Stack

[DC]

Let's assume we have a bow with a nice linear Force draw curve that gains 2# an inch except it stacks so the last 5 inches of draw go up to 3# per inch. Will this bow shoot just like one that doesn't stack? That is one where the FD is a straight line gaining 2# per inch right up to full draw. Put another way does the "stack weight" do anything except make it harder to pull?

[aaron]

if both bows pulled the same weight, the stacky one would have less speed. Less area under the force-draw curve. less overall work done by the arm.
stacky bows also will do worse when underdrawn a bit compared to a non-stacking bow short drawn.

[Eric Garza]

Not sure I'd call a bow with a linear force-draw curve 'nice', but I suppose it could be worse.

[Badger]

 3# per inch for a 50# bow is really not bad, 4# you would start calling it stacking, 5# is starting to seriously stack. Usually a bad string angle or a bow that has taken a lot of set and has low early draw are the ones that might stack like that.