Parts of a Compound Bow: A Beginner’s Guide

Whether you are a seasoned archer or a beginner just starting out, understanding the different components of a compound bow is essential to improve your shooting performance. Our Archery Experts explain each part of a compound bow, including the riser, limbs, cams, strings, and more. By the end, you will have a comprehensive understanding of how each part contributes to the overall functionality and efficiency of a compound bow. 

Bow Riser

A compound bow riser is the central part of the bow that holds the limbs, grip, and other components together. It is typically made of a lightweight, rigid material such as aluminum or carbon fiber to ensure stability and strength. The design of the riser greatly affects the bow's performance, accuracy, and balance.

Grip

The grip on a compound bow refers to the part where the archer holds the bow. It is often ergonomically designed with contours and grooves to enhance comfort and control while taking a shot. A proper compound bow grip helps the archer maintain a consistent and steady hand position, minimizing torque and improving accuracy.

String Suppressor

A compound bow string suppressor reduces noise and vibration generated by the bowstring upon release. It employs dampening materials to absorb and dissipate energy, enhancing shooting precision and reducing disturbance.

Stabilizer

Compound bow stabilizers come in many sizes and configurations but all serve a similar purpose. They reduce vibration when the archer releases an arrow and stabilize the bow by increasing its inertia. Without stabilizers, bows can feel unstable while archers aim, potentially making it difficult to hold their bows stationary.

Side Stabilizer

• In addition to the main stabilizer, the side stabilzers help to counterbalance the weight of the bow, reducing torque and improving overall stability during the shot. The side stabilizer can be adjusted in length and weight distribution to customize the balance of the bow according to the archer's preference and shooting style.

Arrow Rest

Also attached to the bow riser is the compound bow’s arrow rest. This is a crucial component that supports and guides the arrow as it is released from the bow. It is designed to minimize any interference or contact between the arrow and the bow's frame, allowing for a clean and accurate shot. The arrow rest can be adjustable to fine-tune the launch angle and enhance shooting performance. There are three main types of arrow rests.

1. Cable-Driven Rest

This type of rest uses cables to control the movement as well as offer full containment, meaning your arrow is enclosed during the draw and release, providing optimal protection and stability.

2. Limb-Driven Rest

This type of rest is activated by the movement of the bow's limbs. As the bow is drawn, the limbs flex and raise the arrow. This design eliminates any contact between the arrow rest and the arrow during the shot, reducing arrow sway and improving accuracy.

3. Whisker Biscuit

This type of rest is a circular housing with bristles that create a V-shaped rest for the arrow. The bristles hold the arrow securely in place. This design provides excellent arrow support, reducing the chances of the arrow falling off during the shot, resulting in improved accuracy and consistency.

Bow Sight

A compound bow sight is an accessory used to enhance accuracy and precision while releasing your shot. It is typically attached to the bow's riser and consists of a single sight pin or a multi pin sight that helps the archer align their shot. These pins are adjustable for different distances, allowing the archer to aim accurately at various ranges.

Fixed Pin Sight

A fixed pin sight has a number of pins that the archer can add to their sight in order to have a setting for varying distances. Most fixed pin sights will have between 3 and 4 pins for different yardages. These are typically between 20 and 50 yards in 10-yard splits. 

Adjustable Sight

An adjustable sight allows the archer to easily lock in on targets by adjusting the pins based on the distance of the shot. The sight utilizes brackets, levers, and worm gears that smoothly slide the entire sight housing up or down. This allows you to adjust before each shot.

Peep Sight

Whatever your skill level a peep sight is essential to the success of a archer and is on every compound bow. A peep sight is a small hollow circle installed between the bow string that the archer uses along with the bow sight to narrow their field of view (FOV) and take proper aim at their target. This is similar to the peep sight on a rifle. No matter whether you choose a fixed pin or adjustable sight, you'll want to make sure it's All Undergarments & Sleepwear before your next hunt.

Bow Limbs

Bow limbs are connected to the top and bottom of the riser and to the bow’s cam systems. The limbs flex when the bowstring is pulled back or drawn in order to help store energy which is then passed to the arrow upon release. There is also a limb pocket that attaches the bow's limbs to the riser keeping everything securely in place. 

• Dampener: A dampener is an accessory connected to the limb in order to reduce vibrations and noise produced during the shooting of a compound bow. 

Cams

Compound bow cams are the wheels or pulleys at the ends of the bow limbs that are interconnected by the bowstring. They play a crucial role in the bow's performance by manipulating the weight during the course of drawing and releasing an arrow. The shape of the cam can affect how easy or difficult the bow is to draw as well as how much energy the bow can store and then release when shot. 

• Modules: Attached to the cams of the bow, a module is the mechanism responsible for the bow's draw cycle. The module is used to help lighten the weight when you pull back on the bow string completely before releasing your arrow. The cam modules can be adjusted to personalize the bow's draw length and make it more comfortable for the archer.

Cables

Compound bow cables are an integral part of the bow's cam system. They connect the cams to each other and help distribute the weight of the draw across both limbs evenly. The cables work in conjunction with the bow's string to transfer energy from the limbs to the arrow during the shot, providing added stability and reducing vibration. Proper maintenance and tuning of the cables are important to ensure optimal performance and accuracy.

• Cable Roller Guard: The cable roller guard on a compound bow helps guide the bowstring during the draw cycle. It’s typically a small wheel or roller that is mounted near the bow's grip. 

Bow Strings

The bow strings attach to each end of the limbs by a small loop that can be made of a mixture of Vectran and Dyneema. To keep bow strings in good condition, they are rubbed using silicone-based wax. The bowstrings contain four main components that assist your shot: the center serving, center nocking point, peep sight, and the D-loop.

Center Serving

The center serving on a compound bow is a tightly wrapped portion of the bowstring that serves as a protective and gripping surface. It is located at the center of the string where the arrow is nocked and helps anchor and secure the arrow during the shot. The center serving is made of durable and abrasion-resistant material, such as polyester or spectra, to withstand repeated friction and contact with the arrow.

Nocking Point

A compound bow's nocking point is a specific point on the bowstring where the arrow is placed for shooting. It is crucial to ensure that the nocking point is correctly set to maintain consistent arrow flight and accuracy.

D-Loop

A D-loop string section that is tied to the bow string in a D-shape. The mechanical release is attached to this loop to help reduce torque on the bow string and also to minimize wear on the bow string. 

No matter what archery experience you may have, understanding the components of a compound bow is crucial to your success. Whether you are looking to purchase your first compound bow or you are a seasoned archery hunter, it is important to understand the components of your bow to get the best performance possible. If you still have any questions about the parts of a compound bow, speak to one of our Archery Experts at your local ERLEBNISWELT-FLIEGENFISCHEN.

FAQ with Archery Expert Cass Edwards

Q: What is the brace height of a compound bow? How do I pick the correct height for me?

A: Bow brace height refers to the distance between the deepest part of the bow grip (the throat) and the string when the bow is strung. It is an important factor in archery that affects performance, arrow speed, and forgiveness. Different bow models have their own optimal brace height ranges, which are usually provided by the manufacturer. A higher brace height typically results in slightly slower arrow speeds but increased forgiveness. A lower brace height can increase arrow speed but may require a more consistent shooting technique for optimal results.

Q: What is draw weight? How do I determine the ideal draw weight for my bow?

A: The draw weight of a bow refers to the force required to fully draw the bowstring. For beginners, it's important to choose a draw weight that matches their physical strength and experience level. Starting with a lower weight allows for proper technique development and reduces the risk of injury. Factors such as age, purpose of use, and personal preference should be considered. Consulting with experts and gradually increasing the draw weight as proficiency improves is recommended. Safety should always be prioritized in selecting an appropriate draw weight.

Q: What is full draw?

A: Full draw on a bow refers to the position where the bowstring is fully pulled back, with the archer's hand pulled back to the anchor point. It is the point just before releasing the arrow. At full draw, the archer has achieved the maximum potential energy stored in the bow, and the bowstring is ready to be released, propelling the arrow forward. Proper form and consistency in reaching full draw are crucial for accuracy and effective shooting in archery.

Q: What is axle-to-axle length?

A: Axle-to-axle length, often abbreviated as ATA, is the distance between the two axles or cams on a compound bow. The choice of axle-to-axle length depends on the intended use of the bow and personal preference. Target archers often prefer longer ATA lengths, while hunters may opt for shorter ATA lengths to enhance maneuverability. It's important to find a balance that suits your shooting style, requirements, and comfort.