How to Choose the Right Arrow Rest for Your Compound Bow
If you’re a serious bowhunter, you know that resting the right arrow is crucial for your success. There are many different arrows on the market, and it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you. Compound bow accessories are essential to improve your overall performance in the field. This blog post will examine the many types of arrow rests. It will assist you in selecting the most appropriate one for your compound bow!
There are different types of arrow rests for different purposes. Launcher arrow rests are designed specifically for use in target archery. They are not as accurate when used by hunters. Bristle arrow rests are only useful for hunting because they make the bow less accurate. Drop-away arrows can be used by both target archers and hunters, although they are more complex to install and maintain.
If you want to learn more about the different types of arrow rests available on the market, keep reading.
Different Types of Arrow Rest
Archers often discuss two types of arrow rests: shoot through and side pressure. A shoot-through arrow rest is when the arrow goes straight through the rest, while a side pressure arrow rest is when the pressure is applied to the side of the arrow. Some compound archers prefer a shoot-through arrow rest, while others prefer a side pressure arrow rest.
Side Pressure
Recurve bows are more likely to use this style of arrow rest. They have a canted rest, so the arrow is pushed to one side by gravity. Archers using these arrow rests have to point the arrow to the left (if you’re right-handed). The archer’s paradox refers to the arrow flexing around the bow.
Recurve archers often use a plunger device to tune the archer’s paradox. This device allows you to set how much pressure is applied to the arrow and how angled the arrow is. Most compound archers don’t need these pauses because they often do not use side pressure rests.
Shoot Through
Shoot-through arrow rests are used by the majority of compound archers. You don’t have to slant the arrow when installing a shoot-through arrow rest. The arrow is simply positioned in the middle of the string. This makes it, so you don’t have to tune the plunger because you don’t need a plunger at all.
Arrow rests that shoot through the bow is more convenient. They cause fewer clearance issues. Configuring the plunger on a recurve can be difficult. Still, it will impact your accuracy if you don’t do it right.
Shoot-through arrow rests are more forgiving because the arrow doesn’t bend around the riser. This means that any minor inconsistencies won’t cause clearance issues and will influence the arrow if there are any minor inconsistencies.
Shoot-through arrow rests are more convenient and accurate than side pressure arrow rests. The only reason why recurve archers use side pressure arrow rests is that shoot-through arrow rests are forbidden by World Archery rules. Shoot-through arrow rests are allowed within compound competitions, so most compound archers use this type of arrow rest.
Different Arrow Rest Models
There are three types of arrow rests for compound bows. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks. The three types are shoot-through arrow rests, drop-away arrow rests, and containment arrow rests.
Bristle Arrow Rest/Whisker Biscuit
The bristle-type arrow rest is a common arrow rest seen on hunting bows. Whisker biscuits are another name for this arrow rest. The bristles on this arrow rest guide the arrow as it is shot.
This arrow rest is popular with hunters because it stays between the bristles. However, the bristles can slightly influence accuracy. The arrow speed is also minorly influenced, but that difference is negligible. Archers who shoot at longer ranges (50 yards/meters and beyond) prefer the other two options.
Launcher/Blade Arrow Rest
If you’ve ever seen one, you’ve probably seen one before. The arrow is held in place by this groove. This type of arrow rest is also known as a launcher arrow rest.
A thin steel blade makes this arrow rest almost uninhibited by the arrow when it is discharged. Later, we’ll go into greater depth about the arrow’s interference.
The main benefit of a blade arrow rest is that it is very simple. You do not have to configure it in any way to fit the arrow diameter. It can be used for all arrow diameters.
The V-groove on the blade is relatively small, so the arrow can easily fall off when you tilt the bow. As the blade is composed of spring steel, the bow can be shaken, and the blade will fall off. Target archers, who are more conscientious about their equipment, prefer this arrow rest.
Drop Away Arrow Rest
Drop away arrow rests are a newer arrow rest for compound bows. This type is different from the other two types of arrow rests. The other two types of arrow rest stay in place when the arrow is shot. This means the arrow will touch the arrow rest after the archer has released the shot. This will influence how well the arrow flies.
The drop-away rest uses a string attached to the cable or main string, depending on which is used. Using this piece of string, the archer raises and lowers the arrow rest before reaching full draw.
This arrow rest falls away and out of the way right after you shoot. So, the arrow will be shot without influencing the arrow’s rest. This makes the drop-away arrow rests more accurate than the other two options.
If you want to use the drop away arrow rest, you must configure it correctly. This can be difficult if you are not familiar with this system. That is why this arrow rest is most often used by competitive archers. Both target shooters and hunters like to use this type of arrow rest.
Arrow Rests Collections
What You Should Consider
This section will discuss the three most important factors to consider when choosing an arrow rest. These factors are how well the arrow rest works with your bow, how easy it is to use, and how often you need to replace it.
How Well It Retains the Arrow
You should think about what type of arrow rest you need. This is the part that holds the arrow in place. You do not need to worry about this if you are shooting outside. But for hunters, it is important to think about this when shooting from uncomfortable positions. To draw again, you must release the arrow from its rest.
This can be annoying for people who shoot arrows at targets, but it is especially bad for hunters. Hunters need to shoot quickly, so the target might move while drawing the bow. That is why hunting arrow rests tend to hold the arrow more firmly in place than target arrow rests.
Interference With the Arrow
When you shoot the arrow, it will travel along the arrow’s rest. This means that the arrow can hit the arrow rest after firing the shot. The shot will be less accurate if this happens because the arrow will be pushed off course.
Archery manufacturers always ensure that their fixed arrow rests are springy materials. This is because the material will help to minimize interference. However, since the material still hits the arrow after the shot is fired, it will still influence the arrow’s flight pattern a bit.
There is always a trade-off between how well an arrow rest holds an arrow and how much it affects the arrow’s flight. Arrow rests that hold arrows well will make arrows fly less accurately. So archers with fixed arrow rests have to think about these two things when choosing a rest.
Complexity and Maintenance
Some archers use a drop-away arrow rest. It completely removes interference with the arrow, holding the arrow firmly in place. So, it seems like the best option overall.
That’s true, but there’s more to it than that. Installing drop-away arrow rests might be a challenge. It is more likely to break since the arrow rest is more complex. For example, the arrow rest will not be pulled upwards when the cord breaks. The arrow rest will not retract if the spring breaks.
Arrow rests that drop away requires more maintenance and knowledge. They are more complex, so they are also more likely to fail. When the arrow rest fails, you might not be able to shoot, or you will shoot very inaccurately.
Adjustability
There are three different types of arrow rests. The cheapest arrow rests can be adjusted by loosening a hex screw and moving it by hand. More expensive arrow rests have a dial that lets you adjust the position of your arrow rest. Some really cheap arrow rests do not have any adjustability.
Generally, micro-adjustment systems are helpful on sight because they allow you to adjust your sight more finely. Since you often need to configure your sight for different distances and windage, most archers use a sight with this system.
Generally, you should keep your arrow rest in the same position. When it is centered and at the right height, you do not need to change it. Most archers only change the position of their arrow rest when they are making major changes to their gear.
Which Model Should You Choose?
For Target Archers
Because target archers frequently shoot from a considerable distance, arrow interference must be kept minimum. Because of this, target archers may want to avoid utilizing bristle arrow rests. Inexperienced target archers benefit greatly from launcher rests. Drop-away arrow rests are an option if you know how to install and maintain them.
For Hunters and 3D Archers
Arrow retention is very important for hunters and 3D archers shooting at moving targets. To avoid missing the mark, make sure the arrow does not slip off the rest. Hunters that shoot short-range might want to consider a bristle arrow rest because it has superb arrow retention. However, hunters that shoot long-range might want to consider a drop-away arrow rest, which will allow the arrow to fall away from the bow when you release the string.
You will only want to use a blade arrow rest if you are shooting at stationary targets from a comfortable position. This arrow rest may be useful for 3D archers who shot at foam stationary targets.
You can check out this site to learn more about compound bows.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arrow Rest for Compound Bow
You will need to aim your bow to shoot a compound bow. This is a device that helps you aim the bow correctly. You will also need an arrow rest. This device holds the arrow in place and makes sure it goes straight when you shoot. On recurve bows and longbows, the arrow rests on top of the bow. There is usually built into the bow on compound bows where the arrow can rest.
This type of arrow rest is called a “shoot through” arrow rest. It has two metal prongs that the arrow rests between. This type of rest is good for inexperienced archers because it helps to keep the arrow in place as you draw back the bow.
It can be hard to get all three factors to work together. But once you do, you’re there! Most traditional longbows and recurves are shot right off the shelf; this means they don’t have adjustable rests or plungers.
An arrow rest would cradle your arrow securely in the same starting place on every shot in a perfect world. It would hold the arrow there no matter what the vertical or horizontal orientation of the bow was. It would also be quiet during the draw and launch the arrow consistently.
Cameron has been a lifelong bowhunter and has practiced shooting year-round. He understands the need for a fall-away arrow rest that is dependable, adjustable, and used consistently.
The Whisker Biscuit can make your arrows go a bit slower and less accurate. But it is still worth using because the difference is very small. Most shooters will not even notice this difference. After using the Whisker Biscuit for a while, you may need to replace the arrow vanes because they will start to wear out.
The arrow rest is one of the most important accessories on your bow. It helps make sure that your arrows fly consistently and makes it easier to hit the target.
A cable or string connects the rest housing to your bow’s bottom or top limb with a limb-driven rest. Drawing back your bow causes the limb to move inside, which allows the rest arm to rise into place. When you release your arrow, the rest descends, and the limb returns to its resting position.
There are a few different types of drop-away rests. They all do the same thing- keep the arrow in an upright position as you draw it and then release it when you shoot. This means that there is nothing to impact the arrow’s flight. When you draw the bow, the cable-driven rests employ pulls down on the cord, which raises the rest into position.
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