There come times when you need to replace your bowstring. It is a mandatory maintenance practice that ensures the durability of the bow. When adding a new one, you must know how to measure a recurve bow string. Opting for the wrong length will lead you to another hassle of poor setup.
In simple words, you need to determine the overall length of your bow from string grooves on both limbs. Since the bow limbs curve, you must subtract 4 inches from the overall value. This will tell how long your recurve bow string should be.
It might not be as straightforward as it may sound. There are multiple ways to find out the perfect string length for your recurve bow. Some of the top approaches are discussed in detail below.
Making of A Perfect Equipment – How To Measure A Recurve Bow String?
Changing the string of a recurve bow is extremely simple. But, before doing that, you must know how to figure out the appropriate length for it. As per my experience, string has great inpact on accuracy and performance and also make your recurve bow quieter. There are two methods through which you can learn how to measure recurve bow string for the best performance.
Bow String Length Via AMO Standard
Short for Archery Manufacturers Organization, AMO reveals the standard measurements for bowstring length. These depend on the overall bow length and are used to determine how long a recurve and longbow strong should be.
According to this method, the bowstring for a recurve bow is always 4 inches less than the overall bow length. For a longbow, you must deduct 3 inches from the total bow’s length. To get the total bow length, AMO calculates how far the strong notches in both limbs are in inches. Learn how to string a recurve bow.
The easy steps to find the bowstring length are as follows:
- Every recurve bow comes with an AMO length mentioned on it.
- Look at every side and angle of your bow to find the stickered or stamped length.
- If you cannot find it on the bow, check the user manual that comes with the product.
- Once you have found the length, deduct four inches from it.
- The new value you get is how long your string for recurve bow should be.
The table below shows some common recurve bow lengths and the corresponding bowstring lengths according to the AMO standard.
| AMO Recurve Bow Length (in.) | Bowstring Length (in.) |
| 56 | 52 |
| 58 | 54 |
| 60 | 56 |
| 62 | 58 |
| 64 | 60 |
Measuring Recurve String Length Manually
Generally, archers use the same string since the start that comes with the bow unless it requires maintenance. That said, the stamp or sticker might lose the writing that tells the AMO length. If you encounter the same situation, the only solution is to learn how to measure a recurve bow string manually.
Don’t stress out, all you need to determine the bow length is a measuring tape. This will increase accuracy with better aim of your recurve bow. Here are the steps to follow:
- Place one end of the tap at the bowstring groove on the upper limb and clamp it.
- Run it along the entire bow length till the bowstring groove on the lower limb.
- Read the length on the measuring tape, this will be your total bow’s length.
- Now perform the same method of calculation as above i.e., minus 4 inches from the value.
- The final figure is the ideal length for your bow.
Relation Between Brace Height And Bowstring Length
Brace height of a recurve bow refers to the distance between the deepest part of the grip and the bowstring. This is measured when the bow is at rest and not drawn. Not a lot of people know but brace height and bowstring length are somewhat related.
Their relationship is direct and can impact the overall archery performance with the bow. That said, when choosing the length of your recurve bow string, make sure to keep brace height in mind too.
If the bowstring is too long that it touches your arm with every arrow release, the brace height will be very low. Whereas, if the bowstring is too short, the brace height will be irrelevant to it.
In both cases, the overall performance of the recurve bow will suffer and you will fail to shoot arrows with accuracy.
To achieve the most ideal and desired accuracy and precision with the shots, both variables should be equal. For example, if your bow has a long string length, the brace height should also be long. However, for a small bowstring, the brace height is also small.
This is when both of these values work perfectly and allow an amazing experience. If one is long and the other is abnormally short, you need to get the bow tuned by an expert. Draw length is one of the deciding factor while measuring a recurve bow string.
Conclusion
Traditional archery is still one of the favorite sports among many archers. Out of numerous other things, knowing how to measure a recurve bow string length is extremely essential if you own one.
It not only helps you keep the bow maintained whether you use it frequently or not but also results in unmatched performance. Make sure to search for the AMO bow length carefully first. If you cannot find it after all the tries, measure the bow manually with precision.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
When measuring the bowstring length for a longbow, the method is quite similar to that used for a recurve bow. First, find out the AMO length of the bow but, rather than subtracting 4 inches from the value, you must minus only 3 inches for a longbow. That said, if your bow is 60 in. long, the bowstring length should be 57 in.
Bowstring lengths for a compound bow are also determined through AMO and manual methods. However, the process is a bit different and you need a bow press for it. Apply 100 lbs. pressure using a bow press on it to compress the limbs. Mark the end of the string with a marker and take the measurements.
Leave a Reply