taming my Kodiak Hunter??

[Oldskool2]

Im having some issues getting my 45# Kodiak Hunter quiet and shock free. I am currently shooting a B50 string, beaver balls, 500 grain carbons, felt on the limbs, brace height of 8 1/4" and it is as quiet and shock free as I can get it but there is a real glassy sounding "beeeonnggg" sound and some shock. I have shot other Bear bows and noticed the same with them. Is that something inherent to the older Bear bows or should I keep messing with different strings and arrows and what not?

[TURKEYFOOTGIRL]

I would start with cat whiskers-rubber silencers.  All my bows are way too loud and twangy for me with beaver balls.

[Jake Fr]

Get some wool on it it helped mkne and heavier arrows helped the most

[Bluefeather]

I shoot a '69 KH and had the same noise problem untill I installed a slide-on Boa quiver.That did more to quiet it down than anything else.That,along with cat whiskers and 555gr. arrows, make it quiet enough to hunt with.Great bow!,good luck with yours.
P.S. my brace height is 7 3/4,seemed to get louder if I went higher.

[bearsfeet]

I have cat whiskers and limb savers string leeches for silencers on my kodiak and its as quite of a bow as I have shot.
I tried wool because I like the look but it did not quite the bow as much as what I have on it now

[LBR]

I've owned/shot lots of old Bear bows over the years.  Never used anything but dacron on them, haven't experienced that kind of problem.

I match the strand count to the draw weight (a way over-built string can cause some noise, especially dacron) and use "cat whisker" silencers.  I start with a "naked" string (no silencers) and at the low point of the brace.  Work up a little at a time to find the sweet spot, where noise and vibration are the least (having someone standing close to listen is a big help).  Then tie the silencers on AROUND the string so they can be adjusted--a half-inch can make a big difference with some bows.  Same routine--shoot, adjust, shoot some more.  You'll find the silencers also have a sweet spot.  Don't leave them too long, else they will make their own noise.

If the nocks fit too tight, that will add noise.  If your release is sloppy, that will add noise.  If your arrow spine is off, that can add noise.  Lots of variables to consider.  A little tinkering can go a long way.

Chad

[Marc B.]

I use B55 on my KHs at an 8" brace height. All of mine are in the 50 to 55# range and I build them with 14 strands and use homemade fleece silencers like the old tarantulas. Chad is 100% correct on silencer placement. Mine end up around even with the decals. You'll never catch me running a non-stretch string on a vintage Bear, its not worth the risk to me and I've gotten good results with dacron.

[AWPForester]

Marc B., I ask this respectfully, but post one verified risk other than assumptions.  Tell me one time a ff string has blown up a vintage bow.  Or better yet, try to tell me that thousands haven't let go using Dacron.  More vibration equals more stress going thru the bow.  I know, I know, your arguement is with the tips.  So, tell me the difference in the micarta tips they used then versus the one's they use now.  Tell me why some bowyers just use wood tip overlays?  Tell me why so many self bow shooters are shooting ff with no problems if there is such a risk.  One more, what are you basing your assumption of risk on.

Shoot what you like.   I ain't trying to convince you of anything but it sure sounds like you are trying to tell me it is risky.  I also know of the noise the OP talks about.  It is inheriant with all Bear bows.  I'm no authority but I've owned and shot enough to know that if they are wearing Dacron, it has a bass drum noise upon returnng to brace.  So good results is subjective to the person saying it and what they determne quiet is.  You get the proof ff is bad on the vintage bows and I'll concede.  God Bless

[Marc B.]

AWP I disagree that Bear bows are inherently noisy. I have around 10 Bears and all are quite with Dacron strings. You'd be hard pressed to hear my 62 Kodiak make a sound at the shot. So like you say its subjective to the person.

As far as shooting FF on them I have no experience and I'm not will to risk those grand old bows to gain a few FPS when they are plenty quite. How I came to this goes back over 20 years ago hearing Jim Brackenbury talk about. I also remember reading Dick Robertson say the only limb tip failures he had were from FF strings before he built them up. When I ordered my first Silvertip I tried to talk Dave into using a bocote riser with FF and he declined due to overall stress on the bow.

I've always enjoyed your post and its a shame ATAR is gone where we could do the vintage bow shoot together and compare notes. Your bow your choice, my bow my choice. The good thing is we're both taking Fred's bows out in the woods.

[AWPForester]

Yep