If you’re just getting into bowhunting or archery, it can seem like you just opened a can of worms if you’re trying to figure out your equipment. This especially can be challenging if you’re starting off with used equipment.
Since the string is hands-down the most abused part of the bow, this is usually where the large majority of your troubles lie.
How do you tell if your bowstring is stretched? All bowstrings stretch over time, and this is normal. However, if the strings become too fatigued, the draw length of the bow and ATA measurement will increase and will no longer be able to be tuned properly.
In this post, I’ll outline a few other indicators of string stretch, how you can maintain your bow to reduce wear and tear, and how to tell how much is too much.
Are Bowstrings Supposed to Stretch?
Bowstrings are not intended to be elastic (stretchy). The power of the bow comes from the limbs. Anything else that stretches, like strings, will absorb the power from the shot instead of putting that energy into the arrow.
Materials for bow strings are selected because of their resistance to stretch. High quality strings will stretch less, cheaper strings will stretch more.
However, all bowstrings are exposed to wear, tear and fatigue. Over time, all brands of strings will stretch out to the point of needing to be replaced.
Another term used for this stretch over time is creep. There are some technical differences between string stretch (technically everything stretches) and creep (non-recoverable elongation), but for the sake of this post, I’m just calling it string stretch.
Normal String Stretch
Throughout the entire lifespan of your bow string, it will be gradually stretching out.
If you put brand new strings on your bow, you’ll usually need to fire around 20-50 shots for the strings to “settle” and stretch out. This is why many people hold off on installing the peep; they want to exercise the strings before tying in anything permanent.
Some strings also come “pre-stretched”, although you’ll still need to give them an opportunity to settle in.
After this initial break-in period, your strings will stretch very slowly over time and use. One of the easiest ways to notice string stretch is by paying attention to your peep sight.
After installed, your peep orientation will likely rotate around the string over time. This is basically because the strings are stretching and relaxing as they age.
On some cheap strings, you might see the peep make a complete rotation around the strings once or twice a year. This is especially true for stock strings on entry-level bows.
On more expensive strings, this will be far less noticeable.
It’s worth noting that string stretch isn’t just a matter of how many times a bow is fired. Compound bow strings are left on the bow, so they will naturally stretch out over time.
For longbows and recurves, the strings should always be removed after use to prevent them from stretching out and fatiguing.
How to Monitor String Stretch
Aside from just being aware of how your peep is rotating (if you have one), there are a couple of other things to watch for.
For compound bows, you should keep an eye on your bow tuning. If your shots are degrading over time, get someone to check out your bow.
As strings stretch out, they’ll throw everything out of whack. Your sight will probably need to be adjusted and your cams might be misaligned or poorly timed.
A bow tech will be able to compensate for these things by making adjustments. For example, he might add some twists on one side of the string to tighten things back up.
An additional way of monitoring string stretch is by your axle-to-axle (ATA) measurement. New from factory, this measurement is usually pretty exact, but it should usually be within around 1/8″ for a 32 inch bow.
When your strings are fatigued, this measurement might be 3/8″ to 1/2″ out of spec, which likely means it’s time to change the strings.
This is pretty easy to check with a tape measure. The axles are the parts that the cams spin on. Here’s how to do it:
You should be getting a tech to look at your bow at least once every year to re-tune it and check for damage.
Even with regular maintenance, your strings won’t last forever. 3-5 years of low to moderate use is a totally normal lifespan for strings on a compound. If you’re shooting weekly, they might only last 1-2 years.
Checking for String Stretch When Buying a Used Bow
If you’re buying a bow that’s more than 5 years old and it’s still on its original strings, it’s extremely likely that you’ll need to replace them regardless of how rarely the owner says it was actually used.
One thing to pay close attention to is the string servings. This is where a thin waxy thread is wound around the bow string to strengthen it in high-wear areas. Here’s what they look like:
You’ll usually see it on the cables where they contact the cams as well as around the knock and any other high-wear areas.
In the pic above, you can see what my servings look like when they’re fresh. The winding is really tight since they string hasn’t stretched.
On tired-out strings, you might see small gaps in between the serving windings where they have been stretched or otherwise loosened. This is what they should look like if they’re in good shape:
Another good idea is to check the axle to axle length.
Look up the axle to axle (ATA) specs for the particular model of bow that you’re considering and see if your measurements are noticeable different from spec. Usually, anything that’s around 3/8″ to 1/2″ larger than spec would be a concern.
How to Maintain Your Strings
The best thing that you can do for your strings is regular inspection, cleaning, waxing, and proper storage.
Inspect them for fraying. Light fraying is normal, but look for any areas where it seems excessive or that the strands seem to be damaged. Average compound bows usually have something like 12 strands that are twisted together to make the cables and string.
For cleaning, take care not to damage the strings or use any products that could break down the synthetic fibers.
For me, this is a step that I take just before waxing them.
Use a fine thread (I’ve seen some guys use dental floss) and tie it gently around one end of the bare string. Slowly slide the thread down the string along any sections where there isn’t serving.
This will safely scrape off old wax and any gunk buildup. I take this as an opportunity to take a closer look at the strings themselves, too.
Then rub bowstring wax along any bare sections of string. Do not apply wax to servings. Wax is really hard to clean out of servings, since you can’t easily get between the strands. Since string wax stays tacky, applying it to servings will make them a dirt magnet.
The warmth from your hand will be enough to melt the wax and help it penetrate between the individual strands. This helps reduce friction, which will fatigue your strings.
Make sure you use proper bowstring wax. Do not use beeswax or candle wax, as these can damage your strings. I use Tex-Tite wax, which you can get for cheap on Amazon here. There are a few different types of wax available, but the average person won’t notice any actual difference between them.
Avoid storing your bow in hot weather, especially direct sunlight. This can degrade your synthetic strings and cause them to wear out prematurely.
I’ve heard of some people using a hairdryer to melt the wax into the strings, but this isn’t necessary with proper wax and will only damage your strings over time. You should always try to avoid exposing your strings to excessive heat.