How do I make my bow quiet?

[Capt Gibson]

I am very very new to this hobby, and plan to hunt this fall with a bow I just ordered.  I recently ordered a Martin x-200, 45lbs @ 28 inches and need some advice.  I want this bow to be quiet quiet quiet, so what should I do?  Different string?  String silencers like my compound has?  Heavier arrow or head?  Velcro at the tips?  I want this thing to whisper.

Also, the guy who I don't know very well at the only archery place in town (fort polk) said he wants me to use carbons, but I would love to use the woodies from Brian Ferguson at all wood arrows.  Everyone says he makes a very consistent product.  This guy doesn't really deal with traditional much.  He said the carbons will run me about 10 bucks a piece.

[ronp]

Try Bow Hush and Hush Puppies from the sponsors here.  Great stuff.  And while your at it play around with different brace heights.  Some gains can be made there.  Welcome to this site, good luck and enjoy the learning process.  It never ends!

[khardrunner]

shoot at least 9.5-10 gpp as well

[Piratkey]

If you bow is FF compatible,try Astro flight material in12 strands with qiviut wool string silencers and keep you nock not to tight.
Bow hush and hush puppies is a good option too, like say Ron

[Capt Gibson]

Forgive me, but how do I "play with different brace heights"?

[Capt Gibson]

Oh yea, and what is FF compatible?

[AWPForester]

Firt off get a SBD string.  It is much quieter than B50 or any other string material on most every bow made.  String mterial is so important and an sbd is the best of the best in my opinion and many others as well.

Next, get some string silencers on it.  SBD will provide those as well for just a couple dollars more.

Get the thing braced correctly and you will have a quiet bow bro.

I shoot a shorter draw and have never expierenced any louder bow on 8 gpp or 11 gpp of arrow weight.  I think alot of guys could mimick this result if they would bump their brace 1/2 inch proven by their bow being shockey versus a properly braced one, regardless of draw length.

In other words I strongly believe a properly tuned bow would dismiss alot of that myth on some bows.  Other bows are just going be louder due to drawing them farther resulting in lots more energy than I generate with a 26 inch draw.

Rounding this up, SBD string, supplied silencers and all.  Get it braced correctly and shoot any arrow you want very quietly.  And trust me, I am a quiet bow freak, so understand when I say quiet that is exactly what I mean.  God Bless

[yekrut]

I used to shoot a x-200 mine is really quiet, I use beaver silenciers on it and set the brace good and its quiet!!!

[slowbowjoe]

I've only been shooting 5 or 6 years - gone from woodies, to carbon for a year, and back to wood.

Carbons will take a bunch of fiddling with to tune, but if and when you find your correct match, will stay straight, they're wicked durable, and you can easily change points. I found them less "forgiving" than wood, and perhaps less quiet out of the bow.

Woodies will bend sometimes, and require straightening (easy once you get the hang of it). Stump shooting, they'll break if you hit a rock, or a hard enough tree or stump. And to me, they just "feel" better, and I prefer shooting a natural, renewable material. They can be less expensive than carbons, or as expensive, per arrow, depending how you have them finished. There are many fine arrow builders to work with.

Just some thoughts from my limited experience.

You will find a wealth of good advice on arrows here - I know I do. And I happen to shoot a very similar set up.

Relax,and enjoy the journey.

[boznarras]

Originally posted by Capt Gibson:
Forgive me, but how do I "play with different brace heights"?

You never did get the answer to this-
The brace height is the perpendicular distance from the string to the deepest part of the grip. This is easiest to measure with a bow square.
If you shorten the string length, it pulls the tips toward each other and increases the brace height. You can shorten the string by taking the top loop off the bow and twisting it to make it shorter, then put it back on the bow.
If you twist the string the other way, it makes the string longer and decreases brace height.
Try just a few twists and measure and shoot the bow. When you get the best setting, it will not only be quieter, but will shoot better and have better arrow flight. Once you find what you like, write it down. Check it every so often, strings stretch a little, especially when new.  The bowyer may give you a range of brace height, but it is up to you to experiment and see what is best for you+your arrows+your string+your bow.
You also asked what is "FF compatible"; that refers to a type of string material: fast flight. The concern is with the shock loads. Some bows are not meant to use this stuff, so you might ask the maker of yours, or ask here by identifying what you are shooting. Some older bows predate FF for example, but some archers use it on them anyway.
Hope that helps, have fun.

[reddogge]

No one mentioned you tune your bow first without any silencers on the string. Tune it to shoot as quietly as possible by adjusting the brace height as described above. When that is done add your string silencers and if need be wrap your string loops with wool yarn where they tough the recurve part of the limb.

Carbon is great but wood may be easier for you to work with since you are new. It just requires more maintenance.

[jhg]

Ditto on Reddogge.

Before adding anything to the string, or the limbs, tune the bow for most quiet. Having someone else listen to the shot will be a huge help here.  Allow yourself plenty of time and don't rush it.

[LookMomNoSights]

With your arrows,  go HEAVEY!

[Capt Gibson]

The bow is a new in box, 2009 model Martin x-200

[JamesKerr]

I am not sure if the X-200 is fast flight capable or not but if it is definately buy a sbd string or have one made by Chad or Oliver Stacy. Once you get your new string find the brace height that works best on your bow. hen install some Bow Hush and Hush puppies and you should have a silent bow (provided you use atleast 9gpp)