Whether you’re looking for a compound bow package with all the bells and whistles to start shooting straight away or a bare bow that you can build up with your own accessories, there are a lot of variables to consider. Most compound bows look more or less alike, so it can be difficult for a beginner to know which model suits them best. In this article, we’ll go over the basics to help you make an informed decision so you can get the most out of your archery pursuits.

Hunting vs. Target Shooting
The first thing to consider when purchasing a new compounds bow is how you’ll be using it. Hunting applications will require different characteristics than target-shooting applications. A hunting bow will likely have a greater let-off percentage, shorter axle-to-axle length, and a shorter brace height. That’s all well and good, but what does it all mean?

Let-Off Percentage
A compound bow uses cables and cams to store energy, producing a pocket that lets you hold your draw at a certain percentage of the full draw weight. Hunters that might need to hold a bow at full draw for a long time while waiting for an animal to present a good shot want a bow with as much let off as allowable. This differs by state, but hunters typically like a bow with at least 75% let off, and if their state allows it, 80% or more is usually preferred. For target shooters, the additional holding weight can actually help steady their shot, therefore a target bow might have a let off percentage around 65%.

Axle-to-Axle Length
Hunting bows need to be used in all sorts of environments, meaning they need to be easy to maneuver, making a length between 28″ and 34″ common. Anything longer than 34″ will suit a target bow well, where the extra length adds stability.

Brace Height
Brace height is the distance between the deepest part of a bow’s riser and the string at rest. This distance is almost always between 5″ and 8″, and those 3″ are key. A bow on the short end will zip arrows downrange at higher speed, but with less forgiveness in form, while a bow on the high end of that scale will shoot a slower arrow, but with more forgiveness.