Notes - Equipment standards - Ranged weapons

Combat Archery Bows/Crossbows

Change to handbows - June 2022: "If the bow cannot be drawn 28 inches (71 cm), then it cannot be used in SCA combat" has been clarified as "If the bow is not designed to be drawn at 28 inches (71 cm), then it cannot be used in SCA combat."
Change in maximum poundage to light handbows to 35lb - January 2020: The maximum weight for light hand bows was increased from 30lb at 28 inches to 35lb at 28 inches.
Handbows not designed to be drawn to 28 inches cannot be used - January 2020: If you can't draw the bow to 28 inches, then you can't use it.
Minimum poundage requirements for handbows and crossbows removed - January 2020: Arrows/bolts from low poundage bows are likely to be ignored.

Thrusting tip size change - January 2015: Thrusting tips for throwing weapons were reduced from no less than 2 inches (50.8mm) to no less than 1.25 inch (31.8mm) in diameter/cross-section with 1.25 inch (31.8mm) of resilient material in front of the rigid tip of the weapon, providing progressively resistant give, in line with other rules around low-profile thrusting tips.