjusting the plunger screw, the amount of pretension on the spring can be customised. Increasing the inward screw tension results in higher pretension, making it harder to push the plunger tip inward. This adjustment is particularly important when shooting with a high draw weight.

Advanced plungers may feature a tensioning rod instead of a screw. This rod lacks threading, and tension adjustments are made solely through the plunger cap. Plungers with tensioning rods typically have a larger plunger cap to facilitate these adjustments.

The plunger cap has two primary functions. Firstly, it retains the assembly of the plunger head, spring, and tension screw or rod within the plunger barrel. By unscrewing the plunger cap, access is granted to these internal components for adjustments or replacements. Secondly, the plunger cap regulates the pressure of the tensioning mechanism on the spring. Both types of plungers, those with tensioning rods and those with tensioning screws, allow for tension adjustments using the plunger cap. Plungers with tension screws often have larger heads, as the tuning is primarily achieved by twisting the cap.

In summary, attaching a plunger to a recurve bow involves screwing the plunger barrel into the appropriate threaded hole in the riser. The plunger head, spring, and screw or rod are then adjusted and fine-tuned to ensure optimal performance and accuracy during archery.

To attach a clicker

A clicker is a device that mounts on the riser of a recurve bow and is used to improve the consistency of the expansion stage of an archer's shot. It is attached to the riser by a screw and is typically made of tensile spring steel, magnetic wire arm, or carbon.

• Determine your precise draw length. This is important because the clicker will be adjusted according to the arrows you will use.
• Set the clicker so that when you reach your full draw, there is only a small amount of the arrow, approximately 0.5 cm or 1/4 inch, left to move through the clicker.
• Practice your shot cycle without releasing the arrow. Draw the bow, come to full draw, and then expand. Repeat this process multiple times to find the average position of the arrow point.
• Adjust the clicker to the middle position of your range of clicker marks. This will ensure consistent expansion through the clicker.
• Fine-tune your clicker position over time. As you gain more practice and control, you can adjust the clicker to narrow down your range and improve precision.

Remember, the clicker should be set correctly to help with consistent expansion. It is important to first master the basics of your shot cycle and then introduce the clicker to improve your technique.

To attach an arrow rest

An arrow rest is an essential accessory for your bow, providing a stable base for your arrow to rest on and ensuring smooth and accurate shots. When choosing an arrow rest, consider the type of arrows you will be using, as this will determine the type of arrow rest you need.

There are two main types of arrow rests on the market: stick-on and wrap-around. Stick-on arrow rests are simpler in design and lighter in weight, while wrap-around rests have a plate that affixes under the collar of the plunger. Both types are adjustable, allowing for vertical adjustments and "sweep angle" adjustments to accommodate different arrow thicknesses.

• Start with a clean workstation. Remove any dirt or unnecessary items from your work surface.
• Clean and gently polish the body of the bow riser to remove any dirt or old glue.
• If your arrow rest is too big, resize it by outlining it on the bow riser and cutting it to size with a sharp cutter.
• Remove the self-adhesive paper from the stick-on rest. You may also carefully add some glue to the base of the arrow plate and the bow riser for extra adhesion.
• Vertically align the arrow plate with the bow grip, leaving a ⅝ inch gap between the arrow and the lower portion of the sight lens.
• Once aligned, firmly press the arrow rest onto the bow for a few seconds to ensure a strong bond.

For a screw-in arrow rest, follow these steps:

• Clean your workspace and remove any unnecessary items.
• From the front view of the recurve bow riser, locate the two holes: one for the arrow rest and one for the plunger.
• Align the arrow rest with the first hole and gently bolt the screws into the riser holes, ensuring they are facing the same direction as the riser holes.
• Check the installation by inspecting the rest for any required adjustments. Tighten or loosen the riser bolt as needed, maintaining a ⅝ inch distance between the base of the bow sight lens and the arrow.

Once you have installed your arrow rest, you may need to fine-tune it for optimal performance. If your arrow fires high, move your nocking point upwards. If it fires low, adjust your nocking point downward. Remember, always make adjustments to the nocking point, not the arrow rest.

With these steps, you can confidently attach an arrow rest to your recurve bow, improving your shooting accuracy and consistency.

Frequently asked questions