How long should my bowsting be?

[j3storch]

I bought a longbow from a freind, years ago, and always shot the string that came on it.

Lately, I've been reading up on traditional archery on the internet, and I suspect my string is too short form my bow. (Is that what "overstrung" means?)

According to what I read, the brace height (distance from strung string to riser) should be about 7 1/2 inches.

Mines about 11 inches.

This bow is 69 inches overall (measured it last night) with about an inch from each end to the little notches where the string goes around the ends of the limbs.

I'd like to order a flemish string, but I'm not sure how long of one to order.

I've killed one deer with this bow, and enjoy carrying it, since it's light as a feather compared to my compound.

Also, long ago, before I got wild and painted it up in camo colors, there was some data written on the riser about the poundage. Is that normally above the handgrip, or below? I want to try to carefully remove the camo paint so I can see for certain what the draw weight is. I think its' about 60 to 70 pounds. Maybe a longer string will reduce that a bit, because it's my zap than I need, and makes it tough to practice, since I wear out so soon, pulling that puppy back.

Thanks,

Luke Lund

[VA Hunter]

normally, the info is below the grip.

[1BowHunter]

69" between nock to nock this would make your longbow string 66"
normally three inches shorter for long bow and four inches shorter for recurve. While you shoot it make sure you use bow string wax , always keep it waxed up. It will last longer prevent wear on your string. as for poundage you will have to work up it to shoot right and your draw length will very this if you shoot 26" inch arrow deduct avg. 4 pounds per inch so if the bow is 60#@28" you will be shooting at 52 lbs.
the fistmil is use judge for 6"- 7 1/2" but that veries as you tune your bow to shoot, it be 6" enough clearance for your fletchings. as for removal of paint try to use OOPS on rag and rub it of small area at a time.

[LBR]

The string is definately too short. Although AMO standards for a string are 4" shorter than the AMO bow length (recurve or longbow), generally a longbow will get a string 3" shorter and a recurve 4" shorter. This does vary some, depending on the bow design and shooter preferance, but will probably work on 85-90% of traditional bows.

For a bow that long, it should be smoother than 4# per inch, but again that wil depend on the design. My #1 bow (Chek-Mate Crusader longbow) gains 2.5# per inch at least out to 30.5" (my draw length--66" bow) and I had a 64" that gained 2# per inch. With the right string, it should feel smoother to draw, but you will still be drawing approximately the same poundage.

If it's a straight limbed longbow, or mild reflex design, the brace height will probably be 6-6.5". If it's a deflex/reflex design, more like 7-7.5". Flemish strings are quite adjustable, but to get a better idea of what length string you need, make a "string" from some strong twine--just tie a couple of loops in it that won't slip. Go a little long at first, and tie knots in it until you get what you feel is the proper brace height, then measure the string on the bow.

If you need help with a flemish string, just give me a holler.

Chad

[PowDuck]

Excellent place to come for advice. Get Chad (LBR) the information he mentioned and he'll fix you up with an expertly hand crafted flemish twist string.

Chad's website (http://www.recurves.com)