Amateur question

[zwickey2bl]

I've only been shooting a traditional bow for 17 years (wink), and haven't put a string on my longbow in about 6 years, so it's time - but I can't for the life of me recall what the "standard" string length should be for a certain length bow. I shoot a 65# Martin ML-14, a straight-ended longbow, 68" length. My old string measures about 62" n/n, but that sounds short. Is that about right? I need to order a couple of new strings right away - I've violated the cardinal rule of always having a spare and the one on the bow is looking pretty frayed at the nocks. Help me out here, and thanks.

[Michael Peschek]

Here is the recommendation from 3riversarchery:
Note: Order by string length not bow length. Measure the bowstring you have and round up to the nearest full inch. These strings will stretch a bit as they're broken in. If you don't know the length of your bow string a good rule of thumb is that longbows take a string 3" shorter than they're marked and a recurve takes a 4" shorter bowstring. So, if your bow is a recurve and is marked AMO 60", a 56" string should fit.

[Smallwood]

Or, if you purchase one from someone that goes by the amo bow length, you would order a string for a 68" amo bow. Either method, it comes out the same, because you are going to have to adjust for the string stretch and for what brace height you like to shoot.
Also, wasn't the ML-14 supposed to be shot with a dacron string, or can you shoot fast flight on it?

[Orion]

When you say your longbow is 68 inches, is that total length or length between the nocks?  Your current string of 62 inches seems about right for a 66-inch (between the nocks) bow.  It will stretch some when you brace the bow.  Three-inches shorter than the bow length, nock to nock, is a good rule.  Will get you in the ballpark most of the time.  Good luck.

[zwickey2bl]

Thanks guys. I have two new strings to get set up and shot in now. Ordered from Three Rivers, I got 65" strings for my 68" (nock to nock) ML-14. And yes, I think this bow is not fast flight ready. Not an FF fan anyway - I like the feel of the thicker string, the quiet shooting and "softer" feel. Appreciate your responses.