No. of strands for a 55# longbow string?

[nyamazan]

Need a new string for my 55# longbow.The one that came with the bow has 16 strands of what I am pretty sure is dacron.
Is there a formula I need to use to calculate the no. of strands I need and is dacron available in different colours? I like the look of those fancy two tone strings!
There's a bloke nearby who makes up strings for compound bows and I'm sure he could make me up one.
Many thanks for your time.

[indianalongbowshooter]

if it will take a FF string get a 12 strand, if B-50 a 12-14 strand will work also, alot of people use 16 strand B-50. I like D-97, TS-1 or 8125 w/D-97 preferred..

[alligatordond]

With Dacron it doesn't really matter as long as you have enough for strength and the nock fits nicely after it is served. I usually make 16 strand flemish for anything up to 70 pounds w/o issue. Dacron comes in many colors. PM me with your details and I'll make you one on the house.

[PAPALAPIN]

16 Strand

[nyamazan]

DonD, thats very kind of you but I live across the ocean in South Africa.

[alligatordond]

They send mail there don't they? PM me the details and I'll send it. My treat

[Rob DiStefano]

Of all the modern fibers that are readily available, Dacron B50/B500 has the lowest breaking strength of just under 50#.  For a 55# bow, I'd want a string to test out at about 12 times the holding weight.  

12 x 55# (holding weight) = 660#, 605#/50# (Dacron tensile strength) = 13.2 strands.  With a fudge factor of 1 that equates to a 12 or 14 strand Dacron string.  I'd choose 14 strands.

12 x 55# = 660#, 660#/100# (average modern HMPE fiber tensile strength) = 6.6 strands.  My fudge factor here sez no lower than 10 strands but I'd rather use 12 strands.

YMMV.

alligatordond =          

[Shawn Leonard]

I shoot a lot of 10 and 12 strand B-50s out of bows 48-55#s. I have never had a problem. Shawn

[Jeremy]

I shoot 12 strand B50 out of 57-60# @ 30" and don't have problems.  For the modern materials, strand count all depends on what it is - their diameters are quite different.  I like 14 strand TS-1 with the loops padded to 18.

[longstick]

I shoot a 10 strand D97 out of my bows and no problems either...just pad the loops to a 14 strand and it will help the quiet

[nyamazan]

Thanks for all the replies.
Looks like alligatordond is going to hook me up with a new string. Very generous of him.
All the best to you.

[alligatordond]

2 strings made and ready to send . Would love to see some S African game taken with one of my strings  

[SOS]

DonD,

I'm heading to So.Africa in August.  Want me to hand carry'em for you?  LOL.  Can't wait.  Mighty nice to do that - I've made strings for strangers before, but never mailed them off-shore!

[BigJim]

I have been making my strings from TS1 and using 16 strands with .026 serving. If I use less than 16 strands, my nocks don't even touch the string.

How much could I possibly stand to gain with a lower string count? and how do I do it and still have nocks fit?

The long bows I am making are shooting around 204fps with an 8.3gpp arrow.

Thanks, BigJim

[LBR]

Jim, it's going to vary with the bow, draw weight, etc.  You gain speed by reducing the string weight--dropping a couple of strands probably won't give you much.

To get a proper nock fit, just add a few wraps of dental floss to the nocking point.

Chad

[nyamazan]

It's hunting season now but still toooo many variables with my shooting, been at it for around 1 year now, was hoping but don't want to chance it.
Have to use a rifle this year but am going after some Hare this weekend with the bow.
Can't wait for those strings.

[alligatordond]

SOS, I think I better send these as Rod sounds desperate! But since I'm a chronic procrastinator you might want to save a touch of space in your luggage    Actually they should go out next week.

[alligatordond]

Strings have been sent to Rod. I expect the"hero" pics of game killed to be coming soon.

[chrisg]

Hey wena,Namazan, nice to see another Saffrican on this site, we are few but classy!Where in Kwazulu are you? Nice guys here making free strings and all. I also use dacron B50 and make 14 strands. Learn how to do the flemish twist, it's not that hard and as long as you keep the string loops padded and nice and tight they work well. They do stretch out a bit so expect to twist em up a little at first. B50 makes a quiet string too. Shoot straight.
chrisg,
ps good name for a hunter!

[nyamazan]

chrisg, I'm in Pietermaritzburg, where are you?
Yea it's good of DonD to make up some strings for me. Been battling to get to grips with this longbow shooting but learnt lots on here.
Got a compound bow shop near here, good bloke running it, but trad gear a bit scarce.
Those flemish twist strings just look so good, one day I'll learn!