Guys, is draw length measured to the very FRONT of the riser, or to a point in the middle of the riser?
I am exactly 28" to the front of my longbow riser. Just wondering if that's my DL, based on the common measurement.
Thanks
from the deepest part of the grip plus add 1 3/4".
The part of the riser furthest from you is actually referred to as the back of the riser...for most purposes that is where your draw length would be measured
DDave
I'm a bit confused (doesn't take much). So is it to part of riser furthest from me/closest to target or part of riser closest to ME (I assume that's the "deepest part" referred to?), plus 1 3/4"?
Thanks
QuoteOriginally posted by shed hunter:
from the deepest part of the grip plus add 1 3/4".
:thumbsup:
Think about it this way....while at full draw pointer finger to pointer finger. Once you visualize that, you can use the method used above.
Measure to the part of the riser farthest from you. That is the back side of the bow. The side that is facing you is the belly side. The technically correct way to measure is from the deepest part of the grip +1 3/4", but if you just measure to the back of the riser it will be very close, and its easier.
QuoteOriginally posted by TxAg:
Think about it this way....while at full draw pointer finger to pointer finger. Once you visualize that, you can use the method used above.
Huh? :dunno:
Here's what I do:
Put a wooden clothes pin on your arrow, horizontally, about 10" from your field point. Position the portion of the pin that you pinch so that it will encounter the riser when you draw your bow. Slowly achieve full draw, as you do so the pin will slide down the arrow. Measure from the valley of the nock to the clothes pin, and this will reveal your draw length for that bow. You may do this a few times to get a more accurate idea. Bear in mind that your draw length will vary somewhat on different bows; for example, a straight Hill style grip versus a locater type grip.
(http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u532/chase_el_p/Mobile%20Uploads/photo-15.jpg) (http://s1320.photobucket.com/user/chase_el_p/media/Mobile%20Uploads/photo-15.jpg.html)
The yellow line is draw length.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/drawlength.jpg)
as Charlie says above is what i have been taught as the correct way, however thats what always been my issue charlie, when i shoot a heavy recurve, the draw length is going to be different from when i shoot one of my bend thru the handle self bows???
first time i have ever hear of the other method, adding the 1 3/4", it seems to be more standard
QuoteOriginally posted by Charlie Lamb:
The yellow line is draw length.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/drawlength.jpg)
Thanks all. I spoke to Herb Meland of Pronghorn Custom yesterday about a bow and he said he uses the measurement to the "back" of riser, as outlined by Charlie here. I suppose others might measure differently.
The way Charlie shows it is the method most Bowhunters use.
If your into technical stuff and AMO then the deepest part of the grip and 1 3/4" comes into play.
That's great for comparison between bowyers but for Bowhunters we need to know where the broadhead clears the riser and how long to build our arrows no matter how much dish in the riser or how thick.
K.I.S.S.
What is the purpose of adding the 1 3/4" after you measure from the deepest part of the grip? I just measured the thickness of my Bear grizzly grip and it is only 1 3/8". Not only that I also have a Martin Savannah LB and everyone knows the grips on LBs aren't 1 3/4" thick.
QuoteOriginally posted by motorhead7963:
What is the purpose of adding the 1 3/4" after you measure from the deepest part of the grip? I just measured the thickness of my Bear grizzly grip and it is only 1 3/8". Not only that I also have a Martin Savannah LB and everyone knows the grips on LBs aren't 1 3/4" thick.
Standardization.
There is no STANDARD size grip/handle for any given Bow.
You can't do that for every bow, if you do ALOT of people will have incorrect DL per there setup.
QuoteOriginally posted by motorhead7963:
There is no STANDARD size grip/handle for any given Bow.
You can't do that for every bow, if you do ALOT of people will have incorrect DL per there setup.
I respectfully disagree with you...
There is an "AMO Standard" of 1.75" in depth. and and AMO standard draw length is measured accordingly as the sketch below shows.
btw.... here is the documentation if youd like to read it yourself.
http://www.outlab.it/doc/amostd.pdf
(http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u301/kirkll/Drawings/Drawlength.gif) (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/kirkll/media/Drawings/Drawlength.gif.html)
I'll just throw this out there. I think that most guys think that their draw length is longer then it actually is. Most measure it by drawing back to their anchor and either use the cloths pin or have someone look at a mark on their arrow. I think that you will find a difference when you draw back with the intention of someone getting a reading on your draw length and when your actually aiming and shooting at something. I put a small O ring on the arrow and then draw and actually shoot at something. The O ring is set at 1/2" longer then I think that my draw is. As I'm aiming I can feel the ring just touching my index finger. This will also show you if you are creeping before the shot. This is also really good if you happen to snap shoot because it is really hard for someone to see a mark on your arrow when it's not at full draw for long. You will either feel it or you won't. If you don't, move it in 1/4" until you do. You will lose some O rings in the target but you get a whole bag for 50 cents. Most guys that I show this to end up realizing that their draw length is about 1/2" less then they thought.
Aye... the point where your hand contacts the bow (deepest part of the grip) to where your anchor point + 1.75" doesn't change no matter what bow you shoot... hence standardization... unless I really understood that wrong.
KirkII: OK I will buy that, BUT.... not all Bows have a 1 3/4" thick riser handle. Thus giving the Bow holder the wrong DL if they are using that method unwaveringly. This is a discussion that is subject to too many variables, IE: bow make, riser style, handle grip(low, med, high wrist)and last of all bow design. I do as stated above by putting a clothes pin on an arrow and drawing the bow. I do this a few times to get as close to correct DL for ME and call it good.
Heres what I read in the attachment.
Pg:7
AMO Draw Length Standard. sect.B
for practical reasons not requiring Precise terms, draw length is the distance at the archers Full draw, from the nocking point on the string to the Back of the Bow at the arrow rest.
"simple enough for me".
This is why there is no Standard in my opinion, I am the end user and am not a manufacturer. I measure my DL in the PRACTICAL sense for me not the masses.
Maybe someone can explain things better.
QuoteOriginally posted by motorhead7963:
There is no STANDARD size grip/handle for any given Bow.
Which is the very reason for the AMO standard of measuring. If you're measuring from the Valley of the nock (at full draw) to the deepest part of the grip (where YOUR hand makes the furthest contact with the bow), YOUR DL shouldn't change no matter what style of bow you're shooting. I would guess that the 1.75" add-on is an AVERAGE rest-of-shelf to back-of-riser length, standardized so that BOWYERS can give an accurate weight at that length, etc.
But, for the everyday shooter, measuring to to the back of the riser is probably plenty close enough to get a person in the ballpark for everyday applications.
Just my opinion. It's free, and worth every penny. :readit: :D
QuoteOriginally posted by Gregg S:
I think that you will find a difference when you draw back with the intention of someone getting a reading on your draw length and when your actually aiming and shooting at something.
I think you may be right. I wonder if a fella could use the clothespin (or the o-ring) trick in conjunction with a form master? That way you could still shoot the arrow, but wouldn't have to worry about the impact with the target pushing the marker back any. :dunno:
K-B and F 77: You're both right, of course. The AMO way of measuring is the standard. The 1.75-inch addition to the throat of the grip measurement is just an average, but most grips are about that depth, belly to back. However, some are as shallow as an inch, and others as deep as 2 1/4 inches or more. Regardless, the 1 3/4-inch addition gets one in the ballpark. All the disagreement arises because not everyone uses or is even aware of the AMO standard.
I never worried about it. I note the distance from the string to the front of the riser and then add 1" for broadhead clearance when I cut arrow shafts. I find that bows listed as X# @ 28" will be a guide. Scales vary. Heck my draw length will vary a bit depending upon how consistent I am anchoring that day. I don't worry about 1/4" or a pound.
Ah sweet winter ye are too much with us!
:wavey:
You go Charlie, shoot em up. ;) Just make sure you get to the right draw length. LOL!