Smallest you can saftely go with B-50?

[Chris Shelton]

All this hype about skinny strings.  I have done some experimenting, and since I am not farmiliar to this whole skinny string stuff(unless you count 14 strand FF strings), I would like to know how low you can go with B-50 daracon?

[LBR]

Depends on the draw weight.  Dacron will stretch and stretch--the lower the strand count, the more stretch.  The up side is it's more likely to stretch than snap if you go too low.

Chad

[Chris Shelton]

O my bad, I accidentally left that out, I shoot primarily a 55# take down, 28 inch draw . . .

[grouseshooter002]

Chris,
     This formual pertains to B-50 strand count. Bow weight x 6= divided by 25= strand count. For your bow it would be 55x6=330divided by 25=13.2 strands. From there you can go up to 14 or down to 12 strands. Hope this is of help.

Rick

[LBR]

14 strands will have a little less stretch/creep--that's what I would go with.

Chad

[LBR]

Almost forgot--I really don't know what the absolute minimum would be.  Maybe 10--but I wouldn't go there myself.

Chad

[Chris Shelton]

Alright guys, thanks a ton.  I am currently using FF with that bow, and am thinkin of switching to D97, but figured I would experiment with b-50 first!

[LBR]

Dynaflight '97 and 8125 are both excellent choices.

Chad

[Jeremy]

I use 12 strands of B50 on my 60# @30" bows with no problems.  If the string is well made and prestretched properly there's no noticeable increase in stretch over a 14 or 16 strand string.

Of course, if the bow is set up to use the low-stretch strings there's no way I put dacron on them!  

[JRY309]

All my dacron bows are 55# or less and I just make a 14 strand for them.I will go to a lower strand count for youth bows.

[Steelhead]

I use 12 my bows from 50 to 55#.I have had no problems and I think it shoots nicer for me than 14 or more.Just keep an eye on the string.Keep it waxed,loops and all and replace when necessary.Pre stretching is a good idea as Jeremy recomended.One its shot i I have not had any problems with creep.Keep the bow strung for awhile after stringing it to get any additional creep out.

[mrpenguin]

I used 12 strands on a 60# Cascade and it was fine.  I also made a 10 strand of some fastflight material a buddy gave me for fun... what I noticed is that the string was LOUD and made the bow LOUD... not worth it IMHO. The standards are standard for a reason, because they tend to work better.  Plus with skinny strings you have to double serve them, which is a pain and adds weight which is what you're trying to reduce with the low strand count.

Just my 2 cents...

[Predator Man]

personally skinny string b-50 on a bow that can shoot ff strings is like buying a school bus to get a sports car.

[Steelhead]

I have some bows that shoot more sweetly and enjoyably with B-50 and quieter.Some dont.

Thats why I use it on the few that I do.Its not a speed thing.I like the pleasant feel and soft swooosh I get upon release.I use FF on most though.

[Bill Carlsen]

I've been making my own strings since the 50's and have shot bows up to 70#. Never used more than 12 strands of B 50 and never had a string break unless I did something careless like slipping while crossing a stone wall and abraded the string.

[Chris Shelton]

Originally posted by Predator Man:
personally skinny string b-50 on a bow that can shoot ff strings is like buying a school bus to get a sports car.

well I dont have any fast flight material, and I like shooting my own strings, but you are defiantly right.  I am gona buy some D97 for this bow!

[Benny Nganabbarru]

I shoot my Hill at 29", drawing about 78#. So far, my 16 strand B50 strings haven't stretched after the initial break-in period. According to the formula, I should be using 18 strands. So I think there is some room there.

[ronnyg]

I'm at 55@28 and use 12 strands of b50.  It made a very noticable difference from the 16 strands that was on there.  I have shot several 1000's of shots.  It stretched some in the beginning, but has not stretched anymore after that

[DEATHMASTER]

Does anybody pad the loops on a B-50?
Say 14 strand with 22 strand padded loops?

[BWD]

There is no need to pad the loops on a 14 strand b-50 string.