HOW TO PROPERLY MEASURE A TRADITIONAL BOW STRING

As a professional person bowstring builder, I've seen one of the virtually misunderstood things in archery is how to measure a bow string for a longbow or recurve. This article explains what the industry standards are and why they're in identify.

During the evolution of archery, information technology soon became credible that some type of standard needed to exist in place so everyone would follow the same guidelines in terms of measuring  bow strings.

It seems that the popularity of compounds and  crossbows has left some of these older AMO standards to get forgotten in the shuffle. However, with traditional archery still as popular as ever, similar using a 66-inch recurve bow, it's important for shooters and retailers to understand how to properly decide the right bow string length.

How to Measure a Bow Cord

The correct way to mensurate a traditional bowstring (or whatever bowstring for that affair) is:

  1. Place it on ¼" pegs at 100lbs of tension for a period of xx seconds.
  2. Measure out from the outside of the peg to the outside of the peg.

This measurement is the correct bow string length.

man wearing camo shirt and man in wheelchair aim arrows at targets

At 60X Custom Strings, we're often asked why nosotros're measuring a bow string at 100lbs when the bow is only 50lbs? I can understand the confusion, but this is why the industry standard of 100lbs of tension is so important.

Every bow string material on the market has slightly different characteristics. Ane of these is how much it will stretch. Measuring every string at the standard of 100lbs compensates for the different stretch rates and allows everyone to measure the exact aforementioned way, from a 55- to a 66-inch recurve bow and more.

A Dacron bow string, for case, can measure out upward to 1 inch shorter when hand tightened than it volition at the right tension, while a newer cloth like 8125 may only accept a departure of ¼ inch.

AMO Standards and How to Measure a Bow String Based on Bow Length

AMO specs state that a recurve or longbow should be braced properly with a bowstring that's 3" shorter (under 100lbs of tension) than the AMO length of that bow. Most traditional bows will exist labeled around the grip area with the AMO length. A lot of times, people encounter the bow stamped with 68" and assume that's the string length when information technology'due south actually the bow length.

If your longbow or recurve isn't marked with an AMO length, measure your bow to figure out its length. To do so:

  1. Lay the bow confront down.
  2. Measure from bow string groove to bow string groove, beyond the curve of the bow's limbs.
  3. Don't go down into the grip surface area of the bow but follow the natural line or abdomen of the bow.

This measurement is the AMO length of the bow. Now, don't forget to get 1 3" shorter. A 66-inch recurve bow would become a 63" string, for example.

A Note Nearly AMO Measurements

selective focus of woman in red jacket drawing bow

Here's where it tin go tricky. I've seen several bows that are marked for one length but measure out another. This more often than not means that the bowyer (bow maker) has marked this bow for a specific length so that the correct bow string length will be used.

For case, say you have a bow that measures 57" but is marked "58AMO." This bow would require a 55" cord to attain the correct brace summit (remember, three" shorter).

This is why it's of import to acquire how to correctly measure a bow cord yourself or contact the bow maker when information technology's fourth dimension to club a new one. Virtually bow cord manufacturers will be able to compensate for the 100lbs of tension if yous tell them what your measured length is with the string hand tight.

Shop 60X Custom Bow Strings

Similar everything in archery, there are exceptions to the general guidelines, simply the above methods volition work well-nigh of the fourth dimension, including for a 66-inch recurve bow. Now that you lot learned how to measure out a bow cord, check out our weblog for more tips and tricks for all things archery.

As always, if you're not sure what to club or have whatever questions, don't hesitate to contact us at 60x@60xcustomstrings.com or visit our contact page. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more help like how-to articles and product reviews.