Test B-50 vs B-55

[Mike Mecredy]

I just started getting B-55 'cause I heard it better.  So today I put it to the test.  The bow used is a 54" recurve, 41# @ 28".  I used only one arrow each time, 500 gr. 5/16" birch, 29" BOP.  The B-50 string is several years old and has beed stretched about as far as can be, the B-55 string I just made today. Both are 10 strand, and the brace ht. was the same each time at 7 1/4".  The both strings make about the same noise, very little, no silencers on either. I don't have a chrono-ma-jigger but I shot a block target and measured penetration.  The B-55 String consistantly had 1/2" more penetration and at distance of 25 yrds consistantly had 1"-2" less drop.  B-55 being brand new and the B-50 being broke-in I'd call the B-55 a better string.  Costs less too, so a much better string.

So I use B-55 now.

[Steelhead]

I think the B-55 might be a bit more wear resistant as well?

It will stretch a bit more for you and settle in.The bow should feel a tad nicer then when shot.

[joekeith]

Who sells the B-55?  I didn't see it at 3 Rivers.

[JustinNC]

great thread a day after I order some B-50 lol

[PEARL DRUMS]

Thanks Mike, now I dont have to experiment myself! Good stuff

[huntmaster70]

I like the B-55 better than B-50.Seems quieter (to me)& supposed to wear better. I made several strings for recurves & longbows that were shot all summer w/o any sign of wear.

[ron w]

I won a spool of B-%% this summer at the Muzzy but have not tried it yet.....may have to shortly.

[ron w]

I ment a spool of B-55,wish I could type!

[Mike Mecredy]

I bought it at Kustom king for $7.95 /spool

[cbCrow]

I shot B55 for LBR, Champion Bowstrings and foun it about the same as B50. It did shoot an arrow a litle faster( about1.5%) when compared to B50, and I thought a little quieter. However after about 3-4 weeks of settling in I thought the stretch was over, but one morning I was out shooting  and my arrows started to go everywhere. I checked my brace height and found it had dropped by 3/8" after about 12-15 arrows for no reason. I did not want to shoot it any more and headed home with it and changed back to B50. The bow was a Fedora and the string was endless loop.

[Art B]

If you study the two closely you'll notice the the B-55 is thicker in diameter than the B-50. Weighs more also. So a ten strand string of B-55 will be more consistant with a 11 strand B-50. More material just means less stretch IMO. That could explain the performance difference. ART B

[Wannabe1]

Gonna be trying it real soon!   :D  But, that's another story.

[Bud B.]

So far I've made three strings for the Bear Super Grizzly using B55. I have found it stretches alot. Rebounds back a bit if unstrung. It is definitely faster than B50. Using 12 strands for 50# but could go to ten easliy I think. But, my stretch could be from my lack of flemish experience.

So far I like it. Got it from Kustom King.

[gudspelr]

Oliverstacy built me 2 B-55 strings that have done me quite well.  They did put arrows out just a touch faster than my B-50 string that was on it before.  He told me it'd stretch a bit less than the B-50.  I'm not too experienced at all this stuff, but so far I'm pleased with them.


Jeremy

[Mike Mecredy]

As for thickness of the two,  I took a strand of each type, both yellow, twisted each end tight so the strand was "round" and it wouldn't get squished so much, and measured both with a digital dial caliper and both were .007".