Your draw length - AMO or actual?

[kahunter]

This is probably a newbie question, but when you guys measure draw length are you measuring the actual length(to the grip), or AMO(to the grip plus 1.75")?  

In the compound world everything is measured in the AMO, but I was wondering if that held true with stickbows.  Just trying to figure out some comparisons to my own draw.  

For instance, my actual draw length is right about 25", but AMO draw comes to almost 27".  How do the bowyers measure that?  Thanks for your patience.

[A.S.]

Most measure to the front of the riser---or to the throat of the grip plus 1 3/4" (which is usually the same)

[cajuntec]

I would highly recommend that you ask the individual bowyer how they measure their bows, as there are some differences.  

I measured my draw length with three different methods, and came out with three slightly different numbers, with the average being approx 27".  I don't have my little sheet of paper with me right now, but I think I measured at 27 1/2" one way, 26 1/2" another way, and 26 3/4" the last way.  I've drawn several 50# at 28" bows, and generally I pull them to 47#'s.  My latest bow is marked 52# at 28".  However, I measure it with my bowscale at 50# at 28" and I pull it to approx 47-48#'s (It's right between the lines).  So... either that bowyer didn't mark his bow properly, or (more likely), he measures his bow differently than the ones I've previously drawn.

So that is why I say - call the bowyer.

All the best,
Glenn

[Jager]

I have never figured out why they call the throat side of the bow the front?  :confused:

[elk ninja]

Jager,
My understanding of the "throat", and what I have always refered to as the throat, is the circumfrance area of the grip.... and its called that because it's like holding a chicken by the throat, minus the flying feathers of course.... but to my knowledge, the throat is actually not just the face or the belly of the bow.
Mike

[Orion]

Either measurement will give you pretty close to the same result with the same bow.  However, one's draw length can differ substantially between bows depending on the grip shape, and to some extent the design of the bow.  For example, a high wrist grip will likely result in a draw length that's 1/2 to 1 inch longer than a low wrist grip.

[Tree man]

Kahunter, Two methods are widely accepted as the correct way to measure drawlength on traditional bows(but there are excptions-bowyers who use a different method of some sort). There is the AMO method-string/throat of arrow nock to the throat of the grip plus 1.75 inches. OR from the string(again the bottom of the arrow nock throat) to the BACK of the bow. i.e. ACTUAL draw length. The AMO method is very close to actual on most bows and provides a standard for testing and comparing bows. The ACTUAL length to the BACK of the bow at the arrow pass is what truly matters when selecting arrows.

[Kingstaken]

Jager I think it's because a bow is only held one way and such when lQQking at anything by standing in front ff it one can only see the front and not the back.
It's one of this things like why is a dog called a dog and not blue. Someone was the frist to name it and have it written down.
I hope this clears this up cause I'm still confused.   :confused:

[ONE SHOT]

The back of the Bow is always the surface of the limb farthest away from you when shooting, or at Full Draw, or looking at the handle or Riser when your Bow hand is grasping the riser at the throat( area where the web of your Bow hand wraps around the riser). The Belly of the Bow faces you when shooting. This is TRUE of all Bows.

Always measure your Draw length from the back of the Bow to the serving on the string at the nock point when at FULL Draw and at your Regular Anchor point. ( Bare fingers, Glove or Tab).

This measurment can change if using a Release aid.

The distance from the string to the throat of the GRIP is called the BRACE height. (Again TRUE of all Bows)....ONE SHOT...          

[kahunter]

Hey, thanks guys.  That helps to clarify some things.  I did some experimenting with my Bear Grizzly and an old Pearson longbow somebody gave me.  I got a slightly longer draw length with the Grizzly (I assume because of the grip), and also slightly longer with split finger instead of 3 under.  

By the way, does anybody shoot split finger with index finger as the anchor instead of the middle finger?  It feels pretty good to me, but I wonder if it would be susceptible to short range misses.  Guess I'll just have to experiment, huh?!

[slayer1]

Originally posted by kahunter:
Hey, thanks guys.  That helps to clarify some things.  I did some experimenting with my Bear Grizzly and an old Pearson longbow somebody gave me.  I got a slightly longer draw length with the Grizzly (I assume because of the grip), and also slightly longer with split finger instead of 3 under.  

By the way, does anybody shoot split finger with index finger as the anchor instead of the middle finger?  It feels pretty good to me, but I wonder if it would be susceptible to short range misses.  Guess I'll just have to experiment, huh?!

I shoot Split finger with the index finger as my anchor. I have not had any issues. I have always shot this way, so I dont have anything to compare it too.

[hickstick]

Always measure your Draw length from the back of the Bow to the serving on the string at the nock point when at FULL Draw and at your Regular Anchor point. ( Bare fingers, Glove or Tab).

This measurment can change if using a Release aid.

The distance from the string to the throat of the GRIP is called the BRACE height. (Again TRUE of all Bows)....ONE SHOT..

one shot...may be semantics but I think your wrong by saying 'Always'.  the 'correct' way to measure DRAW LENGTH  according to AMO standards is from string/nock  to the 'deepest part of the grip (or throat)' while the bow is drawn, then add 1.75"s to that measurement. so measuring brace height AND  drawlenght are done (again, for AMO standards) between the same two points...just one is static and one is dynamic, and for draw you're tacking on an extra 1.75".

there are many who measure draw len. on a drawn bow (Including me sometimes) to the back of the bow....that measurement is more for determining what your arrow length should be....the AMO draw is more 'standard' for determining what at what point in the draw does the bow it the DRAW WEIGHT.

so take a bow marked 50# @ 28" AMO...and thats saying...draw the bow measuring from the deepest part of the grip (throat)to the nock throat to 26.25" and the draw weight should be 50#s (give or take)

make sense....