What to look for when buying a bow

What to look for when buying a Bow

1- AMO draw length standard.

Draw length is the specified distance at an archer's full draw, measured from the nocking point on the string to the pivot point of the bow grip. This can also be described as the theoretical vertical projection of a tangency line to the pivot point parallel to the string, plus an additional 1 3/4 inches. this measurement is known as the true draw length. the draw length from the pivot point is abbreviated as dlpp (draw length from pivot point). for example, a dlpp of 26 1/4 inches plus 1 3/4 inches results in a true draw length of 28 inches. this calculation is applicable to both compound and recurve bows, ensuring that archers in both disciplines have the correct setup for optimal performance and accuracy.

2- AMO arrow length standards

AMO arrow length is the measurement from the bottom of the nock slot to a designated point near the front or leading end of the arrow assembly. In short, it is the length from the nock groove plus the shaft.

3- Bowstring length

Bowstrings are measured using specific values based on the material. For traditional materials like Dacron, B50, and B500, the measurement is done at 10 lbs. For modern string materials such as 8125, 452X, Mercury, and many others, the measurement is conducted at 100 lbs. This method of measurement is followed at the archery service center in the local archery pro shop to ensure consistency and accuracy.

4- Recurve Bow Lengths

Recurve bows come in various lengths, determined by the combination of riser and limb sizes. Here’s how the bow length changes based on the riser size and limb type:

Short Limbs

On a 23-inch riser, the bow length is 64 inches.
On a 25-inch riser, the bow length is 66 inches.
On a 27-inch riser, the bow length is 68 inches.

Medium Limbs

On a 23-inch riser, the bow length is 66 inches.
On a 25-inch riser, the bow length is 68 inches.
On a 27-inch riser, the bow length is 70 inches.

Long Limbs

On a 23-inch riser, the bow length is 68 inches.

On a 25-inch riser, the bow length is 70 inches.
On a 27-inch riser, the bow length is 72 inches.

Draw Weight Adjustments
23-Inch Riser: The limbs add approximately 2 lbs more draw weight at a 28-inch draw length compared to the standard draw weight.

27-Inch Riser: The limbs reduce the draw weight by approximately 2 lbs at a 28-inch draw length compared to the standard draw weight.

Questions or suggestions please contact us.

Archery Tech Team
Archery Service Center