When using archery for hunting, it is crucial to know what length an arrow extends past the rest. Don’t worry! Today, you are going to learn what the overhang should be.
The overhang or the length the shortest arrows extend past the rest is how far an arrow sticks out past the rest. An incorrect overhang can affect the spine arrow flight, accuracy, and clearance issue of the arrow shelf. It is crucial for ethical kill and to ensure the safety of you and the equipment. So, how far should the arrow extend past the rest? The fact is-
Arrow Extend Past Rest
For a traditional recurve or longbow, the overhang should be about 1 to 1.5 inches. This helps you to release the arrow cleanly and avoid hitting the bow’s shelf. For a compound bow, the overhang is typically determined by adding 0.5 to 1 inch to your draw length.
You are not completely clear at all. Let’s dive right in to clarify grain broadhead for recurve bow.
Table of Contents
Key Points
- The arrow should extend at least 1 inch beyond the arrow rest when the bow is at full draw.
- It’s essential to get the overhang just right. If it’s too long or too short, it can mess up the arrow’s flight and accuracy and might cause clearance issues.
- For a compound bow, the overhang is typically determined by adding 0.5 to 1 inch to your draw length.
How Far Should Arrow Extend Past Rest?
The overhang or the length an arrow extends past the rest is how far an arrow sticks out past the rest. So, how far should an arrow go past the rest?
The best length depends on your bow type, arrow length, and your personal preferences.
In general,
For a traditional recurve or longbow, the overhang should be about 1 to 1.5 inches. This helps you to release the arrow cleanly and avoid hitting the bow’s shelf.
But the arrow length for a recurve bow is typically 1 to 2 inches longer than your draw length. Don’t be confused about it.
I am giving you an example for your better understanding,
I am thinking that your draw length is 29.5”, so what should be your arrow?
Well then,
Your arrow should be about 30.5 to 31 ” long so that 1” of the arrow extends past the rest at full draw.
For compound bows,
The overhang might be less because of the type of arrow rest design and the bow’s tuning needs.
Modern compound bows often come with specific recommendations from the maker. So, always check the user manual or guidelines for your equipment.
However, It’s essential to get the overhang just right. If it’s too long or too short, it can mess up the arrow’s flight and accuracy and might cause clearance issues.
If you’re not sure, it’s a good idea to ask an experienced archery professional or your bow and carbon arrows maker for advice to get the best setup for you.
A query may arise in your mind: Which is better drop away rest and whisker biscuit?
Whisker biscuits arrow rest is better for novice archers. It is less expensive and reliable. It reduces the arrow speed for making complete contact with the arrow. It is better to use in the cold season and is easy to use.
How Do I Know The Perfect Distance Of Arrow Should Rest?
You should determine the perfect distance of the arrow from the rest by your draw length. So, how far should the arrow be past the rest?
The arrow should extend at least 1 inch beyond the arrow rest when the bow is at full draw. This provides a significant margin of safety.
Look at the example:
The ideal range for arrow length is between 25 and 27 inches if your draw length is 26 inches.
When your bow is drawn, it is suggested that your arrow extend at least one inch past your rest.
So, what is the work of this 1 inch?
This ensures that the arrow does not fall off the rest. Also, prevents the broadhead from potentially injuring the archer’s handle riser.
Remember to measure your arrow draw length accurately. Choose your arrow length accordingly to ensure safety, and depends on your shooting style.
Now, you must be wondering how a magnetic arrow rest work.
The magnet of the magnetic arrow rest helps to hold the arrow in place without making any interference with arrow flights.
How Do I Measure Extend Past Rest For My Arrow?
The extended part rest is essential to measure because it ensures the safety and accuracy of the shot. If you don’t know how to measure the extend past rest for your arrow weight, then welcome!
Here is the step-by-step guide to measuring it:
Step 1: Prepare Your Bow And Arrow
To take measurements easily, you should be sure that you have set up your bow properly and that the arrow that you have is suitable for your bow.
Step 2: Arrow Nock
Now, Position your arrow on the bow’s arrow rest with caution, then carefully fasten the arrow’s string nock to the bow string silencer.
Step 3:Measure The Extend Past the Rest
Now, it is time to measure your extended past rest for your arrow.
First of all,
Take a ruler or a tape to measure. Then, measure the length of the arrow taken from the end of the arrow rest to its end.
Don’t include your broadhead or point here. The estimated distance is called the overhang.
Haven’t you clear?
Don’t worry! I am giving you an example from my experience for your better understanding. Let’s see!
If the end of your arrow is 1 inch beyond the end of the arrow rest, then your arrow overhang is 1 inch.
Keep in mind that your overhang can vary depending on your bow type and personal preferences. If you are unsure how to measure it, seek guidance from experienced archers.
Consequences Of An Incorrect Arrow Extension Past The Rest
You know that the extension of an arrow past the rest plays a crucial role in archery. Do you know what can happen if it is wrong?
It can significantly impact the overall performance and safety of your shots. Here are some guidelines as follows:
Arrow Flight and Accuracy
An incorrect arrow extension past the rest can affect the flight path of the arrow. As a result, it impacts accuracy.
For example,
If the overhang is short enough, the arrow wrap might fall off the rest before you release the bowstring walking. This can lead to missing your target and sometimes can’t reach up to the target.
Clearance Issue
If your overhang is incorrect, it leads to a clearance issue where the arrow or fletching hits the bow.
For instance,
If the overhang is too short, the arrow may come within too close range of your hand that is gripping the bow, which could cause harm if it is released.
Safety Concerns
Safety is the first of archery. Here, it is much possible to pose a safety risk if your overhang is incorrect.
If the overhang is too short, the arrow may come within too close range of your hand, potentially leading to injuries when the arrow is released.
Equipment Damage
Additionally, incorrect overhangs can cause needless wear and tear on your equipment.
For example,
over time, excessive overhanging contact between the fletching and the bow can cause damage to both the arrow and the bow.
Can The Arrow Be Too Short Or Too Long In Its Extension Past The Rest?
Yes, it may be too short or too long in its extension past the rest, but both of them can lead to some issues. Here is as follows:
Too Short
Your extension past rest is too short. So, What issue can it lead to?
It might slip off the end of the bow before you reach full draw. Aren’t you clear?
Let’s see the example,
If your draw length is 29 inches, but you are shooting a 25-inch arrow, it could be too short, and it can’t even reach your target.
If you are a user of a recurve bow and the arrow is only extending half an inch past the rest, it falls off the rest before you release the bowstring.
If the overhang is too short, the arrow may come within too close range of your hand, potentially leading to injuries when the arrow is released.
Too Long
If your arrow is too long, it might stick out a lot in front of your bow at full draw. As a result, it raises issues about clearance and maneuverability.
I am giving you an example from my experience; let’s see it!
I have used a compound bow and arrow that extends 3 inches past the rest; I have seen that the fletching might contact the bow, even the arrow rest. It deflects the arrow, affects its flight path, and always misses the target.
Additionally, excessive overhanging contact between the fletching and the bow can cause damage to both the arrow and the bow.
As a general rule, the shaft of your arrow should pass the arrow rest by ¾ to 1 inch at full peak draw weight. This will ensure that the arrow doesn’t fall off the rest and also prevent the broadhead from potentially injuring your hand.
Now, the question is:
How far should arrow extend past rest compound bow?
Hey, compound bow lover! Are you confused about the overhang for your compound bow?
Let’s see the arrow extend past the rest for your compound bow.
For a compound bow, the arrow’s extension past the rest is determined by adding 0.5 to 1 inch to your draw length.
For example,
If your draw length is 29 inches, then your arrow should be a maximum of 30 inches. This will help clear the frontmost part of the arrow shaft. If you can do all those correctly then you can pick the right ratio of extend past.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
How Far Should You Shoot An Arrow?
The length of shooting an arrow depends on your skill level and the type of sight bow you are using. Novice archers are suggested to start at a distance between 5 and 15 yards. For hunting purposes, most archers aim to be within 100 to 120 feet.
How Far Can An Arrow Travel In Metres?
In general, an arrow can travel about 370 meters. The longest recorded arrow flight was 241 meters. However, it depends on various factors.
How Far Is An Arrow Lethal?
The lethal distance of an arrow depends on your skill level and type of bow. Generally, up to 30-40 yards is lethal.
Final Thoughts
How far should arrow extend past rest? For a traditional bow, it should be 1 to 1.5 inches. This 1 to 1.5 inches will help you to release the arrow cleanly and avoid hitting the bow’s shelf. If you are a compound bow user, then it is determined by adding 0.5 to 1 inch to your draw length.
An incorrect overhang can lead to impacts on the accuracy and trajectory of the arrow flight. It potentially poses some risk, which damages the bow’s equipment and may be injurious to you.
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