Shrew brace height

[Carl Brickey]

#5788

So, here it is, a month and some odd days before deer season opens, and as I’m driving along the road in southwest Virginia, I happen upon a guy with a yard sale and archery equipment. Low and behold, the man is Gary Holmes, the bowyer that built Ron Laclair’s original shrews back in the 90’s.

I bought some broadheads and shafts from him, and we talked for an hour and a half, and then I saw he had an unfinished original shrew in his truck. Long story short, we made a deal, and I ended up with the bow. It’s a Bubinga riser with red elm lams and clear glass, 56″ and pulls somewhere around 48# @28″.

My question is, what brace height should I have? 7 1/4″ or so? Any help would be more than appreciated as I’m going to practice with this bow and make it my primary shooter.

Thanks!

Carl

BTW Gary was a really nice guy!

[Stephen Graf]

#44606

Well that story needs some more fleshing out…

Is he living in SW VA? He’s selling stuff out of the back of his truck? Alone 81? What the?

And you had the bowyer there and didn’t ask him about brace height?

Is he making bows again? You didn’t get his number?

There are a bunch of screw lovers here, so I am sure you will get some better answers, but I’d say start at 7 3/4 inches…

[Raymond Coffman]

#44677

cpbiv

I own 2 shrews both made by Gregg Coffey [ don’t know if/ how much that would make a difference] Mine are 54″ length 54-56 lbs at 26″. The Paperwork that came with the bow says 450+ string, Nock pt 9/16ths above center, brace height is suggested to be no lower than 7″ up to 7 1/2″ to the low spot on the grip. Since your’s is “new” [ unfinished] the paperwork also adds – “when you first string the bow [ with string furnished by Laclair ] it may be higher than that but DO NOT untwist the string to the suggested 7″. The string will stretch after you shoot the bow for awhile at which time you can adjust it to the desired height. If you untwist the {new} string initially to a lower brace it may slip thru itself and come apart”.

I hope that is helpful

cyberscout

[Carl Brickey]

#44731

Thanks guys! Steve, to my knowledge he still lives over in Russell County. He said he just happened to have some extra stuff laying around so he brought it along. I didn’t think to ask about the height when I was there, I should have though. I figured between 7 1/2 and 8 though. I don’t know if he’s still building bows or not, didn’t think to ask him about that either. Had some honey-do stuff to get done at home!

[Carl Brickey]

#45381

Update:

So I made a string and served it, added some rubber whiskers, and finished the bow. Best shooting bow I’ve ever owned by far! Granted I’ve never had a custom bow, but this thing is sweet. I forgot to mention that Gary had originally made the bow for himself and had never put finish on it. So I had to finish it, but I enjoy things like that. Pictures to come…

[Raymond Coffman]

#45418

cpbiv

Finished up nice -Looks great and shoots the same – enjoy

Cyberscout

[Carl Brickey]

#45423

cyberscout wrote: cpbiv

Finished up nice -Looks great and shoots the same – enjoy

Cyberscout

Thanks! 🙂

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