newbie string stretch question

[solobowhunter]

Is it normal for a string to contract after un-stringing my bow and letting it sit overnight?  I've noticed about a quarter inch difference from when I initially string my bow each day to when I un-string after shooting.  The measurements are the same everyday.  Is this cause for concern?

[Orion]

Normal for a dacron string, and even the low-stretch strings will do it, but not as much.  Nothing to worry about.

[katman]

very common with skinny strings. Do you have a lot of twists in the string?
Why unstring it at night?

[solobowhunter]

as far unstringing- is it okay to leave it strung? I shoot everyday I can.

[solobowhunter]

I guess I should have mentioned a quarter inch difference in brace height, not string length. I'm sorry for not being clear in the OP.

[JEFF B]

i would unstring it when its strung its working. just  my opinion  

[LBR]

That is normal. The only bows I don't leave strung are very old bows and selfbows.  My #1 stays strung most of the time.  I've been shooting it for around 15 years and it hasn't lost a pound of draw weight.

Chad

[AkDan]

stretch vs creep....

one is recoverable one is not (I can never remember which is which Chad, just plume gave up trying to remember which was which LOL).

Like was said some materials do it more than others....my skinnies have really stretched a ton after building, some of that is probably my redneck method of trying to make a string more than anything.  Once it settles in all strings are going to do this to a degree.  If you're bow is picky you may notice it in your shooting, you may not, more likely if you're close on fine tuning....if you leave it strung it'll bottom out and stop moving all together.

I also rarely unstring.   Something to consider, stringing and unstringing is where most problems occur.   If you shoot a bunch leave it strung unless you're in a hot environment or direct sun that could heat the resigns up and delam your bow (or you're shooting a all wood bow than dont leave it strung!).  

if your bh is changing....your string length is changing also.

[LBR]

Stretch is like a rubber band--it recovers.  Creep is like bubble gum--doesn't recover.

Low strand counts are going to stretch and creep more--that's simple physics.  One rubber band is easier to stretch than pulling on ten at once.