New String...uh oh.

[Robert Honaker]

Got my bow tuned and shooting really well. Ready for the season.
Figured I better get a spare string as a backup.

Well wasn't sure what strand count, how many bundles or what kind of serving is on the bow now. I know from the previous owner that it is a D97 though.

I order a D97, 12 strand padded to 18 with halo serving.
Here's the uh oh.....shoots like crap. No where near what it does with the string that came on the bow.

I guess since it's tuned I will hope this one holds up. I had no idea two strings made of the same material would shoot so different.

[bornagainbowhunter]

I have never had strings of the same count and material shoot differently.  Do you have the same brace hight and nock point?  If it is alot fewer stranded string than the old one, you might have to take a little point weight off.

[Bill Carlsen]

Something else is wrong here but I am at a loss to even venture a guess. Here's what I do...make my own strings...saves money, you know what you're getting and it is fun. Plus, you can experiment and perhaps come up with a string that shoots better than the "good" one you have now.

[Robert Honaker]

Yes..same NP and BH.  Strung it last night and and this morning shot it a while and adjusted BH where  the other string is set.

My old string is not padded and thinner than the new one.  

I put the old string back on and shooting good as ever.

[JimB]

It is a good idea when you buy a string,to buy two.Set one up and tune with it.When it is shot in,take it off the bow.Record the brace height and nocking point height.That is now your spare string.Set up your second string using the brace height and nocking point height you recorded.You can see why two identical strings is important.

[Robert Honaker]

Yes JimB, that is absolutely what I will do from now on.

Not this year though..season is too close and have my arrows set up and ready to go.

[xtrema312]

Could it be the serving?  Maybe you have a higher drag one on your old string and it is not as slick as the halo.  That could cause some difference in release.  I get this kind of thing changing tab materials or even layers on my pac-tab.

[mrpenguin]

You said one is thicker... you have a difference in strands and difference in padding.  I'm willing to bet your arrows are showing stiff with the new string.  You can try to compensate by lowering the brace height... but you will lose forgiveness in your shot.  What I'd recommend is tune the new string and order an identical one for your back up.  Ditch the string that works right now if you want a backup.  

Also, D97 will need to set in a tiny tiny bit... this could effect you.  The other thing is the serving... the amount of it on the string can effect how the string shoots.  

Good luck.