What does AMO stand for on a recurve string? And how much will a new bow string stretch? I purchased a string for a recurve and it says 58" on the recurve so the guy gives me a 54" string AMO but it actually measures 51" and looks way to short.

He gave you the wrong size string.You need a 58" AMO string.That'll be 54" actual length

I thought it was a 3" less, not 4". Am I wrong jim?

Recurves are usually 4" less that AMO length and longbows are usually 3" less than AMO.That'swhat I was taught howto make them

Thanks, Jim

http://www.texasarchery.org/Documents/AMO/AMOStandards.pdf

AMO stands for Archery Merchants and Manufacturer's Organization. It goes by a different name now (can't remember off hand), but the above link will give you some info.

AMO specs for strings actually are the same for longbows and recurves--3" shorter (under tension--150#, I think)than the AMO bow length. The catch is that is only good if the bowyer/manufacturer followed AMO specs when designing the bow. It will also vary with the material and number of strands used. A 12 strand dacron string is going to stretch more under tension than a 12 strand Dynaflight '97.

Most older recurves do get a string 4" shorter, but it can vary. Some (all?) old Herter's recurves get a string 6" shorter. I've seen recurves get strings from 2.5" shorter to 6" shorter than the AMO, longbows 1.5" to 4" shorter.

It's also going to vary depending on your preferances--I've seen some folks with 1" or more difference in brace height with the same bow--one likes it low, the other likes it high.

I learned some time ago not to rely on the AMO bow length. It's a starting point, but depending on the bow it may or may not give you the right idea for the string length.

Chad

So what if the bow does not have a AMO marked, how can I measure the bow length?

Longbow - String Groove to String groove?

Recurve - String Groove to String groove, or do i measure the curves too????

For either type bow: use a flexible tape (like a cloth tape a tailor uses), start at the top of the string groove, follow the contour of the limb through the center of the riser along the other limb to the top of the other string groove--that is your AMO bow length.

Chad