What you need to know before you buy:
On this page you will learn to find the import numbers you need to know before getting your own set.
Finding your bow length:
Your total bow length is based on your height.
Archer Height Bow Size (inches)
Up to 5 ft 6 inches 64
Up to 5 ft 10 inches 66
Up to 6 ft 2 inches 68
Over 6 ft 2 inches 70
Example: I am 6 th tall so I would get a 68-inch bow setup
Now that you know your bow length is time to find the right combination of riser and limbs to get that length:
Riser length Short limbs Medium limbs Long limbs
21 inches 62 inches 64 inches 66 inches
23 inches 64 inches 66 inches 68 inches
25 inches 66 inches 68 inches 70 inches
27 inches 68 inches 70 inches 72 inches
Now you may ask what is the difference between a short riser with long limbs vs a long riser with short limbs.
Basically longer risers will go further.
Example: I would get a 25-inch riser with medium limbs to have a good size sight window and a good cast to reach 70 meters.
Poundage is a personal preference. The higher the poundage the faster and straighter the arrow will fly. However, a heavy-pound bow if you are not ready for it will get you tried quickly.
Remember at the middle school level the poundage written on the limbs can not go past 28 lbs.
Your draw length can be found by measuring the distance from the tip of your left middle finger to the tip of your right middle finger and then dividing that number by 2.5. Then round up to the next inch and that will get you 99.9% there.
Example: From tip to tip, I am 72 inches. So, my draw length will be 72/2.5 = 28.8 => 29 inches
Draw length is important to know because your arrows must be longer than your draw length by about 1-2 inches.
The information below can be found at: https://lancasterarchery.com/blogs/product-info/how-to-choose-the-right-recurve-longbow-string
To do so, you’ve got to get a string that’s the correct length for your bow and has the correct number of strands.
LENGTH
When figuring out the correct length for your bowstring, you’re likely to come across the acronym “AMO.” This stands for Archery Manufacturers and Merchants Organization, and it represents a uniform system of measurement for recurve and longbow bowstrings.
Let’s say you have a 68-inch recurve bow. You might think, “Well, I need a 68-inch string.” What you need is a 68-inch AMO string, which will actually measure 64 to 65.25 inches long depending on the bow and the string material.
According to AMO standards, the correct bowstring length for a particular bow is three inches shorter than the stated bow length. That is a good rule of thumb, but it’s not guaranteed to be optimal in every case. The latest modern materials (such as BCY DF 97 or 8125 Dyneema) and string-building methods give us bowstrings that do not stretch nearly as much as Dacron B-50 or Flemish bundle-made bow strings.
Dacron bow strings can measure up to one inch shorter untaught than they would under 100 pounds of tension, while a new material, such as BCY DF 97 or 8125, may only vary by a quarter-inch.
Using the correct string length allows you to achieve the correct brace height to ensure quietness and maximum performance for that bow once it’s strung.
Brace height can be easily adjusted by increasing or decreasing the number of twists over a wide range in your bowstring. For example, on a string for a 68-inch bow, anywhere from20-60 twists will produce world-class results in order to get your bow’s brace height correct.
Usually, the bow will have its length measurement printed somewhere on it. But what if you have a bow that doesn’t indicate its length anywhere? You can measure it for yourself.
How to Measure:
Set the unstrung bow on its side on a flat surface. Now measure a longbow from string groove to string groove on the belly (grip facing you) side of the bow. For recurves, your groove-to-groove measurement should follow the curvature of the top limb, run straight over the riser, and follow the curvature of the bottom limb.
That measurement is the length of your bow, and the string you put on it should have an AMO measurement to match it. Again, a 68-inch bow gets a 68-inch AMO string.
By understanding this standard, you can then match a string that doesn’t have an AMO designation with the proper bow. If a string measures 65 inches long, then you know it should be used on a 68-inch bow.
STRAND COUNT
A bowstring is a collection of individual fiber strands bound together by serving. Generally, you’ll find recurve and longbow bowstrings with anywhere from 10-20 strands. The number of strands needed in a bowstring depends on the draw weight of the bow.
Modern bowstrings for recurves and longbows are generally made from one of two types of material – Dacron(Polyester) or Dyneema/Spectra (HMPE-High Molecular Polyethylene).
If your bow was made prior to 1990, only use a Dacron bowstring to avoid damage. Dacron is more forgiving on limb tips and string grooves as it elongates, or gives a bit, on each shot. Dyneema or Fastflight/Spectra bowstrings offer very little creep/stretch and higher arrow speeds on newer bows.
Dyneema materials such as BCY’s DF 97 and 8125 offer even less creep than Fastflight strings made of Spectra material.
Bowstrings made of Vectran or Vectran/Dyneema blend are rarely used on recurves and longbows due to the harshness created by zero creep or stretch.
The number of strands required for your bowstring can vary depending on the string material and serving thread. Be careful to check your arrow’s nock fit onto the center serving. It should lightly click onto the string, but not require more than a tap on the bowstring to dislodge.
Here’s the strand guide our recurve and longbow experts at Lancaster Archery follow:
For bows with draw weights from 10-30 pounds, use Dacron strings with 10-12 strands or Dyneema/Fastflight strings with 12-14 strands.
For bows with draw weights from 30-40 pounds, use Dacron strings with 14 strands or Dyneema/Fastflight strings with 16 strands.
For bows with draw weights over 40 pounds, use Dacron strings with 16 strands or Dyneema/Fastflight strings with 18-20 strands.
Finding the “perfect” bowstring for your bow can make a huge difference in accuracy, quietness, and performance. The most important factors are brace height and proper nock fit on the serving.
Example: Since I would get a 68" bow due to my height, I would get a 68 AMO string which would be 65" inches long. Since High school is restricted to under 28 pounds you would get Dacron strings with 10-12 strands or Dyneema/Fastflight strings with 12-14 strands.