Need a string for a 76' Kodiak Magnum

[SEMO_HUNTER]

I need some help here guys. I just bought a 76' (I believe) Bear Kodiak Magnum off of another TG member. I love this little bow and it shoots really sweet. It's go a 16 strand FF string on it of unknown materials or manufacter. I'm wondering if it needs to be that heavy for one thing? Seems like an awful lot of string for a 55# @28" Kodiak, so I was thinking that with the new string materials out there that a 12 strand would probably be plenty?

It's AMO length is 52" and it's actually 48" when strung if that helps.

I need some advice from Bear bow owners who know this stuff and also from string makers who would be able to offer some insight and could make me a string for it. This is my first Kodiak and it's a sweet bow so I don't wanna screw it up.

Any "informed" help, comments, advice would be greatly appreciated.

~SEMO~

[Stiks-n-Strings]

Chris you might look up Chad. He go's by LBR here on the board. He's the feller that done the DVD doing the twist.

[Jon Stewart]

Chad knows best.  I own a few older Kodiak mags.  My guess would 14 strand B-50.  I don't think  would use FF strings on the older bows.  B-50 is old school and been around a long time.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

i'm watching this cause i'm thinking about a fancy string for mine also.

[JamesKerr]

Don't! use ff on older bows it will wear through the limb tips and cause the bow to delaminate. I would use a 14-18 strand B-50 string.

[frank bullitt]

Semo, the string is probably 16 strands of dacron.

If it was made in '76, it would not be for High Performance string materials.

For that weight, I would use a 12 strand dacron.

Flemish or endless.

[Hit-or-Miss]

That wasn't a FF string, but B-50 Dacron.

[SEMO_HUNTER]

Originally posted by Hit-or-Miss:
That wasn't a FF string, but B-50 Dacron.

Thanks Chris, I wondered if you might join in on the topic. I guess you all know what your talking about cause the general consensus of the group seems to be "Stick with B50" so that's what I'll do. I don't want to take a chance on blowing a limb cause I did something stupid like put a fast flite string on it.

I should have said in my original post that I make my own strings from B50 and have been since I made my first longbow, so I can make all my own strings from that material.....Flemish twist of course.
It's the fast flite strings that I don't have a clue about as far as materials, what's the right stuff and what to steer clear of.

Thanks for the advice and the string offers, that's why I posed these questions to the group before doing something I shouldn't.
You guys are the best information source available anywhere when it comes to trad gear.  

[Hit-or-Miss]

Chris, I replied to your e-mail. I tend to go heavier with my strings than needed. 12-14 would be fine out of that 57# Magnum... I thought it shot fast with the 16 strand. I had a better flemish that came with it, but I frigged that all up, so I put the old B-50 on it. I only use Dacron B-50, as I dislike fast flight. I just don't care about another few feet per second, it doesn't matter to me, and the critters don't seem to notice the difference either.
I read an article by Fred Bear years ago and he mentioned using a string a few strands heavier than needed for extra strength, in case you accidently rubbed it against a tree or rock. It made sense to me, as if there is a way to bump into trees or brush, I find it...LOL!
Enjoy the bow and your X-Mass!

[SEMO_HUNTER]

I'm not really looking to gain fps so much as I am efficiency. What I mean by that is just in my experience my arrows seem to fly better with a string that's closer to 12 strands and easier on my arrow nocks. Fat strings bulge my nock grooves and make them a little loose when I shoot those arrows out of a different bow of the same wt. with a smaller diameter string, so I like to keep them all uniform if possible. My longbows and recurves are all about the same wt. and I can shoot the same arrow out of each bow with good results, that saves me from having to build a new set of arrows for each outfit. Don't know if that makes sense or not?
Just thought I'd try FF and see how I liked it, but won't do it at the risk of messing up my bow. I've never had any problems with B50 and it's way cheaper than FF material, so it's all good.

Merry Christmas you all and best wishes for a Happy, safe, peaceful, and prosperous New Year.