450+ got some questions

[Oliverstacy]

Well I just broke down and got some 450+ and need to play around with it.  I’ve heard 6 strand strings are extremely strong and are plenty up to the mid 50’s or more in draw weight.

Is there a guide to what people are using strand wise with this material?

It has a larger feel than D-97 and a lot larger than 8125.  

Guess I just need to play around with it to see what it’s like and go from there.

Thanks in advance!

Josh

[Tim Fishell]

Josh, 450+ is what comes on all the Shrew bows.  From what I have heard 60# is where they jump from a 6 strand to an 8 strand.  I have both 6 and 8 strands for some of my bows and dont notice much difference between the two.

[azhunter]

What Tim said. My Shrews all around the low 50# range came with 6 strand 450.

[JRY309]

I have used 450+ 6 strand on my bows up to 65# and use 8 strands on my bows from 65# to 73#.A 6 strand 450+ is very close to the same diameter as a 8 strand D97,so I use my same double serve on both of them.I pad my loop ends with 4 to 5 strands of B50 per bundle depending on the nock groove size.The 450+ doesn't creep and makes a quiet string,D97 creeps alittle.

[DCM]

Seems like 450+ is 150# per strand.  B50 is 50# (or less), so 6 strand 450+ would be equal to 18 strand B50 in breaking strenght (but about 1/2 the stretch).  Not sure if they publish the stats anymore.  My Super Shrew was 6 strand, 57# @ 30".  I've used 8 and 10 simply for better nock fit w/ what serving I had on hand.

Be warned, it (black) bleeds dye like a muther!  I got a couple of black stripes on my truck seat where it layed on hot summer...

[LBR]

When BCY published breaking strengths, 450+ was rated at 155#.  99.9999% sure that was static load, not shock load (shooting a bow would be considered shock).

Pretty sure BCY has made some changes with the dye--dark colors don't seem to "bleed" nearly as bad as they used to.

As for a tiny 450+ string, I don't trust it myself.  I know a lot of people have had no problems, but I've talked to several that have.

450+ is 70/30 Dyneema and Vectran.  Vectran has almost zero stretch/creep, but it's brittle and can't handle the flex.  If the blend were to get off in a spool, you could be in trouble.

Chad

[George D. Stout]

I've had the same 450+ string, 6 strands...12 in the loops, on my old 67 Shakespeare now for over 2000 shots. I rarely have to check brace height, and it is shooting better than any other on that bow.  Quiet, quick and stable.  I do have a back up string of the same type, but this one literally shows very little sign of use.

[LBR]

Like I said, I know a lot of folks that have had great luck with it.

It's like this to me.  You know of a dog that hundreds of people have petted with no problems, but it's bit 3 or 4 folks you know of too.  Are you going to put 100% of your trust in that dog?

[George D. Stout]

LBR, we all have much to learn since the material in question is relatively new....at least compared to modern archery  8^).  

Anyway...I'm curious to know what will work best on my bows, and I'm also sure not all strings are made the same...even from the same material.
It's all still in the experimental stages.  So far it has worked for me....not saying that dog won't take a dislikin' to me at some point 8^).

[LBR]

It hasn't bit me either, and I don't put much if any faith in message board rumors.  I wouldn't even mention it if I hadn't gotten first-hand info. from folks I trust, and that know lots about strings/string materials.

I am hesitant about posting anything like this, because several years ago when I posted concerns about PENN 66/B-75 on a different site (pre-TG) I got called pretty much everything but smart and honest by the folks that had been having good luck with them/making money off them....right before both materials were taken off the market for the very reasons I had posted concern about.

Anyhow, my point is be careful.  Folks are using these materials in ways the manufacturers never intended, and actually warn against in some cases.

Chad

[George D. Stout]

Chad,  Point taken.  It never hurts to err on the side of caution; and, when trying new things, it is always good to expect the unexpected as well.

[Jason Kendall]

I agree with you 100% Chad, it's usually better to play it safe.

However, I do remember reading a long time ago Ron posted that he will keep using the skinny 450+ strings until he has a problem with it, I dont remember if he posted it here or on the LW but I do know it was a long time ago and it seems to be working just fine.

Josh, I would be willing to test a padded 8-strand 55" red and black for my longbow    :D