Compound Bow Selection Guide ( article)

[Paul]

Bows aren't the benign things some folk think they are.
One little mistake in drawing a bow and releasing off line can be dramatic.
Strings and cables can jump cams and all that energy can literally explode in your arms.

Then of course there is an inadvertent dry fire i.e. NO ARROW.

The string and / or cables could break or jump the tracks, cams warp, axles break (or at least bend), limbs crack or split, and limb bolts shear.

You need an arrow fitted before you draw a compound bow in fact any bow. Its task (apart from destroying the target) is to absorb the energy from the bow in a controlled way.

An approximate safe arrow weight for a compound bow is about 5 grains per pound of draw weight i.e.
50lb draw 250gr 16 grams 1/2 oz
75lb draw 375gr 24 grams 8/10 oz
100lb draw 500gr 32 grams 1 oz

Just think about it.
Bow goes boom and your eyes bear the brunt. Not good.